It appears that Kwikset has came out with a new version of the locks I spoke about when I detailed on how to “Build Your Own Affordable Home Automation System Using Z-Wave“. The new locks offer a touchscreen with a host of security features. I am sure they also probably come with a quieter locking mechanism as well as better battery life, but that’s my own assumption.

The older version of the lock lasts a pretty long time on a single set of batteries. I don’t have anything to complain about there. The mechanism is a little loud, but that’s also good when it comes to creating a scene to lock itself. When you hear it lock, you know someone forgot to lock the door behind them…allowing you to effectively throw something at them as punishment.

My Z-wave network is still strong and current with all sorts of fun stuff attached to it. I wouldn’t mind upgrading the controller, but last year pooped me out a little as well as a fun X-Mas and starting January with a heavy car repair bill (Ford and all their lines of cars are horrible…they seem to have a bad habit of letting flaws carry on down the generations of vehicles and never correcting it until they get caught…but then refuse to officially recall anything and take responsibility). I guess now I have to play the responsible person and behave on my spending for a little awhile until things shape back up in a month or two (hopefully they will shape *way* up, if all goes to plan).