Review: Yale's $220 Assure Lock SL is a Sleek, Keyless HomeKit Deadbolt

[dumoore]

<Removed by user>

 

[deeddawg]

Simple - just make sure they're always in the same 'designated' place at night

That would qualify as being cautious, now wouldn't it. Make sure everyone in your home, children included, adheres to this every single night. Shouldn't be a problem living alone or with another adult. Could be problematic with children involved. Specific circumstances will vary. Choose what works best for you.

Or escape through a window.

Maybe possible, maybe not, all depends on the specific circumstance.

There's not really anything to debate here. I noted that folks intending to do this be cautious not to create a death trap for themselves. I didn't say not to do it. Just to be cautious about it.

Me? I have double-cylinder deadbolts on the main doors, but typically leave the keys in the locks. Between two large dogs and a security system with glass-break sensors, I'm not concerned with someone reaching through broken glass to unlock the door. I do move the keys when we and the dogs will be gone.

 

[camarograna2]

When Best Buy was selling it for $200, I almost pulled the trigger.

But few quirks stopped my purchase.

1. The backside is plasticky and kinda ugly, although much less so than August (which felt cheap and bulky).
2. The iOS app is very limited, not offering a log of when the door was locked and unlocked.
3. Only ANSI Grade 2 certified (just like Kwikset). Schlage Sense is ANSI Grade 1.
4. Changing the batteries requires using the screwdriver.
5. Bluetooth 4.2 instead of latest Bluetooth 5.0.

What I want in a smart door lock:

1. Keyless design, like Yale Assure Lock SL and Kwikset Obsidian.
2. Solar panel charges batteries, like Brinks Array.
3. Bluetooth 5.0 for more range, longer battery life, and reliability.
4. Fingerprint sensor like Koogeek L1.
5. iOS app rich in functionalities like August.
6. Door lock sensor like August.

Basically, I want a marriage of August and Yale (August was acquired by Yale last year).

Point #3 is huge for me. Big house and even with 3 Apple tvs so I’ve returned locks already because they disconnect due to Bluetooth distance issue. I have 1 Apple TV 4K so I’m just waiting for a Bluetooth 5.0 lock

 

[Coffee50]

Questions: If the HomePod is placed not that far from the doors, couldn’t someone (robber, etc.) on the other side just ask Siri via the HomePod to unlock the door? Siri on HomePod can hear you very well. Or can the door only be unlocked if you have the iPhone/Apple watch with you, regardless if the HomePod is nearby? Does Siri on HomePod ask for a passcode for verification?

Maybe I shouldn’t name the front door, ‘front door,’ but something more fancy, perhaps.

“Hey Siri, open the gates to heaven.”

I believe Homepod is unable to unlock doors (it's only able to lock doors)

 

[aristobrat]

I believe Homepod is unable to unlock doors (it's only able to lock doors)

That's how mine works. Will close stuff fine, but if you ask it to unlock it'll say "I can't open secure accessories here, try asking me on your iOS device". The iOS device makes you unlock it first.

 

[DamFu]

I've been using this lock for almost 3 months now.
Everyone in the house loves it.

Being able to give the grandparents/babysitters each their own unique codes, and then getting notifications whenever the door is locked or unlocked is awesome.

I waited for this one because I wanted keyless, and I'm glad I did.

I installed this last weekend. I am having an issue where a couple minutes after it locks, it will stick and just beep loudly when i try to unlock it with homekit. it works fine for those initial couple minutes, but then sticks. it is almost as if there is some sort of setting I am missing that forces it to stay locked.

 

[zantafio]

ON SALE $50 off at Best Buy!

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/yale-assure-homekit-enabled-combination-smart-door-lock-satin-nickel/6114702.p?skuId=6114702
[doublepost=1530941700][/doublepost]

I've been using this lock for almost 3 months now.
Everyone in the house loves it.

Being able to give the grandparents/babysitters each their own unique codes, and then getting notifications whenever the door is locked or unlocked is awesome.

I waited for this one because I wanted keyless, and I'm glad I did.

I am very disappointed. The notification just says "door unlocked", it does not tell me which code was used. Bummer.

 

[theBB]

Amazon also has the lock/module package in Oil Rubbed Bronze, but is charging $249.99 for some reason.

Last week, when I was searching for it, Home Depot didn't have bronze, but Lowe's had it in stock and didn't charge extra for that color option.

My overall impressions:

- The physical installation/assembly instructions could be more clear, I had to undo some of my steps a few times, but it wasn't that bad.

- The footprint didn't match my old lock, so I had to paint our door. Sady, it came out quite streaky. I tried again with a roller, instead of a brush. It became better, but still not perfect. There must be a trick to the paint that I haven't figured out. LOL.

- When I installed/inserted the HomeKit module, I couldn't connect to it at first. I guess the module wasn't turned on automatically. The instructions describe some oddball entries, hit 7, hit gear hot whatever and it worked. I don't know why they cannot make it turn itself on when it gets inserted and powered up.

- Notifications, access from outside our WiFi network and Home app etc has worked well, except on the second day. It got fixed by itself the next day. Hopefully, it won't happen again.

- You need Yale's app to create or delete passcodes, unless you want to go through unintuitive steps on the keypad. It feels weird and unsecure that passcodes screen shows every valid passcode in plain view as a list. No time limits for passcodes, you need to remember to delete them when you're done.

- So far, I'm pretty happy that I don't need to carry a key around for a door I rarely use.

 

[jumanji]

i have the august lock and it works great. we bought the external keypad - that little thing sucks. the built in keypad here is nice. we use the app to go in and out but the keypad is great for grandparents who don't want to download the app.