I have had some experience with this type of lock (Manual, not remote controlled) and can comment on the lock mechanism itself. I had one of these types working for a year or two, and then switched to a Schlage (manual again, not the z-wave model) with manual deadbolt activation i.e. it does not have a motor to extend or extract the bolt.
The schlage is a superior mechanism. The motor-driven deadbolts have a problem when the bolt is not fully-free to move as is usually the case i.e. weather stripping holding your door tight etc. The built-in clutch slips, and the door does not unlock. I routinely had to hold the door tight against the frame to unload the bolt before the motor cold extract the bolt.
It is funny that the Kwikset website touts the motor-driven bolt as an advantage over their competitors, when, in my experience, it was a profound weakness.
None of this has anything to do with home automation, but the underlying lock mechanism is important. I hope this helps.
Anthony
Agree with Anthony’s comments about the Kwikset locks compared to Schlage, but having the auto lock feature on the deadbolt was very useful to me so I eventually chose to Kwikset deadbolt for one of my doors. Now the kids cannot accidentally leave the basement unlocked and can come in through the door whenever they want.
Problem about alignment is true, but in my case a minor adjustment and it works consistently fine every time. My main issue is that there is only one time choice in the stand alone model, which is 30 seconds. I would have preferred a user defined time, but the new lock will remedy this.
Unless I am mistaken Kwikset = Grade 3 locks (residential quality, many plastic parts) and Schlage = Grade 2 (or Grade 1 if you use the full box strike included with them) which is commercial grade and no plastic parts (the mechanical parts anyway)
Having both the Schlage and the Qwikset locks I would agree, the Kwikset is definitely not the same quality as the Schlage. I did not take them apart to verify what you are saying regarding the internal components, but just holding and installing the 2 it is a noticeable difference. If Schlage had offered an automatic locking version it would have been a “no brainer” for me, I would have chosen the Schlage, but as I needed something that would lock itself if left open, the Kwikset was the only real choice.
I’m on the fence here. I like the auto lock of the kwikset and currently own a schlage lock for the back door to which I am very happy, but wish it threw the bolt for me. I’m looking to add a second lock to the front door. Here are some of the issues I’m dealing with, I’m open to any opinions.
- First of all, is the Kwikset going to be supported by Vera anytime soon?
- Anyone know what the difference in cost is?
- My frontdoor gets hit hard in the morning with the sun and the glass storm door in front of it really gets that space very hot. So hot that excess silicon from the glass seals in the new door have oozed out (apparently normal, but still worry-some). I wonder how well the any lock would hold up in these conditions.
- I already have a plain schlage hardware in the aged bronze finish at the door now, so retrofitting to the zwave schlage would be a natural finish match. Anyone know how well the aged bronze kwikset matches that of the schalge?
Right now I’m leaning towards the schalge, but waiting for the kwikset is quite appealing.
The B&D or Kwikset lock should work without any tweakings from Vera when it comes to market. That is what Zwave is all about. Hopefully both Schalge and Kwikset have followed the rules so that the current workings for Door Lock will work.
BTW, at Cedia the Black & Decker area in the Z-Wave Alliance was using Vera to control the Kwikset Z-Wave locks. So, yes, they work. The price isn’t announced yet.
Anybody know if Kwikset door lock got a 868.42 Mhz Euro version? Or US version only?
I am considering between Schlage LiNK and Kwikset SmartCode. Can you tell me what advantages and disadvantages between manual deadbolt and motorized deadbolt lock are?
Schlage has 19 codes
Kwickset I think has 40
Kwickset can use a Zwave or a Zigbee module.
Schalge has a vacation mode.
don’t know about kwickset.
kwickset deadbolt moves by command schalge does not.
Kwickset deadbolt could get stuck in the open position I highly doub’t the Schlage will.
I saw the Kwikset version at CEDIA 09 and they said the Z-Wave version wasn’t shipping for a while, until Control4 had its time with the Zigbee model. Are those that say they are using the lock, using the Zigbee model with Control4, or is it an early shipment / beta test of the Z-Wave version???
The motorized throw is key, in my opinion. If your door doesn’t close properly, then that is a carpentry problem…not the fault of the lock.
One thing I thought of is that if someone were to find the door unlocked and got in, could they leave the door open with the lock in the locked position and you would be fooled into thinking your home was safe. Would you need a Z-Wave door sensor on the door as well, to confirm a closed and locked door? If not, the lock manufacturers should have a sensor in the strike plate that confirm the door is closed…anyone know?
When I said I had the Kwikset lock I meant the standard auto lock they have, not ZWave or Zigbee. Seems from press releases I have seen it is basically the same mechanical lock as I have with ZWave added.