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Keyless Mechanical Lock on front entry

14 years ago

Has anyone used one of these brass Kaba Simplex mechanical locks on their front entry? I'm not a big fan of the electrical keyless ones since it has batteries. I was wondering how they look. And what mortise or entry handle, dummy or otherwise you used?

This one ---> http://www.kaba-ilco.com/access_control/products/simplex_7100.aspx

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Comments (5)

squirrelheaven
14 years ago
That's not too bad looking. How much is the darn thing? I see only a 1 year warranty.

Sorry, know nothing about them except that I've considered getting one.
annzgw
14 years ago
After using a finger-print lock that DIL has in an outside building, my suggestion would be to look for a lock that can be easily set for repeated entry. IE: say you're home and go in and out the door often (to take the dog out!). Check to see if the lock requires punching in a code each time you want to come back in the house or if it can be programmed so you can re-enter without unlocking the door each time?

The battery type shouldn't be a worry since they still work with keys if the battery dies. You just have to remember to keep a key available or hidden somewhere.
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If they want in bad enough, it's going to happen. Anything you can do to thwart them is key as most will look for the easiest target. Keypads sound convienent not having to worry about keys, but outside of having a bank vault door for an entry,and armor plated window shutters, they will get in if they want to bad enough. In l.a., someone invested big dinero to have wrought iron fencing, window grates and security doors installed. Looks like a prison. The thieves simply got on the roof and entered through a skylight!
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Here's an old thread about keyless entries. Here is a link that might be useful: old thread about keyless entries
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I too am trying to find a keyless entry pad for wrought iron screen door that is compact. The knob holes on wrought iron doors are too close together compared to regular exterior doors. Otherwise, I need a keyless entry pad that is extra long to cover both knob holes. Has anyone found a good solution?
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I love, love, love, love my Schlage keypad door system. You can use a key, but no need. Can't get locked out of the house. Can program it for, say, contractors or a neighbor, then delete those codes when they're done. I think they're really great. Comes in different styles and colors. Mine is ORB. this is the one I have, and it looks like the day I got it, still on the original battery as well. I bought it five years ago. Pressing the "Schlage" key also lights the keypad up, so you can see what your'e punching in at night I think I got mine at Home Depot
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squirrelheaven
14 years ago
I would think you could just leave the door locked or unlocked, as any other door. Not always password protected. That would be surprising.
darenka
14 years ago
My mother had one on her house for a few years but turned the other way so you had to punch in a code to get out of the house (my father had Alzheimer's and it was a great preventative for wandering.) Most of the one's I've seen have a modern feel to them, the handle on other side had a simple look that was appropriate to the handle. My 80-year old mother didn't have enough of a thumbprint left to use that option, but you can use a key or the code. Her lock might have been a different brand (purchased at Costco.com) but you could leave it in an unlock mode. My sister now has it on her side entry door as she didn't like the look with her very traditional home, but it has solved the problem of lost keys with teen-age boys. Sister says the thumbprint sometimes doesn't work, but since everyone in the family knows the code, it's not a big problem for them.

We just used the included handle for the other side, but since I didn't install it, I'm not sure if it's a universal type that you could change if you didn't like what it came with.
deniseandspike
14 years ago
I have not used that one--it is too expensive for me but we are considering the one by Schlage. I like that I can put in a separate code for the dogsitter and then delete it when we get back in town.

Here is a link that might be useful: Plymouth Deadbolt

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