Review Of The Biolock 333 SN-BK Biometric Door Lock

Biometrics is the science of recognizing people through their behavior, and or physical traits. The security field has recently begun incorporating biometrics for the purposes of computer security and as a replacement for passwords, numerical codes, and security tokens used on electronic locks. Biometric locks use iris and retinal scanning, voice print identification, and fingerprint scanning instead. The Biolock 333 SN-BK Biometric Door Lock may be one option for those who want the level of security and convenience of biometric locks. Like other technology it has its strengths and weaknesses.

Biolock’s promotional items insist that the Biolock 333 SN-BK Biometric Door lock is an innovative device that provides entry door  security equal to or better than systems used in government buildings such as the Pentagon. They promote its many features, and highlight its rugged construction and user friendliness. It has a LED control panel, remote control, and zinc alloy body. In an emergency it can be unlocked with a key like any common lock.

The lock’s memory can handle the fingerprints of up to 99 users, enough to accommodate all of your residents, staff members, and guests.

The Biolock 333 SN-BK Biometric Door Lock also has three levels of registered users. The highest level user is the Super Master. Registered first, the Super Master has the authority to add or delete any of the other users. The next level are the Master Users. The second and third users registered, the Master Users can add or delete users 4 through 99. The final level is the ordinary User. Ordinary Users are granted permission to use the door but can’t add or delete other users.

Biolock believes that fingerprints are the best way to control who enters your home or business. They assert that fingerprints can’t be copied. However, this is not strictly the case as it has been shown that common materials such as play dough and simple techniques can be used to fool most fingerprint readers.

Fingerprint readers can also sometimes misread fingerprints. As noted in security expert Bruce Schneier’s blog Schneier on Security, officials in Britain uninstalled a security system that used finger print recognition from one of their prisons when prisoners managed bypass the fingerprint reader and freely pass through the system.

Reviews for the Biolock 333 SN-BK Biometric Door Lock have been mixed. In positive reviews it is lauded as an inexpensive, easy to program, and easily installed replacement for common locks.

Negative reviews complain that while it seems like a good idea, it has been poorly designed and executed. Problems with the Biolock 333 SN-BK Biometric Door Lock include its inability to read finger prints that were dry, came from small fingers, or came from older users.

Further complaints against it include is failure at cold temperatures above those mentioned in the manual; that it can’t be installed on doors with deadbolts; the poor owner’s manual; and the inability to contact Biolock’s technical support. According to users who’ve managed to contact tech support, the only assistance they ever offer is Biolock representative reading the manual to frustrated users. Positive reviews also mentioned some of these problems, especially with the lack of tech support.