Share HowKwaint1's profile
HowKwaint1
HowKwaint1's stats
- Review count2
- Helpfulness votes2
- First reviewJuly 13, 2016
- Last reviewJuly 13, 2016
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Reviews comments
- Review comment count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
Answers
- Answer count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First answerNone
- Last answerNone
- Featured answers0
- Best answers0
HowKwaint1's Reviews
August Wi-Fi Smart Video Doorbell: This doorbell lets you see who's at the door from wherever you are via a downloadable app. The 1-way video camera allows you to view and speak to your visitor without them seeing you.
Posted by: HowKwaint1
Packaging: 5/5
Very nice packaging. Everything is streamlined and neat.
Very nice packaging. Everything is streamlined and neat.
Ease of Installation: 4/5
If you have never worked with electricity before, this might not be a project for you! If you have, you should be OK. You do need to have a basic understanding of how electricity works, and how your home is set up. Seriously, if you get nervous or are unsure about it, call an electrician. It will be worth the ~$150 to have professional do it. If you are comfortable with electricity, set up is pretty easy. The online install guide is very thorough and takes you through step by step. A few drilled holes in the wall, connecting a few wires, and you are installed.
If you have never worked with electricity before, this might not be a project for you! If you have, you should be OK. You do need to have a basic understanding of how electricity works, and how your home is set up. Seriously, if you get nervous or are unsure about it, call an electrician. It will be worth the ~$150 to have professional do it. If you are comfortable with electricity, set up is pretty easy. The online install guide is very thorough and takes you through step by step. A few drilled holes in the wall, connecting a few wires, and you are installed.
Aesthetics After Install: 4/5
I really like the way the doorbell cam looks and feels. I also have the August Lock, and the design of the Doorbell Cam is a lot nicer looking than the lock. They actually don't even look like they are from the same company, other than they are the same color. It is a little wider than the door jamb it is mounted on, but it does not look bad at all. When we have people over, they always comment on how cool it is and ask for a demo. It looks a little out of place since our house is almost 100 years old, but it looks and feels good in it's current setup.
I really like the way the doorbell cam looks and feels. I also have the August Lock, and the design of the Doorbell Cam is a lot nicer looking than the lock. They actually don't even look like they are from the same company, other than they are the same color. It is a little wider than the door jamb it is mounted on, but it does not look bad at all. When we have people over, they always comment on how cool it is and ask for a demo. It looks a little out of place since our house is almost 100 years old, but it looks and feels good in it's current setup.
Setup & Phone Sync: 3/5
Set up was a little tedious, but I don't know if it was because of me and my internet connection (50+ mbps) or the actual Doorbell Cam itself. It took me about 6 attempts and about an hour and a half to sync everything up. This was after the 30+ minute wait to charge the battery after install. So Setup and sync took a total of about 2 hours. Like I said, that could have been due to my internet connection, but after each fail, there was never a reason why given. Just "an error has occurred."
Set up was a little tedious, but I don't know if it was because of me and my internet connection (50+ mbps) or the actual Doorbell Cam itself. It took me about 6 attempts and about an hour and a half to sync everything up. This was after the 30+ minute wait to charge the battery after install. So Setup and sync took a total of about 2 hours. Like I said, that could have been due to my internet connection, but after each fail, there was never a reason why given. Just "an error has occurred."
Overall, I really LOVE the doorbell cam! I love that when someone rings the bell, it alerts my and my wife's phone and we can answer from anywhere. I also like that when the doorbell is rung, it snaps a photo of who is at the door and stores it. We live in a neighborhood with a lot of people "selling magazines" but are often found out to be casing homes. So this gives us a little peace of mind when we are away. If you are in the market for this type of item, this is a great setup, especially sine it syncs up with the August Lock.
My Best Buy number: 4009041095
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
August HomeKit Bluetooth Deadbolt Retrofit Smart Lock: Transform your smartphone into a key for your door using this smart lock, which works with the downloadable August app. Create time-sensitive virtual keys for your most trusted guests, and track usage from wherever you are.
Posted by: HowKwaint1
Packaging: 5/5
-Really sleek looking packaging. I love how it opens like a door and is sitting in it's own August Lock bed. Very clever.
-Really sleek looking packaging. I love how it opens like a door and is sitting in it's own August Lock bed. Very clever.
Ease of Installation: 4.5/5
I consider myself handy. I at least try make improvements around the home before I outsource the job. Setting this lock up is relatively easy if you have experience installing deadbolts. However, you really do need to be careful not to move fast because you can easily misalign the barrel lock, which then makes using your key from the outside useless. This product is meant to enhance the existing lock, not replace your current manual key lock. After installation, you should be able to use both freely. If you move too fast, you need to restart and readjust the lock to make sure your key still works. So be careful and be sure to read the install directions 3x before you make any moves. If you are a little unsure of yourself, definitely have a handy man come by. But overall, I think most people can figure out how to install. I ran into my own issues where my deadbolt did not perfectly line up with the hole in the door jamb. So I have to re-align the door and hole in the jamb, which took some time. This is no fault of August of course, but it is something users may run into. Again, not a small task to correct, so if you are unfamiliar how to do that, use a handy man.
I consider myself handy. I at least try make improvements around the home before I outsource the job. Setting this lock up is relatively easy if you have experience installing deadbolts. However, you really do need to be careful not to move fast because you can easily misalign the barrel lock, which then makes using your key from the outside useless. This product is meant to enhance the existing lock, not replace your current manual key lock. After installation, you should be able to use both freely. If you move too fast, you need to restart and readjust the lock to make sure your key still works. So be careful and be sure to read the install directions 3x before you make any moves. If you are a little unsure of yourself, definitely have a handy man come by. But overall, I think most people can figure out how to install. I ran into my own issues where my deadbolt did not perfectly line up with the hole in the door jamb. So I have to re-align the door and hole in the jamb, which took some time. This is no fault of August of course, but it is something users may run into. Again, not a small task to correct, so if you are unfamiliar how to do that, use a handy man.
Aesthetics After Install: 3.5/5
Not gonna lie: It's clunky looking. It isn't as sleek or flush with the door as it maybe could be. But, it's also got working gears inside and takes AA batteries, so it needs the space it takes up. We have Nest thermostats in our house, and I imagined it looking like a Nest. It's about 2x deeper than a Nest and maybe 1.5x wider. It isn't ugly, but it's definitely a conversation piece with everyone that comes to the house. Not a bad thing, but it sticks out.
Not gonna lie: It's clunky looking. It isn't as sleek or flush with the door as it maybe could be. But, it's also got working gears inside and takes AA batteries, so it needs the space it takes up. We have Nest thermostats in our house, and I imagined it looking like a Nest. It's about 2x deeper than a Nest and maybe 1.5x wider. It isn't ugly, but it's definitely a conversation piece with everyone that comes to the house. Not a bad thing, but it sticks out.
Setup & Phone Sync: 5/5
Super easy! As long as you download the August app and can follow directions, you won't have any issues. Just be sure to stand near your lock to get the strongest signal and you'll be fine. And if you lose signal, there is a re-calibrate function that you can always use.
Super easy! As long as you download the August app and can follow directions, you won't have any issues. Just be sure to stand near your lock to get the strongest signal and you'll be fine. And if you lose signal, there is a re-calibrate function that you can always use.
Overall, we really like the lock. We use it with the keypad almost exclusively now. I almost never bring my keys with me anymore, and I love that feature the best! Less stuff I need to carry and keep track of when I'm not home. If you're looking to upgrade your lock or home to a smart home, this is what you need!
My Best Buy number: 4009041095
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
HowKwaint1's Review Comments
HowKwaint1 has not submitted comments on any reviews.
HowKwaint1's Questions
HowKwaint1 has not submitted any questions.
HowKwaint1's Answers
HowKwaint1 has not submitted any answers.