Digital front door locks

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Davy

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#214898 2-Jun-2017 10:15

Needing to replace my front door lock soon and I'm wondering if people have had success with digital locks lately. I'm not interested in importing anything from Amazon, but want instead a professional installation that wouldn't cost too much.

Any recommendations? I really like how with modern cars you can have keyless entry that works just on proximity and it would be great if house doors could work like that too.

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#1793668 2-Jun-2017 12:48

Technology for technology's sake is not always a great idea as it just adds something else that can break, lose power, not be compatible with your current tech in 5 years time, or may be expensive to extend (have you had a modern car key cut lately?!).

Consider one of the 'push button' digital locks, possibly with a deadbolt to secure the place when you are away.

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Sounddude

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#1793674 2-Jun-2017 12:55

I got some of these recently

(http://www.yalelock.co.nz/en/yale/yale-nz/products/keyless-entry/electronic-digital-door-locks/touchscreen-digital-deadbolt/)

Fantastic locks. Cheaper on ebay though and comes with Zwave (US Frequencies though...yes I know!)

reven

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#1793677 2-Jun-2017 13:01

yale deadlock is $280 from bunnings. I have 2 of these in my house (with zwave module, AU/NZ frequency ones from active automation), 1 in my last house and put one in my parents house.

excellent locks, wouldnt go back to a key lock now (yes it has a key for backup).

Didn't like August or similar locks that needed bluetooth or a device on you. Yes this means it was "quicker" to open, but what if u went for a walk/run and didnt have this on you? also my 8 year old can open the front door now (he has his own code).

Dynamic

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#1793681 2-Jun-2017 13:02

That looks like a nice option.

Our touch screen alarm system shows fingerprints so you can see the numbers used!

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reven

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#1793683 2-Jun-2017 13:03

i tend to make my codes long and reuse a number. also when I lock the door (you place you hand over the sensor) i wipe it.

Inphinity

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#1793685 2-Jun-2017 13:13

Yale 3109 has been really good - it supports prox cards, pin number (6-12 digit), remote control (optional extra), or a simple physical key. It's battery powered (4 AAs, physical key works without power, and there are 9V-compatible terminals on the outside to emergency power it if you need to), but they last somewhere north of 6 months so far. It can support multiple prox cards (comes with 4, says it supports 40, haven't tried more than the 4). Not sure about multiple PINs, have only tried with one. The extent of testing I've done with it in regards to brute force (either physical or digital) is that it sets off a reasonably loud alarm if you damage the lock, and it locks down (physical key mode only) for a few minutes if you get the PIN wrong 5 times or swipe an invalid prox card 5 times. We don't have the remote control, so I have no idea how easy it may or may not be to try to simulate a remote.

Davy

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#1793690 2-Jun-2017 13:21

Thanks everyone - this is mostly about avoiding being locked out of the house by nor having a key but also about convenience getting in and out the house. Yale locks seem to be doing well here!

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boflit

82 posts

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#1793692 2-Jun-2017 13:23

my sister went for the digital lock on her front door so the kids didn't need to take keys to school. It seems a good idea, and means I can let myself in when I visit, but for ultimate security, not sure I like it. I have a similar on my side gate, but I'm not convinced I would be 100% happy if I went away on holiday leaving a digital lock as my main barrier, unless you have a second deadbolt, which my sister doesn't.

reven

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#1793695 2-Jun-2017 13:25

breaking a window is pretty bloody easy, i dont think a deadbolt would stop many robbers tbh.

I have yale deadlocks, ring door bell and morepork alarm. im happy with this level of security.

timmmay

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#1793704 2-Jun-2017 13:43

The security of any particular lock is somewhat moot, given a window can be silently broken in seconds.

sonyxperiageek

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#1793730 2-Jun-2017 14:09

timmmay:

The security of any particular lock is somewhat moot, given a window can be silently broken in seconds.

Yes, it's more about additional security such as IP cameras so you can see what's happening when away from home and take the best course of action in unfortunate circumstances.

Sony

boflit

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#1793739 2-Jun-2017 14:20

reven:

breaking a window is pretty bloody easy, i dont think a deadbolt would stop many robbers tbh.

I have yale deadlocks, ring door bell and morepork alarm. im happy with this level of security.

Yes, that is a given, but it also assumes that all burglars break glass. I was robbed once, they jimmied the lock from the frame, and my neighbours house in Tauranga several years ago now, they popped the window latch in the bathroom. I would have thought braking glass is a drastic measure to take and surely is only if they are after a specific known item, or not in a built up area.

And yes, and alarm is the best way, which is what we have had since that first burglary 15 years ago, but my sister doesn't, and in her case, I wouldn't be satisfied with just a digital lock, but that is my own peace of mind.

1101

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#1793751 2-Jun-2017 14:48

reven:

breaking a window is pretty bloody easy, i dont think a deadbolt would stop many robbers tbh.
I have yale deadlocks, ring door bell and morepork alarm. im happy with this level of security.

I was horrified when I found out how stupidly easy deadbolts were to disable. Literately 2 wacks from the outside & it came off , on a famous
brand . A very generic deadbolt took quite a few wacks to knock it off : security they arnt . (lost key on one, other was jammed)
Then we get into how easy many are to lockpick, some only need a blank key & a few very light taps & they open :-0

most small time crims who burgle seemingly just break in by force anyway.