Popular Mechanics Article Shares Opinion About New Age Smart-Locks

A new article has appeared today in Popular Mechanics magazine (online - and due to be printed in the October 2015 print edition) giving readers an opinion of the authors feeling about the new smart locks that are being seen across America.

The article, written by popular guest author Schuyler Towne (also an admin at Lockpicking101.com), offers an opinion that is supported by many lock industry professionals, home handymen, DIY'ers, building contractors and any homeowner that has seen the failure of their new prized smart lock.

Schuyler makes a really good point that many residential locks today might look really good, but dont actually improve the security of your home. In fact, the emergence of electronics in many smart locks has forced the manufacturers to skimp a little on the security aspect of these locks, by packing the needed wiring in place of better construction, using battery technology that really hasnt improved since the last century, all in the aim to keep costs competitive.

Like many locksmiths and other industry professionals, Schuyler points out that the age of the mechanical key will still be with us for a great many years to come. Sure, the beauty of being able to operate your entry with your smart phone is appealing (at least until the smartphone battery dies or the lock batteries wear out), but in reality, most of us are still going to be carrying the mechanical key "just in case", no?

Or the ability to give temporary access to the babysitter or the scheduled utility repair-person with a one off access code, certainly does present a part of the appeal factor because you no longer need to give them a key or leave one out under the flower pot, right?

But in reality, leaving out your spare key can open another can of worms. By NOT using a restricted key or key control system.

We do offer some better quality "smart" locks that can be installed with restricted key control cylinders instead of the ones that come with the average lock, that prevents unauthorized duplication.

Of course most restricted key control cylinders are significantly more expensive and can add significantly to your cost, but how much is the contents of your home really worth to you?

How much is your families safety and security really worth, compared to the average smart lock, where almost anyone and their relative can access so easily?

The article appears in the source below.

(source...)

A Locksmith In - A New Directory For Locksmiths

A new directory/portal in currently being built for genuine locksmiths to list their businesses and numbers.

The administrators are offering 1 free page that they will design for locksmiths and include a link to their own website.

This will be a permanent record that we hope many locksmiths will avail themselves of.

If you are a locksmith and would like another source to be listed in, for no charge, consider being an early adopter.

We all know that a wider online presence can only help our businesses.

Check out www.alocksmithin.com

Post Revisited - Knock 'N Lock - A Revolution In Access Control Technology

We have the complete parts and price list for this very interesting, yet disruptive technology. While in the video, they say it is tailored to commercial, industrial, government and defense properties, many of their products do find a market in the specialty residential market too.

Knock N' Lock unique access control products have been around a few years now. We first published an article here back in June 2007.

The video above gives a typical scenario where the product can be typically suited. There are, of course many other applications where this product is especially useful.

Essentially, the lock system uses no visible outside keyhole and consequently ensures total access control to authorised remote control users. Yes, you still require to use the especially designed key, but without a conventional keyhole of any kind, surreptitious attack of a conventional keyhole is avoided, significantly enhancing the security of the application.

View the company website in the source below for further details about this superb access control solution.

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Best Of St Louis Award - 8 Consecutive Years

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Master Key Systems America, LLC Receives 2015 St. Louis Award

St. Louis Award Program Honors the Achievement
ST. LOUIS March 4, 2015 -- Master Key Systems America, LLC has been selected for the 2015 St. Louis Award in the Locksmiths & Keys category by the St. Louis Award Program.
Each year, the St. Louis Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the St. Louis area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2015 St. Louis Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the St. Louis Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About St. Louis Award Program

The St. Louis Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the St. Louis area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The St. Louis Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.
SOURCE: St. Louis Award Program

CONTACT:
St. Louis Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@local-best.com
URL: http://www.local-best.com


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Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock - Price Reduction

We decided today to temporarily reduce the price of this product. We have dropped it by $10 to $115 + shipping.

The reasons for this reduction are multiple:

First, the currency exchange rate has dropped which makes purchasing direct from Australian resellers more competitive with us.

Second, the manufacturer just announced that due to the increasing cost of raw materials, the large drop in the currency in the last few weeks and the increasing cost of manufacture in China, they will be instituting a 7% across the board price increase  November 1st 2015.

With international shipping costs with carriers like US Post or Fedex Or UPS, the average per unit shipping cost from Australia for this product, that weighs 3lbs bagged, is about $75.00. These costs often do not include customs duty, that will be the responsibility of the purchaser (often not noted on overseas merchants websites).

So when you see comparison prices from abroad that indicate AU$45.00 - AU$49.00 per unit (US$31.50 at exchange rate of AU$1 = US$0.70) and then add the average international shipping cost of US$75.00 (depending on carrier), this equals about US$105.50 for 1 unit. Expect to receive an invoice from your carrier for customs duties, broker fees and supplemental charges, sometimes up to 30 days after receiving your product. The amount of duties, fees and supplemental charges are unknown, because each shipper and customs officer can apply the correct customs code at their discretion. Dont forget that any change in the currency exchange rate can affect your cost at any time.

So....purchasing your product from abroad may seem like a method to save a few dollars however often you will be paying significantly more with unknown charges arriving after receipt of product.

Or simply purchase from us to avoid this whole mess.

August Smart Lock Reviews - Not so Smart II

We have mentioned about the August Smart lock numerous times over the last couple of years and finally have found a number of reviews about this product that we feel important to share.

Some of the reviews below are from multiple countries and experiences and may not be an accurate portrayal of the product, however often online reviews are helpful to convince a would be purchaser that they are making the correct decision about a product or service.


These first set of reviews are sourced from the Apple App Store. There are multiple pages of reviews there. We are including a selection from the first page... (click on the link above to read more)

The impetus here is not to denigrate the product offering, but more to provide our readers with more information about the product to assist with their personal research.

(reviews after the jump)