Quote:
Originally Posted by DoubleF
I had this one on my unheated garage for like 5 years. I liked how the smart portion only is lock/unlock and the turning of the key part is what actually unlocks the deadbolt. It saves battery this way and is slightly less likely to fail/jam/slam the door on an open deadbolt. There are a few things to note though.
- Temperature wise, I've only had the lock slightly unresponsive once or twice over the 5 years and both were like -35C or colder. The code I usually use wasn't completely responding correctly, so I used the code in a lower quadrant of the keypad (no over lapping numbers) and got in fine. If you install this on a house door, I assume the ambient temperature of the home will keep the lock warm enough that cold conditions shouldn't be as big of an issue.
- If you install the locking mechanism incorrectly, you can basically unlock it via pressing a few buttons and having it "reset". Make sure the locking mechanism is in the correct place. The installation instructions warned that if installed incorrectly the lock could actually never lock or always be in lock. What I didn't realize was that there's basically 3 ways to install it. Correct, always lock/unlock or spamming reset (Schlage button) will unlock door without a code. Make sure the pieces are installed in the correct position and order and test the lock for this "feature" after installation. It only takes a few minutes to put the pieces in the right place before you can test the lock, so it's a relatively easy fix if you mess it up.
- Setting up new codes is a PITA. You have to use this super long numeric string of numbers and then type in your code to add or delete it. I get the concept, but not why the lock specific code was like a dozen numbers long and in a spot that's hard to access without disassembling the whole damn thing (and that stupid lock mechanism). I made sure to set up 4 codes. One of each quadrant of the number pad with few overlapping numbers/not dead simple to guess in case a number stopped working.
- Over 5 years, I think I only swapped the battery out twice (for the garage). It might need to be swapped out more often for a front door. My current front door lock I need to swap new batteries in like every 2-3 months. I didn't see a very apparent battery swap notification so that's kinda annoying. It's also great that the battery always lasts over a year, but I also always made sure to have a good 9V battery in place before a cold snap, just in case.
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I put it on today. If I press the Schlage button and turn the key it locks. If I don't press anything it just spins. I tried spamming the Schlage button like 10 times but it wouldn't unlock unless I used the code. Sounds like I got it right? I didn't change anything out of the package, just installed as is with the deadbolt retracted.
I.did have to cut the hole on my door bigger, thanks for that prior owners.