Customer Reviews

Schlage FE595VCAM619ACC Camelot Keypad Accent Lever Door Lock, Satin Nickel

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I recently bought one of these for our home after we moved in. Now I don't need to fumble with keys every time I need to ket in the house, and I don't have to worry about kids losing or forgetting keys.

Like other schlage locks I have owned, this unit seems to be very well made, sturdy, and easy to install. The programming of codes is simple, and codes can be added or deleted just by using the keypad. Keypad use as far as entering codes or even updating codes is straighforward. The fact that a simple button push "lights up" the buttons at night is also cool.

The buttons are also epoxy-coated, so the numbers won't "wear off" thus revealing the codes used. I have a separate code for each family member, and can easily add codes if I have a contractor stopping by.

A key can be used to open the lock if for some reason the electronic part stops functioning (too cold from sub-sero weather, perhaps?). Since this is a Schlage lock, it can even be re-keyed so that the key you have matches the other Schlage locks your house may have.

The other reviews have covered the product very well, so I am just commenting on the battery life. My 9 volt battery that came with the lock lasted 1 month. I just assumed it had been sitting in the package and was near it's exp. date. The 2nd battery I installed was a fresh Everyready Alkaline 9 volt. It lasted a total of 4 months. There are only 3 family members in my house, so I don't think it is a matter of heavy use.
My point is that 4 months is a long way from the 3 years advertised so consider this when you are thinking of getting this lock.

4/5/09 Another update...3rd battery lasted less than 1 week and when it failed the door sat unlocked all day, not good. Will contact Schlage for replacement, but do not like to have to return things and pay shipping

I timed my installation of this at a surprizing 15 minutes, including removing the old doorknobs and reversing the handles on the keyless entry. Usually everything takes twice as long with me! The only hard part was deciding which door to put it on- the main house entry or an outbuilding I use a lot.

An earlier review stated that the lock shuts down for 5 minutes after four consecutive missed entries of combinations. I timed mine at 30 seconds shutdown, confirmed in the owner's manual.
The thing is made well, heavy duty even. Easy to program and delete combinations. I was hoping to gain entry a tad quicker by "swiping" a finger across four digits in a row, but this won't allow that; it wants a discret push of a number on the keypad with a very short time between entries. So it takes 3-4 seconds to open the door.
No complaints, but I await the day the 9V battery gives out and I have to remove the inside portion of this lock to replace it. Then I may have my first gripe!
P.S. - I paid $118 (on sale) for mine in bright brass at Lowe's, Jan.'09.

Having just purchased a new home and in need of replacing the locks, we did a great deal of research on the various companies before settling on Schlage. Of course, they are a decent mid-level quality lock and there are much more secure, and much less secure lock ratings than found within this line (i.e., commercial, etc). We selected this keyless lock to use on an outdoor utility/laundry shed with the intention of being able to access laundry the laundry room easily without the need for keys. It has been wonderful, and we enjoy the bronze colored finish a great deal. I have heard that it can peel and crack, so be sure to keep your receipts in a safe place, or your original packaging, should you need to send it back to Schlage for warranty work (there is a lifetime warranty, as far as I am aware).

The lock is easy to program and uses a 6 digit master code for this purpose. You can store 2 four digit entry codes in the lock at at time, and they can be changed using the 6 digit code. As others have mentioned, this is useful when contractors need access to the home. For example, we were able to have the sprinkler system repair guy do some work on the house because of this.

As for the battery life, I can't comment much on it, except to say that we are still on the battery that came with the unit and it has been about 2 months. I would note, however, that we do not use this system on an entry door to the main house. Rather, it is in a location where it is not used every day. Nevertheless, we live in a very hot climate, which usually kills batteries at a faster rate, and have not encountered a problem with the lock as of yet.

Thus far, we have been very pleased. If I encounter any problems, I will be sure to update the review, but at present, I am very satisfied. A note of caution - be sure to retain the instructions included with the lock, as they contain the 6 digit code necessary to change the entry codes. If you happen to misplace this, you will need to take the lock apart to get the code, as it is inside of the lock.

I had all the same positive reactions listed by others when I installed this. After I had been using it about six months, the 1-4 digits stopped working - when I pressed them nothing at all happened, though all the other buttons worked. This was intermittent for a while and then they quit altogether, taking me back to using a key. I called Schlage and was told that they recommend replacing the batteries every three months. Wonderful! Anyhow, I replaced the battery and guess what?! Now none of the buttons work at all! I have messed with the connections and all, but have been unable to revive it. So how do you send a lock in for repair? Just leave your door unprotected when you send it in? Anyhow, I misplaced my receipt, so I'm totally out of luck. I guess I'm just back to living with fishing out my key every time I need to get in.

This keypad door lever is a great replacement for a standard door lever, if you want to make access easier. Here's what I like about it:

1. This product is a door lever (i.e. a door knob, but without a knob) 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 knob or lever on your door, you can easily remove it and install this lever 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 turn the knob on the inside, 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. If you turn the knob on the inside the other way, your door is unlocked and you can come and go without entering the code.

5. This lock can be made "bump-proof." Bumping is a relatively new, and very easy way to pick most locks. 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 lever to your locksmith before installing it and tell him to disable the key mechanism, your door will be completely resistant to bumping (and keys). You can also easily disable the key mechanism yourself before installing the lever. 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 unit 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 so we don't have to use keys and because of the autolock feature. Unfortunately, even if they claim that they tested this against "extreme weather", mine already broke twice (I returned the broken one and bought another)! It survived the snow season but when the rain came, it just stopped working! I called and emailed schlage but to no avail. Good thing the manual key still works. Again dont use this for exterior doors that get rained on!

This item is very easy to install. I installed it in under 30 minutes and it looks and works exactly as described. I hate fumbling with the keys and this is exactly what I needed. Just enter the 4 digit code and presto the door opens. Great product. Buy it. I bought mine at Home depot for $139.99 + Tax....

I bought two of these and installed them myself with very little trouble (single woman not all that handy!). One of the doors was a brand new totally 'standard' door and the strikeplate that was included was not the right shape though I made it fit ok. I was just surprised that it did not fit out of the box. Not a big deal at all though. The hardest part was getting the right shape plate on it- you have to pry pretty hard and I worried I would damage it.
I was really excited about not needing to dig out my key when I get home (my car does not require a key either) and that aspect is as nice as I had hoped. But I also like that it is perfectly convenient to leave the door locked at all times so you don't have to worry whether you forgot to lock it after coming in from checking the mail for example. And you do not have to worry that you will lock yourself out either. I struggled with whether to get the keypad on the deadbolt or the handle and ended up with this one because it seemed like you might need 2 hands to open the door if you get the keypad on the deadbolt. Their website makes it sound like that is safer for an exterior door though... not sure why. I added a double cylinder deadbolt too so suspect that is fine.
I love the look of the curved handle but one of my doors is hard to open (unrelated to the handle/locks) and the shape of the handle makes it harder to open and close compared to a knob. Hopefully I can fix that separate problem but if your doors are tight it might be something to consider. ALSO... if you have out swing doors as I do (mandated by building code here in hurricane prone south Florida) these are not a good idea if you have dogs that may jump on the door (luckily mine does not) or toddlers who might reach the handle. If you do not have the door deadbolted and your dog or child pulls the handle down your out swing door will easily swing open with the weight of the kid/dog! I love this handle but am planning to buy the deadbolt version and replace these with normal handles for this reason.
The satin nickel finish is beautiful and is consistent with other satin nickel things in my home. This item is carried by Home Depot and Lowe's if you want to see it before buying from Amazon.
UPDATE: With both of my handles I have had issues where I enter the correct code and it is unlocked (I get the lights and beeps telling me it is) and I push the handle lever down and nothing happens. I would repeat the process several times before the handle would work (after jiggling and pushing on the door and other attempted adjustments). Then after a few months I realized that on the occasions it would not work by pushing down that it would work if you just pushed up (no need to re-enter the combination if done immediately). I would LOVE to hear if anyone else experiences this, if it is normal for this kind of handle and if not andy suggestions on fixing it. Again, this happens with both of the handles I have purchased and it is not a combination issue since pushing up will open it or a battery issue as it has persisted through a battery change. It occurs maybe once every 20 entries I would guess.
UPDATE2: I called Schlage customer service and they are sending the part they think is responsible for this. Bigger problem- one of my locks on a seldom used door is always out of battery and they are sending a whole replacement lock. I mentioned the outswing door lever handle issue and they agreed to send the replacement for the broken one in a different model with a regular knob. This is 2 years after purchase and they asked for no receipts or anything. They are sending the replacement without requiring the broken one which would have left me w/o a handle obviously. DO NOT hesitate to call customer service, they will help you!
Just this morning one of my dogs opened my door though so I am buying the deadbolt model now anyway! With standard precut holes I do not think they deadbolt can be installed with this handle so guess I will need a new handle too. Bummer- that is my fault, only mentioning it to save others with outswing doors!

What an amazing product. In comparison to the deadbolts that are being offered, this product is a definite no brainer with a slight exception of the price, which I have to declare is a bit hefty. However, what you receive in return is by far worth every dollar I paid.

To begin, I installed this lock in less than 30 minutes. I recommend highly that you read the instructions fully prior to installation since important details and descriptions are well explained and illustrated. If you are replacing a current lock, then you're more than likely to have a similar good experience installing this lock since the parts required to install are very similar in dimension to those that I replaced.

I also recommend the following tools when installing this lock:
1. A vicegrip with rubber grips.
2. Phillips Screwdriver
3. Flathead Screwdriver as needed to wedge materials

Once installed, creating, deleting, and revising your codes are a piece of cake. There is a master code of 6 digits and entry codes of 4 digits which can be given out to people you trust, or people you are giving temporary access to your home.

I also love the fact that the lock will stall for 5 minutes if the code is entered incorrectly 4 times in a row; a security which makes me feel safe and secure. And if that isn't enough, two sets of master keys if you happen to forget your code or the battery for some reason goes bad, which according to the product's key notes is something that won't happen for 3 years from the date of installment. <The lock comes with a 9-volt battery as well>

Finally when all is said and done, you have a smart looking lock that is very solid and secure. The satin finish is a nice touch, but most importantly this lock is tough.

No more keys. What's not to like?