I Locked Myself Out within the Rain. Then I Purchased the August Good Lock.
It occurred on a Tuesday. I ran out to seize the mail, the wind blew the door shut, and I spotted with horror that my keys had been sitting on the kitchen counter.
I spent 45 minutes sitting on my entrance porch in a drizzle ready for my accomplice to come back residence with the spare key. That was the day I swore off bodily keys perpetually.
I did some digging and located the August Wi-Fi Good Lock (4th Technology). Not like different sensible locks that require you to exchange all the door deal with and appear to be a sci-fi keypad, the August lock is a “retrofit.” It sits over your current deadbolt on the within. From the skin? It appears precisely the identical.
I’ve been utilizing it for six months now. Is it dependable? Is it secure? Right here is my trustworthy evaluate.
The “Renter-Pleasant” Set up
That is the most important promoting level. I hire my residence (nicely, I’ve a strict HOA), so I am unable to change the outside {hardware}. The August lock solely replaces the thumb flip on the within of the door.
Set up took me about 10 minutes with a single Phillips head screwdriver.
- Tape the skin lock so it does not fall.
- Unscrew the within thumb latch.
- Screw on the August mounting plate and lock.
That’s it. My landlord has no concept it’s there, and my unique bodily key nonetheless works from the skin if the battery ever dies.
The “Auto-Unlock” Magic
This function makes you are feeling such as you stay within the 12 months 3000. The lock makes use of your telephone’s GPS and Bluetooth. After I go away the home, it detects I’m gone and robotically locks the door behind me (you’ll be able to set the timer).
However the very best half is coming residence. After I pull into the driveway with an armful of groceries, the lock detects my telephone approaching. By the point I stroll as much as the door, I hear the mechanical whirrr-click, and the door is already unlocked. I simply stroll proper in. No fumbling for keys.
“Did I Lock the Door?” Anxiousness
We now have all achieved it. You get midway to work and panic: “Did I lock the entrance door?” With the August, I simply open the app. It tells me the standing immediately. It additionally comes with a small magnet referred to as DoorSense that you just set up on the body. This tells the app if the door is bodily open or closed. So the app will not say “Locked” if the door is definitely swinging large open.
Visitor Entry: The Canine Walker Saver
I’ve a canine walker who comes at midday. As a substitute of hiding a key underneath the mat (which is unsafe), I simply gave her a “Digital Key” by way of the app. She downloads the app, and her entry solely works between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM on weekdays. I get a notification on my telephone the second she enters and leaves. I can confirm precisely who’s in my home and when.
The Cons: Battery Life
That is the 4th Technology mannequin, which implies the Wi-Fi is built-in (no additional bridge to plug into the wall). Nevertheless, Wi-Fi drains batteries. The lock makes use of two CR123 batteries. In my expertise, they final about 3 to 4 months. The app warns you when they’re low, however you do have to remain on high of it. It’s a minor annoyance for the comfort of distant entry.
Ultimate Verdict
Is it value $200? If in case you have children who neglect keys, a canine walker, or if you’re simply scatterbrained like me, sure. The flexibility to let a pal into my home whereas I’m on trip midway throughout the nation is unbelievable. It turned my “dumb” door into the neatest a part of my home.
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