We've installed several of the Yale Real Living Z-Wave locks, all connected to SmartThings hubs in three different houses. I originally chose these because I like the no-key approach, no concern about bumping or other attempts to defeat the lock cylinder. Your access "backup" is the ability to wake up a drained-battery lock using a standard 9V battery.
I've posted a very similar review on the order page for the Touchscreen locks, but with only four stars for the reasons explained below.
At this point, I have experience with three sub-generations of these products, and the Push-Button versions on this order page are my favorite even though they are a little behind the most up-to-date features. Anyway, these "B1L" or "YRD110" series have real push-buttons instead of a touchscreen. Thankfully these are still available and have all of the important functionality of the newer ones. They do lack voice-guided menus, but not a big problem: I keep a short-hand instruction summary in my phone notes app in case I ever need to re-program the lock. More robotic-style tones vs. the lovely chimes of the newer models, but again perfectly functional.
So why are these my preferred style? From a daily-use point of view, the push-button interface is faster and pleasantly tactile, so you hardly need to look at the unit; your fingers will fly over the buttons naturally and there is no extra "activation" gesture required to wake up the lock. If you are holding bags of groceries, you can do it fast without really looking, lightly touching the key-caps to feel the pattern. The buttons do light up, are weather-sealed and are constructed to resist wear as the numbers are displayed behind a clear key-cap.
The next-generation Touchscreen versions e.g. "YRD240" Z-Wave and "YRD446" Z-Wave+Bluetooth, as well various other options, are available on the Touchscreen order page - and I have a similar review there also. Those have a more trendy capacitive touch-panel, voice-guided menu programming, and nicer-sounding tones. An interchangeable wireless module (supplied with the wireless versions) plugs in to the battery compartment; you could convert the lock to Zigbee, Bluetooth or Z-Wave+Bluetooth or (possibly) some future upgrade, by swapping modules. Note that the "NR" or No-Radio version can be purchased cheaper if you have no Smart-Home hub today, and then you can buy a wireless radio module later. I believe these newer units also have improved Z-Wave range, though I've had no issue with the range of the older B1L.
The touchscreen works well, but I find it's a little slower and less-convenient than the push-button interface. First, you need to "wake-up" the lock by (briefly) holding the front or back of your fingers against the panel, at which point it chimes and lights up. Next enter the code, but here you will typically need to look at the panel so as to land your fingertips on the displayed numerals, ending with the star key to complete the sequence. Not bad, but really a little bit of a nuisance compared to the push-button method described above.
There is also the Bluetooth touchscreen option, available with or without Z-Wave. The Bluetooth feature seems cool at first, but I would say it's probably unnecessary if you have a Z-Wave Smart-Home network. Associated with the Bluetooth operation is the ability to gesture with your phone instead of typing in the code sequence, though you still need to tap the lower-left corner of the panel to actually open the lock. This admittedly solves some of the look-and-type issues mentioned above, but you have to get your phone out which is otherwise unnecessary with these locks. There is a phone app that lets you give out temporary key-codes to visitors etc., but you can do similar things remotely with amy pf the Z-Wave locks, or set up temporary or one-time codes at the lock itself with any of the models, even the "NR" versions. I would say that the Bluetooth features are good if you don't yet have a hub, but may not get much use if you do, unless the phone-twist unlocking really appeals to you.
I won't go into a review of the installation, other than warning potential buyers that, as with any of these motorized locks, you need to have a door with a smoothly-operating deadbolt before you change over to a motorized lock. The bolt is slightly tapered to help alignment, but the motor is not strong enough to overcome doors that have to be pushed, pulled or jiggled to free up the deadbolt.
Bottom line for me is that I wish Yale (Assa Abloy is the parent company) would continue to bring the newer features like voice-menus and improved radio modules to the Push-Button line. Maybe their marketers have decided the buttons are yesterday's news, but I'd say they just work better. This point is the main reason for me to award five stars to the Push-Button units but only four to the Touchscreen models, despite the other upgrades. Otherwise I'm very happy to have any of these locks and stop messing with keys.
| Brand | Yale |
|---|---|
| Special Feature | Z-Wave Certification #ZC08-14050001 |
| Lock Type | Keypad |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5.5 x 5.5 x 9.13 inches |
| Material | Metal |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Security |
| Style | Z-Wave |
| Color | Bronze |
| Finish Type | Bronze |
| Included Components | Yale B1L Lock with Z-Wave, Deadbolt Strike and Mounting Hardware, 4 AA Batteries, Installation Manual and Door Template |
| Controller Type | Honeywell Tuxedo Touch, Vera, Honeywell Z-Bridge |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Item Weight | 3.5 Pounds |
| Control Method | Voice |
| Connectivity Protocol | Z-Wave |
| Manufacturer | Yale Security Inc. |
| Part Number | YRD110ZW0BP |
| Item Weight | 3.5 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 5.5 x 5.5 x 9.13 inches |
| Item model number | YRD110-ZW-0BP |
| Batteries | 4 AA batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Finish | Bronze |
| Power Source | Battery-Powered |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Handle Material | Bronze |
| Special Features | Z-Wave Certification #ZC08-14050001 |
| Batteries Included? | Yes |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Battery Cell Type | Alkaline |
| Warranty Description | Lifetime limited warranty on Finish and Mechanical. One year on Electronics |
