That may be true, but I would feel like less of an idiot since I didn't spend 10x more on this similarly pickable lock.
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Review: The Level Lock+ Makes Unlocking Your Home Easy, But It Isn't the Most Secure
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Very helpful review as I have been wondering if I made the right choice of door locks. I just installed a Schlage Encode+ which is homekit enabled and allows for Home Key and Express Mode. Very convenient to unlock with my watch or phone. The Schlage deadbolts are also fairly robust and operates very smoothly. My only complaint about the Schlage is battery life, but that experience is based on an older version of the Encode so not sure if the Encode+ offers any improvement on that. However, it's very easy to replace the 4 AA batteries it uses so ultimately not a big deal.
And this is why as much as I don’t want to, I am going to have to get the lock by Schlage. Never been my favorite brand but at least there stuff works and it will be secure.
After reading this review, I am even happier with the three Schlage Encode Plus locks I installed this fall.
The Encode Plus is, by far, the best model I have encountered. Three ways to open: keypad, iPhone/Watch, or traditional key.
I previously had two different generations of the August lock. Their version of the keypad is cheap, flimsy, and unattractive. The latest generation went through a pair of CR-123 every three to four weeks.
A neighbor has the Yale lock, which has only a keypad facing the outside. That's great until the battery dies. There is an emergency way to access the lock with a dead battery that involves holding a good battery to a set of terminals on the bottom to the lock. It works, but it's cumbersome. I helped my neighbor access the lock a couple of time using this method.
Even the Schlage smart locks I installed in 2017 were better than both August and Yale, in my experience.
Schlage's Encode Plus is $320, about the same price as this Level device.
The Encode Plus is, by far, the best model I have encountered. Three ways to open: keypad, iPhone/Watch, or traditional key.
I previously had two different generations of the August lock. Their version of the keypad is cheap, flimsy, and unattractive. The latest generation went through a pair of CR-123 every three to four weeks.
A neighbor has the Yale lock, which has only a keypad facing the outside. That's great until the battery dies. There is an emergency way to access the lock with a dead battery that involves holding a good battery to a set of terminals on the bottom to the lock. It works, but it's cumbersome. I helped my neighbor access the lock a couple of time using this method.
Even the Schlage smart locks I installed in 2017 were better than both August and Yale, in my experience.
Schlage's Encode Plus is $320, about the same price as this Level device.
do u know that many people on this planet lives "also" in, so called, condos, that doesnt have a window near the door, and/or such doors arent on ground floor? 🤦♂️
Interesting you mention the August latest gen. With WiFi on that lock is HOPELESS. I got, as you said, just a few weeks of battery life with a pair of CR-123 batteries. However, using my Apple TV as the home hub, I switched OFF WiFi so the August locks communicate only via BT to the Apple TV for outside. I keep a log of when I change batteries, and here it is currently:
Front lock batteries changed May 17, 2022
Front lock batteries changed November 14, 2022
Super impressive, I'd say. But yeah, WiFi is completely worthless, and I'd only recommend the August locks if you have an Apple TV or HomePod within range of BT, at which point they're great for the most part.
Burglars do go around and randomly check doors to see whether or not they happen to be unlocked.
They do not bother trying to pick one.
So...no... very much not the same thing.
😄 Pretty much...
I'm not sure anyone will spend the time picking it to get in, but if they do at least it will save you the cost of replacing that window just a short arms reach from the lock.
Because a key is too much trouble to carry, but a USB battery pack is not?
Makes no difference if no one’s home and burglars very much prefer nobody being home.
They’re gonna push an update to enable the thread radio, I would wait
Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but I do understand that there are some doors that aren't next to windows.
And, as crazy as it sounds, but unless you're targeted specifically, noone will be going out of their way to break into your condo on the 5th floor (and only your's, not one of the 10 other condos on the same floor as yours, of course) ...
Just like in the last 2 threads, the general paranoia paired with blatant disregard for actual facts/statistics is astounding.
Always have keys with you or somewhere very well hidden or with a trustworthy neighbor. I know I've gone for a walk and didn't bother to bring keys with me, but I always knew should worse come to worst, I did have a physical key available to me.
We're currently going through a bit of a case in point with out other smart lock, a Kwikset Premis (chosen for the pricepoint compared to the Level and the only other one out there with an actual physical key option). We'd been using that particular lock without issues for 1.5 years. We moved. Reinstalled it. We're using our AppleTV as our home hub and it's at the exact same distance as before.
We're CONSTANTLY loosing connection to the lock. Reset a gazillion times. Changed batteries multiple times. We don't know what's causing this to suddenly be an issue when it never was before.
I've more than once been locked out and was lucky the husband was with me and is always carrying a physical key.
I will never get a smart lock without additional physical key. I'm a field scientist and very well aware of the significance of redundancy.
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u can ask for a laptop+cable to a neighborhood, or u can keep cable+powerbank in your car. while u cant have same security level if u give your key to neighborhood or keep it in the car...
For that price, it should not only be a lot less pickable, but also include a smart doorknob.
I'm still waiting for one such combination from a reputable brand to replace my deadbolt and doorknob set, which resembles the one in this article's photos. I do not want to leave the doorknob unlocked, nor do I want to switch to a one-piece style that relies on only one deadbolt.
I'm still waiting for one such combination from a reputable brand to replace my deadbolt and doorknob set, which resembles the one in this article's photos. I do not want to leave the doorknob unlocked, nor do I want to switch to a one-piece style that relies on only one deadbolt.
Wow, it's sad to hear that you're having these issues. I also use my ATV as a home hub. And I do always have a key somewhere in the vicinity, but I appreciate you suggesting this!