[RickFLM4]

I got the BE479 installed and running smoothly (knock on wood) with HomeKit. Pretty easy setup. I returned the WiFi adapter today.

[M_Six]

The Level Lock was an easy install as far as the lock itself went. But the yahoos who built this house used a slapdash deadbolt plate in the jamb that had a huge opening in it so you could just sort of guess where it needed to be mounted and it'd still work. The Level Lock jamb plate is far less forgiving, so I had to do a bit of chiseling to get the plate in the right position. Otherwise it was a snap. So one door down, 3 to go. Need to grab more of these.

[tranquility]

How are these compared to reg locks in terms of safety, e.g. a guy picking a reg lock vs the same guy plus the additional threat of some 'hacker' to defeat a 'smart'lock, which is less secure?

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by tranquility

How are these compared to reg locks in terms of safety, e.g. a guy picking a reg lock vs the same guy plus the additional threat of some 'hacker' to defeat a 'smart'lock, which is less secure?

In my case the whole thought of picking a lock or trying to hack it is irrelevant. My back door has a big glass window in it and my front door has a casement window right next too it. A hammer will let a thief open both doors a heck of a lot faster than picking the lock.

The Level Bolt lock I just installed uses the existing deadbolt halves. It just replaces the mechanism inside the door. So anyone who could pick the lock before I installed the Level Bolt would still be able to pick it now. Same key. But the lock now notifies me on my phone, my watch, and my laptop that a lock has been opened or a door has been opened (or locked/closed).

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by M_Six

In my case the whole thought of picking a lock or trying to hack it is irrelevant. My back door has a big glass window in it and my front door has a casement window right next too it. A hammer will let a thief open both doors a heck of a lot faster than picking the lock.

The Level Bolt lock I just installed uses the existing deadbolt halves. It just replaces the mechanism inside the door. So anyone who could pick the lock before I installed the Level Bolt would still be able to pick it now. Same key. But the lock now notifies me on my phone, my watch, and my laptop that a lock has been opened or a door has been opened (or locked/closed).

I'm still learning about this tech, so I guess there are different types, some that can actively un/lock and some that just tells about the status?

[M_Six]

Mine does both, but for the most part I only care about the status. I occasionally forget to lock a door and it'd be nice to see the status of the door locks and lock one remotely if need be.

[tranquility]

So for ppl who switched from reg locks to these smartlocks, why did you make the change? How did you overcome any concerns about ppl 'hacking' open your doors (however improbable that may be)? I don't suppose it is more secure than a reg lock, but potentially less secure, just w the added feature of convenience?

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by tranquility

So for ppl who switched from reg locks to these smartlocks, why did you make the change? How did you overcome any concerns about ppl 'hacking' open your doors (however improbable that may be)? I don't suppose it is more secure than a reg lock, but potentially less secure, just w the added feature of convenience?

The reason I got one is in my original post.

As far as security goes, I didn’t think at all about whether these locks can be easier to pick or hack because the risk is just so low in our application. Additionally, we only locked the deadbolt when sleeping or out of town, not when (for example) going to the store. So now we will lock it all the time, which is more secure. Additionally, in our application, if we want to give someone access when we are out (e.g., cleaning people) there are 3 ways to do it: (a) leave unlocked, (b) loan / provide access to the key or (c) use a code. Choice (a) is obviously least secure. Choice (b) provides someone with an opportunity to make a copy of the key. Choice (c) provides me the ability to create a code that only works on certain days / hours and to change or delete the code whenever I want. It also provides me with a notification when the door is locked / unlocked.

Any lock can be beaten, so to me the incremental features that add security outweigh any perceived or real incremental risk of having the lock breached, at least in our application. If I lived in a very high risk area with a lock to the front door and tons of valuables inside, I might have multiple locks on it and have a completely different view.

[tranquility]

Ok, I really appreciate the comments but it's funny how there are variables that make it not an apple vs apple comparison. One can have the most secure lock in the world but if it's attached to a glass door, then it's not really fair to compare that to a reg lock attached to a steel one lol.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Ok, I really appreciate the comments but it's funny how there are variables that make it not an apple vs apple comparison. One can have the most secure lock in the world but if it's attached to a glass door, then it's not really fair to compare that to a reg lock attached to a steel one lol.

Even the type of glass matters. Unrelated to this particular lock, we have 5 sets of French doors and sliders with impact-resistant glass (for storm protection not security). On those, it would be easier to pick the lock than break through the glass.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Even the type of glass matters. Unrelated to this particular lock, we have 5 sets of French doors and sliders with impact-resistant glass (for storm protection not security). On those, it would be easier to pick the lock than break through the glass.

Yup, I hear ya. Did your glass come like that or did you apply a protective film over it?

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Yup, I hear ya. Did your glass come like that or did you apply a protective film over it?

In 2017, we replaced all the original windows and glass doors in the house with impact resistant glass (two panes bonded together and laminated). Pretty common here in FL. It was an expensive and messy project, but I am sure it would be a lot more expensive today.

https://www.windowanddoorreplacement...inguard-vinyl/

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

In 2017, we replaced all the original windows and glass doors in the house with impact resistant glass (two panes bonded together and laminated). Pretty common here in FL. It was an expensive and messy project, but I am sure it would be a lot more expensive today.

https://www.windowanddoorreplacement...inguard-vinyl/

Interesting. I would hired someone to apply those window film. Not sure how intensive that would be, one can diy but I'd leave it to the pros. I'd do it for security and UV reasons though.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

In 2017, we replaced all the original windows and glass doors in the house with impact resistant glass (two panes bonded together and laminated). Pretty common here in FL. It was an expensive and messy project, but I am sure it would be a lot more expensive today.

https://www.windowanddoorreplacement...inguard-vinyl/

This company just sells the whole window, right? I wonder if I could find someone to just do the glass in my back door.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Interesting. I would hired someone to apply those window film. Not sure how intensive that would be, one can diy but I'd leave it to the pros. I'd do it for security and UV reasons though.

Window film alone isn’t stopping debris in a hurricane.

Originally Posted by M_Six

This company just sells the whole window, right? I wonder if I could find someone to just do the glass in my back door.

Yes whole window and door. I don’t think you can just replace the glass. The doors and windows are considerably thicker than the old one’s and they are much, much heavier. There was concrete block and drywall cutting to get them installed.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Yes whole window and door. I don’t think you can just replace the glass. The doors and windows are considerably thicker than the old one’s and they are much, much heavier. There was concrete block and drywall cutting to get them installed.

Yeah, I figured as much. The frame that holds the glass is only meant for one pane. I should just replace the door with one that only has small windows at the top. Or no windows at all.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Window film alone isn’t stopping debris in a hurricane.



Yes whole window and door. I don’t think you can just replace the glass. The doors and windows are considerably thicker than the old one’s and they are much, much heavier. There was concrete block and drywall cutting to get them installed.

You're probably right considering you replaced the whole thing. I'm just talking about security and UV.

[ryan stewart]

Originally Posted by tranquility

How are these compared to reg locks in terms of safety, e.g. a guy picking a reg lock vs the same guy plus the additional threat of some 'hacker' to defeat a 'smart'lock, which is less secure?

The Yale can't be picked and the idea of some hacker strategically targeting my front door is stupid. They would just kick it in or smash in a window.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by ryan stewart

The Yale can't be picked and the idea of some hacker strategically targeting my front door is stupid. They would just kick it in or smash in a window.

That's good to know but like I averred to maybe just focus on the lock itself, everyone's home situation is different.

Actually, how come it can't be picked?

[ryan stewart]

Originally Posted by tranquility

That's good to know but like I averred to maybe just focus on the lock itself, everyone's home situation is different.

Actually, how come it can't be picked?

Dunno, you tell me.

https://shopyalehome.com/collections...39341912981636

[Mason Hatcher]

Originally Posted by tranquility

So for ppl who switched from reg locks to these smartlocks, why did you make the change? How did you overcome any concerns about ppl 'hacking' open your doors (however improbable that may be)? I don't suppose it is more secure than a reg lock, but potentially less secure, just w the added feature of convenience?

I decided when I hired a girl to clean my house. I also had friends coming to town. Physical keys can be copied, given to others, lost, etc. I can send someone an electronic key that they can only use when in Bluetooth range. I can set a schedule the key will work, remove access, etc. I can control the lock from anywhere.

I just added one to my back door. I always have my phone when working outside, but don't want to always carry a key.

In regard to hackers, the knowledge of my system and sophistication a hacker would need is pretty high. Nothing is foolproof, but more homes are breeched by the door getting kicked in than by hacking a lock.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I should just replace the door with one that only has small windows at the top. Or no windows at all.

A small window like this?????






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