There were dozens of booths at the recent ALOA show in Dallas and each one had something to sell. I was initially attracted to the Sunnect booth for several reasons. Sunnect is marketing the AP501 digital deadbolt lock. While there are other digital locks on the market, the Sunnect lock caught my attention because it looked like a quality piece of hardware that customers would like to have on their doors. While some digital products may look like add-ons, this lock had the look of original equipment.

Sunnect AP501 digital deadbolt locks combine looks with performance. A sturdy cover envelopes the outer keypad. As the cover is moved upward, it reveals a keyboard with each button surrounded by a blue backlight. Above the keypad cover is a tag key sensor. Owners can operate the deadbolt lock either with tag keys or by pressing the correct combination of keypad buttons using an owner-chosen passcode. A passcode can be from three to 20 digits in length.

In order to operate the deadbolt lock using the keypad, the cover must be moved upward to reveal the illuminated keypad. The user first enters his or her passcode and then moves the cover down to the closed position. If the correct passcode is entered, the AP501 lock will automatically unlock. If an incorrect password is entered three times in a row, the AP501 will lock down the keypad for one minute. If an incorrect passcode is entered, the ring surrounding the tag key reader will show a red illuminated color. After a one-minute period, the deadbolt returns to normal operation and a correct passcode can be used to operate the lock.

Tag keys look similar to small transponder auto keys and can be attached to an owner’s key ring. To operate the Sunnect Digital Deadbolt using a tag key, a flat metal portion at the tip of the key must be touched against the tag key sensor. A blue ring of light surrounding the sensor will then illuminate, indicating that the bolt is moving to the unlock position. Up to 20 tag keys can be registered per lock.

Sunnect AP501 digital deadbolts fit into a standard 2 1/8” crossbore hole, 1” edge bore hole and door thicknesses of 1 3/8” to 2”. The deadbolt is adjustable for either 2 3/8” or 2 3/4” backset. If a door has been previously prepped for a standard cylindrical deadbolt, no additional installation holes are required.