Post by High Priestess on Oct 22, 2015 6:16:04 GMT
Sheryl shared Oct 21 2015
Do you love your keypad lockbox?
I have heard such great things about the convenience of a keypad lockbox that I am thinking of getting one. But, first, I'd like to hear from the hosts who have them.
So, if you have one, please tell me:
Which one do you have?
Is it easy to change the codes?
Does it operate reliably?
Does the weather affect it?
Has it ever failed? What's your backup plan for entering the space if it does?
Thanks, in advance, for your responses!
Sheryl
Ed & Hugh
We use a Kwikset lock. It's not a smart lock, but it's easy to set. It stores 2 codes at a time, so we have our own code, and set the 2nd code to the last 4 digits of the guest's phone number. It works great, but we are also looking into smart locks...not sure they're quite yet ready, but the Yale lock coming out next year looks promising.
Sheryl
Had to look that up to learn that a smart lock opens with a smart phone. That process assumes that I remembered to take my phone out of the house and it is charged. I can definitely imagine being locked out of my house with all of these variables at play!
Queenie & Ted
We use the Schlage keyless door lock. It holds 19 4 digit codes so we have them set for each member of our family so we're never locked out. We also use the last 4 digits of guests phone numbers as their access code. This is a manual lock. No smart phone required and simple to add/delete guest numbers.
www.amazon.com/Schlage-BE365-CAM-619-Deadbolt/dp/B001AT97YA
Queenie & Ted
www.amazon.com/Schlage-BE365-CAM-619-Deadbolt/dp/B001AT97YA
Joyce
I use a model similar to that described by Queenie & Ted, although I think mine might be older. I am allowed six codes and change them by entering a six-digit code, press a couple of buttons, delete last guest code (always last four digits of their phone number), enter new guest code and voila, good to go! I use one of the six four-digit codes for myself, one for a friend who checks on things for me if I'm not around, one for another friend I trust and then try to keep the others clear so as not to have too many active codes out there not knowing whom they are going to work for! The system gives me ultimate freedom to go about my life and allow my guests to come and go as they please.
Deb and Dave
I completely agree with Queenie and Ted. What I love about this lock is that opening the deadbolt is not reliant on a battery to turn the tumbler like some other locks. You enter the code which activates the tumbler and you trun the dial by hand which opens the deadbolt. We use to have the Powerbolt or something like that and in the winter, the battery would not be strong enough to open the deadbolt and then you cold not get in.
Joyce
And on that note, I meant to mention that on my model, there is a keyhole in which to insert a key that will also turn the deadbolt. So if the battery did run out on the keypad, it's still possible to operate it with a hard key, then replace the battery. Since I'm only on location seasonally, I have left a spare front door key with a trusted friend (who will also clean for me between guests) and plan to replace the batteries every six months (beginning and end of high season) so nobody is ever left standing outside in the cold.
Jeannette
I adore this, it has taken all the stress out of people who, for example, arrive 3 hours early while I'm at the dentist:
Kwikset 913 SmartCode® UL Electronic Deadbolt featuring SmartKey® in Venetian Bronze
tinyurl.com/nzmehj5
Note: This unit allows you to key the unit to your existing Kwikset keys for other doors.
Note 2: If you have Schlage locks elsewhere in your house, or a third brand, try to match your smartcode lock brand to your lock brands, especially if you have matched the locks to a single key.
Deb and Dave
Hi Jeannette,
I would avoid any lock that is a SmartKey lock. I had SmartKey locks on all the doors at our house and could not replace them quick enough. It only takes about 10 seconds to break into these with a simple tool that you can buy online for a couple bucks and a set of pliers or vice grips. The really bad part about it is that there is no sign of forced entry as you can lock the door again and the lock continues to work (most of the time). So you could have someone break in, steal things and then lock the door and it could look to the guest that someone with a key must have taken their stuff. There are a lot of videos on Youtube about this.
I hope you appreciate this as an FYI as I am not trying to criticize your response.
Dave
Jeannette
Thanks for this heads-up, Dave, I confirmed this info here: www.cnet.com/news/can-you-really-crack-the-kwikset-kevo/ I do have a house with: a super barky watch dog, 4 security cameras, AND little of real value. As well as nosy (watchful) neighbors. But point taken, I hope Kwikset improves the lockset and maybe I will push them to do this and provide a new model to us Kwikset owners.
Bekah and Brian
Another vote for the Schlage non-smart keyless lock. We loved the one we put on the rental so much we put one on every door in the house. Life changing.
Nic and Rach
We also use the Schlage non-smart keyless lock and it works great for us.. as well
Do you love your keypad lockbox?
I have heard such great things about the convenience of a keypad lockbox that I am thinking of getting one. But, first, I'd like to hear from the hosts who have them.
So, if you have one, please tell me:
Which one do you have?
Is it easy to change the codes?
Does it operate reliably?
Does the weather affect it?
Has it ever failed? What's your backup plan for entering the space if it does?
Thanks, in advance, for your responses!
Sheryl
Ed & Hugh
We use a Kwikset lock. It's not a smart lock, but it's easy to set. It stores 2 codes at a time, so we have our own code, and set the 2nd code to the last 4 digits of the guest's phone number. It works great, but we are also looking into smart locks...not sure they're quite yet ready, but the Yale lock coming out next year looks promising.
Sheryl
Had to look that up to learn that a smart lock opens with a smart phone. That process assumes that I remembered to take my phone out of the house and it is charged. I can definitely imagine being locked out of my house with all of these variables at play!
Queenie & Ted
We use the Schlage keyless door lock. It holds 19 4 digit codes so we have them set for each member of our family so we're never locked out. We also use the last 4 digits of guests phone numbers as their access code. This is a manual lock. No smart phone required and simple to add/delete guest numbers.
www.amazon.com/Schlage-BE365-CAM-619-Deadbolt/dp/B001AT97YA
Queenie & Ted
www.amazon.com/Schlage-BE365-CAM-619-Deadbolt/dp/B001AT97YA
Joyce
I use a model similar to that described by Queenie & Ted, although I think mine might be older. I am allowed six codes and change them by entering a six-digit code, press a couple of buttons, delete last guest code (always last four digits of their phone number), enter new guest code and voila, good to go! I use one of the six four-digit codes for myself, one for a friend who checks on things for me if I'm not around, one for another friend I trust and then try to keep the others clear so as not to have too many active codes out there not knowing whom they are going to work for! The system gives me ultimate freedom to go about my life and allow my guests to come and go as they please.
Deb and Dave
I completely agree with Queenie and Ted. What I love about this lock is that opening the deadbolt is not reliant on a battery to turn the tumbler like some other locks. You enter the code which activates the tumbler and you trun the dial by hand which opens the deadbolt. We use to have the Powerbolt or something like that and in the winter, the battery would not be strong enough to open the deadbolt and then you cold not get in.
Joyce
And on that note, I meant to mention that on my model, there is a keyhole in which to insert a key that will also turn the deadbolt. So if the battery did run out on the keypad, it's still possible to operate it with a hard key, then replace the battery. Since I'm only on location seasonally, I have left a spare front door key with a trusted friend (who will also clean for me between guests) and plan to replace the batteries every six months (beginning and end of high season) so nobody is ever left standing outside in the cold.
Jeannette
I adore this, it has taken all the stress out of people who, for example, arrive 3 hours early while I'm at the dentist:
Kwikset 913 SmartCode® UL Electronic Deadbolt featuring SmartKey® in Venetian Bronze
tinyurl.com/nzmehj5
Note: This unit allows you to key the unit to your existing Kwikset keys for other doors.
Note 2: If you have Schlage locks elsewhere in your house, or a third brand, try to match your smartcode lock brand to your lock brands, especially if you have matched the locks to a single key.
Deb and Dave
Hi Jeannette,
I would avoid any lock that is a SmartKey lock. I had SmartKey locks on all the doors at our house and could not replace them quick enough. It only takes about 10 seconds to break into these with a simple tool that you can buy online for a couple bucks and a set of pliers or vice grips. The really bad part about it is that there is no sign of forced entry as you can lock the door again and the lock continues to work (most of the time). So you could have someone break in, steal things and then lock the door and it could look to the guest that someone with a key must have taken their stuff. There are a lot of videos on Youtube about this.
I hope you appreciate this as an FYI as I am not trying to criticize your response.
Dave
Jeannette
Thanks for this heads-up, Dave, I confirmed this info here: www.cnet.com/news/can-you-really-crack-the-kwikset-kevo/ I do have a house with: a super barky watch dog, 4 security cameras, AND little of real value. As well as nosy (watchful) neighbors. But point taken, I hope Kwikset improves the lockset and maybe I will push them to do this and provide a new model to us Kwikset owners.
Bekah and Brian
Another vote for the Schlage non-smart keyless lock. We loved the one we put on the rental so much we put one on every door in the house. Life changing.
Nic and Rach
We also use the Schlage non-smart keyless lock and it works great for us.. as well