No more fumbling for keys: did you know this?

NO MORE FUMBLING FOR KEYS: DID YOU KNOW THIS?

You’re spot on about the backup key - can’t beat a little redundancy. I’ve seen some sensors get a bit sluggish in freezing temps, especially if there’s condensation. Personally, I lean toward hardwired if you’re already running low-voltage lines. Less hassle with batteries dying at the worst time, you know? But yeah, moisture and dirt can still mess with even the pricier models. Just comes down to how much maintenance you’re willing to do.

Less hassle with batteries dying at the worst time, you know?

Man, you nailed it there. Nothing like coming home in a snowstorm and realizing your “smart” lock is out of juice. I’ve had to crawl through a window once - never again. Hardwired is great if you can swing it, but I’ll admit, I’m still paranoid about moisture getting into the works. Maybe I’m just old school, but I still keep a spare key duct-taped under the grill... just in case.

Honestly, I get the paranoia about moisture - seen too many “weatherproof” gadgets fail after a rough winter. But I’ll take hardwired over battery-powered any day, especially for something as critical as a lock. The trick is making sure the install is done right, with proper seals and maybe even a little overhang. Still, can’t blame you for keeping that backup key stashed. Old habits die hard... and sometimes they’re just smart.

I hear you on the “weatherproof” claims - marketing loves to stretch that word. I’ve had two “outdoor-rated” cameras die after a single Midwest winter, so I’m not putting my trust in battery locks either. Hardwired is just less hassle in the long run, even if it’s a pain to install up front.

That said, I’ve seen people skip the caulking or just slap the thing on without checking for gaps, and then wonder why water gets in. If you’re not sealing it up right, you’re asking for trouble. I always use a bead of silicone around the edges and try to tuck things under an eave if possible. Not foolproof, but it helps.

And yeah, backup key stays hidden in the shed. I don’t care how “smart” the lock is - tech fails, and I’m not standing in the rain waiting for a locksmith. Old-school backup never hurt anyone.

I get where you’re coming from - nothing’s really “weatherproof” in the Midwest, right? I do wonder, though, if anyone’s tried those newer locks with integrated solar panels. Supposedly they trickle charge even on cloudy days. Curious if that’s just more marketing or if it actually holds up through a real winter.