Does the Schlage LiNK Live Up to the Hype?

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Schlage has definitely hyped up the release of their latest keyless entry locking system, titled the “Schlage LiNK”. Once the Schlage LiNK was released to the public, many people dropped from $300-600 on the exciting LiNK that used Z-Wave technology. However, is the Schlage LiNK really worth the money? What are some people saying about their experiences with the Schlage LiNK?

Schlage LiNK Features

The Schlage LiNK has many features, including:

Fully Encrypted Connection
The connection between the Schlage LiNK and a mobile device uses a “fully encrypted” connection, which is similar to the encrypted connection used by banking websites. According to Schlage, this makes the control of the devices extremely secure.

100 Foot Range
The Schlage LiNK bridge component is able to transmit signals up to 100 feet, when transmitting through walls. The product is able to transmit signals further in an environment without walls. These signals are then converted and sent through the user’s internet connection.

Z-Wave
Z-Wave is essentially a communication system for electronics, which can be manipulated via remote control by a human user. Z-Wave can be used with a variety of devices, such as coffee makers, thermostats and home lighting systems.

Customer Feedback

So far, customer feedback about the Schlage LiNK system has been mixed. The most common complaint that many users have, is that they were not aware that they needed to pay a $13 monthly fee in order to get access to the remote features of this system. Also, many customers mistakenly thought that the device could physically lock and unlock the door via remote. The truth is, the Schlage LiNK only gives or removes access for the door to be physically locked or unlocked.

Conclusion

It seems that the main beneficial feature of the Schlage LiNK locking system is its ability to utilize Z-Wave technology. For someone that’s seeking to have the ability to fully control the devices in their home remotely, the LiNK starter kit provides a good base. Being able to control lights, cameras, locks and thermostat systems from a distance could be a great tool that may have exciting applications in the future. However, as a basic locking system, it seems that the Schlage LiNK does need a bit of refinement.

Product Videos

This video from a CrackBerry user displays how you can control the Schlage LiNK locking system, lights, cameras and other devices through an application installed on a mobile phone. It also shows how the alerts are transmitted from the home device to a mobile phone, as well as how to set up a temporary “24-Hour” temporary code from a cell phone.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s a quick video from Schlage that displays how to control the Schlage LiNK system from your PC, and some examples of devices that can be controlled with Z-Wave technology.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Top Photo Source: http://images.crackberry.com/files/u32/schlage-link-starter-kit2.jpg

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