![]() They could not have made these easier to replace. The August Smart Lock mechanism actually physically turns the knob and engages/disengages the deadbolt using two AA batteries when used as a smart device. Again, power outage, fire, you just turn the handle. Once the August doorknob has been installed, you can physically turn the knob and unlock or lock your door. The August doorknob has two little flanges that you simply flip down to hold the doorknob to the plate installed underneath. The mechanism to connect the new doorknob to the plate we just screwed down was quite clever. That sounds huge, but it just barely covered up the area where my thumb latch was originally mounted. It’s 3.5 inches in diameter and sticks out 2.25 inches. The August Smart Lock itself is a big cylindrical “doorknob” that’s either dark grey or silver. I spent 5X as much time reading the instructions as I did just screwing in the plate. I say at least one because the instructions in the app and online said we’d get a couple with several different options of colored screw things, but we just had one and it was adjustable to line up with the screw holes. August supplies at least one little metal plate that replaces the thumb latch and provides a base onto which you mount the August lock. The next step is to unscrew the thumb latch mechanism on the inside of the deadbolt and simply pull it off. Steve added some painter’s tape to be sure it held in place. This is to hold the mechanism in place and maintain alignment while you take the inside part off. August gives you a big strip of tape to put over the outside of your lock. You guys won’t tell anyone I have a smart lock, right? Since there’s no change outside, no one can tell you even have a smart lock. You still have a deadbolt with a keyhole and your key still works, so in the event of a power outage or dead batteries, you’ll still be able to open your door with a key. The outside of your door has zero change after installation. ![]() Note that I specifically said on the inside. In fact, I highly suggest you check their compatibility info before purchasing (we didn’t and got lucky). You must have a separate deadbolt from your regular door handle to use this August smart lock. The August Smart Lock works by replacing the thumb latch of your deadbolt on the inside of the door. I assure you it took longer than necessary because of this decision. In an odd moment of compromise, we decided to do it together. As is true in most households, Steve and I argued about who would get to do it. I was worried that changing out the lock was going to be a big ordeal. What if I didn’t have to carry a key and yet I could lock my front door or, better yet, it locked automatically? Installation – Not as Hard as You’d Think My solution? I leave the front door unlocked when I go on my walks. I carry my iPhone in my SpiBelt, and I have no pockets in my shorts, so carrying a key to the house is a problem. Every afternoon I drag poor Tesla out on a long walk. I do have an actual problem to be solved, other than wanting to be one of the cool kids like Joe. We were finally mentally ready to do this thing. But then, as you heard last week, we talked to Lisa Auslen from August at CES, and she pushed us over the edge. While I got it for Christmas, even then we had trouble getting up our nerve to actually install it. I figured he’d only let me have it if he was willing to have it on the front door too. So for Christmas, I asked Steve to get me the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect. If you’re a fan of Alexa, she can play with the August devices as well. It isn’t the only smart lock that’s HomeKit compatible, but that definitely played into our decision. Additionally, the August Smart Lock is HomeKit-compatible. ![]() The August Smart Lock was on the good list. ![]() Then I listened to a podcast (and I wish for the life of me I could remember which one) where they talked about someone testing a whole pile of smart locks and determining which had good security models. Heck, there are even apps for that! So, we’re not necessarily more secure with physical keys.īut then I started talking to that crazy Joe Dugandzic of Smarter Home Life, and he talked about his cool August Smart Lock. The one thing that really gave us pause was the idea of a smart door lock.īut then I heard about how people can take a photo of a physical key and create a duplicate physical key. We added a couple of Wemo switches somewhere along the line, and eventually a couple of security cameras, as I’ve told you about before. ![]() We started with a smart smoke detector with the Nest, then a couple of Hue lightbulbs came on the scene. Steve and I have been moving very cautiously into having a smart home. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |