View our Home Control special coverage
Electronic House Newsletter   View sample
 
Popular Stories
View Home of the Year '09.
Recent Comments
Alexandria Banks (07/04, 05:35 AM)
regza fan (07/04, 02:07 AM)
White (07/04, 01:49 AM)
Robert (07/04, 01:48 AM)
musicmatez (07/03, 01:13 PM)
Recent Slideshow Galleries
22 Demo Albums that Actually Rock DIYer Uses 2 Rooms for Full Theater Experience Columns Add Space for the Electronics Equipment Art Deco Theme Dominates Movie Palace Green A/V Limits Phantom Power Load DJ Spins Music, Movies in Graffiti Theater Rise of the Jedi Theater Acoustical Bed Makes Room Fit for A/V King Master Suite Bubbles Over with A/V Sliding-Track, Mirror TVs Sweeten Master Suite Home Gets High-Tech Overhaul in Just 2 Weeks Park the Theater Here Goodbye Ping-Pong, Hello Widescreen Theater Backyard Resort Surrounded by Sound Beach Home’s Patio Offers More Than Sunsets Home Shines in Rainbow of Colors
Info and Answers Feature
22 Demo Albums that Actually Rock
22 Demo Albums that Actually Rock
Put the sleepy jazz and classical music away—it’s time to test your audio system on all kinds of rock for you to hear in a new way.

Themed Home Theaters
View Designing a Death Star Theater
Designing a Death Star Home Theater
Three separate rooms, one starfield, and a life-sized Han Solo are just a few of the things that help two super "Star Wars" fans get their geek on in this theater.

Site Sections
Services
Product News
Kwikset’s SmartScan Reads Your Fingerprint to Open Doors
The SmartScan from Kwikset is a deadbolt programmable for more than 50 users, with three access option settings and retails for $199.
July 10, 2007 | by Arlen Schweiger

Using keys to enter your home is so last century, right? The latest in 21st century keyless entry technology comes from Kwikset with its introduction of SmartScan, a residential biometric keyless entry system. 

The SmartScan uses only a fingerprint scan to give you commercial and government type security to your residence. It’s a deadbolt that can be applied to external and internal doors.

Just swipe a valid fingerprint across the sub-dermal sensor to activate the battery-powered SmartScan deadbolt. It uses RF electronic imaging to read live fingerprint patterns located beneath the sub-dermal outer surface layer of the skin, making it unaffected by dry, dirty or worn fingertips, Kwikset says.

The device is programmable with 50-plus user fingerprints, and has a special timed “lock out feature” that allows homeowners three levels of access options. This allows Continuous Access (24/7) for family members, Limited Date Access for contractors, and Restricted Access based upon Time and Date for babysitters or housekeepers and the like, allowing a specific day and window of time (Fridays 9:00 – 9:15 a.m., for example).

Programming and set up are allowed only by designated administrator(s) and are menu driven via a built-in keypad and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). If you’re wondering what happens if the battery dies, each system includes a backup key because the product is also a standard deadbolt in case those batteries were not replaced.

The SmartScan is available in satin nickel, polished brass and Venetian bronze finishes and retails for $199. Visit www.kwikset.com for more info.



About the Author:
Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine
Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!


This entry has been viewed 5878 times.

Article Topics
Popular Tags
Social Bookmark   less


Comments (19) Most recent displayed first.
Posted by access115  on  06/05/09  at  04:50 PM

Keyless entry or access control devices for homes ONLY PROVIDE CONVENIENCE. They don’t add any more security than a quality brand mechanical lock. Businesses uses access control because they can track who comes and goes through each opening at any time or lock people out at times.  Kwikset however is not consided a quality lock maker compared to other major mechanical lock or electric lock companies. Builders generally use kwikset in new homes more because they are cheaper. Your better off with Schlage or Yale, ANSI Grade 1 or Grade 2 tested products.

Concerning home security, theives go through windows, unlocked doors, or locked doors are easily forced as the wood jamb isnt strong enough to hold off a 100 pound person.

Key bumping is even easier, just file down the points of the same key brand, insert it into your keyway and give it an easy bumb and the door unlocks. However key bump resistant cylinders are now available.

Concerning fingerprint biometrics, their are quality devices out there being used in commercial applications at a much higher price. Biometrics don’t necessarilly read your prints either, they may be reading whats under your skin.  However, eye biometrics has a long way to go.

Posted by Johan  on  05/16/09  at  03:42 PM

Yeah, then someone robs u 2 cut off ur finger! lol

Posted by jacqueline  on  02/10/09  at  02:47 AM

oh god, we have one of these and sometimes it fails me when i come home and it’s 3am and no one to open the door for me.
a simple bolt would suffice, but no, our family had to add this lovely little pit of technology that is a hit-and-miss with reading my fingerprint.

i hate this thing.

it is also very loud.

Posted by Mike  on  12/23/08  at  01:15 AM

@ Daewoo:
>
>1: Who breaks in by picking the lock anyway.
>

I live in a hurricane area. Our house is sealed with doors and windows that are impervious to 3 strikes within a 6” circle by a 2x4x10 going 140 mph, for every part of the door or window. If a thief can bypass our locks, and get in via smashing our cladding, well. . .

In the meantime, this thing is super handy

Posted by Numbnutz  on  12/03/08  at  09:48 PM

Yeah Curtis, because posting comments about how stupid people are in a discussion about a LOCK SET isn’t retarded at all.  Nitwit.


+ View all comments on for this article



Post a Comment

Name:

Email:


View comment guidelines

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Please answer the question below:

Type the 4th letter of the word "theater":





Learn more about products and solutions from tech companies.
Electronic House magazine's 2009 Best Homes of the Year special.
Electronic House reviews the coolest products of the year.
Visit the Home Electronic Ideas store & get more out of your home!

Stay up-to-date with home electronics. Get your print subscription today.
Weekly email offers tips, info and product news.
Subscribe today!
Get the content that's important to you.
More about RSS.
Electronic House is now available in a digital edition. Learn more.
About us Advertise Magazine Newsletters Digital issues EH Publishing Privacy policy Contact us
 Copyright © 2006 EH Publishing. All rights reserved.
EH Network: CE Pro TecHome Builder ChannelPro ProSoundWeb Church Production Electronic House Expo Worship Facilities Expo