Deciding on a lock with no key.

[bioggy]

Anyway this is what was being looked at by them.

http://www.yaledoor.co.uk/keyless-door-locks

Readily fitted etc.

Personally I recommend just getting a key cut but they don't want it that way. So would appreciate your oppinions on everything. Also note I am just giving advice not doing any sort of work for them they are just a friends.

[dll932]

The Yale units look good, you will likely need them installed. The Kwikset unit will easily install with regular key-in-knob prep, but isn't very durable at all.

[globallockytoo]

digital wireless access is the rage today, but what happens when the batteries run down? You will still need your key! If you do decide on a keyless entry, be sure it includes a keyed mechanical back up, just in case.

If people dont want to carry a key....buy a supra lockbox and mount it to a wall nearby with the key in it. Then they access a very strong box for the key and dont have to carry one. Situation solved without spending a fortune and worse, whingeing when the stupid elcheapo wireless keypad garbage fails.

[ARF-GEF]

I personally would feel really bad leaving my key behind, unsupervised in a little box even if it's made of steel. Introducing another link in security where it's always a game of weakest chain would be uncomfortable for me.
But that is just my opinion. To be honest I was already skeptical about it at the beginning, I'm no fan of the no key method. There is a reason why keys are so ubiquitous, they are relatively cheap, durable and can be highly secure.

Anyway if you insist on keyless entry this can easily be as good or even better than the others. I can't overcome my general unease with these keyless systems.

[Evan]

I personally would feel really bad leaving my key behind, unsupervised in a little box even if it's made of steel.

Mount one of these in a solid exterior wall of your house < External link to KNOX 4400 Series Combination Key Vault cut sheet > camouflaged inside of a NEMA outdoor weather tight electrical enclosure...

~~ Evan

[dll932]

Put a key in a pill vial and bury it in an easy to remember spot when no one's looking.

[Squelchtone]

I personally would feel really bad leaving my key behind, unsupervised in a little box even if it's made of steel.

Mount one of these in a solid exterior wall of your house < External link to KNOX 4400 Series Combination Key Vault cut sheet > camouflaged inside of a NEMA outdoor weather tight electrical enclosure...

~~ Evan

That is the awesomest Knox Box ever! I have not seen that before, totally want one now. Would make a nice thing for manipulation contests at lockpick villages, a prize awaits inside! Would probably have to change lock out to a Group 2 so someone can actually manage to open it up.

Thanks for that link,
Squelchtone

[ARF-GEF]

WOW Evan, that is really cool. I'm drooling all over it.
Though I still would prefer to keep my keys with me at all times, that looks really neat.

totally want one now.

Me too!

[Enchant]

There are a lot of startup/Kickstarter projects doing this; of course I can't speak to the security of them but some have pretty innovative/neat features:

http://www.august.com/
http://www.unikey.com/
https://lockitron.com/

I wonder how far we are from these becoming common on homes...

[ARF-GEF]

I find them neat and nice, but I have doubts about the security they provide.
Anyway no matter what electronics do you put on it, if the lock base is a kwickset smartkey... well let's just say it's to keep the wind out.
Anyway there is the usual stuff to worry about with electronic locks: cloning of key or authorisation, insufficient encryption possible intended or unintended backdoor left from the manufacturer.
It's much-much harder to get the same level of insight with an electronic lock as wit ha mechanical one and the chance that a mechanical lock accidentally opens when it shouldn't is pretty much 0. While with electronics you can't really ever know.

[Quickpicknpay]

In Australia, the Lockwood 001 has been the benchmark automatic deadlatch and in my opinion is the strongest most reliable deadlock on the market. Even police have trouble forcing open doors with these fitted to them. Because they are not morticed into the door they are very strong on the door side. The strike has a hardened door frame strengthener inside the box strike and two 3 inch screws that go into the frame and prevent it from splitting when forced entry is attempted. Three screws on the edge of the strike and two long screws on the inside of the strike make this a very strong strike plate.
Recently Lockwood released the Lockwood Digital/Lockwood 001 Touch that can retro fit the 001 deadlatch and having used one on my own front door I would highly recommend this lock for convenience, strength and reliability. Every other digital lock that I have seen will not come close to this in strength. It has many features including my favorite being able to use your code at the beginning or end of any string of random numbers entered to confuse anyone who may peeking over your shoulder. It can also be used with a swipe style card if you prefer.
Here's a You Tube video of installation that shows the strike and frame strengthener.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9laq1dtLVA

[dll932]

In Australia, the Lockwood 001 has been the benchmark automatic deadlatch and in my opinion is the strongest most reliable deadlock on the market. Even police have trouble forcing open doors with these fitted to them. Because they are not morticed into the door they are very strong on the door side. The strike has a hardened door frame strengthener inside the box strike and two 3 inch screws that go into the frame and prevent it from splitting when forced entry is attempted. Three screws on the edge of the strike and two long screws on the inside of the strike make this a very strong strike plate.
Recently Lockwood released the Lockwood Digital/Lockwood 001 Touch that can retro fit the 001 deadlatch and having used one on my own front door I would highly recommend this lock for convenience, strength and reliability. Every other digital lock that I have seen will not come close to this in strength. It has many features including my favorite being able to use your code at the beginning or end of any string of random numbers entered to confuse anyone who may peeking over your shoulder. It can also be used with a swipe style card if you prefer.
Here's a You Tube video of installation that shows the strike and frame strengthener.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9laq1dtLVA

Ideal Security used to make an automatic deadbolt you put in place of a knob-it was quite sturdy. I'm surprised no one wants to make them now.

[dll932]

I find them neat and nice, but I have doubts about the security they provide.
Anyway no matter what electronics do you put on it, if the lock base is a kwickset smartkey... well let's just say it's to keep the wind out.
Anyway there is the usual stuff to worry about with electronic locks: cloning of key or authorisation, insufficient encryption possible intended or unintended backdoor left from the manufacturer.
It's much-much harder to get the same level of insight with an electronic lock as wit ha mechanical one and the chance that a mechanical lock accidentally opens when it shouldn't is pretty much 0. While with electronics you can't really ever know.

I just got ANOTHER RMA for a Kwikset Codelock. They last about two months then won't open. They keep sending me new ones because they KNOW it has a defect (which they say they're working on).

[Quickpicknpay]

In Australia, the Lockwood 001 has been the benchmark automatic deadlatch and in my opinion is the strongest most reliable deadlock on the market. Even police have trouble forcing open doors with these fitted to them. Because they are not morticed into the door they are very strong on the door side. The strike has a hardened door frame strengthener inside the box strike and two 3 inch screws that go into the frame and prevent it from splitting when forced entry is attempted. Three screws on the edge of the strike and two long screws on the inside of the strike make this a very strong strike plate.
Recently Lockwood released the Lockwood Digital/Lockwood 001 Touch that can retro fit the 001 deadlatch and having used one on my own front door I would highly recommend this lock for convenience, strength and reliability. Every other digital lock that I have seen will not come close to this in strength. It has many features including my favorite being able to use your code at the beginning or end of any string of random numbers entered to confuse anyone who may peeking over your shoulder. It can also be used with a swipe style card if you prefer.
Here's a You Tube video of installation that shows the strike and frame strengthener.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9laq1dtLVA

Ideal Security used to make an automatic deadbolt you put in place of a knob-it was quite sturdy. I'm surprised no one wants to make them now.

If the Ideal Security lock was able to replace a deadbolt or knob I would guess the strength of the door and frame would be weakened from the installation holes needed. I have seen so many entry sets and deadbolts forced open as the frame and door splits easily. I don't think you can go past a rim mounted deadlock. The Lockwood Touch will cover up a 54mm hole from a knobset but the latch hole will have to be filled. As far as the electronic side goes I'll have to wait and see. The one I am using has not had a problem since it was installed. There are good quality digital locks out there, take a La Gard safe lock for instance, simple circuit board but they are used and trusted on safes from home to bank safes and atm's. I have not heard of one of them being defeated but as we all agree it is electronic and I understand things can go wrong with temperature, moisture, dirt etc.