Lock Your Doors

[HeavyDuty]

I wonder how often electronic locks fail, requiring folks to break into their own homes.

(Sort of like the electronic safe misadventures which have been reported.)

I don't know the answer, which is why I posted this.

I wouldn’t have only electronic locks on either.

[blues]

I wouldn’t have only electronic locks on either.

Not exactly sure what you mean by this.

[RoyGBiv]

I wonder how often electronic locks fail, requiring folks to break into their own homes.

(Sort of like the electronic safe misadventures which have been reported.)

I don't know the answer, which is why I posted this.

Mine also have a traditional key. I keep an unmarked key hidden in the garage, just in case.

[luckyman]

I wonder how often electronic locks fail, requiring folks to break into their own homes.

(Sort of like the electronic safe misadventures which have been reported.)

I don't know the answer, which is why I posted this.

The 2 models I have had both can be opened with a key in any worst case scenario, and can be locked manually without either the electronics or the key. I carry the key with me all the time, but nobody else in the household does.

The model I have currently runs a couple years on one set of batteries, and is good about giving you ample warning that the batteries are getting weak. That lock is the one electronic device I own that has never had a hiccup. Hope I didn’t just curse myself.

Anecdotally I have yet to hear of a problem, but that is only a sample size of 7 locks over maybe 10 years from 3 families so not worth much.

[psalms144.1]

The 2 models I have had both can be opened with a key in any worst case scenario, and can be locked manually without either the electronics or the key. I carry the key with me all the time, but nobody else in the household does.

The model I have currently runs a couple years on one set of batteries, and is good about giving you ample warning that the batteries are getting weak. That lock is the one electronic device I own that has never had a hiccup. Hope I didn’t just curse myself.

Anecdotally I have yet to hear of a problem, but that is only a sample size of 7 locks over maybe 10 years from 3 families so not worth much.

Do you mind saying what brand/model? I've got a big-box fingerprint reader lock that works fine, but it eats batteries like crazy and I'm not crazy about the "firmware" updates that get pushed (poorly) by the manufacturer. In the 3 years I've had it, we've had four firmware pushes, none of which ever reached my smartphone without significant hassles.

[blues]

I guess that's the point I was getting at. You still need to have a key on you or secreted somewhere.

The auto locking function of the electronic lock is a convenience perhaps...but I don't see it as a solution to simply locking the door...(since there's still a chance I'll need that key.)

I'll stick with the old school method.

[luckyman]

Do you mind saying what brand/model? I've got a big-box fingerprint reader lock that works fine, but it eats batteries like crazy and I'm not crazy about the "firmware" updates that get pushed (poorly) by the manufacturer. In the 3 years I've had it, we've had four firmware pushes, none of which ever reached my smartphone without significant hassles.

I have a Schlage Encode Plus, that is integrated with my Apple HomeKit home automation. It’s not cheap, but it works.
Based on how well mine works my sister-in-law got the slightly cheaper non-plus version I think.

[cosermann]

I went to electronic locks because I could NOT get the kids, when little, to consistently keep the doors locked (or even my wife at times). With elocks they’re always locked.

Key backup enables u to get in if the lock fails, however, in 18 yrs of using them, I’ve never had a failure. Wear out, yes. Batteries need replacing, yes. But I’ve always had warning to replace. Never locked out.

[HeavyDuty]

Not exactly sure what you mean by this.

I wouldn’t have only electronic exterior locks on my house (I want at least one keyed entryway or a key backup) and I wouldn’t have a gun safe without a keyed backup.

[blues]

I wouldn’t have only electronic exterior locks on my house (I want at least one keyed entryway or a key backup) and I wouldn’t have a gun safe without a keyed backup.

Right. So, in my case, with just me, the wife and dog...I see no benefit over just having a keyed lock. Others' mileage will vary.