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Apr 12, 2001
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Created by smart lock maker Level, the Level Lock+ is the one of the first Home Key-compatible smart locks on the market, designed to unlock a door automatically when a Home Key-enabled iPhone or Apple Watch is held near it.

level-lock.jpg

The Level Lock+ replaces the prior-generation Level Lock, and it uses that same unassuming design. Many smart locks are immediately recognizable as smart locks, but the Level Lock+ looks like any standard deadbolt with all of the smart capabilities hidden away inside the door, with no bulky components inside or out.

There are limited color options with the Level Lock+, but it does come in satin nickel and matte black. It's not going to match well with bronze, gold, or similar door hardware, so I do wish that it came in additional color options. The Level Lock+ is sleek looking and I am a fan of the simplicity. It's unassuming on the door, and it looks like nothing special, so it doesn't draw attention.

level-lock-in-box.jpg

The Level Lock+ replaces an existing deadbolt, and installation is fairly straightforward. I had a setup that had included a keypad, so I needed to paint the door and do a bit of repair before I could get it installed. I have never installed a door lock before, but the Level Lock+ instructions were simple enough to follow.

The bolt is adjustable and there are two sizes. The end of the bolt basically needs to stick out of the borehole, and if it doesn't on the smaller size, it needs to be adjusted to the larger size. For my door, the larger size was too long and the smaller size was not quite right either, so I did have to do some sanding and tweaking of the deadbolt cutout to get things to fit right.

level-lock-components.jpg

After about five minutes of sanding, I was able to get the bolt in the right position, and from there, the Level Lock+ hardware fit right into the deadbolt cutout and snapped into the end of the bolt, which is where the battery is housed. It's a clever setup because you can change the battery just by popping the end of the deadbolt.

Once I managed to get everything aligned correctly, it was just a matter of screwing everything together. I did run into another problem with the strike plate, as it was smaller than my existing strike plate. I had to drill new holes, which wasn't a big deal. In the end, everything lined up properly and I had the lock up and functional within about 20 minutes.

level-lock-on-door.jpg

The Level Lock takes a CR2 battery, and I'm not sure how long the battery lasts before it needs to be replaced. The CR2 batteries are about $4 each, and the amount of battery life you get will likely vary based on how often you're unlocking your door. There is a physical key, so access is available if the battery dies and you're not home.

After setup, I was able to add the lock to the Level app and connect it to HomeKit, making it available for use both in the Home app and the Level app. Once added to HomeKit, the Home app gave me the option to use Home Keys with the Level Lock, and I just needed to tap on the banner in the Home app to add the Level Lock to Wallet.

Home Keys are an iOS 16 feature that let you store your house key in the Wallet app, and from there, unlock your front door with your iPhone using NFC. Home Keys did not initially work for me, but I re-added the lock to HomeKit and then it worked well.

home-key-level-lock-express-mode.jpg

With Home Keys, you can enable "Express Mode" in the Wallet app to unlock the door without needing Face ID or a passcode, which is convenient. You just tap the top of the lock with your iPhone and it unlocks with no other authentication and even when the phone is locked. It also can continue to unlock the door for a few hours after the iPhone battery has died thanks to NFC.

level-lock-on-door-2.jpg

There are a lot of ways to unlock the Level Lock. In addition to Home Keys, you can use the Level app, the Home app, ask Siri, use a key, or set up a key card. With a Home hub, you can open the lock remotely for guests or provide them with a pass so they can use their own smartphone to unlock your door as needed.

level-lock-app.jpg

You can set it up so each person in your home can access the Level Lock, and the Level app has a list of every time the lock was locked or unlocked. You'll also get Home app notifications when the Level Lock... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Review: The Level Lock+ Makes Unlocking Your Home Easy, But It Isn't the Most Secure
 
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I used to want one of these but now that I've got the UniFi system, I'm looking forward to the Protect Door Lock. I've got a RasPi running homebridge so my UniFi Protect gear is in HomeKit anyway.
 
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Lockpicking. In the US you don't know a safety measure called "kerntrekbeveiliging" ? See (Dutch): http://www.slotenmaker-almere-24-uur.nl/kerntrekbeveiliging#:~:text=Het blokje dat dient als,uit het slot kunnen trekken.

It's mandatory here in The Netherlands and heavily recommended for existing door locks.

It comes down that it makes it impossible/hard for burglars to put a screw into the lock, use an electric srewdriver and pull the cylinder out.

Looking at these expensive Homekit enabled solutions, it's an expensive toy, but still fails to prevent "bad people" to get in.
 
33644 is literally how your cylinder is keyed, and there’s a photo of your key. Pretty easy to make a 33644 key!

The cylinder is removable to rekey — anyone have suggestions for a standard single cylinder that’s a bit more bump resistant?
 
I have the original one, it's on our outside gate and communicates fine. I did get the one that is only the lock internals, and put it behind our deadbolt that has the same key as the rest of the house, and it's nice to have it stealthy instead of an obvious smart lock. You can do that here, you can just replace the deadbolt internals with this and ignore their lock entirely. Pick your favorite deadbolt, stick this inside it, and you won't have to worry so much about having the lock picked.
 
I’ll maybe get the second generation after they make it more secure and when it’s on sale
This is the 2nd gen though.

"The Level Lock+ replaces the prior-generation Level Lock...."

If they revise it and make it more secure, that would end up being a 3rd gen and it'll be called the Level Lock Pro.

The 4th gen will be Level Lock Pro Max and 5th gen will be Level Lock Ultra :p


Seriously, can companies be more original and stop using +, Plus, Pro, etc. in their product names.
 
Too expensive for something that can get picked in under 30 seconds. I have the Yale secure lock with the touchpad and it’s th best investment I’ve ever made, cheaper than this one too
 
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I'm considering getting one. The security is concerning a bit, but I imagine the lock I have there right now is just as bad. I also have another lock on the door which I could use when leaving for a long period of time.. I'm mostly interested in this one so that I don't need to bring my keys if I go for a swim or a bike ride etc.
 
I'm considering getting one. The security is concerning a bit, but I imagine the lock I have there right now is just as bad. I also have another lock on the door which I could use when leaving for a long period of time.. I'm mostly interested in this one so that I don't need to bring my keys if I go for a swim or a bike ride etc.
Wouldn't you want to bring keys with you just in case the battery or something electrical dies though?


"The Level Lock takes a CR2 battery, and I'm not sure how long the battery lasts before it needs to be replaced. The CR2 batteries are about $4 each, and the amount of battery life you get will likely vary based on how often you're unlocking your door. There is a physical key, so access is available if the battery dies and you're not home."
 
Wouldn't you want to bring keys with you just in case the battery or something electrical dies though?


"The Level Lock takes a CR2 battery, and I'm not sure how long the battery lasts before it needs to be replaced. The CR2 batteries are about $4 each, and the amount of battery life you get will likely vary based on how often you're unlocking your door. There is a physical key, so access is available if the battery dies and you're not home."
Yes. Always have a backup.
 
I'm considering getting one. The security is concerning a bit, but I imagine the lock I have there right now is just as bad. I also have another lock on the door which I could use when leaving for a long period of time.. I'm mostly interested in this one so that I don't need to bring my keys if I go for a swim or a bike ride etc.
Yeah, I'd imagine there will be many people put off this purely by its susceptibility to picking, happily sticking with their existing locks that may be even worse.
 
Yeah, I'd imagine there will be many people put off this purely by its susceptibility to picking, happily sticking with their existing locks that may be even worse.

If you have a lock brand sold by a big box company like Kwikset, Schlage, Defiant, etc, then it is similarly pickable. Some may need different tools, but lock pickers can make quick work of them.
 
Wouldn't you want to bring keys with you just in case the battery or something electrical dies though?


"The Level Lock takes a CR2 battery, and I'm not sure how long the battery lasts before it needs to be replaced. The CR2 batteries are about $4 each, and the amount of battery life you get will likely vary based on how often you're unlocking your door. There is a physical key, so access is available if the battery dies and you're not home."
I keep a copy of a key in a hidden place I will not specify in a chat :D Also my building security will have a copy as well. But yes — I have considered this situation! :)
 
Yeah, I'd imagine there will be many people put off this purely by its susceptibility to picking, happily sticking with their existing locks that may be even worse.
Exactly so. Besides — I have security cams and insurance. But if someone absolutely needed to get inside — there isn't a lock that is pick-proof. Even safe vaults have been accessed :)
 
People are so darned stupid and gullible. Locks can be picked? Even “smart locks”? Who knew? So this came out and the hand wringers claim this was the first time any of them had heard of it? Now this company’s name is being dragged through the mud. Picking locks has been a time-honored craft for centuries. Lock makers continue to advance the technology and locksmiths continue to figure out way to overcome the technology, just like hackers.

Hyundai and Kia are apparently having big issues because car thieves have figured out how to steal those brands using a simple USB cable. In St. Louis, MO they are handing out steering wheel locks to owners in an attempt to stop the thieves.

The only way to prevent this would be to eliminate the keyed portion and make it digital only. And we ALL know how that would work out don’t we when the darn battery dies.
 
Looking at these expensive Homekit enabled solutions, it's an expensive toy, but still fails to prevent "bad people" to get in

99/100 "bad people" do not get in by picking a lock. Just because it theoretically can be done, doesn't mean it actually is. There's statistics out there and everything.

Real life isn't like they portrait it in movies and TV shows.
 
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