- Hiding a key outside isn’t the worst idea, honestly. I get the “defeats the point” argument, but if it saves you from a locksmith bill or a busted window, it’s worth it.
- I’ve had my keyless battery die once—no warning at all. Now I just swap the battery every year, cheap insurance.
- If you’re worried about cost, those little lockboxes (like for realtors) are pretty solid. Not perfect, but better than nothing.
- At the end of the day, convenience wins for me. I’d rather have a backup plan than get stuck outside in the rain...
- I get the convenience angle, but I’m still a bit wary about hiding keys outside, even with a lockbox. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve seen too many stories about folks getting creative with crowbars.
- My house is from the 1920s, and I’ve always wondered if these modern keyless systems are as sturdy as the old deadbolts. Anyone ever had issues with the actual lock mechanism, not just the battery?
- The battery thing is what gets me. I know swapping it yearly is smart, but I’d probably forget. I’ve got enough trouble remembering to change the smoke detector batteries, honestly.
- I tried one of those realtor lockboxes for a while, but it looked so out of place on my porch—kind of screamed “there’s a key in here!” Maybe I’m just paranoid, but it felt like an invitation.
- I do like the idea of a backup plan, though. I’ve actually given a spare to a neighbor I trust, which feels a bit more secure than a rock-shaped box.
- Has anyone had issues with keyless entry in extreme weather? My porch gets pretty damp in the winter, and I worry about electronics holding up.
- I guess I’m just not totally sold on ditching the old-school key yet. Maybe I’ll come around if I get locked out in the rain one too many times...
- I’ve installed a bunch of these keyless systems for folks with older homes, and honestly, the hardware quality varies a lot. Some of the higher-end models have deadbolts that feel just as solid as the old-school ones—others, not so much. If you’re worried about brute force, it’s worth looking at the ANSI/BHMA ratings before you buy.
- The battery thing is real. I’ve seen people tape a reminder inside their kitchen cabinet or set a recurring phone alert. Not foolproof, but better than nothing. Some locks beep or flash when the battery’s low, but if you’re like me and ignore blinking lights, that’s not much help.
- Weather’s a legit concern. I’ve had clients in damp coastal areas where cheaper keypads started acting up after a couple winters. The pricier models with weather seals seem to hold up better, but nothing’s totally immune to moisture over time.
- About hiding keys—honestly, most burglars know all the classic spots. I’ve seen some creative “hiding” jobs (fake sprinkler heads, hollow bricks), but if someone really wants in, they’ll find it. Giving a spare to a neighbor you trust is probably your safest bet.
- One thing I haven’t seen mentioned: how do folks feel about the “smart” features? Stuff like remote unlocking or temporary codes for guests? I’ve had clients love it for dog walkers or cleaners, but others get nervous about hacking or privacy.
Curious if anyone’s actually had a lock fail completely—like, not just batteries dying, but the mechanism jamming or electronics glitching out? That’s my main hesitation with recommending them for every situation...
Finally Switched To Keyless Entry And Here's What I Noticed
Completely relate to the battery anxiety. I swear, the first week after I installed ours, I was convinced I’d come home to a dead lock and have to climb in through the bathroom window like a sitcom character. Ended up setting a calendar reminder every three months, but even then, I still get nervous if I see the low battery light. I’m the type who’ll ignore it until it’s basically screaming at me, so I guess I’m not learning.
On the hardware, it’s wild how different they can feel. The one I picked looked sleek online, but out of the box, it felt a bit plasticky compared to the old brass deadbolt. Still, after a few months, it’s held up fine—even after my nephew tried to “test” it by hanging off the handle (don’t ask). I did check those ANSI ratings after reading about them here, and honestly, wish I’d known before buying. Would’ve saved me a lot of late-night YouTube research.
Weather’s been hit or miss. We’re not coastal, but our porch gets battered by wind and rain. The keypad’s survived, but I’ve noticed the numbers are starting to fade a little. I put some clear tape over them as a stopgap, but I’m not sure how long that’ll last. Kind of wish I’d splurged on one of the pricier models with better seals.
The smart features were a game-changer for us, though. I was nervous about hacking, but being able to give my sister a temporary code when she comes over to water plants has been super handy. I do get why some folks are wary—there’s always that “what if someone hacks it” thought in the back of my mind. But honestly, it’s made life easier, especially when I’m juggling groceries or wrangling a toddler.
Haven’t had a full-on lock failure yet, but there was one time it glitched and wouldn’t recognize any code. Had to reset the whole thing, which was a pain, but at least it didn’t lock me out for good. Still, I keep an old-fashioned key tucked away in a not-so-obvious spot, just in case. Not sure if that’s really safer, but it helps me sleep at night.
All in all, it’s been more convenient than stressful, but I totally get the hesitation—especially for folks who don’t want to fuss with tech stuff.
Battery anxiety is real, especially when you’re managing a bunch of rentals. I swapped to keyless on several units last year—makes turnovers easier, but I’ve had tenants call about low batteries more than once. Still keep a mechanical backup, just in case tech fails. Worth it for access control alone, but yeah, not perfect.
