Sequiam Biometrics (fka SQUM)

[analystslie]

Let's put the SmartScan to the test:

I was replacing a conventional dead bolt in a door, so I only needed to drill three holes on the inside of the steel door that holds the casing where the batteries, display and keypad are stored. Installation time was about 10 minutes.

The first step in programming is to swipe your finger across the sensor three times. It took me a couple of tries to get three scans that were similar enough to be recognized by the lock. You don't need to swipe your finger exactly the same way each time, but there is a very slight learning curve. Not a problem. Since I was the first person to program my fingerprint into the system, I'm now the administrator. To give someone else access to the lock, I'll need to swipe my finger and then have the new person swipe his or her finger three times.


So the next step in my test was to walk around the neighborhood and get a few willing volunteers. I found six: three adults and three children. I let the adults become administrators; they all quickly mastered the system. Next I added the children. There weren't any problems with the two older kids — ages 10 and 13 — but the six-year-old had difficulty swiping his finger across the sensor in a similar way three times. With the help of his mother, though, we were able to program his fingerprint into the system. (He thought it was very cool, but I'd recommend some practice for kids around that age.)

Next, I rubbed some dirt on my hand, but even with that "disguise," the lock recognized my finger and unlocked the door.

The Kwikset SmartScan lock works as promised. The screen size is a bit small, as you can guess. If you use reading glasses, have them with you if you want to add or delete people who have access. A color screen would be nice, but it would add cost and no real functionality to the SmartScan lock.

If you need to pull or push on the door lock or unlock the deadbolt that is currently in the door, that won't change. The motor in the SmartScan is quite powerful, but you will still need to line up the deadbolt with the strike plate. This is not a fault of the SmartScan lock, though.

The lock is operated by four AA batteries. At first this concerned me. What happens if you are locked out and the batteries are exhausted? This could happen, but it's very unlikely. Kwikset claims that if you used the lock 15 to 20 times per day, the batteries will last about a year. And there is a battery-level meter on the display, very similar to the power meter on a cell phone. When the batteries reach a level when they can only move the bolt about 30 more times, the lock will beep for about 10 seconds when the lock is accessed. If you choose to ignore this signal, please take a key with you; the lock has a traditional keyhole for such emergencies.

The retail price for the Kwikset Smart Scan is $199.99. It is currently available in Orlando, San Diego and New York; it will be available nationally in June 2007. For more information, check out Kwikset. This product not only adds convenience and security, it's also fun!

Full Link to article below

http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/np_editorpicks/article/0,2623,HPRO_26596_5403434,00.html