Lockey 2835 Mechanical Keyless Lever Lock with Passage

Great locks.. not for a beginner to install

I spent hours looking for something like this on Amazon and elsewhere, including companies specializing in keypad locks. This product was well worth the time an money invested. Over the years, I've bought three different keypad locks for various kinds of doors, so I had a pretty good idea of what I DIDN'T want for this backyard gate lock: numbers that were difficult to read due to font size or lack of color contrast, a knob that was uncomfortably small to manage, and battery dependance. This lock is perfect for it's function on all fronts.

PROS:

1. DURABLE/HIGH QUALITY: Marine grade, so I don't worry about it holding up over time in outside conditions, particularly after reading previous reviews. Also no worrying about replacing a battery as it's a mechanical lock.

2. HANDLE vs. KNOB: The handle (which can be installed to the left or right as you prefer) is ample and so easy to manage I can unlock and open the gate with just a pinkie finger for both the key pad and the handle. This is a big help if my hands are full, and most other digital door locks require forefinger plus opposable thumb at a minimum, often in an awkwardly tight configuration.

3. READABILITY IN WHITE/BLACK: High color contrast on some options for easy readability. I chose black characters on a white background which is the most readable I've found on any similar product as most offer only metallic bodies.

POTENTIAL CONS (for some):

1. NO ILLUMINATION: Because it's mechanical rather than battery operated, the keypad obviously doesn't illuminate. For my gate, this wasn't a priority, and I can see the characters at night well enough.

2. SOME COLOR OPTIONS HARD TO READ UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS: Red is notorious for being a tricky color for readability, and I would not have been happy with the red/black combo unless it was for an interior installation which was well lit at all times. Also many of the other color combos (i.e. bronze/black) are too low in contrast for many people to easily see, and not just in the dark of night. If the sun hits the lock while you're trying to read the numbers, black letters on a stainless steel body an invitation to flash blindness and very frustrating. The color options are nice to have, but I would think carefully about how and under what lighting conditions you'll use the lock.

3. PRICE: This was less of an issue for me as having the right lock for a specific utility was worth the price. Obviously you can find something with similar, if less convenient, function for far less, so you may want to look around if this is the first keypad lock you're seeing.

OVERALL: I recommend thinking through your lock's specific location, function, lighting conditions, etc. to see if this is the best lock for you. I LOVE it and would happily replace at least two of my other keyless locks with this well-designed, quality product.

I love this lock. It doesn't need batteries, the mechanics will operate in any imaginable weather conditions (well, don't crust it up with ice), you can work it in the dark (by feel), and it has lock-always and stay-unlocked modes that are super-easy to control.

The only negative (maybe a quarter-star) is that that big black bezel doesn't go very well with my white door. Oh well.

There's a well-done instruction sheet that shows you how to set anywhere from 4-digit to 7-digit combinations. The programming is mechanical and super-easy.

NOTE: this lock doesn't care what order you enter the code numbers. So it's not as secure as a classic combination lock, but it's still a decent deterrent to "unauthorized entry". Given that a big sledgehammer will open most residential doors -- that's all we can ask for. If you want to change the code, you take the lock apart (2 screws), then take off the code panel (4 screws). Hold the C button down while you change the code. It's really obvious what the code is, because it's all in RED. The non-code keys are in blue. When you have what you want, put the code plate back on, then re-install the lock.

Niceties: the kit comes with extra code keys (for varying the codes), extra lock screws (for different thickness doors), a breakable twist-shaft (but you can only shorten it, not lengthen it), and a striker latch with backup socket.

Nitpicking: although this is sold as "brushed nickel", it does not exactly match my existing brushed-nickel hardware. It's a side-entry door, not the front door, so.... oh well. The little code keys are orientation-sensitive - - so you'd better get them in the right way, or things are not going to work. Pay attention to the (great) instruction sheet.

Multiple combinations: unlike electronic locks, this mechanical dude has only one possible combination. If you need the multiple combo capability, go to the electronic models.

One last gripe: the lock is just tall enough that it interfered with my deadbolt. After staring at it for a while, and considering the amount of work to plug up the deadbolt hole, I finally decided to install the lock upside-down. This looks fine from a distance, but of course when you get up close, you see the characters all upside-down. Y'know what? No big deal. Fact is, this lock needs to be run tactily (by feel) and not visually. In the upside-down position, the long keypad rectangle doesn't intersect with the deadbolt bezels, and all is well.

Other "likes" - - the engineering is superb for right-hand and left-hand installation. The levers, shafts, and the through-the-door torque-link shaft are all set up so that you can install this puppy on absolutely ANY door with ANY swing. REALLY. Just take the time to figure it out, and it will absolutely work.

Nice job, highly recommended.