4 ms·

Do you have a recommendation on a quality smart lock for home use? Some ideal mix of security, style, open/compatible software.

__sy__ 5y ago
hm, it's a good question. I (personally) really like Yale devices, but I hate the touchscreens and would prefer something with physical key buttons. I'm also generally against locks that connect directly to wifi because the batteries run out so quickly. As far as the type of lock, mortise locks are so cool but super expensive and most U.S. homes would need to change their doors to have one. Maybe a level lock or a simple dead-bolt does the trick.
- __sy__ 5y ago
  I thought a bit more about your question. There's surprisingly not much unbiased research out there that correctly points out the pros/cons of each system. I'll try to write something soon and post it.
EricE 5y ago
The same company that provided the lockboxes from the original article has smart locks that use the same rotating one time code mechanism - and the locks don't require internet connectivity. A huge plus! https://www.igloohome.co/en-us/ https://www.igloohome.co/en-us/ I have had zero interest in using other smart locks - especially ones that require network connectivity of any sort, but this might be one that would be worth considering.
- __sy__ 5y ago
  > I have had zero interest in using other smart locks - especially ones that require network connectivity of any sort I think I used to agree with that sentiment, but then I realized that I can remotely control stuff for things like grocery deliveries (which as you point out Igloo can do while technically offline!). To be clear though, just because igloohome's lock is technically offline, it does not mean it's necessarily secure if there is a hole in their API auth.
  - EricE 5y ago
    > To be clear though, just because igloohome's lock is technically offline, it does not mean it's necessarily secure if there is a hole in their API auth. Sure! But it sure cuts down on implementation complexity, and complexity is where security goes to die :)
- dempsey 5y ago
  This is interesting. Thx. The problem we've always had with smart locks at scale is connectivity headaches, which require a technical person as advanced or more than a locksmith.
jmuguy 5y ago
We've gone through a bunch (including the Igloohome locks mentioned in the post) and landed on Yale's Assure line, specifically the YRD216 model with a physical keypad (not the touchscreen). Deployed in 100s of homes now (we're also property managers) with really no issue. We use Z-Wave to control but their modular system allows for Zigbee as well. I would avoid the Schlage "Smart Deadbolt" model. At least when it comes to remote control they're pretty awful. (They're also hideous imo)
- __sy__ 5y ago
  I agree 110% with this! The touchscreens confuse new people not used to it. As far as Schlage, yeah... let's just say there's a few folks in the Home Assistant community (and us too) who are not super impressed with their protocol implementation. btw which z-wave controller do you guys use for the Assure?
  - jmuguy 5y ago
    We're using Smartthings, specifically the old graph API that gives somewhat easy programmatic access. Very interested in what yall are doing with Seam (we spoke for a little bit at the virtual event YC had earlier this year). With Samsung I'm always worried some new VP is going to going to get shuffled in and decide that Smartthings has had its day in the sun.
    - __sy__ 5y ago
      Yes I remember our convo! Also, i really don't like to be the bearer of bad news, but I was talking to their Venture team and unfortunately that ship has already sailed. They've sold the hardware business to Aeotek and are progressively scaling down the team :( Ping me at sy@getseam.com and lets see if I can get you going with some beta units.
      - azdle 5y ago
        lol, no. We're hiring as fast as we can right now for software devs: https://smartthings.pinpointhq.com/ https://smartthings.pinpointhq.com/

__sy__ 5y ago

hm, it's a good question. I (personally) really like Yale devices, but I hate the touchscreens and would prefer something with physical key buttons. I'm also generally against locks that connect directly to wifi because the batteries run out so quickly. As far as the type of lock, mortise locks are so cool but super expensive and most U.S. homes would need to change their doors to have one. Maybe a level lock or a simple dead-bolt does the trick.

__sy__ 5y ago
I thought a bit more about your question. There's surprisingly not much unbiased research out there that correctly points out the pros/cons of each system. I'll try to write something soon and post it.

EricE 5y ago

The same company that provided the lockboxes from the original article has smart locks that use the same rotating one time code mechanism - and the locks don't require internet connectivity. A huge plus! https://www.igloohome.co/en-us/ https://www.igloohome.co/en-us/ I have had zero interest in using other smart locks - especially ones that require network connectivity of any sort, but this might be one that would be worth considering.

__sy__ 5y ago
> I have had zero interest in using other smart locks - especially ones that require network connectivity of any sort I think I used to agree with that sentiment, but then I realized that I can remotely control stuff for things like grocery deliveries (which as you point out Igloo can do while technically offline!). To be clear though, just because igloohome's lock is technically offline, it does not mean it's necessarily secure if there is a hole in their API auth.
- EricE 5y ago
  > To be clear though, just because igloohome's lock is technically offline, it does not mean it's necessarily secure if there is a hole in their API auth. Sure! But it sure cuts down on implementation complexity, and complexity is where security goes to die :)
dempsey 5y ago
This is interesting. Thx. The problem we've always had with smart locks at scale is connectivity headaches, which require a technical person as advanced or more than a locksmith.

jmuguy 5y ago

We've gone through a bunch (including the Igloohome locks mentioned in the post) and landed on Yale's Assure line, specifically the YRD216 model with a physical keypad (not the touchscreen). Deployed in 100s of homes now (we're also property managers) with really no issue. We use Z-Wave to control but their modular system allows for Zigbee as well. I would avoid the Schlage "Smart Deadbolt" model. At least when it comes to remote control they're pretty awful. (They're also hideous imo)

__sy__ 5y ago
I agree 110% with this! The touchscreens confuse new people not used to it. As far as Schlage, yeah... let's just say there's a few folks in the Home Assistant community (and us too) who are not super impressed with their protocol implementation. btw which z-wave controller do you guys use for the Assure?
- jmuguy 5y ago
  We're using Smartthings, specifically the old graph API that gives somewhat easy programmatic access. Very interested in what yall are doing with Seam (we spoke for a little bit at the virtual event YC had earlier this year). With Samsung I'm always worried some new VP is going to going to get shuffled in and decide that Smartthings has had its day in the sun.
  - __sy__ 5y ago
    Yes I remember our convo! Also, i really don't like to be the bearer of bad news, but I was talking to their Venture team and unfortunately that ship has already sailed. They've sold the hardware business to Aeotek and are progressively scaling down the team :( Ping me at sy@getseam.com and lets see if I can get you going with some beta units.
    - azdle 5y ago
      lol, no. We're hiring as fast as we can right now for software devs: https://smartthings.pinpointhq.com/ https://smartthings.pinpointhq.com/