SCHLAGE LiNK: Home Automation Made for Everyone
When you think of the term “Home Automation,” what comes to mind? My first thought is being on board the USS Enterprise (circa Next Generation) saying “Computer” a lot, followed by various commands. These days however, “Home Automation” is a phrase mostly associated with the automation or remote controlling of things like lighting, locks and on the higher end of the scale, blinds, sprinkler systems, alarms, etc.
When I first cracked open my Schlage Starter Kit I really did not know what to expect. This kit retails for just over $100 and includes a lever pass code lock (options include deadbolt), a light dimmer/switch and what they call the Schlage LiNK Base Station that ties everything together. I didn’t know what I was in for; was it going to be a four hour installation process? My biggest question really was how quickly was I going to be able to get my iPhone controlling my house! Boy, was I surprised…
I’m not sure what the intention was when Schlage conceived LiNK, but I’m dead certain that simplicity was high atop that list. After all, how are you going to get regular everyday folk like myself even conceptualizing the possibility of home automation, if you didn’t sell “easy.” It was dead simple. The hardest part of the installation was forcing myself to actually follow the instructions and not getting ahead of myself.
Installing the lever lock was as simple as changing a door handle. Simply pop out your old one, and follow the instructions to get the new one on. The light dimmer switch was as easy as plugging a light into it, and getting the two to talk to the base station merely required entering a code and pressing two buttons – literally. Then came setting up the LiNK account online. Having dealt with putting various components onto my network, I was certain that I’d be putzing around with my router to open a port to get LiNK to talk to the other side; but again, follow the instructions and it took literally 5 minutes to get my system connected with the network and controlling the lock and dimmer from the Internet. Another 3 minutes and I had it working on my iPhone. I can honestly say that I was floored by how easy this was to setup.
So now I can remotely turn a lamp on and open a door for someone who wants to get in my house- that’s great! What else can I do? Well, before getting into the other modules and accessories (because there are plenty), lets talk about what the LiNK system itself gives you; I’ll do it in point form to really break it down easily and I’ll go from the simple stuff to the more complex:
Module Configuration – For each device you have to setup, you can assign it a friendly name (example: Garage door, living room lamp) for easy identification.
Locks and Access – For locks, you can change the main security code or assign new ones – you can even setup temporary codes that expire after a given period of time so that you’re not worried that someone can get back in. Or, you can create a code that only works on given days and times, for regular visitors to your home.
Lighting – Easily turn on, off or dim lights connected to your system.
Scenes- Think of scenes as a movie; your living room is your set and you want to set the scene. Perhaps your Scene includes two lamps at 50% brightness, while the temperature is dropped a couple of degrees. Well, that’s your Scene and you can program it and give it a friendly name to recall later. Obviously the more modules and items you have, the more “Scenes” you’re likely to create.
Schedules – Schedules make it simple to determine when and where your new Scenes are activated. Perhaps you are going out of town and you want your house to appear as if you’re home? No problem–schedule your Scene to turn on or off at given times. And not just once a day like a light timer – this gives you complete flexibility to turn it on and off per YOUR schedule. You know what time your or your kids get home every day don’t you? Have a specific scene setup so that no one is walking into a dark house. Even better, on your way home from a trip, launch the App and activate a scene which ensures that when you get home everything is the way you need it (or keep your schedule active to give the illusion that your home is still occupied).
Tracking- It’s all fun and games to be able to control your house–but how about the ability to track what’s happened? Who has come and gone. LiNK records every transaction from entering a code on a lock, to how you control the system via your mobile app–so you can see a full log of what happened and when. You can even drill down to a specific device on your network for quicker comparisons.
Adding new components to your LiNK system is even easier than setting up the system itself. I was fortunate enough to also get the wireless camera in my kit, and once plugged in, you simply select “Add” it to your devices and the configuration is all done via the LiNK central system. The same is the case for the climate control module and adding new cameras or lighting modules.
LiNK is based on a technology called Z-Wave which has been used for home automation for quite some time now, and when Schlage created LiNK they didn’t do it just for themselves. The LiNK system is compatible with a wide variety of Z-Wave compatible devices–which means you can add more and more modules to the LiNK system to control via the web application or mobile application. This means you could theoretically add actual light modules that replace your switches, or items like Wall Switches, outdoor light modules, outlet dimmers, appliance modules, Thermostat and HVAC control and much more.
After living with LiNK for several weeks now, I cannot wait to add more modules and pump up the volume – which means you lucky readers will get some more reviews as I add more components and put them to the test. So for those of you that think of Schlage as “just” a lock company, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet…
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