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Review: Schlage's Encode Plus Lock Offers Convenient Home Access Right From Your iPhone or Apple Watch
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Based on my experience with the earlier Homekit version of the lock, a good two years from a set of batteries is easy peasy.
Still, keep a key hidden / available somewhere. I once had one of the four AA batteries fail suddenly. While unlikely/rare, it did happen.
Yep, I'm three months in and the lock is reporting 93% battery life left.
I’m a landlord and can confirm this. To my knowledge, no one has ever picked one of our locks.
We use Schlage BE365 electronic keypad locks at all of our places. They are extremely reliable, mostly because they are not smart locks and require you to manually throw the cylinder.
Owner of this lock for about 4 months now- love it! It’s one of my few HomeKit accessories that works basically 100% of the time. I can’t think of a time when my Schlage went “unavailable” or “unresponsive” or took forever to unlock.
I agree with the visibility issue on the number pad- it’s a bit of a pain to see although I rarely use it. For guests that I lend a code too though, they have a hard time reading it.
I have not had the same issues unlocking the lock with my Apple Watch though. Certainly not to the point where it’s easier/faster to type in the code. As a tip, you may not need to roll up your sleeve to tap your Apple Watch to unlock. The lock recognizes my watch through my thick winter coat and unlocks easily every time.
I agree with the visibility issue on the number pad- it’s a bit of a pain to see although I rarely use it. For guests that I lend a code too though, they have a hard time reading it.
I have not had the same issues unlocking the lock with my Apple Watch though. Certainly not to the point where it’s easier/faster to type in the code. As a tip, you may not need to roll up your sleeve to tap your Apple Watch to unlock. The lock recognizes my watch through my thick winter coat and unlocks easily every time.
I know right! this is why I still have my old flip phone, its worked perfect for me... I also still have an old CRT tv which works just fine.. why the heck would I use one of those new flat looking things.... If something has worked for a long time why evolve and invent new things?
I kind of hate this look too. Once I saw the aesthetic and simplicity of the level lock I can't look at one of these the same. If I were to buy a lock it would def be the level.. I just feel like the homekey version is a bit overpriced personally.
I got the Level one. It's fantastic, but it seems that there is no way to share the Home Key like it was talked about. Anyone figure this out?
I've had two for about 6 months. The set up was a breeze and the connection has been rock solid. Original batteries at about 90% in both. You do have to get your watch pretty close to the thing to get it to register, but that doesn't bother me. Agreed on the keypad illumination - that doesn't seem like something that it would have been difficult to get right.
I enjoy not having to carry a ket with me any more - I only need my wallet and a MagSafe wallet - and it's a comfort knowing that my "Goodnight" scene locks both doors if I've forgotten.
I enjoy not having to carry a ket with me any more - I only need my wallet and a MagSafe wallet - and it's a comfort knowing that my "Goodnight" scene locks both doors if I've forgotten.
My package said 30 days but I found lock to be noisey and it would not work with my hub so I will be returning
Design from hell … how can anyone put that abomination on their door
Add a recharge or charge option - and it would be perfect
Rechargeable AA batteries are readily available...
We've had the earlier-but-nearly-the-same Schlage Sense at our cabin for this sort of purpose - friends/family using the place when we're not there.
For keypad visibility - we just tell them to tap the Schlage logo at the top of the keypad before anything else - it lights up all the numbers and they're good to go.
Why do makers insist on including a physical key slot? I prefer them not to include a potential way for them to be picked.
No doubt - but I would like to charge while in use (like you can with the Nuki). Nice option for a 2nd home, where you cannot rely on the batteries to keep charge, while you‘re away.Rechargeable AA batteries are readily available...
My understanding is that you can only give HomeKeys to people who also have access to your Home setup. That seems logical, but you're right that it isn't how HomeKey was explained initially. You can, of course, give people a unique PIN, but that's way less cool.
failsafe.. tech fails... batteries die, etc...
Most people don't have power running into their doors, so offering a charge port would be relevant to ones of people while adding to the cost for everyone. The batteries in my two locks (I'm using rechargeable AAs) have used about 10% of capacity in 6 months. You'd have to leave them for years before you'd have a problem with the batteries dying.
Also, even if the batteries do die, it still works as a lock as it has a key.
Reminds me of Mitch Hedberg's joke about how broken escalators are still useful because they turn into stairs.
Exactly right, but the thing is, if you're going as far as sharing your Home — there is no need to share a HomeKey, as they will simply have the button in the Home app.