Author Topic: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?  (Read 4465 times)

Lepetitange3

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Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« on: June 08, 2017, 12:35:17 PM »
Anyone have any product recommendations or definite don'ts for front door locks that are phone/app connected?  For various reasons, I need to be able to let people in and out when I'm not home. 

Abe

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Re: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2017, 10:16:31 AM »
I'd look into keypad locks where you can have different codes & let the people know them. You can then disable that code after they no longer need access. I had concerns about how secure most of the app-based ones are after looking into them several months ago.

Lepetitange3

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Re: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2017, 11:54:28 AM »
Thanks, Abe!  I've been wary for the same reasons despite an app sounding very convenient. 

MommyCake

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Re: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2017, 06:15:31 AM »
I have a keypad lock and its super convenient.  I just am paranoid though about making sure neighbors can't see the keypad as I enter my code.

YttriumNitrate

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Re: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2017, 11:04:35 AM »
When I was having my rental renovated, I just put a key lockbox on the front door. The total cost was about $10. If you are worried that people (who you are letting into your house) might copy the key, you can swap out a separately keyed deadbolt that is only used in association with the lockbox key.

Lepetitange3

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Re: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2017, 12:55:03 PM »
Awesome frugal solution yttrium!  That won't work for us for this case, but if I had contractors etc would be ideal.  Basically I have a teenage son (and occasionally my mother) who needs to be able to come and go from house when I may or may not be home but cannot be trusted with a key because he loses everything.  Like he would manage to lose key from key box inside our house before heading back out and locking up.

Gronnie

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Re: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2017, 02:57:39 PM »
Take it from a computer engineer, you DON'T want to use digital security to protect anything physical -- especially something marketed at consumers.

Lepetitange3

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Re: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2017, 06:13:37 PM »
Thanks TRMama.  I'm thinking that's the best route.  I also don't want to feel the need to rekey my house if son had a key and lost it out and about too.  He lost his wallet with debit card, license, dependent mil id etc literally this last week.

I definitely agree with your take Gronnie as someone who used to be paid to break into computer secured devices ;) however to play devils advocate just for fun, we all trust digital security to take care of our $$$$ for the most part.  Interesting, neh?

WSUCoug1994

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Re: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2017, 11:01:25 AM »
Although there are some obvious security concerns with digital devices protecting physical access I love my August Lock - be be warned it has some limitations with the different door handle/dead bolt combinations.  You can give timed access, immediate access etc.  It is awesome. 

Icecreamarsenal

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Re: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« Reply #9 on: July 14, 2017, 04:30:01 PM »
Keypad lock user here.  It was gifted to me by my realtor, but goes for $70 at Home Depot.  Big fan, no longer carry house keys.

HipGnosis

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Re: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« Reply #10 on: August 06, 2017, 11:34:56 AM »
Get a keypad lockbox as already recommended.
Put the key on a nylon cord, just long enough to reach the door lock.   Melt the knots with a candle or lighter.

If he can't remember the key code (and you should change the code periodically) - put it in his phone as a contact of someone he associates with access or security.  It can be an additional # of someone already in his phone.   It can be the first or last 4 numbers.

Chase S.

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Re: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« Reply #11 on: August 06, 2017, 12:05:31 PM »
TLDR: Effectively bought keypad dead lock for $15 and electronic handle lock for $80. Both work great.

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Sometimes you can find great deals on keypads.  I have two.  One for my basement rental and one for my front door.  If you do AirBNB or something more frequent, it is a little annoying, but you can remove and program a new pin in under 2 minutes (for example, the last 4 of the renters phone number).

For my front door, I bought https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R7JVFCE/ on Amazon Prime day.  It was on sale for $55, with an extra lightning deal of $15 and an AMEX promo of $30 cash back if $60 were spent using reward points.  Basically, I added a $5 item and paid $15 (with rewards points) for a lock and pair of gloves.  I am happy with it.  There is a physical key in case the batteries die and for peace of mind.  Relatively easy to install and has an autolock feature.  So if I unlock the door, the bolt will lock in 45 seconds for me, automatically.  The time is adjustable.  I highly recommend it.  The only potential issue is if you are the type of person who locks the door knob (or accidentally locks it) and deadbolt, you would still need a key for the door knob.

The lock on my basement fixes that solution with http://www.homedepot.com/p/Schlage-Camelot-Satin-Nickel-Accent-Keypad-Lever-FE595-CAM-619-ACC/100608049  .  It goes for $120, but I got lucky on the price match policy.  I asked if Home Depot had a price match because I saw a similar one online for sale.  The sales lady asked how much and I said I think $80 (to be honest, this was an honest mistake.  I was searching through dozens of locks with similar features and styles and happened to get it confused with another lock).  So she matched it at $80 without seeing an ad.  Looking back, this particular model was $105 at the cheapest.  It can hold 19 different numbers, to include one use pins. The lever handle can be installed either direction and it has a key or combo functionality.  It works great and I think looks more professional than a round knob.

I was originally set on buying a wifi/remote phone lock, but discovered the combo only locks were much more economical and served practically the same purpose.  I have a one time pin installed on the front door in case anyone needs to get in when I am away for emergencies/anything that I could text them just as easily as if I were using an app to unlock the door for them.

Just my two cents.












« Last Edit: August 06, 2017, 12:07:49 PM by CrispySub »

StudentEngineer

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Re: Phone/app enabled- Front Door Lock?
« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2017, 08:49:01 AM »
Similar question to the OP, anyone have apps/products letting them know if garage door(s) and/or windows are left open?