Schlage BE469 Questions

Other Devices & Integrations Door Locks & Sensors
1

I am looking to buy a Z Wave deadbolt. I think I’m going to buy the Schlage BE469. I have a couple of questions:

  1. How secure is it? I’m looking for a good, strong lock.

  2. Is it easy to include in the Vera?

  3. Can you program the codes from inside the Vera?
    3b. Can you schedule when certain codes can be used?
    3c. How many codes can it handle?
    3d. How long can the codes be?

  4. What’s your opinion on the best Z Wave deadbolt?

Thanks.

2

I have a Schlage BE369NX, so there are somethings I can answer.

  • Make sure you are getting the BE469NX version… that is the one with Z-wave support
  • Z-Wave inclusion is fine. Keeping it connected due to low signal strength was one of my early problems. Be cause of the encrypted handshake they have and weak transmitter, I had to make sure a strong z-wave relay would exist between the Vera box and the Lock. I just happen to have a GE/Jasco light switch next to it so that solved the problem. You will have to see if your version fairs any better.
  • The lock is able to hold 30 pin codes, not a VERA limitation. Vera will overwrite whatever has been manually programmed in.
  • DO NOT LOOSE THE MASTER Programing code. I had moved houses and took the lock with me. In the move, I had misplaced the Master Code so I could not include it in the new house Z-wave network.
    I later found it though. :stuck_out_tongue:
  • Secure Strong Lock… sure like any Deadbolt can be… it depends on the door and frame. The casing is decorative and as strong as any, except for those that are commercial grade with hardened casing. You can be alerted if someone is entering in bad codes.
  • Go to the Home Depot site and look up BE469NX. You will find some reviews of folks who have worked with it, though it may not be Vera specific. Some of the folks are using a WINK app and the are more grousing about the application.
  • Batteries for my version last 12 months. I am seeing comments about the batteries lasting only 6 months. That is because of the enhanced electronics and motor to open the lock. Mine is manual turn so it does not have the power drain.
  • There is a micasverde wiki page that goes over the older version Vera software Inclusion, but has some useful items in it regardless of the version. http://wiki.micasaverde.com/index.php/Schlage_Lock
  • Length of pin codes, my version of the lock is 4 number only. Not sure if that carries over to the new version.

I have attached a couple of screenshots for a UI7 interface. Notification choices and PIN restrictions options.

If you get it, let me know how it works out for you. I will probably do an upgrade.

-Jon

3

That’s great info - thanks. I’m running UI5, so I’m assuming it would give me all of those choices, correct? I have a GE Dimmer near the door I plan to install, too.

Have you tried any other locks? How does the BE469NX compare?

4

I got an entire Schlage kit, the FE469NX ACC 619 CAM to be exact, and Z-Wave locks it via the motor at least once a day at night, and opens it via motor in the morning when I trigger a scene. Leaving the house I usually manually open the lock, but allow the motor to close it. Opening when I return is done via the motor as well.

It has been installed for 3 months now, daily usage on motor of at least 2x a day, and battery still reports 98% inside Vera3 UI7 for me (almost doubting the accuracy).

The key I think was that I spend a lot of time getting the lock positioned perfect to where the least amount of force is required to lock/unlock it. This is specified in the Schlage manual, because during the initial battery test it will run a few close/open tests to find out how much torque the motor requires to lock/unlock the deadbolt.

Of course it could also be that in a few more months the battery level will dramatically drop, and that I might not even make it to a year of usage. Time will tell on that I guess, but extremly pleased either way, as I never even expected the Z-Wave+motor to run this long to begin with, especially not with the 100+ lock/unlocks I did for testing in the first few days setting up all the scenes.

The lock can be opened with regular key (only one is included), PIN codes (two user codes pre-programmed), and via Z-Wave. I used to fire up Vera3 UI7 on my Android, locate the Schlage entry, and unlock the door. Sometimes UI7 would load slow, so I ended up making a direct shortcut to the open/close, as per:

http://VERA3-IP:3480/data_request?id=lu_action&output_format=xml&DeviceNum=99&serviceId=urn:micasaverde-com:serviceId:DoorLock1&action=SetTarget&newTargetValue=0

Where you replace ‘99’ with the device ID of the Schlage in your network, and you can use ‘1’ at the end to lock the door. I have since switched to the ImperiHome Android app myself, which works just as fast for me.

Upon opening the door via PIN code you can trigger scenes in Vera. The PIN codes are configurable regarding the time they can be used, by the lock itself, or via Vera controller. And as explained by others you have full control the other way as well to program the lock with PIN codes via your Vera. When I manually open the deadlock, a scene is triggered for me to turn the outside light on if it is dark, as well as my foyer light. Still amazes me how fast that is activated sometimes when I twist the lock open.

Hope that clarifies more of your questions.

5

I just installed 2 of these locks and incorporated them into my Vera Edge. I’ve been using Vera for less than a month…am far from an expert…and found the inclusion of the locks about as easy as it could possibly be.

6

According to the specs, the BE469 is rated as an ANSI level 1 lock, where the other zwave locks are rated at the lesser ANSI level 2. Personally, I believe that the hinges to the door will come off before the lock gives way. And besides, the bad guy probably would be using the window anyway.

The 469 can have the number of digits in the PIN be different than 4. However, all PINS have to have the same length (of whatever you reset it to).

I am very pleased with my two 469s, especially after I reset the polling interval from what UI6 set it to (2 minutes) to off. Having the polling interval set to 2 minutes exhausts the battery in less than a month.

7

Can confirm my BE469 works in UI5 with similar restriction options. Mine also is linked in PLEG to a couple Enerwave relays controlling the porch light and doorway light. However I always found a delay of 1~2 seconds between opening the lock and the lights turn on, which is quite annoying.

Also I installed my lock last May and it is showing 87% battery left. Just fyi.

8

I saw this on the programming video for the lock. I’d much rather have the functionality of the Kwikset lock, where you can have any of your PINs be between four and eight digits, but I think that the BE469 will be better overall than the Kwikset.

9

I have a problem with the BE469, the information on the status of battery which gives vera lite on the lock is incorrect, the percentage of battery always stays above 97% until it is exhausted. This happens to me 1 year ago. Vera lite always had UI7

Regards