I need help thinking through a smart lock option.

Since 1979 I've lived in a house with an attached garage. So once in the
garage, I could just walk into the house, and didn't have to mess with
keys. Now I have downsized into a condo which has a DEtached garage:

https://i.postimg.cc/rmK1R2KV/Smartlock.jpg

Since the crosswalk is open to the rain, I would like to use a smart lock
which has a separate keypad, and I would like to put the keypad just inside
the garage door so I can unlock the door remotely, then make a mad dash if
it's raining.

I want the keypad because I don't use a smart phone. I have tremors in my
hands, and any attempt to use any touch-screen device is just an exercise
in frustration. So while I have a little Android phone, and take it with
me in the car in case I get into an accident, it is powered down almost all
the time. I pay $10 every three months for cell service, basically just
to keep the number alive.

I have found the Wyze lock and various versions of the August lock which
have separate keypads. My understanding is that in both cases you have to
install their app to set everything up, but after that the keypad can
communicate with the lock via Bluetooth, and having the app running should
not be needed. In fact, since both the lock and the keypad are battery
powered, they should operate even during a power failure.

Now of course that doesn't get you all the fancy features the locks are
capable of, like remote unlocking, which require the app and regular
wireless service. But I just want to unlock the lock from the keypad. I
would actually like to disable the app once setup is completed, and unplug
the Wyze Gateway or the August Wifi Bridge.

Does this sound like it would work? Is there a better way? Please note
that a smart phone is not part of my life right now, and I don't want it to
be. The longer it can stay powered down, the better.

I would have to determine experimentally whether the keypad Bluetooth will
have the range to cross the eight feet and find the lock, but assuming that
will work, or can be made to work with an extender of some kind, It seems
to me this would work. What I don't have a feel for at all is the apps.
The reviews in the Play Store are terrible for both - another reason to
disable them except when I need to change something.

I don't have smart speakers or any other IOT devices, and have no plans to
get any, although the thought occurred to me to put one in the garage that
I could give commands to, and use that instead of the keypad. I don't know
about that - it would probably require that the app be running, which is
not acceptible.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

On Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 7:52:03 PM UTC-5, Peabody wrote:
> I need help thinking through a smart lock option.
>
> Since 1979 I've lived in a house with an attached garage. So once in the
> garage, I could just walk into the house, and didn't have to mess with
> keys. Now I have downsized into a condo which has a DEtached garage:
>
> https://i.postimg.cc/rmK1R2KV/Smartlock.jpg
>
> Since the crosswalk is open to the rain, I would like to use a smart lock
> which has a separate keypad, and I would like to put the keypad just inside
> the garage door so I can unlock the door remotely, then make a mad dash if
> it's raining.
>
> I want the keypad because I don't use a smart phone. I have tremors in my
> hands, and any attempt to use any touch-screen device is just an exercise
> in frustration. So while I have a little Android phone, and take it with
> me in the car in case I get into an accident, it is powered down almost all
> the time. I pay $10 every three months for cell service, basically just
> to keep the number alive.
>
> I have found the Wyze lock and various versions of the August lock which
> have separate keypads. My understanding is that in both cases you have to
> install their app to set everything up, but after that the keypad can
> communicate with the lock via Bluetooth, and having the app running should
> not be needed. In fact, since both the lock and the keypad are battery
> powered, they should operate even during a power failure.
>
> Now of course that doesn't get you all the fancy features the locks are
> capable of, like remote unlocking, which require the app and regular
> wireless service. But I just want to unlock the lock from the keypad. I
> would actually like to disable the app once setup is completed, and unplug
> the Wyze Gateway or the August Wifi Bridge.
>
> Does this sound like it would work? Is there a better way? Please note
> that a smart phone is not part of my life right now, and I don't want it to
> be. The longer it can stay powered down, the better.
>
> I would have to determine experimentally whether the keypad Bluetooth will
> have the range to cross the eight feet and find the lock, but assuming that
> will work, or can be made to work with an extender of some kind, It seems
> to me this would work. What I don't have a feel for at all is the apps.
> The reviews in the Play Store are terrible for both - another reason to
> disable them except when I need to change something.
>
> I don't have smart speakers or any other IOT devices, and have no plans to
> get any, although the thought occurred to me to put one in the garage that
> I could give commands to, and use that instead of the keypad. I don't know
> about that - it would probably require that the app be running, which is
> not acceptible.
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.

A search on Amazon for remote control door lock turned this up:
<https://www.amazon.com/MiLocks-WF-02SN-Digital-Deadbolt-Exterior/dp/B01J8UI2YI/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1SJWO5ALMYOKI&keywords=remote%2Bcontrol%2Bdoor%2Block&qid=1648170684&sprefix=remote%2Bcontrol%2Bdoor%2Block%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-4&th=1>

Peabody <waybackNO584SPAM44@yahoo.com> wrote

> I need help thinking through a smart lock option.

> Since 1979 I've lived in a house with an attached garage. So once in the
> garage, I could just walk into the house, and didn't have to mess with
> keys. Now I have downsized into a condo which has a DEtached garage:

> https://i.postimg.cc/rmK1R2KV/Smartlock.jpg

> Since the crosswalk is open to the rain, I would like to use a smart lock
> which has a separate keypad, and I would like to put the keypad just
> inside
> the garage door so I can unlock the door remotely, then make a mad dash
> if
> it's raining.

> I want the keypad because I don't use a smart phone. I have tremors in
> my
> hands, and any attempt to use any touch-screen device is just an exercise
> in frustration. So while I have a little Android phone, and take it with
> me in the car in case I get into an accident, it is powered down almost
> all
> the time. I pay $10 every three months for cell service, basically just
> to keep the number alive.

You can get locks which unlike when an RFID approaches the lock.

That would work fine for you, just have the RFID in your pocket etc.

> I have found the Wyze lock and various versions of the August lock which
> have separate keypads. My understanding is that in both cases you have
> to
> install their app to set everything up, but after that the keypad can
> communicate with the lock via Bluetooth, and having the app running
> should
> not be needed. In fact, since both the lock and the keypad are battery
> powered, they should operate even during a power failure.
>
> Now of course that doesn't get you all the fancy features the locks are
> capable of, like remote unlocking, which require the app and regular
> wireless service. But I just want to unlock the lock from the keypad. I
> would actually like to disable the app once setup is completed, and
> unplug
> the Wyze Gateway or the August Wifi Bridge.

> Does this sound like it would work?

Yes, but not as convenient as RFID.

> Is there a better way?

Yes, RFID.

Please note
> that a smart phone is not part of my life right now, and I don't want it
> to
> be. The longer it can stay powered down, the better.
>
> I would have to determine experimentally whether the keypad Bluetooth
> will
> have the range to cross the eight feet and find the lock, but assuming
> that
> will work, or can be made to work with an extender of some kind, It
> seems
> to me this would work. What I don't have a feel for at all is the apps.
> The reviews in the Play Store are terrible for both - another reason to
> disable them except when I need to change something.
>
> I don't have smart speakers or any other IOT devices, and have no plans
> to
> get any, although the thought occurred to me to put one in the garage
> that
> I could give commands to, and use that instead of the keypad. I don't
> know
> about that - it would probably require that the app be running, which is
> not acceptible.
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.

On Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 9:28:54 PM UTC-4, Rod Speed wrote:
> Peabody <waybackNO...@yahoo.com> wrote
> > I need help thinking through a smart lock option.
>
> > Since 1979 I've lived in a house with an attached garage. So once in the
> > garage, I could just walk into the house, and didn't have to mess with
> > keys. Now I have downsized into a condo which has a DEtached garage:
>
> > https://i.postimg.cc/rmK1R2KV/Smartlock.jpg
>
> > Since the crosswalk is open to the rain, I would like to use a smart lock
> > which has a separate keypad, and I would like to put the keypad just
> > inside
> > the garage door so I can unlock the door remotely, then make a mad dash
> > if
> > it's raining.
>
> > I want the keypad because I don't use a smart phone. I have tremors in
> > my
> > hands, and any attempt to use any touch-screen device is just an exercise
> > in frustration. So while I have a little Android phone, and take it with
> > me in the car in case I get into an accident, it is powered down almost
> > all
> > the time. I pay $10 every three months for cell service, basically just
> > to keep the number alive.
> You can get locks which unlike when an RFID approaches the lock.
>
> That would work fine for you, just have the RFID in your pocket etc.
> > I have found the Wyze lock and various versions of the August lock which
> > have separate keypads. My understanding is that in both cases you have
> > to
> > install their app to set everything up, but after that the keypad can
> > communicate with the lock via Bluetooth, and having the app running
> > should
> > not be needed. In fact, since both the lock and the keypad are battery
> > powered, they should operate even during a power failure.
> >
> > Now of course that doesn't get you all the fancy features the locks are
> > capable of, like remote unlocking, which require the app and regular
> > wireless service. But I just want to unlock the lock from the keypad. I
> > would actually like to disable the app once setup is completed, and
> > unplug
> > the Wyze Gateway or the August Wifi Bridge.
>
> > Does this sound like it would work?
> Yes, but not as convenient as RFID.
> > Is there a better way?
> Yes, RFID.
> Please note
> > that a smart phone is not part of my life right now, and I don't want it
> > to
> > be. The longer it can stay powered down, the better.
> >
> > I would have to determine experimentally whether the keypad Bluetooth
> > will
> > have the range to cross the eight feet and find the lock, but assuming
> > that
> > will work, or can be made to work with an extender of some kind, It
> > seems
> > to me this would work. What I don't have a feel for at all is the apps.
> > The reviews in the Play Store are terrible for both - another reason to
> > disable them except when I need to change something.
> >
> > I don't have smart speakers or any other IOT devices, and have no plans
> > to
> > get any, although the thought occurred to me to put one in the garage
> > that
> > I could give commands to, and use that instead of the keypad. I don't
> > know
> > about that - it would probably require that the app be running, which is
> > not acceptible.
> >
> > Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Not unlike a keyfob for your car.

On Fri, 25 Mar 2022 12:49:45 +1100, Thomas <canope234@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 9:28:54 PM UTC-4, Rod Speed wrote:
>> Peabody <waybackNO...@yahoo.com> wrote
>> > I need help thinking through a smart lock option.
>>
>> > Since 1979 I've lived in a house with an attached garage. So once in
>> the
>> > garage, I could just walk into the house, and didn't have to mess with
>> > keys. Now I have downsized into a condo which has a DEtached garage:
>>
>> > https://i.postimg.cc/rmK1R2KV/Smartlock.jpg
>>
>> > Since the crosswalk is open to the rain, I would like to use a smart
>> lock
>> > which has a separate keypad, and I would like to put the keypad just
>> > inside
>> > the garage door so I can unlock the door remotely, then make a mad
>> dash
>> > if
>> > it's raining.
>>
>> > I want the keypad because I don't use a smart phone. I have tremors in
>> > my
>> > hands, and any attempt to use any touch-screen device is just an
>> exercise
>> > in frustration. So while I have a little Android phone, and take it
>> with
>> > me in the car in case I get into an accident, it is powered down
>> almost
>> > all
>> > the time. I pay $10 every three months for cell service, basically
>> just
>> > to keep the number alive.
>> You can get locks which unlike when an RFID approaches the lock.
>>
>> That would work fine for you, just have the RFID in your pocket etc.
>> > I have found the Wyze lock and various versions of the August lock
>> which
>> > have separate keypads. My understanding is that in both cases you have
>> > to
>> > install their app to set everything up, but after that the keypad can
>> > communicate with the lock via Bluetooth, and having the app running
>> > should
>> > not be needed. In fact, since both the lock and the keypad are battery
>> > powered, they should operate even during a power failure.
>> >
>> > Now of course that doesn't get you all the fancy features the locks
>> are
>> > capable of, like remote unlocking, which require the app and regular
>> > wireless service. But I just want to unlock the lock from the keypad.
>> I
>> > would actually like to disable the app once setup is completed, and
>> > unplug
>> > the Wyze Gateway or the August Wifi Bridge.
>>
>> > Does this sound like it would work?
>> Yes, but not as convenient as RFID.
>> > Is there a better way?
>> Yes, RFID.
>> Please note
>> > that a smart phone is not part of my life right now, and I don't want
>> it
>> > to
>> > be. The longer it can stay powered down, the better.
>> >
>> > I would have to determine experimentally whether the keypad Bluetooth
>> > will
>> > have the range to cross the eight feet and find the lock, but assuming
>> > that
>> > will work, or can be made to work with an extender of some kind, It
>> > seems
>> > to me this would work. What I don't have a feel for at all is the
>> apps.
>> > The reviews in the Play Store are terrible for both - another reason
>> to
>> > disable them except when I need to change something.
>> >
>> > I don't have smart speakers or any other IOT devices, and have no
>> plans
>> > to
>> > get any, although the thought occurred to me to put one in the garage
>> > that
>> > I could give commands to, and use that instead of the keypad. I don't
>> > know
>> > about that - it would probably require that the app be running, which
>> is
>> > not acceptible.
>> >
>> > Any thoughts would be appreciated.

> Not unlike a keyfob for your car.

Yep, works the same way and very convenient.

Rod Speed says...

> You can get locks which unlike when an RFID approaches
> the lock.

> That would work fine for you, just have the RFID in your
> pocket etc.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look at those.

Peabody <waybackNO584SPAM44@yahoo.com> writes:
>I need help thinking through a smart lock option.
>
>Since 1979 I've lived in a house with an attached garage. So once in the
>garage, I could just walk into the house, and didn't have to mess with
>keys. Now I have downsized into a condo which has a DEtached garage:
>
>https://i.postimg.cc/rmK1R2KV/Smartlock.jpg
>
>Since the crosswalk is open to the rain, I would like to use a smart lock
>which has a separate keypad, and I would like to put the keypad just inside
>the garage door so I can unlock the door remotely, then make a mad dash if
>it's raining.

An umbrella would be much less expensive.

On Friday, March 25, 2022 at 9:46:07 AM UTC-5, Scott Lurndal wrote:
> Peabody <waybackNO...@yahoo.com> writes:
> >I need help thinking through a smart lock option.
> >
> >Since 1979 I've lived in a house with an attached garage. So once in the
> >garage, I could just walk into the house, and didn't have to mess with
> >keys. Now I have downsized into a condo which has a DEtached garage:
> >
> >https://i.postimg.cc/rmK1R2KV/Smartlock.jpg
> >
> >Since the crosswalk is open to the rain, I would like to use a smart lock
> >which has a separate keypad, and I would like to put the keypad just inside
> >the garage door so I can unlock the door remotely, then make a mad dash if
> >it's raining.
> An umbrella would be much less expensive.

I was going to suggest some sort of tunnel like roof. This is crude but
fits the general idea.
<https://www.nebraskairrigation.com/secure/miscellaneousproducts/enginecovers.php>