Smart Locks - for your home

LSurreal on 29/06/2023 - 14:03
Last edited 04/09/2023 - 08:40 by 1 other user

I'm trying to decide on the right first step for a smart lock or two for our home. Why stuff around with house keys, right? Why tie a key to my shoelace when I'm off for a run, and why fish the keyring out of a pocket or bag when our car has keyless entry so we never need to touch the keys really?

I think I would first put one on our garage interior access door where the keyed lock is just the handle so a smart lock with a handle might swap in directly in place of that without needing much DIY skill (of which I have not much).
Something like this Lockly: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/HOMLOK6280/Lockly-Secure-Pl… but maybe its overkill. I wonder about aliexpress cheap looking handle-smart-locks but it that could be a waste of time if it only lasts 12 months.

I think fingerprint support is a key feature for very-quick entry to the house while wrestling kids and shopping, but maybe PIN is good enough.
I wouldn't use the remote-config or wifi features of most locks for this door.

For the front door of the house we do have a separate deadbolt that could be replaced, I'd certainly aim to install a reliable trustworthy thing and maybe pay to get it done properly, I guess that comes later but hopefully we get the same brand of lock to keep things simple.

Any cheapies got some useful experience with smart locks, or ideas of what I should be looking for?

General Discussion Smart Home Smart Lock

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  • TheDealMan on 29/06/2023 - 21:49
    +2

    The Ultraloq Latch 5 Fingerprint would be my recommendation. It's the latest model from Ultraloq and has a whole bunch of features including built-WiFi, so there's no need for a separately purchased WiFi bridge. Currently $320 NZD on Amazon with the coupon, so a super sharp price for the features compared to anything from Lockly, Schlage etc. Here is an overview video.

    • L3tstaxth1s on 30/06/2023 - 14:42

      Seems heavily reliant on the app - is this a sub based model?

      • TheDealMan on 30/06/2023 - 14:53

        It works with the app over Bluetooth and WiFi, Fingerprint, Code, or Mechanical Key. No subscription model :)

  • n908671 on 29/06/2023 - 20:49
    +1

    Bought a $25 combination lockbox and leave a key in there.

    • L3tstaxth1s on 04/09/2023 - 08:31
      +1

      So old school ;)

  • rkl on 29/06/2023 - 14:13

    Bought a Yale assure SL with a Wifi kit from the home show for $398.
    Really happy with. Got in mainly for the auto-unlock. So if we get home the door auto unlocks, Handy when juggling the kids.

    • L3tstaxth1s on 04/09/2023 - 08:30

      How is this set powered up?

      • rkl on 04/09/2023 - 08:59

        AA batteries in the lock and the bridge plugs into mains

  • Toddy47 on 29/06/2023 - 14:38

    Do you have an automatic garage opener? It's very simple to "smartify" those and then use your phone (for example) to open it. In terms of locks, you need to try and find something that either fits in the preexisting hole, or change the size of it and make sure the position works. My recommendation is to only look at ones that also have a manual key operated lock as well.

    • SilverLining on 12/09/2023 - 21:56

      Re a simple way to smartify an automatic garage door opener - do you have any particular recommendations on ways to do this? Thanks

      • ace310 on 12/09/2023 - 22:19
        +1

        One of the good one

  • epicor on 29/06/2023 - 14:41

    Have purchased Eufy T8520T11 Security Smart Lock Touch with WiFi when they were on sale last year. So far so good. Very convenient. You can Unlock via fingerprint, the keypad, the eufy Security app, or one of the 5 included keys. Build quality is extremely high.

    https://www.cheapies.nz/node/34840

    • Surreal on 30/06/2023 - 08:57
      +1

      Yeah Eufy would be nice for the front door I think, we already have eufy cameras so it would be good to have them in the same app. Shame that the eufy homebase doesn't seem to function as a bluetooth-wifi bridge for the door lock, as the wifi lock models have a significant price difference. thanks.

  • boldbilly on 30/06/2023 - 07:30

    I bought a "Raykube K01" cheapie from AliExpress ($92 NZD, incl fast shipping) and couldn't be happier.

    It simply replaces the existing door knob.

    I also bought a hub, but the knob works great by itself so I have never used it.

    Make sure to buy a Bluetooth model, not a WiFi model, so the batteries last a long time.

    It also includes keys, so you can unlock the door in the traditional manner if something goes wrong (which it hasn't for us)

    Feel free to ask questions.

    • Surreal on 30/06/2023 - 08:38

      If it replaces the basic keyed doorknob we already have then that's an option. As long as it has a similar feel or strength to your typical doorknob?
      Do these stay always locked or is there some way to have it stay unlocked until you lock it again?

      • boldbilly on 30/06/2023 - 17:05
        +1

        It feels like a regular door knob to me. It is locked by default, but if you press a button on the inside of the house it will remain unlocked until you lock it again. Handy if you are in and out a lot for a period of time.

  • kiwijunglist on 30/06/2023 - 07:42

    We have Yale assure locks and so does my brother and works well.

    You have two options to choose form.
    - key slot if battery fails
    - 12v connectors to hold up 12v battery if battery fails

    I installed the lock myself but was quite an effort as I had to reconstruct the door as the existing holes were not in the right place.

  • Bobtherobber on 30/06/2023 - 08:20

    We have an eufy fingerprint, password and key lock for the front door and just one of those cheaper non electronic ones with the 12 buttons poking out for the garage. Works great

  • mdsl32 on 30/06/2023 - 10:41

    Have a schlage encode does what we ask and it's completely exposed to the elements (seaspray etc) and it's working with no signs of degrading

    Yale stuff seems ok too

  • Adam547 on 30/06/2023 - 13:06

    Since you have a separate deadbolt for the front door I would highly recommend this option which includes both a handle lock and a separate deadbolt: https://u-tec.com/products/ultraloq-combo-bluetooth-enabled-…

    When you pull down on the door handle either from the inside or outside (after swiping your fingerprint) it will automatically unlock the deadbolt like magic. If you pull up on the handle from either side it will lock the deadbolt too. Like all the other smart locks it comes with fingerprint, bluetooth, card access etc.

    On the garage side door I use a mortise smart lock from AliExpess and I also use some separate deadbolts from there (ones that lock the top of the door without any handle on the outside and work via a remote). They've all been working fine for years (touch wood) so I assume most of the locks on there are decent enough quality these days.

    • Surreal on 30/06/2023 - 13:41
      +1

      The combo ultraloq looks very cool. I suppose I need to go and half-disassemble my current locks to check exactly what measurements are in place there to see if any of these products will fit directly in place of what I've got.

  • blurtie on 30/06/2023 - 13:21

    I've got a Lockly smart lock - the dead bolt version rather than the integrated door handle one you linked. Have to say I purchased it for all the same reasons you've mentioned and very happy with it overall. There's something liberating about leaving the house with just your phone..

    Generally works as it says on the box. I have found the fingerprint scanner to be a bit temperamental at times i.e. if it's cold or your finger is wet/contaminated then it requires multiple attempts. It doesn't really work so well with younger kids, my 7 year old son has been hit/miss with using it. But it does say it's not suitable for kids.

    The randomised pin entry is a cool feature and you can set up multiple users as well as set up temporary guest access, i.e. for tradies or family who come and stay - but I think most of the other brands mentioned above probably also have this feature.

    For my lock you have to purchase an additional kit to hook it up to your smart home assistant, otherwise you'll need to go into the app to lock/unlock. I've got one, but haven't found a need to set it up yet..

    • Surreal on 30/06/2023 - 13:39

      Good point about fingerprint and kids - there is every chance these fingerprint sensors wouldn't be reliable for the little ones. Maybe by age 7 they can remember a pin code?

      • blurtie on 30/06/2023 - 14:09
        +1

        I ended up registering my sons fingerprint a bunch of times and that made it a bit better. But there are still times where it won't recognise his fingerprint.

        We set up some basic pin codes - i.e. his and his mothers b'day and he still struggles with remembering.. Part of it is probably out of pure laziness as he usually prefers the fingerprint method first and if that doesn't work he'll just want for an adult who's with him to let him in.

        I'm hoping it'll come right by the time he starts walking from school by himself so he can just let himself in.

      • Alan6984 on 30/06/2023 - 14:05

        Definitely - at six, my daughter could remember my mobile number, so a PIN should be no more difficult.

  • Wakrak on 04/09/2023 - 08:41

    Good thread on Geekzone
    https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=141&topicid=30…

  • Mico on 05/09/2023 - 14:47

    Auckland Homeshow is up this week.
    Do check out the Yale 7220 Digital Door Lock.

    • L3tstaxth1s on 07/09/2023 - 14:39

      Is there a code for this or deal only in person at the home show?

      • Mico on 07/09/2023 - 15:55

        I cannot 100% confirm but I think it is deal in person at the Auckland Home Show.

  • Avantime on 08/09/2023 - 07:30

    Has anyone used these smart locks long-term, especially for exterior doors that are exposed to the weather and NZ's harsh sunlight?

    • ace310 on 08/09/2023 - 09:19

      Yes. I don't see any issues as such. I have Schlage Black S-6000 since 4+ years. It is exposed to sun & rain though bit covered, but still has sun half a day or so. Battery lasts around 6mons I think, using 8 eneloop pro and works fine. I know atleast 5 people with sort of similar locks who have been using it for 5+ years and I don't think anyone has any complaints.

      No issues, just wish it was wifi enabled for remote access.

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