Smart locks are a relatively new addition to the smart home ecosystem. While several options are available in the market, their reliability remains a concern. These devices offer convenience but also raise several questions. How secure are they? What happens if the battery runs out? Will they function without Wi-Fi? And what if none of the backup options work? These are just some of the uncertainties surrounding smart locks.
Mygate, a well-known app and service for most gated societies, has come up with smart door locks – three of them – Lock SE, Lock Plus and Lock Pro. I am talking about the Lock Plus in particular, and it costs Rs 14,990, which is not easy money to spend just on a door lock. But whether you should buy the Lock Plus or explore another option from the market and the biggest question of all – whether you should spend money on a smart lock for your home or stick to the older solutions. Wondering if it’s worth it? Read on to find out more:
Mygate Lock Plus design review
Lock Plus is Mygate’s mid-range smart lock that balances out the features and functions with the pricing. The design is elegant and beautiful here with the metallic build, the entire setup feels sturdy and solid. Not only that, the locks’ handle which also incorporates the fingerprint scanner, is sturdy and solid. Plus, the fingerprint scanner placement is all-natural where users usually rest their thumb, which I call a smart design and adds to the convenience.
Next up is the size of the lock. Considering it is a smart lock, it has a bigger footprint overall and feels bulky too, when unmounted. Once mounted on the door, the lock feels like a regular lock and does not feel odd and out of place.
The lock has three parts: the front part, the back part, and the latch system.
The front part has a matte and glossy finish to it, along with the touch-based PIN code entry option. The back also has the same design finish to it, which adds a cohesive look and feel to the lock.
The latch is a three-notch system along with an extra manual one that operates from the back of the lock for added security – just like your good old lock system that prevents the door from opening even if someone enters the PIN or uses the fingerprint.
The front of the lock also has a key slot at the bottom of it for situations where everything fails for some reason. Also, there's a USB port at the bottom for emergencies
Mygate Lock Plus setup process and function
The Lock Plus installation requires the door to meet certain requirements. For instance, the overall thickness of the door needs to be between 35mm and 65mm. The distance between the safety door and the wooden door needs to be at least 85mm. Also, the lock is only compatible with wooden doors.
If your door meets these requirements, then the Lock Plus can be fitted without any hassle.
Now, the setup process needs a professional, and Mygate has got it covered. As soon as you buy the lock, you automatically get a link to schedule your appointment for the installation. You get a call, too. For me, it worked without any issues. The Mygate installation specialist came and installed the look on my door in no time – well, the process took around 30 minutes.
Once the installation part is over, you need to set it up with the phone via the Mygate app or Mygate smart devices, which is a dedicated app for locks.
Once everything is up and running, you can add a fingerprint or PIN or even assign the RFID card to the door lock.
Not only this, you can generate temporary PINs for guests, unlock the door via the app and also get real-time notifications.
Now, all of these features and functions work fine, except for the part where the lock asks for Wi-Fi, but completely relies on Bluetooth. For instance, to add or remove anything from the lock, you’ll have to be in Bluetooth proximity; even the unlock part works that way.
There’s a Wi-Fi Gateway available separately, though, which enables real-time access for the locks from anywhere in the works, but that costs Rs 3,999 extra.
Now, if you are at home, you will receive all the notifications related to the lock. But you will need the gateway if you want real-time updates even when you are away. For instance, if someone is trying to enter your house and enter the PIN multiple times, the door will ring the alarm, however, it won’t notify you on your phone, if you are not around. To fix this, Mygate has a Wi-Fi add-on for the locks that costs Rs 3,999 and adds real-time notification features along with access to the lock’s services like guest entry, remote unlock, etc. So, there’s a problem and Mygate has a solution to it, but at an additional cost. It would have been great if all these features had been integrated within the lock without the add-on, especially when it has Wi-Fi in it and the lock connects to your home Wi-Fi during the set-up process.
Overall, the Lock Plus offers a host of security features that are important and practical too. The locking and unlocking mechanism is fast and the fingerprint is responsive too.
Mygate Lock Plus: Verdict
Mygate Lock Plus is a secure and functional smart lock with multiple access options, including fingerprint, PIN, RFID, and app control. While installation is seamless, key Wi-Fi features require additional purchases. Its sturdy build and security options make it reliable, but the added costs for remote access may deter some buyers. Mygate should seriously think about integrating these features right within the lock and that would make it a better overall product.
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