Flex DF2 and Flexsecure Java Card positions

Projects
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My first implants

I am looking to implant two implants for keys in my IT-life, and for unlocking physical doors.

TL;DR

I would like to hear your recommendations on where I should implant them, and I would love to hear any other comments and tips you have.

Implants that I acquired

Use case

flexDF2 DESFire EV2 8kB NFC

  • I have a DOM ENiQ Pro V2 cylinder in my door
  • I want to open it with my implant
  • The doorknob position of the door in my current apartment is almost irrelevant, as it is guaranteed that I will move to a different apartment (probably even multiple times) in the near future. I must therefore think more or less about the most “universally practical” solution, also meaning considering the “worst case”

flexSecure Java Card

  • I want to use it with the NFC reader of the phone for various things
    • Unlock Bitwarden
  • I have NFC readers as a table top device on my desks, as well as an NFC reader under the touchpad of my laptop, where I would like to use it for various things
    • Decrypt hard drive
    • ssh/gpg/age key
    • Login/Unlock screen
    • Unlock password manager

Placement

flexDF2 DESFire EV2 8kB NFC

  • I was first thinking left wrist, but that is not very practical with a watch
  • Right wrist therefore seems rather good at first
  • Wrist might be a problem with having to bend the hand a lot, as one must bend the writ alot to get the chip to the reader if the door frame is deep.
  • I was also thinking 0, 1, or 3 (4 and 5 maybe not) according to the naming convention for implants in the hand
  • In general right side seems better as that is where the door knobs usually are

flexSecure Java Card

  • My first idea would be at a fleshy area (further away from the wrist) on the underside of my left or right underarm, which is easy for phone and also reasonably easy for tabletop
  • I was also thinking wrist, so it would then be the right one, because of my watch
  • Wrist might be a tiny bit weird with my table top NFC reader, since I would have to invert my hand, but it’s nothing too terrible
  • I don’t care that much about right side vs left side here
    • I don’t mind switching hands for my phone for NFC stuff, and I have my phone both in the right and left hand anyway, actually usually left (non-dominant), as my phone is attached to a lanyard to the right side of my pants

Implanting service

  • I live in Berlin, and have found the following bodymodder, which looks promising: Heller Piercing Berlin
  • Does anyone else have recommendations for Berlin or for NRW (I am there quite often)?

Further comments

  • I am debating getting the “module” antenna or the “spectrum” antenna versions of the flexSecure Java Card.
    • My flexSecure Java Card is still sealed, so I could sell it in the EU for a rather good price.
  • Can someone give me pros/cons of the “narrow” version I have versus the other ones?
  • Can someone convince me that what I got was the correct version (the other versions hadn’t existed before)?
    • It is after all the least intrusive, so I like that, and it seems like this one is the least likely to break under accidental impact/bending/etc.?
    • It also leaves more possibilities for implanting, but this does not matter if I take a very fleshy part
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Fantastic post, well researched.

Unfortunately I dont have the time to reply right now.

I’m sure you will get some great answers.

I’ll be back later, to fill in the gaps (if any)

In summary,
your research has done you well.

Everything you have suggest sounds good.

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I have a flexUG4 (newer w/ antenna redesign) in my L5 and an Apex module on the top of my wrist a bit higher on the arm than you might wear a watch. It is also off-center towards the outer edge but still on the top flat of the arm. This placement lets me easily use the Apex with wall mounted/fixed readers, my phone, and it’s not that inconvenient to flip my arm over to use a desktop reader. I do plan to make an angled mount for the desktop reader so I don’t need to do that. I have mine in my left wrist, but I wear my watch on the right so that is not a problem.

For my uses both placements work well, it is not too awkward to use either of them.

The module performance is noticeably better than the flexUG4. I know the narrow flexSecure is not the same antenna/performance as the UG4, but they are around the same size so maybe it is an OK-ish comparison? Maybe take this comparison with a grain of salt. For use with a proxmark or a desktop reader both are easy to use and easy to get a good coupling with.

With my phone the Apex module reads immediately with a very large area it can read. Angle does not seem to matter either. I use it daily with my phone and desktop readers.

For the UG4 I need to place and rotate my phone a bit to get a read, and it can take a moment or two to do that. I have learned for my phone where exactly to place it, and at what angle. Bit I do need to move it around for a second or two to get a read. Not the end of the world, but less convenient than the module.

L5 works well for all scans as well. I don’t use the UG4 as often as the Apex though. I put the Apex in my wrist mostly due to the larger size. L5 is less awkward to bend or contort for a fixed reader. Both spots are fine for use with a phone.

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I would always prefer the module over the narrow for coupling performance and range, if you are cool with a scalpel install.

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thanks for the recommendation.

the installation itself is not of concern for me. just how it feels under the skin later, how much risk it poses for my body if it moves around or whatever, how easily it breaks, how well it performs, etc.

where would you place it?

maybe i will post my narrow module for sale somewhere. it is unopened and sealed, after all.

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I placed one module in the top of my left hand, around P3, see Install Videos and Pictures 🩸 - #388 by StarGate01 . This position s very convenient to interface with readers and terminals. Another module is in the upper side in the middle of my left forearm, as a backup. Both are easy to read with my phone in my right hand.

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Choosing the top-tier implant: Apex Flex or FlexSecure?