"Installed one on our back door last year—worked great at first, but lately it's been finicky, especially after gardening."
Funny you mention gardening—I had a similar issue with mine. Installed a fingerprint lock on our shed because I got tired of fumbling for keys when my hands were full of tools or dirt. Worked like a charm initially, but after a few months, it started acting up whenever my fingers were even slightly dirty or damp. I guess the sensors are pretty sensitive to grime or moisture buildup?
Ended up keeping a towel nearby to wipe my hands before unlocking, which kinda defeats the convenience factor. Eventually switched back to a keypad lock—less futuristic, sure, but way more reliable for messy outdoor tasks.
Maybe some brands handle dirt better than others? Curious if anyone's found a fingerprint model that's actually garden-friendly...
"Ended up keeping a towel nearby to wipe my hands before unlocking, which kinda defeats the convenience factor."
Haha, I feel this. We had a fingerprint lock on our back porch for a while, and it was great until summer hit and we started grilling more often. Turns out barbecue sauce fingers and fingerprint sensors don't mix well either... who knew? 😅
Eventually, we swapped it out for one of those old-school mechanical push-button locks. No batteries, no sensors, just good ol' fashioned buttons you press in a certain order. It's not as sleek or futuristic-looking, but honestly, it's been way more reliable—especially when you're juggling plates of food or gardening gear.
On a related note though, has anyone tried those smart locks that unlock via Bluetooth when your phone is nearby? I've been tempted to give one a shot, but I'm a little hesitant about relying solely on my phone. Knowing me, I'd probably leave it inside half the time or have it die right when I need it most. 🤦♀️
Still, the idea of not having to touch anything at all after gardening or cooking sounds pretty appealing. Wondering if anyone's had better luck with those?
We actually had one of those Bluetooth locks for a while, and it was handy... until the app updated and suddenly my phone stopped recognizing the lock half the time. Ended up standing awkwardly outside my own door more than once, waiting for it to reconnect. Switched to a keypad lock after that fiasco—no issues since. Anyone else find themselves going back to simpler tech after trying out the fancy stuff?
Had a similar experience with one of those smart thermostats. It was great at first—felt like living in the future—but after a software update, it randomly decided our house should be freezing at 3 AM. Not exactly ideal! Ended up going back to a good old programmable thermostat. Sometimes simpler really is better... especially when it comes to tech that controls your comfort or security. Glad the keypad lock worked out for you though, sounds reliable.
Had a similar thing happen with smart lighting—worked great until the app update, then suddenly my kitchen lights decided midnight was the perfect time for full brightness. Went back to regular LED bulbs and a basic dimmer switch. Definitely agree simpler tech usually means fewer headaches. Curious though, anyone have smart home gear that's actually stayed reliable long-term?
