I switched to Eneloops a couple years back after getting tired of constantly swapping out cheap batteries in my keypad lock. Honestly, haven't regretted it yet. Yeah, they're pricier upfront, but they've held their charge way longer... fewer midnight lockouts, haha.
Switched to Eneloops myself last year—totally agree they're worth it. But gotta admit, I still keep a spare key hidden outside... just in case. Old habits die hard, right? Can't trust tech 100% yet, haha.
I get the hesitation about relying fully on tech, but honestly, hiding a spare key outside feels riskier to me. A few thoughts:
- Most burglars know exactly where to look—under mats, flower pots, fake rocks... you name it. It's almost an open invitation.
- Keyless entry systems today have pretty solid fail-safes. Even if batteries die, most have backup power options or manual overrides built-in.
- If you're really concerned about reliability, maybe consider a mechanical keypad lock? No batteries required, and they're pretty sleek these days.
I switched to a keypad deadbolt a couple years ago after a client insisted on one for their remodel. Haven't looked back since. Sure, tech isn't foolproof, but neither is leaving a physical key lying around. Just my two cents.
I was skeptical at first too, but after installing a keypad lock for a client who was always losing keys, I started warming up to the idea. Ended up putting one on my own house. Only hiccup I've had was when the keypad froze up during a nasty winter storm—had to warm it with my hand for a minute. Still beats fumbling around for hidden keys in the dark, though.
I hear you on the winter issue—had a similar experience myself. One thing I've found helpful is choosing a keypad with raised, tactile buttons rather than flat touchscreen ones. They're easier to operate even with gloves on, and less prone to freezing up. Also, pairing it with a smart lock app has been a lifesaver for me; if the keypad ever acts up, I can unlock remotely from my phone. Definitely beats digging through snowbanks looking for that spare key...
