SmartScan utilizes biometrics to scan the subdermal part of your finger (more precise than a fingerprint scan) to unlock your deadbolt, eliminating the need for keys.My excitement of solving a problem with technology soon waned after realizing Weiser has manufactured a seriously flawed product. Fuel was added to the fire when I purchased several previously owned products being sold as new by Home Depot. After installing and using the Weiser SmartScan product for more than a week, I have lots to say about it:
- Loose ribbon cable fitting, preventing the sensor from making secure contact with the circuit board. I resolved this problem by cutting stiff plastic and fitting it into the ribbon cable connector.
- Fragile ribbon cable. Many do it yourselfers are not careful when performing their weekend projects. In 3 of the packages, I found the ribbon cable had been pinched, sliced, or both. This probaby happened during the fitting to the door.
- Very stiff deadbolt turn. This makes the 4 AA batteries drain faster and the motor work harder than necessary to close and open the door.
- Purchased SmartScan #1
- After installation and much troubleshooting "sensor error timeout messages, I realize the ribbon cable connecting the fingerprint scanner to the circuit board was sliced
- Back to Home Depot to return Smartscan #1.
- Purchase Smartscan #2.
- Noticed something odd and after opening the box, I could see why: unwrapped parts were rolling around, probably because it was returned from a previous customer and Home Depot staff just through it back on the shelf.
- I installed the lock anyway, but couldn't get it to work because the admin user was already setup by the previous lock owner. The system requires an admin fingerprint to operate.
- Assuming there's a way to reset the admin fingerprint, I called Weiser, but they're closed on weekends. Their website also did not have any information on how to reset the device.
- I was going to keep the lock for the weekend (using the keys as backup), but the previous owner of the of the lock didn't put the keys in the box, leaving me with no way to lock my front door.
- Knowing that Home Depot's Curity store was out of Satin Nickel SmartScans, I decided to head to their Wicksteed location to exchange the product.
- I explained situation to a young woman at the returns counter. She apologized and asked me to get another one from the shelves.
- After grabbing SmartScan #3 from the shelf, I headed home.
- Smartscan #3 was also previously owned and locked with the admin fingerprint of the previous owner. Kicking myself for not testing the lock at the store before I left, I grabbed my 4 AA batteries and headed back to the Wicksteed location.
- Once again, I explained configuration problem to the young man behind the counter and he said he recognized me from before. He said to grab a new one and offered to speak with his manager to give me a discount. I told him that wasn't necessary and I just wanted a product that worked.
- He told me to grab another product from the shelf, which I did (SmartScan #4).
- I told the clerk I'd like to test it before I left the store and he obliged. After opening the box however, I noticed it wasn't Satin Nickel, but Polished Brass. I didn't bother testing it.
- Having no more Satin Nickel product, I decided to head to the next Home Depot (in Scarborough).
- This location had one Satin Nickel deadbolt lock (Smartscan #5).
- Batteries in hand, I opened the packaging. Loose parts everywhere. Product was scratched all over. This is a $200 product?? I connected my batteries and confirmed my suspicion: The lock had also been configured and returned by a previous Home Depot customer.
- Having no more Satin Nickel, and running low on patience, I took a Venetian Bronze lock (Smartscan #6) to the customer service desk and asked for the store manager.
- I summarized the events of my day to Lisa and showed her the condition of Smartscan #5, a product I had pulled from their shelves 5 minutes earlier that they were selling as new.
- I then offered to show Lisa and her hardware manager Sallal how the deadbolts work. After opening Smartscan #6 and connecting my batteries, the product failed. Again, the ribbon cable connector was too loose to fit in the circuit board. I did find that if I squeezed the connector with index finger and thumb, sensor would be recognized, but I doubt an average Home Depot customer would figure that out.
- With no Satin Nickel product available, I asked for a refund on the product. My last stop of the day would be Home Depot at Gerrard Square.
- After spending more than 6.5 hours on this project and almost 2 hours of driving around Toronto, I found a brand new Satin Nickel (SmartScan #7) lock fresh in box at the Gerrard Square Home Depot.
- With a hardware staff member on hand, I opened the box, connected my batteries and tested the device.
- Sensor timeout error. This SmartScan also suffers from a loose connector problem, causing the sensor to timeout. I told the staff member I was going to buy it anyway and see if I could fix it. I had modified my door to accept the product and it would look silly if I used something else.
- Home Depot Staff member advised against buying the product, telling me that "everybody brings these back to the store."
- I thanked her for the advice, but purchased the device anyway, confident that i could "pad" the connector to get a better, more secure fit.
I’m very sorry to read about your experience. You should never have been misled about the new v used status of the product you bought – so I need to check with some people on why the vendor would have placed product in such a condition in our stores. I will speak to someone in Toronto tomorrow to get more details. Again, I apologize and am eager to get clarification on what happened here. Sarah Molinari Corporate Communications Manager The Home Depot office (770) 384-XXXX