Smart lock for my front door, what do you recommend?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Smart lock for my front door, what do you recommend?

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#1607325 10-Aug-2016 00:52

I did a LOT of research into this as I just recently finished building a house and was determined to have a smart lock on my front door. I actually found this one of the hardest decisions to make out of all of the endless decisions when building a house.
There were a lot of options, but I finally nailed it down to the Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt (iPhone only at this stage) but was devastated after all that to find it wasn't available in NZ yet, I spoke to the NZ distributor who said its not due till later this year. It is actually available on the Apple NZ site for $499. But I ordered it from Amazon - arrived in a few days and was only $363 NZD Delivered.
Very easy to fit. Looks superb, functions really well

Can lock/unlock using Siri, Schlage App, thumb turn inside, keypad outside or normal old fashioned key, also single press locking for ease when exiting. In iOS 10 the " home" app will have geo fencing options for Auto-Locking and Unlocking.

Can set different users in the app with different codes to see when they come and go, also time based codes, and set to auto lock after a certain amount of time has passed.

I didn't have a door handle yet so ordered the matching Century F Series handle set in Brushed Nickel to go with it, also off Amazon for $192 NZD Delivered.

*Is HomeKit enabled but you do need an Apple TV within range of the lock to be able to use some features when outside of Bluetooth range of it.( An iPad will also be able to serve as the home hub instead in iOS10)

Very very pleased with it. Highly recommended.

chimera

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#1610658 12-Aug-2016 12:42

apocalypso:

How do you find walking into your house sideways? :-)

Here's the el-cheapo version I did... http://www.instructables.com/id/RF-Door-Lock-ESP8266-and-OpenHAB/

cshaun

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#1611388 14-Aug-2016 14:47

Kwikset Kevo 2 supposed to be coming very soon. With a number of improvements.

Supposedly better quality now and less susceptible to screw driver. "It also has upgraded its SmartKey feature for better protection against torque attacks."

So maybe it's OK now?

I'm personally struggling a bit trying to find a deadbolt (ideally smart / key-less) that's also reasonably secure.

As mentioned it's easy enough to take a brick to a window, but I want something that can't be picked, bumped or easily opened with a screwdriver.
Mechanical key code ones looked nice, until I looked into how few combinations they actually had. Longest it'd take is around 5 min to go through all options. Realistically probably closer to 2 min. Electronic/digital keypad ones it often seems quite easy to see what digits are used the most plus batteries...

The Bowley lock looks quite nice - not smart though. Not sure I like having to do the extra turn to use it, but is much cheaper than ASSA, Medeco, Abloy, Schlage primus, EVVA MCS, mut-T-lock and BiLock options. You do get add on modules to turn any deadbolt into a smart lock - so a possible option. But again all I've looked at seem to have issues.

Haven't had chance to properly look into some of the ones already mentioned. But anything that meet the above basic criteria?

mdf

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#1611410 14-Aug-2016 16:28

I've been looking at these for a little while, but like many things on my to do list haven't quite gotten around to dealing with this yet. Though I think I'll end up replacing the doors first so probably not a bad thing.

One of the more interesting ones I've seen is the Haven Lock. Completely different style of lock, essentially making a barrier behind the door rather than a barrel inside it. Looks like good physical security, but couldn't comment on the digital/bluetooth security. I've also got quite a step behind my door and not sure if it will actually fit properly.

Jaxson

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#1611442 14-Aug-2016 16:58

Personally I realise we hardly ever use our front door itself, usually coming in via the garage.

If you had lots of people in the flat, or cleaners/home help etc, it could be a nice idea. Even an individual pin number, so you weren't issuing the one number to all users.

Agree on the comments re security vs access control. Takes very little effort to smash a window and enter a house if you really need to get in.

Alarms that dial out are probably more useful from a security perspective, along with video footage that gets stored off site etc.

floydie

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#1611455 14-Aug-2016 17:02

Weve got a kaba EF680 lock. Very nice. It has pin/tag/card and a remote. Not very "smart" but you could hack a temote into whatever connectivity you wanted. I should have got it hard wired to some sort of power supply thpugh as it chees batteries every 5 months or so and thats only one or two entries a fay on average

neb

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#1611593 14-Aug-2016 21:33

Before people get too enthusiastic about betting the fanciest gadget locks, you need to look at what it is you're protecting. I mentioned that I have a generic Schlage lock because if anyone really wants to get in they can just stick their fist through the door and open it that way. There's no point in putting a $300 lock on a $70 hollow-core door, or more to the point if I was a burglar I'd steal the lock.

Then there's the question of fancy alternative locks. Looking at the Bowley lock, the first thing that strikes me is that unless those keys are made of titanium, you're going to have a serious problem opening the lock if you ever sit on your keys and bend the long, thin U-shaped piece of metal that opens it. The second thing is that it's a we-know-better-than-any-locksmith new design. Anyone can invent a security system that they themselves can't break, but that doesn't mean that it's any good. From the info given on the web page, these guys don't really seem to know much about lock technology. They're not saying "I've been a locksmith for 30 years and decided to design a new lock based on that experience", it's "all locks are sold by corporate cartels, ours isn't".

Then there's the Haven lock. I haven't actually been able to look at that because even after enabling Javascript from about 300 different web sites I still can't get their home page to display. The fact that they can't even get a home page that works without linking in 300 other sites doesn't inspire me with confidence.

If you really want to throw out lots of money on this, get something like a BiLock NG deadbolt, they're made in Australia so easier to get than exotic US products. They're a royal pain to pick (it's not clear if some of the videos claiming to show picking are real or have been enhanced by having a copy of the key available), can't be bumped, and generally the only way to open them is via physically attacking the lock.

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cshaun

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#1611658 15-Aug-2016 01:39

Yes and no. Smashing a window makes a noise. A bump key, lock pick or screw driver attack is pretty much silent and can be done in seconds (depending on the lock). I certainly think it worth spending a little more than $30 on a lock security wise. While I'm certain the probability of these methods vs others is fairly low, for an bit extra (over the life of the lock) seems well worth it.

Probably want to be resistant to torque attacks (primarily screw driver), bumping, then picking. For residential drilling protection overkill unless you live in some sort of fortress.

The Bowley key does look weak. But I've watched and read videos discussing it. I'm pretty confident it's far stronger than your average key. Far stronger metal and much thicker. They fact that there's a small chance it might hook something in your pocket is a bigger concern.
My biggest annoyance is the extra turn required to operate the lock. Sure it's 'unproven' and someone may come up with a way to defeat it. But I'm confident it's a magnitude better than your standard lock. Just look at it - anything to get around it other than destruction is going to require time, effort and special tools.

NZ$160 delivered is fairly cheap compared to other 'high security' locks.

rogercruse

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#1635425 18-Sep-2016 13:53

cshaun:

Kwikset Kevo 2 supposed to be coming very soon. With a number of improvements.

After looking into the options for home automation, I realised that I need to start somewhere and that most of the functionality is dependent on the "hub" you choose to aim for. I really want the Samsung Smartthings Hub when it becomes available in NZ & Oz... This Samsung device offers the best fit for the gadgets I've already got.

Anyway, I thought I would automate my front door while I waited for Samsung, so I picked up a Kwikset Kevo from Mitre 10 yesterday morning...

...and returned it in the afternoon as soon as I realised that I'd purchased the earlier version. Fortunately, I got a full refund and I've now ordered the Kevo 2 device from a well known website named after a river...

During the couple of hours that I owned the Kevo 1, There were a few issues that I had to resolve:

1. The Kevo 1 barrel is slightly bigger than the barrel that it is replacing so I had to purchase a metal file to resolve this issue with my metal front door.

2. The Smart-Key option (to reprogramme an existing key) won't work if your existing key is from Schlage as the key profile is different, the Kevo has an "Z" shaped profile while Schlage keys have an "S" profile.

3. Wasn't able to check the bluetooth function of the Kevo 1 with my smartphone as the Kevo app isn't available for my android in NZ.

Finally, the Kevo 2 should arrive probably with enough wrapping paper to re-wrap the whole front-door in a two weeks so, I'll update the thread on my progress.

cshaun

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#1635867 19-Sep-2016 13:43

After thinking more about it I'm leaning towards the Kwikset SmartCode 916. Reviews and comments on the Kevo 2 still seem to be a bit mixed. Some love it, others having a few issues. Really not something I want to have problems with... Currently the phone compatibility of the Kevo is horrible and I don't like the idea of having to pay for ekeys. With a keypad you don't need a phone or key. Seems more practical to me - quick run or walk etc. The 916 also has Z Wave and Zigbee so can integrate with home automation stuff and use your phone to remotely open and close.

The Schlage connect, does have a higher security rating and seems to have a better build quality. But I just don't like the look of their options.

Haven't worked out yet if the Kwikset SmartCode 916 has the updated interior housing/motor (seems like it) and the new (far better) lock cylinder.

Holding off until I can look into smart home hubs and make sure fully compatible (some don't seem to support adding/removing pin codes).

Sounddude

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#1635873 19-Sep-2016 13:51

I got one of these recently

http://www.assaabloy.co.nz/en/local/nz/products/keyless-entry/electronic-digital-locking/touchscreen-digital-deadbolt/

Haven't tried the Zwave module for it yet.

rogercruse

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#1635879 19-Sep-2016 14:05

cshaun: Holding off until I can look into smart home hubs and make sure fully compatible (some don't seem to support adding/removing pin codes).

This website might help: http://www.smarthomedb.com/

mentalinc

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#1635935 19-Sep-2016 15:41

Check for security issues as well for any product you plan to install.

http://www.csoonline.com/article/3119765/security/hackers-found-47-new-vulnerabilities-in-23-iot-devices-at-def-con.html

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MadEngineer

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#1636042 19-Sep-2016 19:08

Smartlock? Sheesh are you not better of just buying a prox reader and electronic strike for your existing alarm system? These are great as you can have your arms loaded with groceries and push into the door to open

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

cshaun

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#1636518 20-Sep-2016 13:06

MadEngineer:

Smartlock? Sheesh are you not better of just buying a prox reader and electronic strike for your existing alarm system? These are great as you can have your arms loaded with groceries and push into the door to open

Interesting didn't look at that as an option. Electronic strike usually bit ugly/commercial though. Install obviously a lot more complicated and depends on the door and frame. e.g. mine is metal. Not seeing too much of an advantage.

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