Smart Locks: The Future of Home Security
Lockly Visage: A Cutting-Edge Smart Lock
The Lockly Visage, part of the Zeno Series, is a standout model in the world of smart locks, retailing at $349. This advanced lock offers facial recognition, automatic unlocking when you're nearby, and Apple Home Kit compatibility.
Innovative Features
The Lockly Visage is more than just a sleek design; it's packed with cutting-edge features. One of its standout technologies is the PIN Genie, a rotating keypad layout that changes with each use. This makes it harder for intruders to guess your code by observing your hand movements or smudge patterns.
The Lockly Visage is part of a lineup that includes other innovative models like the Lockly Vision, which features a built-in 2K video doorbell, and the Lockly Secure Pro Zeno, known for its sleeker design. For those looking for a more affordable option, the Lockly PIN Genie Pro Zeno offers Home Key support.
Facial Recognition: A Natural Progression
The Lockly Visage stands out with its facial recognition capability. Many of us are familiar with facial recognition on smartphones, so having it on a smart lock feels like a natural evolution. However, there are concerns about how the lock uses facial biometric data and the potential for someone to unlock the door with a photo.
Setting up the facial recognition feature was straightforward. The lock scans your face like an iPhone when you first set up Face ID. Once set up, the lock automatically unlocks as you approach it.
Advanced Security Measures
The Lockly Visage uses "binocular facial recognition", which employs two cameras to scan a person's face in 3D, making it harder for someone to fool the system with photos or videos. The system also uses radar detection to detect motion when someone approaches the lock, regardless of visibility.
Installation and User Experience
Installing the Lockly Visage is relatively easy, but it has a lot of thick wiring that can be tricky to fit inside the housing. The Lockly app has had several updates since the lock's release, making it more user-friendly. You can add different fingerprints, facial biometric data, or key codes for multiple users, which was initially not possible.
Comparison with Aqara U100
Before the Lockly Visage, the Aqara U100 smart lock was used on the front door for a year. The Lockly Visage replaced it, and it feels sturdier with an exterior metal construction compared to the Aqara's plastic one. However, the Visage's deadbolt mechanism doesn't engage and disengage as smoothly as the U100's.
The Lockly Visage outperforms the Aqara U100 in terms of accuracy and reliability. It's incredibly accurate at reading fingerprints and its facial recognition is consistently reliable. The lock supports multiple unlocking methods, including facial recognition, Apple Home Key, fingerprints, and key codes, remotely through the app and with a physical key.
Value for Money
The Lockly Visage is expensive at $349, but it's likely to be the only smart lock you'll need for many years. Unlike most smart locks on the market, it doesn't use disposable batteries but operates with a removable and rechargeable Lockly battery pack. Each Lockly Visage comes with two rechargeable batteries, so you can keep one fully charged and swap it out when the battery depletes.