RF door lock for your house?

[mlaurence]

I have really gotten to like the keyless entry system on my new C-Max.  So I was wondering, is there anything like it for door locks for your home?  Could I keep a key fob in my pocket and just open the door any time I'm standing in front of it with the magic key?  It would be so handy when my arms were full of mail and groceries.

 

I've looked around online and all I can find is locks that have keypads where you punch in numbers, or wave a key card in front of them.  Either way, you still have to put down the groceries and do something. I want it to be as easy as the C-Max!  But I don't even know what to call this when I'm searching for it.  Can anybody help?

[Dlcrouch]

There are several you can unlock with a smartphone (schlage for one), but they are

pricey and most require a monthly subscription.

[mlaurence]

Seems to me that unlocking with a cellphone is just as cumbersome as touching a code on a keypad. Plus, if I lost my cellphone, well, I'm sure they have a solution for that, at $8.95/month or whatever. At any rate I'm not going to pay a monthly subscription fee to get into my front door!

 

It's such a good system to have a small key transmitter in your pocket. And it can't cost that much if it's included with all the other accessories in the SEL package. It seems like someone should have this technology for people's homes as well as their cars!

[RachelnLa]

I felt this way too when I first got my car. All day running around, never needing a key until I got home. Then I had to locate it in the bottom of my purse.

[dtorres]

Here's one option: http://www.unikey.com/

 

This one is really new and only available for pre-order right now.  It relies on bluetooth from your phone and when it detects the presence of your phone in your purse or pocket via bluetooth you just touch the lock and it unlocks.  Or you can use the key fob it comes with (like the C-Max keyfob) and then you don't need a smart phone.  With the keyfob its the same concept it detects the presence of the fob and then you just touch the lock.  It's pricey though at $220 per lock.

[fotomoto]

Here's one option: http://www.unikey.com/

 

  It's pricey though at $220 per lock.

 

That looks like the ticket.  It's not that much more than a traditional keyless system with the numeric touchpad @ $190.   

 

I have no use for one of these at home as I enter via the garage with the CMax built-in door opener but I really would like one for work (never gonna' happen).

[hybridbear]

Here's one option: http://www.unikey.com/

 

This one is really new and only available for pre-order right now.  It relies on bluetooth from your phone and when it detects the presence of your phone in your purse or pocket via bluetooth you just touch the lock and it unlocks.  Or you can use the key fob it comes with (like the C-Max keyfob) and then you don't need a smart phone.  With the keyfob its the same concept it detects the presence of the fob and then you just touch the lock.  It's pricey though at $220 per lock.

I guess this shows why on the Fusion Hybrid SE Ford charges $550 for Push Button Start like the C-Max SEL has. That's some expensive technology still. Hopefully the price will come down soon.

[mlaurence]

I like it!  It wouldn't work with my Android phone but that's okay, it will still work with a keyfob in my pocket.  I'm not sure if it would work with my rather ancient door and lock.  Their discussion of lock brand names and systems doesn't mean much to me, but I'm afraid it would add up to "sorry, you need all new everything."  :)  

 

And there's also the drawback that it doesn't seem to actually exist yet.  Otherwise, sounds great!

[CMax-Traveler]

Here ya go:

RF Deadbolt: $88.17 http://www.smarthome.com/51890/MiLocks-RF-01P-RF-Remote-Controlled-Keyless-Entry-Deadbolt-Brass/p.aspx

2 Key Fobs: $19.99 http://www.smarthome.com/51890R/MiLocks-RM01-RF-Remote-Control-Key-Fob-for-Keyless-Entry-Door-Locks-and-Deadbolts/p.aspx

 

Total cost: $108.16

 

I found a similar one years ago on ThinkGeek, but I was (and still am) renting.

[fotomoto]

Here ya go:

RF Deadbolt: $88.17 http://www.smarthome.com/51890/MiLocks-RF-01P-RF-Remote-Controlled-Keyless-Entry-Deadbolt-Brass/p.aspx

2 Key Fobs: $19.99 http://www.smarthome.com/51890R/MiLocks-RM01-RF-Remote-Control-Key-Fob-for-Keyless-Entry-Door-Locks-and-Deadbolts/p.aspx

 

Total cost: $108.16

 

I found a similar one years ago on ThinkGeek, but I was (and still am) renting.

 

That's a much better price but........ it only solves half the equation as you would still need to access a fob AND punch a remote button.   

[CMax-Traveler]

That's a much better price but........ it only solves half the equation as you would still need to access a fob AND punch a remote button.   

 

Guess that's no big deal for me, since that's what I have to do for my C-Max anyway (SE).

 

How about this one? August Smart Lock: http://www.august.com/ -- available later this year for $199.

Edited September 17, 2013 by CMax-Traveler

[Stormy]

Would there be something that could work from the car's garage door controls? Or would that be too insecure?

[mlaurence]

Would there be something that could work from the car's garage door controls? Or would that be too insecure?

I'd rather not have one that worked from inside the car.  As you suggest, it sounds insecure - anybody who knew about it would have a giant added incentive to break into the car.  But more important, there are many times that I want to unlock my house door and I'm not getting out of my car at the time.  A key fob in the pocket would be a lot better.