Comments on: Unlock Your House Door With Your Cell Phone http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:07:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Jason http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-965266 Jason Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:53:37 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-965266 It would not be that hard to embed a 802.11g chip inside of it, and have a built in webpage. it's ridiculous to charge 13 dollars a month to unlock your house. I have a digital I/O module plugged into a computer in my garage that does a few simple chores for my home automation. Mostly it tells me if my garage door is open or closed, and then i have a contact that is wired into the garage door button that i can open or close it remotely. With an iPhone it allows me to do this anywhere in the world. Mostly because my wife sometimes leaves and forgets her key and doesn't have the garage door remote. Saves a lot of broken windows, or wasted trips. All can be completed for around 100 dollars worth of hardware. It would not be that hard to embed a 802.11g chip inside of it, and have a built in webpage.

it’s ridiculous to charge 13 dollars a month to unlock your house.

I have a digital I/O module plugged into a computer in my garage that does a few simple chores for my home automation. Mostly it tells me if my garage door is open or closed, and then i have a contact that is wired into the garage door button that i can open or close it remotely. With an iPhone it allows me to do this anywhere in the world. Mostly because my wife sometimes leaves and forgets her key and doesn’t have the garage door remote. Saves a lot of broken windows, or wasted trips. All can be completed for around 100 dollars worth of hardware.

]]> By: charles http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-962820 charles Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:08:40 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-962820 I bought on of these for my home in Florida at Lowes in Live Oak. I am really enjoying it as my kids have ben known to loose their keys. I bought on of these for my home in Florida at Lowes in Live Oak. I am really enjoying it as my kids have ben known to loose their keys.

]]> By: ScaryFast http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-962316 ScaryFast Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:24:02 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-962316 The Schlage version I have only uses a motor to engage the knob, you still lock and unlock it the old fashion way, so it doesn't have to be exact. The Schlage version I have only uses a motor to engage the knob, you still lock and unlock it the old fashion way, so it doesn’t have to be exact.

]]> By: _Jon http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-962282 _Jon Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:33:38 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-962282 I have the dumb version from the competitor and *really* like it. I had to do about 4 hours of strike-plate work (I am slow on that) because the deadbolt alignment must be perfect. It can't be the type where you have to give that little extra tug to get the bolt to turn smoothly. it has to be *perfect* for the motor to push / pull the bolt. I really liked the remote operation and logging, as I have visitors and kids. But I say no way to paying a monthly fee. That was a poor decision. As for bumping, that's been engineered out with the current generation of locks. I have the dumb version from the competitor and *really* like it.
I had to do about 4 hours of strike-plate work (I am slow on that) because the deadbolt alignment must be perfect. It can’t be the type where you have to give that little extra tug to get the bolt to turn smoothly. it has to be *perfect* for the motor to push / pull the bolt.

I really liked the remote operation and logging, as I have visitors and kids. But I say no way to paying a monthly fee. That was a poor decision.

As for bumping, that’s been engineered out with the current generation of locks.

]]> By: ScaryFast http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-960621 ScaryFast Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:41:51 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-960621 I was semi-interested until the monthly charge bit. It's useful for people who have to let other people into their house often. With the basic version you can give out temporary codes, but this gives you even more control because the person could call you for access and it will track when the door is opened. So even if you just give out a code, you can see when they come and go. I own the basic one and have had it for about 1.5 years. I had to change the battery once but it gives you lots of warning when it's getting low. I live in Canada, with -30c winter days, and the deep cold doesn't seem to bother it. It's behind a flimsy screen door, but that only protects it from direct rain and snow :P I was semi-interested until the monthly charge bit. It’s useful for people who have to let other people into their house often. With the basic version you can give out temporary codes, but this gives you even more control because the person could call you for access and it will track when the door is opened. So even if you just give out a code, you can see when they come and go.

I own the basic one and have had it for about 1.5 years. I had to change the battery once but it gives you lots of warning when it’s getting low. I live in Canada, with -30c winter days, and the deep cold doesn’t seem to bother it. It’s behind a flimsy screen door, but that only protects it from direct rain and snow :P

]]> By: CS Candler http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-960351 CS Candler Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:29:06 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-960351 This makes we wonder if the same thing could be accomplished with a unique bluetooth pairing. With a simple timer app one could could concievably set this up to permit entry for multiple individuals (using their phones) at different times. Furthermore, you could envision using this as a way to log entry times for teenagers. This makes we wonder if the same thing could be accomplished with a unique bluetooth pairing. With a simple timer app one could could concievably set this up to permit entry for multiple individuals (using their phones) at different times. Furthermore, you could envision using this as a way to log entry times for teenagers.

]]> By: DW http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-959766 DW Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:10:14 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-959766 I have the regular keypad deadbolt, I really like it, its better than fumbling for keys in the dark, or fumbling for keys period. Especially if you are a key packrat like me. ;) I have the regular keypad deadbolt, I really like it, its better than fumbling for keys in the dark, or fumbling for keys period. Especially if you are a key packrat like me. ;)

]]> By: clueless http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-959687 clueless Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:02:58 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-959687 There is the Cobra line from Schlage. It has electronic keypad access with optional key override. There is the Cobra line from Schlage. It has electronic keypad access with optional key override.

]]> By: Patrick http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-959550 Patrick Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:07:47 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-959550 Great, now my butt can unlock my house in the middle of the day when finally have lunch and sit down... Great, now my butt can unlock my house in the middle of the day when finally have lunch and sit down…

]]> By: Tim B. http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-959548 Tim B. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:01:57 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-959548 @Mr. Miz -- I did the same thing.. I have the version which is just the keypad deadbolt (and looks identical to this, with the exception of that smoked covering). I've had it for about 1.5 years now, and not a single issue.. still on the first batteries, in fact. and @Chris- I am that geek =) I've already taken mine apart and found the trigger point for using an external device (in this case, my intercom system) to 'unlock' the solenoid so the deadbolt can be turned without entering the key-code... it wouldn't be much more difficult to use a generic cell phone module (though granted, perhaps not as pretty)... In fact, one could probably use a standard VOIP phone adapter with a free phone service to do something similar, or even just a DD-WRT-equipped router firing standard I/O from the web interface. Ok.. back to concealing my inner-geek... @Mr. Miz — I did the same thing.. I have the version which is just the keypad deadbolt (and looks identical to this, with the exception of that smoked covering). I’ve had it for about 1.5 years now, and not a single issue.. still on the first batteries, in fact.

and @Chris- I am that geek =) I’ve already taken mine apart and found the trigger point for using an external device (in this case, my intercom system) to ‘unlock’ the solenoid so the deadbolt can be turned without entering the key-code… it wouldn’t be much more difficult to use a generic cell phone module (though granted, perhaps not as pretty)… In fact, one could probably use a standard VOIP phone adapter with a free phone service to do something similar, or even just a DD-WRT-equipped router firing standard I/O from the web interface.

Ok.. back to concealing my inner-geek…

]]> By: Mr.Miz http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-959498 Mr.Miz Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:25:17 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-959498 I just purchased some dumbed down versions of these for Rental property. I'm not convinced that push button locks are the way to go yet, but I've spend the money to find out now. I just purchased some dumbed down versions of these for Rental property. I’m not convinced that push button locks are the way to go yet, but I’ve spend the money to find out now.

]]> By: Chris Thompson http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-959375 Chris Thompson Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:38:21 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-959375 They had me excited but lost me at $13/mo. And honestly, they're not doing anything that a talented hardware geek couldn't do. They had me excited but lost me at $13/mo. And honestly, they’re not doing anything that a talented hardware geek couldn’t do.

]]> By: DaveD http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-959368 DaveD Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:32:50 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-959368 But don't those hackers already exist as key bumpers?!?! Why spend $200 to make it easier/harder (?) for them? But don’t those hackers already exist as key bumpers?!?!
Why spend $200 to make it easier/harder (?) for them?

]]> By: David http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-959324 David Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:40:34 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-959324 Mike, You're right. I was really pumped about this until I saw that. Now I'm pissed that they set it up this way! What happens when their system gets hacked? Seems to me the hackers would just be able to walk right into my house whenever they wanted. Mike,

You’re right. I was really pumped about this until I saw that. Now I’m pissed that they set it up this way!

What happens when their system gets hacked? Seems to me the hackers would just be able to walk right into my house whenever they wanted.

]]> By: Mike http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-959304 Mike Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:20:42 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-959304 Read the details at Schlage and you'll see it requires a monthly service charge, though no contract. There's no reason the bridge couldn't serve up the web page. I refuse to pay monthly for access to my own house. Read the details at Schlage and you’ll see it requires a monthly service charge, though no contract. There’s no reason the bridge couldn’t serve up the web page. I refuse to pay monthly for access to my own house.

]]> By: Michel http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-959289 Michel Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:59:32 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-959289 I almost got one of those, now that i know what it can do, i just have to have it! I almost got one of those, now that i know what it can do, i just have to have it!

]]> By: Jason http://toolmonger.com/2009/06/12/unlock-your-house-door-with-your-cell-phone/#comment-959275 Jason Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:48:03 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/?p=25698#comment-959275 For some reason, the Schalge link does not work for me with the Opera browser, but this does: http://consumer.schlage.com/LiNK/product_tour Seems like an interesting product, and at a decent price for the lock itself. Looks like you also need a control module (which is to be expected), but it can be used with other LiNK products. For some reason, the Schalge link does not work for me with the Opera browser, but this does: http://consumer.schlage.com/LiNK/product_tour

Seems like an interesting product, and at a decent price for the lock itself. Looks like you also need a control module (which is to be expected), but it can be used with other LiNK products.

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