I'll level with you. This is one clever smart lock

I don't suppose anyone has successfully gotten this lock to work with HE, e.g., via homebridge or some other way?

Not that I know of but it looks really cool. If they ever come out with a ZW or ZB variant I'd be all over it. Worry about how strong it is though.. hollow cylinder and all.

It does look interesting.

Two missing features that would make it hard for me to adopt:

  1. Knowing who opened the lock: My son and wife refuse any location/presence monitoring on their phones, so code entry on the lock is the only way I can tell who's coming and going. Similar w/dog walker that walks our dogs, close friend/neighbor that has a code. We don't have or want any cameras in the house so that is not an option.
  2. Keyless entry w/out phone. My son often leaves home w/out his phone for exercise activities, just does not want to take it with him. Wife has habit of leaving her phone behind. In some cases we've had issues at home when we're gone and needed friend/neighbor to go the house to do something, and our dog walker needs access while we're away. We also allow some contractors who've become friends over the years access while we're away. I don't like giving out keys, having lock codes that I can provide and then expire are much more convenient and secure long-run.

Just found this post after drooling a bit over this deadbolt. But the hollow bolt doues give me some pause. Any new feedback on this?

Level states the following in the security section of its website:

Level engineered Level Lock to be strong, durable, and to meet or exceed ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards for Grade 1/A locks, the highest level for residential security.

Level Lock is a Grade 1/A lock, which is the ANSI spec for the strongest and most secure deadbolt lock. Here are some of the tests that the lock has undergone for this interested:

  • bolt strength: 1350 lb-f side load
  • bolt impact: 2 blows of 148 ft-lb (200 joules)
  • bolt saw: 5 minutes @ 5 lb-f
  • bolt compressive load: 150 lb-f
  • 250,000 cycles
  • slam test: 10,000 cycles
  • ESD (electrostatic discharge): Level 4

I've also been drooling over this one. I think I could get it to work well enough with HE via HomeKit. And I imagine that, when they provide a solution for direct integration with HE, it will be via a bridge/gateway, rather than an entirely new lock/bolt - but obviously that's no guarantee. I don't want to buy the existing model only for them to introduce a new model that has direct integration capabilities. That's my biggest hesitation - that, and they have their fair share of bad reviews....

@danabw they just introduced a keypad in case that peaks your interest more....

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Looks like you can use the Ring Video Doorbell Pro (with Sidewalk enabled) as the gateway, so you wouldn't need a hub if you already have the correct Ring Doorbell. Haven't tried it, though.

(See Remote Connectivity on Level | Level Lock - The Smallest and Most Advanced Smart Lock Ever.)

I saw a video where somebody cut through a standard deadbolt and the Level Lock. It turns out the standard deadbolt was also hollow. The Level was made out of stronger materials and did well. I'm not able to find the video at the moment but will post it if I do.

EDIT: I found the video. Note that it is sponsored by Level so take that for what it's worth. He doesn't cut the Level but you can already see the inside of the bolt. :wink: It is interesting to see the inside of a standard lock. Not as robust as you may think.

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They do this by emulating a HomeKit controller within Home Assistant so the device pairs with HA. Then they republish the now HA device as a HomeKit accessory to pair with HomeKit proper.

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I cant find much online to if deadbolts are solid. Some discussion of an anti cut-through mechanism with the metal rod (as also seen in the video) ... That video is super interesting thanks for posting @lairdknox

Deadbolt upgrade PSA.

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Not sure how that vide relates to deadbolts, but I am glad to learn a new word - "enbiggen." That word is going to get a lot of use this year, enlarge is so 2021. :wink:

Love that guy! His take down of the Juicero was awesome.

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Well... there's a lot of doors out there (as in all of mine :slight_smile: ) that need a bit of embiggening.
The old deadbolts had an adapter ring to fit in smaller holes but the new Yale smart locks needed the full 2 1/8" diameter to install.

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I don't think you have to worry too much about somebody cutting through your deadbolt. That's a lot of effort for a typical tweaker. Breaking down the door is probably the preferred method. The hardened steel of the Level will likely hold up well. The door jam is more likely to fail unless you have reinforced it. A rock through a window is even quicker.

Personally I feel OK with the strength of the lock. I'll probably pick up one of the Touch locks in the next couple of months.

And a door/window left open (intentionally or accidentally) is by far the most common entrance (according to career police officer friend). According to him, make your house is just a little harder to get into than one of your neighbor's and 9 times out of 10 you're good. :slight_smile:

Definitely. I live in a pretty dark neighborhood. Thanks to Hubitat my house lights up like daytime if anybody comes on the property. One night about 3 am I had somebody open my side gate. As soon as it was open about an inch all the lights came on and they took off. It doesn't always work but that's the 1 out of 10. :wink:

Last Sunday I had a tweaker come on the property and steal a tape measure I mistakenly left outside. Before I finished saying "Where's my..." he said "I didn't take your tape measure." Like you said, it was a crime of opportunity. In this case the lights didn't phase him.

LOL...wait, that's MY CONTRACTOR!! :slight_smile: Love how he stares at the camera...you can see the synapses almost firing..."Huh...cam-er-a?"

So getting way off topic but.. working with subs at residential projects - I have to constantly warn them that the Ring floodlights and doorbell ARE RECORDING and the homeowner can view them at any point including live.. One of the guys I told had a look of horror on his face as he had not been using the port-a-potty apparently.

Another sub (on my reno) took my recycling bin - used it for waste removal but did not bring it back - was able to show the builder.. who was not pleased.

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Twins! :smiley: Coincidentally caught one of my gardener's guys taking a pee on my fence (was perusing Ring videos randomly). Showed the gardener and he assured me the guy was just "adjusting his pants." Which was sort of true, after he peed, he did adjust his pants. :slight_smile: I made it clear that our bathrooms are always open for their use and hasn't been an issue since. AFAIK, anyway. :slight_smile:

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Is there anything close to this design-wise that integrates with HE? I can't use any of the standard smart locks as they'd mess up the aesthetic of the door... and more importantly, the WAF.