Bold Smart Lock - Bold Connect Module

We have a PVCu door with multipoint locking and euro cylinder lock (so you lift the handle then turn the key). The cylinder broke so I decided to upgrade to a smart lock. There isn’t a huge amount of choice on the market for my type of door and I was tempted by the Yale Conexis but reviews were mixed. Then I noticed the Bold which allowed me to keep my existing handles and which looked very discrete, albeit I couldn’t find anything on the web about how it actually operated. Anyway, that’s what I went for.Changing the old cylinder barrel for the new Bold lock was incredibly easy - 2 minutes if that. Sorting out the App and pairing was more problematic but I’ll come back to that.The lock works by pressing a button on the inside which gives you a User-defined limited time open the door, close it and turn the exterior knob on the lock to engage the lock before you depart. Once the time expires (say 20 seconds) you can no longer use the exterior knob to unlock it without using the App. It simply spins around uselessly. If someone is still indoors it doesn’t matter what state the lock is in - you can twist the internal knob to lock/ unlock unhindered. The inside knob has a very satisfying weight to it.When you come home, the App senses your proximity via Bluetooth and posts a notification on your smart phone. Just press this and the door unlocks. In other words, the lock needs you to physically touch the phone to unlock. Once you do this, the external knob stops ‘freewheeling’ and engages the locking mechanism for the same user-defined period. You then go inside, close the door and can choose to lock or leave the door unlocked as you see fit.If your smart phone dies whist you are out you can still get into the house using a pin which operates like the combination lock on a safe.I always assumed a smart lock for my type of door needed to physically lift the handle and engaged the lock. This ones so much simpler and because there are no motors, it means the battery lasts about 2 years.I also purchased the optional Wi-fi unit to allow remote access but I e not really needed to use that yet.Regarding the App, the problem I had was that it took a long time (maybe 30 mins) to acknowledge the existence of the lock so I mistakenly assumed it was not working. Just be very patient.Downsides - it does not work with Google Home or Alexa which is a shame. The bleep sound is rather quiet so you will struggle to hear it engage or disengage if you are outside. You never actually know the door is locked just by looking at it (an LED would be nice but I suppose that would drain the battery a bit faster). The pin to unlock seems a bit unreliable but it it’s early days, so it might be user error.

Super secure from anywhere with internet. brilliant

I bought the connect so I could connect the bold lock to the Internet, thing is there no manual for this device I've scoured the Internet so I feel like I don't really know what the connect does, it's got a big button but what does it do??? I don't know they really need to sort this out, otherwise the device isn't being used to its full capacity, there's not Google home or alexa account linking, it would be nice to use these options, in the long run this could cost them, I like the bolt it's simple and works but I would like to know the full potential of the device???

There’s a custom home assistant integration that works great too. Only problem is the Connect needs to be really close to the lock so if you have a front and back door lock you will need two of the connects otherwise it’s a really good job 👏🏽Update:The home assistant custom integration regularly goes offline and it loses connectivity with the Bold Connect. I contacted bold about the lack of integration (official integration) and they pointed me to the custom integration that keeps going offline and won’t authenticate. Crap customer support for a “smart” device that won’t work with the biggest smart platform. Going to sell the locks and 2 connects and buy proper locks that integrate officially with home assistant. I can’t see this company survive when they aren’t interested in developing their own product 😡🤬

The locks and ap working as it should but the geofencing is very hot and miss sometimes taking 30 minutes to work so you need to get your phone out and unlock with the ap other times it works when your 100 meters away and times out before you get chance to unlock the doorShame as that's the main reason I bought it

I bought this mainly so I could open the door hands free (Geo location), the first time it worked great. not so much after that. based on price and original posts and the fact it had a 3 star rating re security (main reason for all bits inside) this looked a good bet. I was tempted by the Welock but had concerns over security rating/insurance. I'm also unimpressed with the cost of the clickers (easier to use than opening app and hitting big red button - quicker to have used the old key). also bold connect not worth getting as drops out and dose not offer much anyway (little integration available). I will try to tweak the Geo to see what the problem is (timings?) and if I can get it to work all the time I will update this post. would I recommend the lock... not sure if I would

Couldn't get the connect to work when I was away from my home! It kept saying it timed out! Such a waste of money and tool! It's put me off my smart lock can't believe how bad it is! Piece of trash!!!!