Customer Reviews

Schlage BE365VPLY505 Plymouth Keypad Deadbolt, Bright Brass

5 star:		(82)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This keypad deadbolt is a great replacement for a standard deadbolt. Here's what I like about it:

1. This product is a deadbolt that you can lock and unlock without a key. Instead, you enter a 4 digit password to lock and unlock the door. Using a code to unlock the door is much faster and easier than fumbling for keys. Also, you'll never be locked out unless your forget your code.

2. If you have a deadbolt on your door, you can easily remove it and install this deadbolt using a regular screwdriver.

3. You can set multiple codes (at least 5) to allow friends to access your home. You can easily delete the codes later when access is no longer required. Codes are set up using a 6 digit master password (which can be used to add and delete 4-digit access codes, but not to lock or unlock the door).

4. You can lock the door without the code. Just press the rectangular Schlage button (at the top) and turn the knob to the right, and your door is locked. You will still need a valid code to unlock the door. This makes locking up when you leave very convenient.

5. This lock can be made "bump-proof." Bumping is a relatively new, and very easy way to pick most deadbolts. It can be done in about 10 seconds and renders most current locks worthless as security devices. If you want to know more, search the internet for "bump key" and you'll be horrified at what you see. If you take this deadbolt to your locksmith before installing it and tell him to disable the key mechanism, your deadbolt will be completely resistant to bumping (and keys). I haven't used a key to get into my house since I've installed this.

6. The keypad is backlit, but only if you push the schlage key before you enter your code.

7. The unit uses a standard 9-volt battery. I've had mine for more than a year and haven't needed to replace it.

8. The one feature that I wish this deadbolt had was time based entry rules. I'd love to create a password which only works during certain hours, so that a housekeeper could access the house on a certain day or at a certain time. Alas, nothing is perfect...

I selected this version of the keypad lock because it did not use a little electric motor to move the bolt. I felt that that motor might wear out or get effected by weather (it gets COLD in northern Illinois). The Schlage uses the keypad to engage a manual turned hand key, similar to the way you lock a deadbolt inside. This hand turned method is much better than the battery powered motor in my case because the door has a soft weather stripping. The door must be pulled to compress the weatherstrip before the bolt will slide into place.

A little bonus, the keypad lights up.

Installation was fine, but then again I enjoy that type of thing. It came already programmed with two codes and I did not bother to change them or add others. Very sturdy materials, easy to use, simple to operate and looks like it will last. Of the similar options this has all the features I wanted.

Recommended.

I have had this deadbolt for bout a year and I love it. It is th best one that I have come across (and yes - the most expensive - but you get what you pay for). It is eye-catching rather than an eye-sore. Be careful, some of the cheaper competitor's models have a plastic back that is very unappealing for a main door. The unit is smaller than many by requiring only a 9 volt battery because it does not lock/unlock the deadbolt for you. You do it manually.

Pros:
1) Appealing design (front and back - no plastic)
2) Smaller than most (due to use of 9v battery)
3) Keypad lights up when you touch it for nighttime entry
4) Never get locked out. Give the neighbor a temporary code to get in.

Cons:
1) Pricey ut you get what you pay for

We wanted an easy to use deadlock for our front door. This lock was perfect; it color matched our Schlage antique brass door handle and allowed us to program our own four digit code. It was easy to program our own code, but you could also use one of the codes pre-programmed into the lock. For the slightly more paranoid, there is an option to clear all the codes and set them yourself. The unit can hold multiple codes, so you can have separate codes for yourself, your neighbors, babysitter, etc. and then delete any one specific code once it is no longer needed.

If you are wondering if there is a difference between the Plymouth and Camelot versions of the deadlock -- they are functionally identical. The only difference is how they look; the Plymouth has rounded edges, while the Camelot has more shape to the edges. It took me a while to figure out the difference was only cosmetic!

The 9V battery is easy to replace via screws in the back of the lock, and the keypad will alert you to a low battery condition. The instructions say the 9V battery should last around three years.

Overall, we are happy with the purchase and would recommend the deadbolt to others. Lowe's and Home Depot carry the lock as well, but they don't have the full color/finish selection that Amazon did.

This keypad deadbolt is a great replacement for a standard deadbolt. Here's what I like about it:

1. This product is a deadbolt that you can lock and unlock without a key. Instead, you enter a 4 digit password to lock and unlock the door. Using a code to unlock the door is much faster and easier than fumbling for keys. Also, you'll never be locked out unless your forget your code.

2. If you have a deadbolt on your door, you can easily remove it and install this deadbolt using a regular screwdriver.

3. You can set multiple codes (at least 5) to allow friends to access your home. You can easily delete the codes later when access is no longer required. Codes are set up using a 6 digit master password (which can be used to add and delete 4-digit access codes, but not to lock or unlock the door).

4. You can lock the door without the code. Just press the rectangular Schlage button (at the top) and turn the knob to the right, and your door is locked. You will still need a valid code to unlock the door. This makes locking up when you leave very convenient.

5. This lock can be made "bump-proof." Bumping is a relatively new, and very easy way to pick most deadbolts. It can be done in about 10 seconds and renders most current locks worthless as security devices. If you want to know more, search the internet for "bump key" and you'll be horrified at what you see. If you take this deadbolt to your locksmith before installing it and tell him to disable the key mechanism, your deadbolt will be completely resistant to bumping (and keys). I haven't used a key to get into my house since I've installed this.

6. The keypad is backlit, but only if you push the schlage key before you enter your code.

7. The unit uses a standard 9-volt battery. I've had mine for more than a year and haven't needed to replace it.

8. The one feature that I wish this deadbolt had was time based entry rules. I'd love to create a password which only works during certain hours, so that a housekeeper could access the house on a certain day or at a certain time. Alas, nothing is perfect...

I bought this locally (Lowes) and installed this for my front entry, with a dual knob/deadbolt set for my rear door and another keyless locking door knob for my garage entry door. Before installation I had the locksmith at the local hardware store key them all to the same key. The silicone coated buttons look very durable, even without a storm door protecting them.

Another application of this product is for homes with the elderly, who if incapacitated, can't open the door for emergency services (fire, police). Having a dedicated code that EMS can use saves them precious time in getting to the resident.

Replacing an existing Yale dead bolt with this was very simple, the instructions were relatively easy to follow. All that was needed was a screwdriver. Installation instructions are available on Schlage's web site, so you can see what is involved before you buy.

The lock comes ready to use with two unique user codes and a unique programming code, all of which can be erased and set to one of your own. You can also disable a user code and re-enable it later, or disable all of them (e.g. going on vacation, disabling the maid service's unique code). You can also turn the beep on and off, and disable the quick method of outside locking in case you have curious children (it then requires a valid user code to lock from the outside). You can essentially disable the keypad entirely if you're going away. Due to the design, if you're the only one with a key, then no third parties can gain entry while you're away.

I haven't had this installed long enough to attest to battery life, but the product is supposed to flash the "Schlage" button in red, then green if the battery is low, or flash red repeatedly if the battery needs immediate replacement. An added convenience for me is that you can change the PROGRAMMING code for these, so that mine are programmed with the same code of my own choosing. If you forget all of this for some reason, the lock can be reset to the factory codes if you have access to the internal lock (don't throw out those installation sheets, and keep them in a secure location like a firebox).

The finish (bright brass, 505) matches those mandated by my HOA, Schlage claims to warranty the finish for lifetime, but for me the lock is behind a Pella storm door anyway.

One of the best features isn't in the lock at all. These products come with a new, two-part strike plate with 4" screws ... one of the most important upgrades you can make to your entry door security! Many home intrusions are accomplished by "kick-in" entry, in which the door is simply kicked in and wimpy strike plates with 1" screws (a favorite of cheap builders) break through the door jamb with minimal force. No burglary tools required (other than a heavy boot). All the Schlage lock sets that I've bought this week come with screws which penetrate the jamb, frame, and perhaps even the adjacent stud, securely anchoring the strike plate and making the door virtually impervious to kick-in intrusion.

Yes, you can go buy a stronger strike plate, and 3" screws, at your local hardware store for less. If you do NOTHING ELSE, do that. Though the Schlage door reinforcement strike and cover strike were nice, I set them aside (I actually used the reinforced strike as a shim underneath the latch strike for my keyless door knob lock) and used a more secure "box strike," bought locally.

"Lock bumping":

Some reviews have complained that you can't make this lock secure against "key bumping." The "bump" meme seems to me less of a worry, as a burglar would have to possess just the right type of key to match this lock. (It's a little more of a worry in an office or apartment building where all the locks are undoubtedly the same make/model.) But you may be able to make this bump-free -- just take the lock before installation to your locksmith and have the key cylinder disabled (instead of rekeying all locks to the same key). Voila -- you're bump-proof. (Schlage Customer Service strongly discourages this, warning that it could void the warranty if done improperly.) But then you can't open the lock without the 4-digit code; if the battery goes dead, you're out of luck. I haven't had this installed long enough to attest to battery life, but the product is supposed to flash the "Schlage" button in red, then green if the battery is low, or flash red repeatedly if the battery needs immediate replacement.

Best to leave a conventional keyed lock elsewhere on your home (mine is in the rear, which has less visibility) - you can make THAT lock a high-security, more difficult to pick or bump model, like those from Schlage (Primus) or Medeco (M3). After reading the original "lock bumping" white papers by Barry Wels and Marc Tobias, I'm not concerned about bumping, as it is more difficult than many Internet (and marketing) fearmongers proclaim.

"Lock override":

There has been confusion in other reviews/comments about the "lock override" instructions in the Troubleshooting section of the installation instructions. I've tried this ... it disconnects the DIGITAL KEYPAD function from the deadbolt so that ONLY THE KEY will open the deadbolt. This "override" does not disable the keyed cylinder. To do that, consult with a locksmith. (Some suggest inserting a blank key and breaking it off in the cylinder. No, no, no, this is a bad idea IMHO.)

A persistent reviewer here has touted the Sunnect AP501 keyless deadbolt (I've linked to the one with the same finish as this one). It looks like a great product: it uses a digital key, and comes with a "box strike" for the door jamb. Worth looking into, but ... it costs more than twice the cost of this, and the box strike will perhaps require more installation work. Set your budget and make our choice.

I got this for my house and really like it. I prefer it over the motorized type since I'm sure the battery will last longer and since I have to pull my door a little bit to get the deadbolt aligned correctly this works much better for me.

I am now renting the house out and when the tenant moves out all I have to do is change the codes and the previous tenant will be locked out.

I have had it installed for about two years now and the battery is still going strong.

Easy installation, and easy to use. The procedure to change codes is simple, but requires punching in a lot of numbers and codes in a specific order -- I usually have to try several times before getting it to work.

The lighted numbers are a nice touch. Metal casing inside and out makes it look nicer than other products.

On one occasion, the maid service couldn't figure out how to lock the door (press enter and turn knob) -- they apparently tried until the battery was exhausted. Must have taken them hours.

Overall a great product. Highly recommended.

I'm not a handy guy but since I replaced the handle without issue on our back door I thought I would give this a try. I was at the store looking for a deadbolt to replace the current one (someone lost a key and my wife got paranoid) as well as a remote keypad for the garage to let neighbors and friends who house sit in.

We saw the Schlage Keypad and since it was the same price as a new deadbolt and garage door keypad, we decided to try it.

Installation was straight forward, although the horizontal bar that conprises the actual bolt is thicker than my old Schlage deadbolt so the hole on the side of the door needed to be widened a hair. All of the pieces fit together snuggly and intuitively. I would recommend a quick read of the entire installation instructions as there are some important bits about setting up the unit when installing to insure proper function.

A week later, I forget that we didn't have it before. I don't even use the included keys (keyed entry still requires you to activate the unit by pressing the Schlage button, otherwise nothing happens when you turn the knob).

So far it's been a good buy.

Great keyless entry option. Installation is a breeze (just make sure it is
in the un-protrude/unlock position during install). I like that it's a manual turn instead of motorized. However, it's difficult to remove the key if you ever need to use key to lock/unlock (insert is ok). But then, hopefully I never need to use key. Programming sequence is easy, but sometimes I have to do it more than once to get it working.