POSTED BY

Alan Graham

AT 7:20 AM
Wednesday May 27, 2009

Dumb • Hardware • Kitchen and Housewares • Toys

kwikset biometric smartscan

Review: 6 Months with Kwikset Smartscan Biometric Deadbolt

kwiksetreview2.jpg

Kwikset's own benefit list (pdf file) for this product includes five main selling points. Let's review them one at a time, shall we?

1. Three Levels of controlled access.

The idea here is that you basically have "admin" or "god" type access so that you can control all the settings and enroll other fingerprints. Then there is a "user" access which allows you to set who can and cannot access your door. Then finally a "timed user" access where you can specify time and day of the week someone can have access, like say a maid.

The idea is solid enough and its easy enough to add people to the system. I'd say the problem here (which I'll address again later) is that this is a closed system where you don't have the ability to upgrade the firmware or do extensive programming of the lock. What would have been a welcome addition to this type of lock is to have a USB port so that you could use a thumb drive that could not only upgrade firmware but also could allow you (the admin) the ability to do advanced programming of who gets in and when, and then be able to simply load that information into the lock.

Instead, programming is a process of bending over or kneeling piously in front of the lock to access the UI.

2. Subdermal fingerprint scan safer and more precise.

This is true. Not only is it harder to spoof this type of a lock, it is also temperamental and can cause you great angst as your wife will surely stand in the extreme cold or hot, wondering why the hell she can't get in the house because the lock won't recognize her fingerprint.

You see it is not only subdermal, but it also requires you swipe your finger across the electronic "eye" of the lock. The problem here is that it likes you to always swipe your finger at the same rate every. single. time. This is enough to anger any spouse to such a degree as they start to bypass the lock altogether and instead use the garage door keypad. You may also get a call from the pet sitter while you are on your way to say, Hawaii, explaining that he cannot get in the house and the dog is likely peeing on the rug.

There is a trick to fixing this that I've found. Basically, you enroll the same person 3-4 times at different speeds, essentially a CYA, keeping a record of the 1.2 second swipe, the 1 second swipe, the .56 second swipe, and so on.

3. "Backup" key included.

Yes, there is a backup key. Handy for when your pet sitter calls you while you are on your way to Hawaii and can't get into the house.

4. Easy to install, program and use.

It was rather painless to install. It took some modification to my door strike and a little Dremel work to get the deadbolt to fit just right, but through no fault of the lock itself. It is rather easy to program (although I mentioned above a better way they could handle this), and once you enroll everyone 3-4 times, it is very easy to use. For example, when leaving the house, simply tap the scanning area 3 times to lock the door (this is a feature I love). And unlocking the deadbolt is only about 3-20 seconds from the arrival at your door. This could be good or bad depending on what's chasing you at the moment (zombies good, vampires bad).

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5. Standard preparation fits most doors.

This seems to fit in with number 4, but I can only agree to the extent that it fit my own. I can't speak for anyone else.

Final thoughts
I'm a little rough on this product only due to the persnickety way it makes me scan my finger 3 times before I seem to find it's subdermal g-spot. On the whole I rather like it. It's affordable and secure. The batteries last a very long time between replacements. The finish is really nice and matches my existing door hardware perfectly. It is quite straightforward in its installation, programming, and function. And the best feature is that you control how many keys you give out...meaning zero.

If you've ever given out a key or two to people and they've lost them, you know you're a large locksmith bill away from re-keying your front door. With this product if you suddenly find yourself on the outs with your significant other, you are only one finger swipe away from deleting their access, depending of course who gets home first and how many swipes it takes you to gain admin access. For the breakup inclined, that alone is worth the price of admission, and the occasional headache.

So on the whole, I'd recommend this product, but with the slight caveat that I'd hope Kwikset takes my recommendations to heart and improves upon the next version.

Available on Amazon for under $200.

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21 Comments

Anonymous Anonymous

#1 – 7:44 AM May 27, 2009

I don't have the same fingerprints for more than a couple months at a time.

This thing must be for Eloi only.

shannon b

#2 – 7:49 AM May 27, 2009

Even better would be if you could remotely communicate with the lock. Then you could have a store of fingerprints on the access list that would generally have no access unless you called in to the lock and gave the okay.

epoger

#3 – 9:03 AM May 27, 2009

I fail to see the advantage of fingerprint locks over keypad locks. Keypad locks are cheaper, and don't have the "false negatives" associated with different finger swipe speeds. Plus, you can give someone the ability to open the door WITHOUT THEM BEING PRESENT to train the sensor. (i.e. give them their own access code over the phone or email)

I've been impressed with this $100 model: http://www.smarthome.com/5183N/Touchpad-Lockset-Deadbolt-Satin-Nickel-PKF-01N/p.aspx

dculberson

#4 – 9:15 AM May 27, 2009

Useless comment time:

Alan, I have the same exact exterior door handle.. I love it!

Anonymous Anonymous

#5 – 9:28 AM May 27, 2009

#3

Although keypad locks have the disadvantage that anyone seeing you key in your code now has your code.

Sagan

#6 – 9:53 AM May 27, 2009

We've had the same lock for a year or more now and we love it. It can be a little tricky to get it..usually takes a couple of times but once you are used to it you can usually get it in a couple of tries. Nice not having to worry about they key, and half the nice is being able to lock it from the outside with tap of your finger. No more fumbling for the key to lock the deadbolt.

Anonymous Anonymous

#7 – 10:01 AM May 27, 2009

wait, BATTERY? What happens when the battery runs out when you're on vacation!?

RedShirt77

#8 – 10:41 AM May 27, 2009

Couldn't all the same functions work with a Key pad?

I live that it can't be shared with other people, but you could just reset the codes every 6 months.

But yeah, scanners should not require a given speed from a human source.

Garr

#9 – 11:04 AM May 27, 2009

Funny, just this morning I was reading about how certain cancer treatments cause some people to lose their fingerprints. Come home from chemo just to find you've locked yourself out by swallowing that last pill...

Read it at BBC

w000t

#10 – 11:23 AM May 27, 2009

"simply tap the scanning area 3 times to lock the door (this is a feature I love)"

Tesla would have liked that, too.

Alan Graham

#11 – 11:51 AM May 27, 2009

The problem with codes...is you can pass them around...so if someone you give it to gives it to someone else...you are pretty much screwed.

That also sounds a lot like a venereal disease.

Anyway, I love the idea of this lock and it looks good and generally functions well...but my wife is hating it because she can't get it to work...and I have similar issues at times.

I think it just may be best to wait for 2.0.

DCULBERSON: Yeah...its a nice door handle. Glad you like it as well.

cybergibbons

#12 – 2:48 PM May 27, 2009

Is the fingerprint scanner really secure?

Not that it really matters - the override lock cylinder in the middle is likely to be a pretty low security affair which could be bumped open in a few seconds.

In the UK, if you left your house locked with just this lock whilst you were on holiday, your insurance company would be highly unlikely to pay out.

Alan Graham

#13 – 3:30 PM May 27, 2009

I also have an alarm system, so the door lock is really just a basic deterrent anyway...if someone wants to get in they will get in. But with motion detectors in every room and door sensors...just an added line of defense.

oohShiny

#14 – 7:25 PM May 27, 2009

"But with motion detectors in every room and door sensors..."

Not to mention the lasers, sound-activated shuriken-throwers, and zombie dogs released by infra-red tripwires...

"Just an added line of defense."

=D

cowboybill

#15 – 7:36 PM May 27, 2009

We also have this lock and got it much cheaper from Menards. We have found if you register multiple fingerprints for each user it works better. Also if you place your thumb on the side of the lock so its more of a squeezing motion when you slide your finger it gives more consistent results. push with your thumb and slide with your finger while counting 1-2. Now it works almost every time with the first swipe.

PaulR

#17 – 4:03 AM May 28, 2009

Touchpads? No!

For the same reason they're a bad idea on cars: you can tell which digits are used to unlock it - because of the wear on the keys. With a reduced set of digits, the lock is much easier to crack!

Anonymous Anonymous

#18 – 5:31 AM May 28, 2009

I have one of these locks on an exterior door, and for the most part I enjoy it.

The biggest downfall is when it gets wet. The water doesn't harm the lock or the sensor - but it does create a situation where your finger "vibrates" against the sensor, like when you run a damp finger down a pane of glass.

If you look at the display when you're trying to unlock it, you'll notice the displayed print looks more like a barcode - there's blank lines running across it.

In this situation, the lock doesn't perform. You can dry your finger and the sensor and it'll generally work after that, but I normally end up using my key when it's raining.

Daniel

#19 – 2:44 PM August 4, 2009

I found this site while researching the kwikset - Thanks for the very informative post. I do wonder, have you tried setting the biometrics setting to Normal from the Default of High? As detailed here:

http://www.bestkeylesslocks.com/review-black-and-decker-kwikset-smartscan-biolock-deadbolt

BOB

#20 – 11:02 PM August 14, 2009

I have had this lock for a year now. It is horrible. I have to go around to the side door to get into the house. It locks very easily. However, it is almost impossible to get it to unlock. It takes about 15 tries and by then Im so frustrated that at the $200 price point this is a waste of money. Customer support is also a joke. Kept on hold for way too long before hanging up. IF CONSIDERING BUYING THIS UNIT, DON'T IT IS A HUGE WASTE OF MONEY!!

Chris

#21 – 9:02 PM September 4, 2009

Mine works well...no problems. Just set it to normal and scan a few different prints into it. It unlocks first time every time for me. I got mine at home depot on clearance for $34. Even if it didn't work well I'd still use it as a decent deadbolt just to say I hae a fingerprint scanner (I'm an EE; my friends think it's cool too). Another thing that needs to be considered is that this scanner is actually pretty secure as far as reading only the programmed fingerprints...this makes it touchy too. If you're looking for convenience, then a little time needs to be invested to learn how the unit operates. Essentially, the thing just stores a series of timed pics of your finger then compares them against the scanned print. Get the timing right or perform a mess of scans to cover all variables (just got home have to use the bathroom pee dance for instance, or the I have 6 bags of groceries and I'm man enough to carry all of these and do this finger thing too) and you'll be gold too. Just remember, scan often, normal biometrics = you're gold.

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