SCHLAGE FE595 CAM 619 GEO Camelot Keypad Entry with Flex-Lock and Georgian Style Knobs, Satin Nickel

This review is about the Schlage brand keyless locks that have "FE595" in their part number, such as this FE595 PLY 626 ELA. Note that there are quite a few similar-looking Schlage keyless locks that have other numbers such as BE365 or FE575, and I think most people would want this FE595 model, so be careful when shopping.I play big musical instruments, and was getting tired of searching for my front door key while carrying those big horns and other stuff as well. I finally got around to replacing the front door knob/lock with this keyless one. I selected the Schlage FE595 because it seems to be one of the better ones in terms of durability and reliability, has a nice look, a good combination of desirable features, and the physical key-type of the backup keys is compatible with my existing door locks on the house and garage (all are keyed-alike….I had the local locksmith change the tumblers in this FE595 lock to match my existing house key, this cost me $17 for the service and it took 15 minutes while I waited). For anyone who does not care to match this lock to their existing house key, that step is certainly optional and the new lock comes with two keys ready to be used. The keys are important, because they give you emergency entry if you forget the 'user code' for keyless entry, or if the lock battery is too weak, or if the keyless part of the lock should ever fail.Note that the way keyless locks such as this FE595 work, the mechanical part of the lock is ALWAYS locked by default. Entering the user code causes the electronic part of the lock to unlock the mechanical part for a few seconds, during which time the knob/lever can be moved to open the door. Inserting the key also causes the mechanical part of the lock to be unlocked. If the electronics should fail, or the battery runs down, the mechanical part of the lock remains locked, but you can still get in using the key. Failure of the electronics, or the battery, does NOT result in the lock opening by itself.The new lock seems to be very solidly made, nice heavy metal construction, the only plastic is on the hidden baseplate that exists to hold the 9V battery inside the inner half of the lock. Removing two screws gives access for replacing the battery, which Schlage recommends be done annually. Schlage recommends against using rechargeable batteries, and also against using lithium batteries; while they might have a longer life, they give no warning of failure and then will suddenly stop working. Use of a regular alkaline battery allows the lock to sense impending battery failure and warn you (by changing to color of the LED lighting for the keypad).The lock comes pre-programmed with two 4-digit 'user codes. The owner can easily and simply reprogram the lock to add or delete one or more ‘user codes’. For example, different members of the family might find certain 4-numbers easier to remember, and each can have their own preferred code programmed into the lock. Up to 19 user codes may be in the lock at the same time. Pressing the buttons for any of the user codes will open the lock.Each time a valid user code is entered on the keypad, the lock will open for a few seconds, then will re-lock itself. The secondary small knob on the side of the lock that is inside the house determines if the lock automatically re-locks or if it stays open once unlocked. This is equivalent to the little knob found on most keyed door locks. This feature (to keep the lock from automatically re-locking itself) is not present on most other Schlage keyless lock models.Above the keypad is a large button that is labeled "Schlage". The LED light in this button flashes during programming, but most of the time you can press this button to cause the keypad buttons to light up, such as when opening the door when it is dark so you can see which button is which.The lock can easily be programmed with user codes to allow guests or temporary contractors (workmen, maids, etc) to enter, and then easily defeat those temporary codes later on.A special code can be entered to defeat ALL user codes, for when you plan to be gone for a while and don’t want the lock to admit anyone, regardless of which user code they might try to enter. This ‘vacation’ mode can be cancelled either by using the key to open the lock, or by entering a longer code (sort of like the lock's unique serial number) that you could write down and take with you on the trip. This special code is provided on yellow stickers on the front of the manual and also inside the lock cover on the inside of the door (you would have to get into the house, then remove two screws to access that particular sticker). I just used a Sharpie pen to write this code on the inside of the door frame where it would not be seen unless specifically looked for; I expect to use it rarely.Nothing special is required to install the lock. It goes in exactly like any other door lock/knob, using only a Philips screwdriver. Doors with conventional dimensions for the hole positions and diameters, and door thickness, will require no preparation work to be compatible with this lock. There is no need to hire anyone to install the lock, but here are the basic steps:- Remove the old lock from the door.- Insert the new latch/bolt assembly and strike plate to the door (or if your old lock was a Schlage, those parts are identical to the same parts on the new lock, so you could optionally re-use the old parts). If desired, replace the old strike plate on the door frame with the new one that comes with the lock. Strikes and strike plates are provided in two versions, with or without rounded corners.- Place the outer part of the lock (the part with the keypad) against the outer face of the door, and adjust the so-called "hands free" screw so that it protrudes about 1/4" beyond the inner face of the door. Snap the 'baseplate' to the inside of the door (it has fingers that align with protrusions on the outer part of the lock, and a ratchet engages the 'hands-free' screw's threads, effectively holding the baseplate and outer lock to the door, so you don't have to struggle to keep those parts from falling off of the door while you work.- Plug the little cables from the outer lock and the baseplate together; they are already connected to the 9V battery connector.- Install the 9V battery onto the baseplate.- Place the inner part of the lock over the baseplate and use the included two long screws to attach the inner lock part to the outer lock part (just like with most door locks). When it comes time to change the battery once a year under normal usage, you just remove those same two screws, pull the inner lock part away from the baseplate, change the batter, screw the inner lock part back, and you are done.- The two handles (levers) attach to their shafts by pressing them on until they snap into place. The lock comes with a special wire key that can be used to remove the handle levers from their shafts. You would only need to do this if you mistakenly installed the levers facing the wring way, or if you wanted to relocate the lock to a different door that swings the other direction. If you lose the special key, any piece of stiff wire, like a piece of coat hanger wire, could be used instead.- If you choose to just use the pre-programmed user codes, there is nothing else to do.- If you wish to program your own user codes, the process is: enter the longer 'serial number' code, and the SCHLAGE button lights up and flashes three times; press the SCHLAGE button and the keypad lights up blue (your prompt to enter commands or codes), then press the '1' key to command the lock to accept a new user code, the SCHLAGE button flashes three times to acknowledge that it is ready to accept the new user code, then you enter the new user code twice, and once the lock accepts that both codes are the same and not duplicating an existing code, and the new code is not invalid due to wrong number of digits, the SCHLAGE button lights up green and the lock emits a long beep sound. The new user code is now programmed and ready for use. Doing the same steps but using the command '2' instead of '1' will cause the entered user code to be deleted from the lock.In general, the SCHLAGE button lights up in three colors: ORANGE means the lock is in programming mode, GREEN means that programming was successful, or an entered user code is accepted, and RED means that there was an error entering a code, if flashed once means low battery, or repeated flashing means dead battery (battery does not have enough power to open the lock, but still has enough power to flash the red LED).This lock appears to be a high quality product with good appearance and features. I only just installed it so I cannot comment on how long it will last, but Schlage's reputation suggests that the lock will last for a long time.

THE BOLTS TO SCREW HANDLE TROUGH DOOR TO OTHER SIDE NOT LONG ENOUGH, HAD TO USE OTHERS FROM OLDER SCHLAGE LOCK, THE BATTERY WIRE PINCHES, INTERNAL PARTS ARE PLASTIC, ,,, ODDLY HOWEVER THE LOCK MECHANISM FUNCTIONED PERFECTLY THE FIRST TIME, BUT I'M DREADING DAY WHEN NEEDING TO REPLACE THE 9 VOLT BATTERY! THEY NEED TO CHANGE DESIGN SOMEHOW TO EASILY FIT WIRES W/O BREAKING THEM! WAS CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR WIFE, BUT I WILL TALK HER INTO SENDING IT BACK, THE MECHANISM ON LOCK WILL FAR OUTLAST THE RIDICULOUS CHEAP WIRING SET UP INSIDE LOCK! IT MIGHT LAST 2 BATTERY CHANGES....ALSO,, THE LOCK MODE WAS INCONSISTENT W/THE LEVER ON BACK SIDE OF LOCK! HOW IS PERSON SUPPOSED TO KNOW IF IT'S IN LOCK OR UNLOCK MODE FROM INSIDE THE DOOR??? 🤷🏻‍♂️IS MY FAMILY SAFER OR UNSAFE SINCE THE DOOR MIGHT BE UNLOCKED FROM OUTSIDE?🤷🏻‍♂️......... JUNK...... I RECOMMEND MEDECO PRODUCTS FOR HIGH QUALITY ANTI-PICK SECURITY .............OH I WAS ON HOLD FROM 1:29 PM TO 2:19 PM , THEN I HAD OTHER COMMITMENT, COULDN'T WAIT ANY LONGER, IS THAT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE YOU WANT WHEN YOUR LOCK BATTERY GOES DEAD AND IS STUCK IN EITHER LOCK OR UNLOCK POSITION AT THE WRONG TIME..?? CALL YOUR LOCAL LOCKSMITH PAY A FEW DOLLARS MORE FOR A LOT BETTER PEACE OF MIND ASK FOR MEDECO SOLID STEEL/BRASS PRODUCTS! BE SAFE...., ONE OF THE BEST PRESENTS YOU CAN GIVE YOUR FAMILY, LOCKS ONLY KEEP THE HONEST PEOPLE OUT , GOOD LOCKS SLOW PEOPLE WITH NEFARIOUS INTENTIONS DOWN, GREAT LOCKS PROTECT YOUR FAMILY HOUSEHOLD AND BUSINESS CROOKS USUALLY MOVE ONTO AN EASIER TARGET ! THIS ALSO ALLOWS MORE TIME TO CALL POLICE OR ARM YOURSELF IF THEY ARE SET TO GET IN YOUR HOME!I HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN BY MENTIONING MEDECO PRODUCTS, EXCEPT KNOWING I GAVE GOOD SOUND ADVICE. I SIMPLY WENT TO LOCKSMITH SCHOOL A FEW YEARS BACK HOPING TO LEARN A SOUND TRADE, IN WHICH MY HAND AND FINGER ISSUES PREVENT ME FROM ADVANCING AT THAT TRADE.**MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS YOU ALL IN 2023**

This is my second lock of this type. No need to carry keys. In prairie winters it cab freeze up. If this happens, loosen inside mounting screws. Slide one thin washer under each side of housing so warm house air will stop freezing. Re tighten screws.

I had one from years ago that is still working great. 3 winters up to now and still going strong on the same battery.I purchased 2 this time for friends.They are easy to install if you're not afraid of a screwdriver. I did it in less than 30 minutes, including fighting with old handle's screws.The hardest part is to route the internal plug wiring back into the proper location and, even that isn't too hard, it just requires precision so you don't pinch the wire.Changing the codes is quite easy, just pay attention to follow the exact sequence explained in the manual.I recommend deleting the codes that it comes pre-programmed with but, it's a personal preference.Do not use obvious code either. That's plain common sense.These locks make it so it's almost impossible to lock yourself out. No more locking the old pust-lock handle, closing the door and noticing you can't lock the other deadlock because your keys are inside and you just locked yourself out.

Utilizamos el mismo modelo para la reja de la Entrada, para la reja que conduce al patio, para la puerta principal y para el acceso a la casa desde el patio...así que nos olvidamos por completo de la colección de llaves en nuestros llaveros.... Es resistente, segura, y fácil de programar, con la posibilidad de programar múltiples claves de acceso en la misma cerradura,Puedes programar por ejemplo :- La misma clave familiar en TODAS las cerraduras,- Y otra clave distinta para el personal de servicio, solo en algunas de las cerraduras...- O programar una clave temporal , en la cerradura del patio, para que tus invitados tengan acceso directo al área en la que celebraras una fiesta, y borrarla al día siguiente... Es muy versátil.

Four times. I'm clearly a sucker, because FOUR times I have purchased this lock, and four times I have had to call a locksmith to break it so I can get into my own home. These locks seem great at first. They install well. They're good looking. They're simple and convenient to use. Then, one random day a year or so later, they just stop working, leaving me stuck outside. And it's the electronics, so the warranty won't cover it. Not that it'd help much, since I've just paid a locksmith two hundred dollars to break the thing, so any evidence of failure would probably be damaged."But it comes with backup keys!" you say. Sure, a spare set in your purse isn't a bad plan, but do YOU carry your purse or backup keys for your expensive keyless lock every time you take out the garbage? I sure don't. Also, what's the point of having an expensive keyless lock if you have to carry your keys all the time? And, every security-conscious person will tell you not to hide spare keys outside. Not that it would have mattered this time anyway, because as it happens I DID have one of the emergency keys on me... and it didn't work!Coincidentally or not, mine (all FOUR) have failed after heavy wet precipitation, whether it's rain or wet snow. So maybe these EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES can't cope with weather? My secondary lock - a Weiser - has continued to work tirelessly, so yeah. Bye-bye Schlage, hello Weiser. I've been a sucker far too long. Never again.

Have bought two of these in the last week (Amazon open box) and was surprised to see that they had been not even really been opened... Super easy to install, work well, easy to add codes. I had two predrilled doors that had lockable knobs that I wanted to make more secure and adaptableNote that these are nice looking but not "front door nice" to me. I am using for garage access and shed doors. The handle hangs a little slack (see picture) but other than that very nice. Don't know if I would feel the same way if I had paid full price.Also, Schlage... The 1 key included in a 175+ dollar purchase...I get it's a primary code based lock but it just stinks of cheapness, not worth saving the 12 cents, but that's just me.