Kwikset 99100-080 SmartCode Electronic Deadbolt Featuring Smartkey Re-Key Security and Z-Wave Technology, Satin Nickel

Got this set after returning a Schlage Link set.The profile of this unit that faces the outside of the door is comparable to regular deadbolts. The Schlage unit was too long and interfered with the storm door.This unit is motorized; so it locks and unlocks itself; where the Schalge merely engaged / disengaged the knob for the deadbolt; so if paired with a Z-Wave controller; can lock and unlock the door on demand.It provides full Z-Wave controls and reporting.The keypad lights up when pressing the lock button. It works well in New England where temperatures go from sub-zero to 100s in direct sunlight.The housing on the indoor side houses the controls and batteries. It's a bit thick like some hotel locks.The mechanisms offers no resistance and works well with a regular key; it's not different than a regular deadbolt. On the inside you use the regular lever to lock/unlock.The lock itself is a Kwikset SmarKey; and the re-locking pin is provided. This is great because I can re-key this myself in less than 5 minutes (Ie if you need to give guests a guest key when they just cannot figure out how to enter the numbers on the keypad :); Home Depot and other hardware stores sells inexpensive sets of pre-made keys for Kwikset; so re-keying becomes a non-issue. Just put one old working key; the re-locking pin and then the new key; lock/unlock and it's all set). Note that Baldwin are part of Kwickset; and use the same key designs.My only complain is that it has 5 number keys instead of the normal 10; so it works best when using 6-digits or more. An 8-digit PIN provides 390625 variations; and 6-digits provide 15625 combinations.If used without a Z-Wave controller; it can store two combinations; and; I believe; 256 combinations when used with Z-WaveNote that there are models of the same lock without the radio controller; which s an optional card; and the controller can be either Z-Wave (Also used by FIOS or XFinity security services) or Zigbee.The radio controller itself is a removable card behind the batteries.The external enclosure is all metal and the satin finish is comparable to other Kwikset products. The inside is plastic painted in the same color with the top of the unit in black plastic that gives the optical impression of a smaller unit (The inside is rather large).After returning the Schlage set; I also considered the Yale locks because these provide a full keypad; but are much larger. This is cheaper and more insconspicuous.Installed this lock over 6 months ago and did not need to change the batteries yet. It uses 4 AA batteries.

Easy to install, the Kwikset replaced an existing Kwikset deadbolt on a side entry door to our garage. The instructions were easy to follow, and with a couple tools, I had this installed in a little under an hour.I initially set up three user codes - our main family code, a guest code that I give out to neighbors/relatives to check on the house and the third to professional services. This way, I can easily know who has which codes, and when we change a service provider, quickly change or remove the code.I have added the lock into our Wink Hub home automation system, and provisioned a robot that alerts me when the lock is either unlocked or locked. Sure, its not necessary when I am the one doing it, but its great to have when, either I am unlocking the door remotely to have the feedback, or to have the the feedback for when someone either expected or unexpected enters/leaves by the door.I chose Kwikset because my other locks are all Kwikset locks, and I wanted to stay with their system, I also liked how their keypad looked and how the Z-Wave system would integrate withe either Wink or Vera depending on which system I ended up using in my home.

When paired with a z-wave controller such as the Mi Casa Verde VeraLite, this works very well. It can be locked and unlocked remotely, codes can be set to work only during certain times of the day, the status can be checked, it can be programmed to send alerts when it is opened or when the wrong code is pushed, and a number of other different alerts. So far it's been very reliable and easy to use. With a controller it can accept a huge number of codes (I think it's up to 256 or something). Without a controller only two codes can be entered, which is pretty limiting but good if you want to have one main "family code" and then have a code you give to guests/contractors/dog walkers that you can change regularly.My only complaints are that, as others have pointed out, the security on this lock is not 100% as the codes can be changed pretty easily by someone with access to the inside of your house. For example, if you give someone your main code, they could open the lock (with a small tool)and program a second code for the door pretty easily if you weren't around, and then have access even if you changed the first code. The only situation I can think where this would be of major concern would be for a vacation rental property. This problem can be alleviated by installing a controller and setting up notifications, though for some that is an added expense that they wouldn't want to pay.My other complaint is that while the codes that can be programmed can be longer than 4 digits, the door automatically unlocks when the right code is pushed so someone wouldn't have to know the right number of digits. This slightly reduces the security and number of potential combinations. It would be more secure if you had to enter the correct digits and then press an unlock button, though I suppose it wouldn't be as convenient that way.