Fingerprint door locks...any one use them?

KingPuck

I can across a biometric door lock a while back on an american website, approx $250 + p&p. It allows entry when given correct fingerprint or can be overridden with a key. Has anyone used them? I love the idea coz I hate keys, always losing them. I would only be looking at two, front and back door.

Mellor

To be honest, its a bit of a silly idea.
Its just a gimmick, has no real function in a house and is only really for top level security in government buildings (and any you can buy off the net wouldn't be up to these standards). also, saying it's because you always lose your keys isn't the real reason is it. You just want one (keep the house keys on the car keys, surely you can lose them in the driveway)

Consider this, you get one installed. And and happy with it, go out without keys all the time (assuming no car etc). Then in the middle of winter, stormy night, power cut and you can't get in.

I wouldn't like one of these on the front door, too many risks. But it could be a funny quirk in a house on an internal door such as games room/drinks cabinet/S&M room :D

jimmycrackcorm

An RFID reader and lock would be much better. Particularly one that is readable from a distance so that simply having the card in your pocket would unlock the door and lock automatically as you walk away. Fingerprint readers can become annoying when they mis-read.

KingPuck

Mellor wrote: »

To be honest, its a bit of a silly idea.
Its just a gimmick, has no real function in a house and is only really for top level security in government buildings (and any you can buy off the net wouldn't be up to these standards). also, saying it's because you always lose your keys isn't the real reason is it. You just want one (keep the house keys on the car keys, surely you can lose them in the driveway)

Consider this, you get one installed. And and happy with it, go out without keys all the time (assuming no car etc). Then in the middle of winter, stormy night, power cut and you can't get in.

I wouldn't like one of these on the front door, too many risks. But it could be a funny quirk in a house on an internal door such as games room/drinks cabinet/S&M room :D

I wouldn't go as far as calling it a gimic if it used in government buildings.
The same lock can be opened by a key but short of getting that key or cutting your thumb off the usual breakin methods would apply. So I wouldn't consider it any less secure than a regular lock.

Regarding a power cut as mentioned by OP, they are battery operated and again can be overidden by a key.

They do have to work on the cosmetic end of things though.

greener&leaner

I saw something on mythbusters where they tested fingerprint locks and found them extremely easy to get around, even the expensive top rated ones.

Look here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA4Xx5Noxyo

LeotheLion

greener&leaner wrote: »

I saw something on mythbusters where they tested fingerprint locks and found them extremely easy to get around, even the expensive top rated ones.

Look here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA4Xx5Noxyo

Yep,they printed out a photocopy of it(fingerprint) then made a jelly type mould of the fingerprint and it worked

greener&leaner

Watch it right to the end, the photocopy by itself worked too.

That's not a system I'd trust.

KingPuck

LeotheLion wrote: »

Yep,they printed out a photocopy of it(fingerprint) then made a jelly type mould of the fingerprint and it worked

If a robber wants to get in he'll get in. Far from jelly molds and photocopies are the real MOs of burgulars...pinch bars and lock picks.

LeotheLion

KingPuck wrote: »

If a robber wants to get in he'll get in. Far from jelly molds and photocopies are the real MOs of burgulars...pinch bars and lock picks.

wow!!!!!!!
Thats obvious,
your comment is irrelevant,we were simply discussing that it could be opened by using a duplicate of the original finger print,

Mellor

KingPuck wrote: »

I wouldn't go as far as calling it a gimic if it used in government buildings.

First of all, the same standard is hardly used in domestic and government (who probably favour retina scanners)

And secondly, that has no bearing on wither its a gimmick or not. Angus young wears his uniform as a gimmick, but its still used in schools.
In a domestic sense its a gimmick for the simple fact that it does nothing to add to the security of the lock (which it does in actual uses)

The same lock can be opened by a key but short of getting that key or cutting your thumb off the usual breakin methods would apply. So I wouldn't consider it any less secure than a regular lock.

Seeing as the electronics are an additional route in (even if unlikely yo be used). Then it is less secure by definition.

Still security is my top reason for not getting one.

mr_edge_to_you

Well I'm finally rid of a Renault Laguna and I'm telling you that unless you can put a key into a keyhole I wouldn't trust it! In fairness it does sound like a bit of a gimick. I'm no burglar but I reckon they prefer windows anyway! A good solid door with solid locks has worked for years, that's what we'll use.

c montgomery

Think i may has used one somewhere at some stage but i cant quite put my finger on it:):):):)