I bought this product because I wanted a secure but also keyless means of accessing my home. The integration with HomeKit was an added bonus.
I did my research before buying this smart lock. I had narrowed it down to this and the August Smart Lock. The August lock big selling point was that it would be totally invisible from the outside but the fact that I would have to buy separate hardware to allow coded entry and yet another additional piece of hardware to enable remote access from my iPhone were factors that made me go elsewhere. I chose Schlage for it's reputation as a lock manufacturer and the integration with Apple's HomeKit. Something to keep in mind is that the Schlage Sense is bluetooth only. It does not connect to your home WiFi network and therefor remote access requires an Apple TV 3rd Generation or newer. I already have an Apple TV and it's within 40 feet (bluetooth radio range) of the door.
Before I made my purchase, I downloaded the Schlage Sense App to my iPhone and watched the included installation video. I recommend that everyone considering getting this lock doing the same. The video runs you through checking and measuring your existing door to make sure that it will be compatible with the Schlage Sense. I found that my door met all the requirements and submitted my order through Amazon.
When the locked arrived, I opened it up and the packaging was very "Apple-like". Slide off the top of the box and the exterior keypad sits presented to you immediately. Underneath is the interior piece and all necessary hardware. Batteries are included!
You can immediately tell that this is a solid and well built piece of hardware. It has a strong feel and weight to it. There are some other designs and color options but I feel the Camelot Trim in satin nickel looks the best.
Installation was a breeze. The hardest part for me was removing the old lock. I couldn't get the exterior part of my old lock off even though I had removed all the screws and hardware. It turned out that it was being held on by the original paint on the door. A little tap with the blunt end of my screw driver and it fell right off. Needless to say, I felt a little dumb spending so much time trying to figure out what was wrong. Once the old lock was off, I followed the instructions in the video on my phone pausing it as I completed each step. The installation of the new lock took less than 10 minutes and I think anyone who can operate a screw driver should be able to do it. It's dead simple.
The software installation was even easier. I scanned the HomeKit code from the written manual into my phone using the Schlage app and it connected to the lock. I created a code and tested it out and crossed my fingers that I wouldn't lock myself out of the house. The code worked and I was also able to lock and unlock the door through the app. I then added a couple more codes and tested those out as well. The option that I appreciated the most is the auto-lock feature. You can set the lock to lock itself if left unlocked for a certain amount of time or turn this feature off. I chose to set it to 2 minutes. Now I no longer need to worry if I locked the door before I left the house. The lock will automatically lock and leave me with peace of mind.
The party trick is the HomeKit integration with Siri. If you have "Hey Siri" enabled on your iPhone, you can ask Siri to lock and unlock the door with just your voice. ("Hey Siri" requires the phone to be plugged into a power source on iPhone 6 and older. iPhone 6s can listen for "Hey Siri" commands without a power source connected.)
Now I can leave the keys in a draw and take my dog for one of his many daily walks. I can create codes for family and friends to come in and out of the house at any time. I can also create a code for the pet sitter so she can come and when we are away and I can limit her access to just the times when she will be required to access our home.
Above all of these great things is knowing that my home is secure and I have the ability to check the status of my home by just accessing my phone. The fact that this lock comes from a manufacturer that has a long reputation for building quality locks makes it even better.
| Brand | Schlage |
|---|---|
| Lock Type | Deadbolt |
| Item dimensions L x W x H | 5 x 3 x 1 inches |
| Material | Nickel |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Door |
| Style | Camelot |
| Color | Satin Nickel |
| Number of Pieces | 1 |
| Finish Type | Satin Nickel |
| Included Components | Lockset, Hardware, Installation Instructions |
| Controller Type | Vera, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, iOS, Android |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Item Weight | 3.4 Pounds |
| Control Method | Voice |
| Connectivity Protocol | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| UPC | 783325926452 043156531424 |
| Model Name | Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt with Camelot Trim in Satin Nickel |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 09414894600771, 00043156531424 |
| Manufacturer | Schlage |
| Part Number | BE479 V CAM 619 |
| Item Weight | 3.4 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 5 x 3 x 1 inches |
| Item model number | BE479AA V CAM 619 |
| Batteries | 4 AA batteries required. |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | Camelot |
| Finish | Satin Nickel |
| Pattern | Smart Lock |
| Voltage | 9 |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Battery Cell Type | Alkaline |
