I've had my fair share of Bluetooth headaches too—nothing like standing outside your own front door, helplessly tapping your phone screen. I ended up switching to a combo lock with keypad and traditional key backup. Honestly, it's been the sweet spot for me. Tech convenience is great, but having that physical key tucked away somewhere is peace of mind when things inevitably glitch out. Might be worth checking out if you're looking for that balance...
Totally agree with you on the keypad and key combo. I've installed a bunch of smart locks for clients, and honestly, the ones with a physical backup always seem to cause fewer headaches down the road. Bluetooth is slick when it works, but I've seen enough frustrated homeowners locked out in the rain to know it's not foolproof. Plus, batteries die at the worst possible times... ever had to climb through your own window at midnight? Not fun.
"Bluetooth is slick when it works, but I've seen enough frustrated homeowners locked out in the rain to know it's not foolproof."
True, Bluetooth can be finicky... but isn't that more about the quality of the lock itself rather than Bluetooth tech overall? I've had a Yale Assure Lock SL for two years now—zero issues, rain or shine. Maybe it's more about picking the right brand or model?
I've had mixed luck myself. Installed a Schlage Sense about three years ago, and honestly, it's been pretty solid overall. But there was one time—of course during a heavy downpour—when my phone decided it didn't want to connect. Ended up standing there soaked, fumbling with the keypad instead. Lesson learned: always have a backup entry method.
I agree it's probably less about Bluetooth itself and more about build quality or even firmware updates. Some brands seem to handle connectivity hiccups better than others. Still, even the best tech can glitch occasionally... so I wouldn't ditch the spare key just yet.
Had a similar experience myself—standing in the rain, phone refusing to connect, keypad acting stubborn... not fun. But you're right, it's usually not Bluetooth itself that's the issue. I've found that regular firmware checks and battery replacements help a ton. Even then, glitches happen. Good call on keeping a backup key handy; tech is great, but nothing beats a good old-fashioned failsafe.
