Tired of getting locked out of the house? Here's the easy solution!
Written: Nov 16 '05 (Updated Nov 17 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: You don't need keys or have to remember any combination!
Cons: Requires some programming, and instruction manual needs surgery!
The Bottom Line: This is one of the new technology Biometric locks that requires no key. No forgetting keys or combinations any more!
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| DennisM's Full Review: 1Touch Fingerprint Lock |
How many times have you, your children or anyone else you know locked themselves out of the house? You probably can't even count! What a pain in the neck! You either have to run home with the keys, hide a spare key somewhere around the house, (dangerous) or rely on a neighbor or friend to keep a spare key. (Remember that Seinfeld episode with the spare key and the parrot?)
Well thanks to modern technology, this is a thing of the past! There is a new technology called Biometrics. Biometrics is defined as quoted by "Biometrics 101":
"Everyday life is getting more complicated, especially the need to remember an ever-growing number of different passwords, PIN numbers and lock combinations. Couple that with the need today for accurate person identification and verification.
Imagine using a unique, physical attribute of your body, such as your fingerprint or iris, to effortlessly identify and verify that you are who you claim to be. That is the power of Biometrics Technology today. Although biometrics has been around awhile, modern advances in miniaturization, coupled with big reductions in cost, has made biometrics now available to the average consumer and business owner. In addition, biometrics is increasingly used with radio identification (RFID) in smart badges."
Well thanks Biometrics 101, but what does that mean to us? Well, it means that now we can purchase an affordable Biometric fingerprint lock. One that does not have to use a key or a combination, but only a fingerprint to open a door! Now this particular lock has the ability to use any or all three. If you want more security, you can require a fingerprint AND a combination, but let us say for most of us, a fingerprint will do just fine. I used to have a combination lock of my front door at home, but sometimes a combination just takes too long, like when nature is calling, or when it is pouring rain! Also, a combination can be inconvenient for children or older people on can forget the combination or pass it on!
This 1-Touch lock represents a breakthrough in Biometric technology in that is precisely reads fingerprints with a minimum of programming!
Obviously in order to read a fingerprint, there has to be a process of inputting or first reading that fingerprint into the lock's memory to be stored, so as to read that fingerprint later. The company says that the lock reads fingerprint ridges to identify each individual print. As they put it:
"Biometrics is the science and technology of authentication (i.e. establishing the identity of an individual) by measuring the person's physiological or behavioral features.
We specialize in biometric fingerprint recognition devices that identify a user's fingerprint ridge pattern to create a binary number which represents certain points in the pattern. With this information, a user's finger is scanned and the fingerprint pattered is detected and used for access control through a keyless door lock.
This biometric security keyless door lock system allows for complete keyless entry using only a fingerprint authentication."
Well they explain exactly how it reads fingerprints much better than I do. Since the unit works with 4 AA batteries, the lock could not always be on, since the batteries would be used up in no time. To prevent this, the company put a protective plate over the scanner. This serves two purposes. First, it protects the scanner from the elements, and second, when you move the scanner cover to read a fingerprint, this activates the system which really turns on the electronics, thus preserving battery life! Clever thinking. By the way, the lock is rated for indoor and outdoor use, but the cover just prevents the optical sensor from getting dirty. I asked, I was curious too!
The lock will store 75 fingerprints. The company advises scanning each person at least twice, as sometimes you hold your finger in a slightly different angle. By storing the same finger twice, this expedites the reading of the fingerprint, allowing for faster recognition. You must set up a code and go through a slightly involved set of commands to record the fingerprints. Obviously necessary in a system such as this Unfortunately, the instruction manual was written by someone who took English in a night course and failed! They mean well, but the manual does need major surgery to really be effective.
Putting the manual and the programming aside, you do have your choice to use a combination code if you so desire, but to me that defeats the purpose of the easy to use Biometrics, fingerprint reader.
All in all, this is a great lock to use, and if you and your family don't want to ever worry about keys, passwords or combinations again, try this lock. Oh someone did ask me one interesting question. What do I do if the finger I normally use to read into the lock has a cut on it, or a band-aid on it? How do I use the lock? Well the manufacturer recommends always reading in two different fingers from the same person into the lock, just for that contingency. You never know if a finger gets cut or wounded!
So that's it! A good lock, no keys, no worry! This is only the tip (pun intended), of the new technology!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
DennisM
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Member: Dennis Meyers
Location: Wayne, NJ
Reviews written: 89
Trusted by: 14 members
About Me:
Began my career in broadcasting, retired from that after 38 years!
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