123
Senior Member
I recently replaced a damaged Weiser PowerBolt 1000 (Weiser brand in Canada; Kwikset in USA) with a Weiser SmartScan. The SmartScan is a biometric lock; it uses a finger-print scanner to drive a motorized deadbolt.
The lock is promoted as being able to enroll and recognize up to fifty fingerprints ("user accounts"). You unlock the deadbolt by simply swiping an enrolled finger across a sensor. Locking is simply a matter of tapping the sensor three times. You can create up to fifty user accounts and control each account's access period (i.e. service personnel may enter between 9:00-9:15 AM, exclusively). Configuration menus and and operating status are presented via a small LCD display. My expectations were high and, ultimately, so was my disappointment.
I tried two locks, hoping the first one was simply a dud, but they both demonstrated an acute inability to lock the deadbolt. "Tap the sensor three times" would occasionally open the first lock and performance was worse with the second lock (it worked once out of about 30 attempts). The first tap would often be interpreted as an attempt to open the lock despite my best effort to avoid swiping the sensor. Subsequent taps would result in the message "Try again (data)" and finally "Access denied". Denying access is what a lock should do except I was trying to close, not open, the lock.
To conserve its batteries, the unit switches to sleep mode. In theory, you have to hold the sensor for a second or two to awaken it. In practice, covering the sensor with one finger would rarely stir the lock out of sleep mode. However, covering the sensor and placing a thumb on the lock's shell seemed to awaken it with greater repeatability. I don't know if body capacitance, or "grounding" the sensor to the shell, is involved but the second lock refused to be awakened unless I used this technique. Unfortunately, it is also the recommended way to open the lock. Weiser suggests you place your thumb on the lock's shell to serve as a pivot when you swipe the sensor with your finger. All in all, locking the deadbolt by tapping three times did not work for me.
The lock's FAQ indicates that if the lock fails to awaken from sleep mode, you simply wait thirty seconds and try again. When covering the sensor did not awaken the lock I resorted to waiting for at least thirty seconds and then the lock would become responsive. However, thirty seconds seems like an eternity if you're trying to enter your home! If you are easily frustrated, this lock is not for you. The SmartScan lock does come with a traditional keyed lock and you may find yourself using your keys more often that you'd imagine.
Locking the deadbolt proved to be far easier than unlocking it. However, it took me over twelve attempts to enroll my fingerprint with the first lock. It took only one attempt with the second lock. The first lock was so ornery that I had to reduce its biometric sensitivity from the default setting of High to Normal. The second lock operated properly using the High setting. However, I often had to swipe my finger twice before the lock recognized it.
'Swiping your finger' sounds simple until you realize it involves being consistent with position, pressure, angle, and speed. When the lock was face-up on my workbench, it was easy to swipe consistently because you can clearly see the sensor "stripe". When the lock is installed in the door the sensor faces inwards. Without the ability to see the sensor, it requires more skill to ensure each swipe has the same position, pressure, speed, and angle.
I contacted Weiser's Customer Service department and after a very brief delay spoke to a friendly representative. She suggested I disconnect/reconnect the sensor cable. I asked her what was the lock's latest software revision number but she had no idea what I was talking about (the lock's "About" menu displays key operating parameters including the firmware revision). She apologized for not being more helpful and explained the SmartScan was a very new product. I tried her suggestion but the lock's performance was not improved.
If you purchase this lock, I suggest you perform a benchtest before installing it. Installation requires drilling three small holes in the door that will not be concealed by a traditional lock. Confirm the SmartScan lock works for you before you deface your door.
I returned the two SmartScan locks to Home Depot for a full refund. I purchased and installed a PowerBolt 1000 and it works flawlessly ... as a lock should.
The lock is promoted as being able to enroll and recognize up to fifty fingerprints ("user accounts"). You unlock the deadbolt by simply swiping an enrolled finger across a sensor. Locking is simply a matter of tapping the sensor three times. You can create up to fifty user accounts and control each account's access period (i.e. service personnel may enter between 9:00-9:15 AM, exclusively). Configuration menus and and operating status are presented via a small LCD display. My expectations were high and, ultimately, so was my disappointment.
I tried two locks, hoping the first one was simply a dud, but they both demonstrated an acute inability to lock the deadbolt. "Tap the sensor three times" would occasionally open the first lock and performance was worse with the second lock (it worked once out of about 30 attempts). The first tap would often be interpreted as an attempt to open the lock despite my best effort to avoid swiping the sensor. Subsequent taps would result in the message "Try again (data)" and finally "Access denied". Denying access is what a lock should do except I was trying to close, not open, the lock.
To conserve its batteries, the unit switches to sleep mode. In theory, you have to hold the sensor for a second or two to awaken it. In practice, covering the sensor with one finger would rarely stir the lock out of sleep mode. However, covering the sensor and placing a thumb on the lock's shell seemed to awaken it with greater repeatability. I don't know if body capacitance, or "grounding" the sensor to the shell, is involved but the second lock refused to be awakened unless I used this technique. Unfortunately, it is also the recommended way to open the lock. Weiser suggests you place your thumb on the lock's shell to serve as a pivot when you swipe the sensor with your finger. All in all, locking the deadbolt by tapping three times did not work for me.
The lock's FAQ indicates that if the lock fails to awaken from sleep mode, you simply wait thirty seconds and try again. When covering the sensor did not awaken the lock I resorted to waiting for at least thirty seconds and then the lock would become responsive. However, thirty seconds seems like an eternity if you're trying to enter your home! If you are easily frustrated, this lock is not for you. The SmartScan lock does come with a traditional keyed lock and you may find yourself using your keys more often that you'd imagine.
Locking the deadbolt proved to be far easier than unlocking it. However, it took me over twelve attempts to enroll my fingerprint with the first lock. It took only one attempt with the second lock. The first lock was so ornery that I had to reduce its biometric sensitivity from the default setting of High to Normal. The second lock operated properly using the High setting. However, I often had to swipe my finger twice before the lock recognized it.
'Swiping your finger' sounds simple until you realize it involves being consistent with position, pressure, angle, and speed. When the lock was face-up on my workbench, it was easy to swipe consistently because you can clearly see the sensor "stripe". When the lock is installed in the door the sensor faces inwards. Without the ability to see the sensor, it requires more skill to ensure each swipe has the same position, pressure, speed, and angle.
I contacted Weiser's Customer Service department and after a very brief delay spoke to a friendly representative. She suggested I disconnect/reconnect the sensor cable. I asked her what was the lock's latest software revision number but she had no idea what I was talking about (the lock's "About" menu displays key operating parameters including the firmware revision). She apologized for not being more helpful and explained the SmartScan was a very new product. I tried her suggestion but the lock's performance was not improved.
If you purchase this lock, I suggest you perform a benchtest before installing it. Installation requires drilling three small holes in the door that will not be concealed by a traditional lock. Confirm the SmartScan lock works for you before you deface your door.
I returned the two SmartScan locks to Home Depot for a full refund. I purchased and installed a PowerBolt 1000 and it works flawlessly ... as a lock should.
