I tested the installation of a connected lock and doorbell for the first time

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As a technology enthusiast, it was still incongruous that My home is still not equipped with basic home automation systems such as a doorbell and a smart lock. So I recently decided to upgrade my home entryway with two Yale products: the Linus L2 smart lock and the smart video doorbell.

My goal was to improve my home security while enjoying the benefits of a connected system. Here is my feedback after several weeks of use.

Installation and configuration: for experienced DIYers

Since this was the product I was most looking forward to for practical reasons, I started with the installation the Yale Linus L2 lock. This turned out to be more complicated than I expected. Before I even started, I had the opportunity to check the compatibility of my installation with a simple questionnaire provided by Yale.

That's when I knew the problems had started, since my door cylinder wouldn't open if a key was inserted on the opposite side. However, this is an essential element in order to install this smart lock.

So, even before installing the lock, I had to change the cylinder. In order to have a complete experience, I installed the universal cylinder offered by the brand. It allows you to modify the cylinder length to fit each door, and its installation was quite easy. I would put a downside on the quality of the plastics and the length of the two keys provided, however, these will be of very little use once the lock is in place.

Being a rather advanced jack-of-all-trades DIYer, the installation turned out to be a bit more complicated than I imagined. The package contained everything needed, including detailed instructions. Just by installing the mounting plate that clamps the cylinder, I was only slightly satisfied with the aesthetics offered by the connected lock.

Indeed, the lock itself caused an excess thickness by offering a large width on the clean plate of the handle. So I had to find an alternative solution, which required me to shorten the square of the handle with the grinder. Of course, this is a step that will not be necessary for those who simply want to leave the Yale Linus L2 as is, but be aware that the aesthetic aspect is not necessarily successful for those who do not would have just a door sign on their front door like me.

A cleaner install… without a clean plate © Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

The configuration via the Yale Access application was particularly complicated, without it being attributable to the lock itself. I have the Freebox Ultra, whose 2.4 GHz connectivity is known to be particularly capricious. It was only after following this tutorial that I was finally able to connect the lock to my network. Then just follow the instructions to calibrate the opening and closing of the Linus L2 easily.

Next comes the installation of the Yale Smart Video Doorbell. It is possible to connect it to an existing electrical system, or to use the integrated battery as I do. This allows you to do without electrical wiring to the outside, which can be quite restrictive to install yourself. An excellent point here.

You only need to attach the mounting plate with two screws, which will be within the reach of many. Depending on the material of the wall you want to install the doorbell in, you will probably need more than just a drill, such as a hammer drill. This is something to take into account before falling into disillusionment.

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Setting up via the Yale app was just as complicated as the lock. This time, it was completely impossible for me to connect the lock to my WiFi network via the Freebox Ultra. I had to get a router in order to connect the doorbell, again times because of Free and not Yale. After that, synchronizing the doorbell to the app was easy.

Features and daily use

The Linus L2 has really transformed the way I manage the opening and closing of my front door. The automatic locking/unlocking function based on the geolocation of my smartphone is particularly practical. I no longer have to search for my keys when I arrive with my arms full of groceries for example.

For people who do not trust this feature, Yale also offers an NFC badge which allows you to open and close the lock easily. I particularly appreciate not having to lift the door handle to close the door. I would have liked Yale to offer a widget to use the lock, though, rather than having to go to the app to do it.

The ability to give temporary access to guests through the app is also a real plus.I was able to easily create a time-limited access code so that my neighbor could access my home during the holidays and this very easily.

The activity log that allows you to see who entered and left is also very practical. The lock also has a door opening and closing detector, which is reassuring when a burglary of your home has already taken place.

The battery life is impressive. After more than a month of heavy use, the app still shows 87% battery remaining. In other words, the battery will only need to be recharged once every 6 months or so.

The Yale Smart Video Doorbell has proven to be an acceptable complement to the smart lock. 1080p video quality is clear, even at night thanks to infrared night vision. The 160 degree field of view effectively covers my entire entry area.

The motion detection function is particularly useful. Unfortunately, that's where the positive points of this doorbell end. Indeed, the time between ringing and receiving the call on the smartphone is really long, from order of at least 5 seconds. Two-way audio also has a noticeable latency of 2-3 seconds.

Suffice to say that if the delivery person who rings the doorbell is in a bit of a hurry, there is a good chance that your package will slip through your fingers. A local storage option on an SD card would also have been appreciated; storing videos on the cloud is chargeable.

Integration and ecosystem

One of the strong points of these Yale products is their ability to work together seamlessly. For example, when a visitor rings the doorbell, I receive a notification on my smartphone with the live video.

I can then choose to unlock the door remotely if I want to let the person in. Thus, Yale offers various home automation products that can work in conjunction with the lock as well as the doorbell.

Our opinion on the Yale Linus L2 connected lock and the Yale Video Doorbell

After several weeks of use, I am generally perfectly convinced of the benefits of having a connected lock. It results in a form of freedom where you can do without a large set of keys, without having to stress about having forgotten it somewhere. You will indeed have to have your smartphone with you instead, but the cases where you do not have it with you at all times are rather rare.

The Linus L2 lock also offers peace of mind with its automatic locking and remote access features. The build quality is solid and the battery life is impressive.

My opinion is rather reserved regarding the video doorbell, which does not represent as major a daily evolution as having a connected lock. Rather slow and not very responsive, its interest in my opinion is limited. I therefore recommend that anyone who does not yet have a connected lock take the plunge, as it is both practical and reassuring.

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Teilor Stone

Teilor Stone has been a reporter on the news desk since 2013. Before that she wrote about young adolescence and family dynamics for Styles and was the legal affairs correspondent for the Metro desk. Before joining Thesaxon , Teilor Stone worked as a staff writer at the Village Voice and a freelancer for Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and Mirabella. To get in touch, contact me through my teilor@nizhtimes.com 1-800-268-7116