Feather-light and lighting-fast – lock provides state-of-the-art security.
Over the years I have been on a mission to make my home more autonomous but my craving for tech to simplify my life doesn’t end there. I started looking for other types of devices that would take the average run of the mill product and make it tech-driven in some sort of way. One such product is the Tapplock — a smart padlock that utilizes fingerprint technology. I was fortunate enough to be able to test out the original Tapplock last year and today, I’m excited to introduce you to the Tapplock Lite.
DETAILS
Tapplock Lite was unveiled during CES 2019. It was honored with an Innovation Award. The Tapplock Lite uses Tapplock’s latest technology and framework for a quicker, more efficient user experience. Tapplock Lite allows users to access their items in 0.8 seconds and features an adaptive algorithm that allows the lock to become faster and more accurate with each use. The device can store up to 100 fingerprints so that multiple users can use the same lock without having to pass along a combination or a key. Users can, in turn, can use the app to track who opened the lock and when. Tapplock Lite is available in three colors — Electric Yellow, Ash Black, and Flame Red. It’s priced at $39 for a single lock ($72 for two or $105 for three). The lock has 8-months of battery life per charge (or 1,200 unlocks). The app will also show the remaining battery life of the lock (the Tapplock blinks red when the power is below 10%).
USER IMPRESSIONS
The Tapplock Lite has a nice retail package. The front of the box has a large image of the product includes some basic details of the device in multiple languages printing next to it. The back of the box also showcases the mobile app (available on iOS and Android platforms) and provides more in-depth information about the technology behind Tapplock Lite.
Inside the box, you will find the padlock, a user manual, and a micro USB charging cable. I applaud the product designers for making the Tapplock Lite rechargeable, but I wish they would have made it compatible with USB-C instead of Micro USB, which, in my opinion, is outdated technology.
There are three modes to use with the Tapplock Lite – fingerprint, Bluetooth, and morse code. Morse Code is actually a backup mode in case the fingerprint isn’t working properly. Bluetooth mode is used to unlock the padlock from the app on your mobile device. The user manual is very helpful in identifying these modes as well as providing instructions on how to get started with the lock. The diagram shown in the user manual shows that the shackle of the lock acts as the power button, which can be used to activate the Bluetooth connection or wake up the lock from standby mode. In addition to the power button and fingerprint sensor, the lock also includes an LED indicator, which lights up with different colors depending on the status mode that is active.
Once I had the lock set-up and ready for action, I took it with me to a wedding I was shooting. I thought it was the perfect time to test it since we had a decent amount of gear and ended up having to leave some of the equipment behind in the B&B room. Even though the room was only accessible to myself and my fiance, I wanted that extra layer of protection. So, I slipped the lock through the padlock slot on the Pelican case, and voila! The case was locked.
When using the Tapplock I found using it for my camera gear to be the most useful. I needed a padlock for my big Pelican case, when I am on a photoshoot I need to access my case multiple times and I need to do it quickly. Fumbling with a key or a spinning dial code is not something I like doing so I would find myself being more un-safe then I would like by leaving it unlocked. Now that I have the Tapplock Lite I can feel secure and know I can get back into my gear super quickly. I have been using it for a few weeks now and was most recently the photographer for an event at the old courthouse in my town. It’s a pretty big event and I am super happy knowing that my gear was safe and secure thanks to the Tapplock Lite.
CONCLUSION
I can see where some people would think spending this kind of money on a padlock is insane, but the time I save using my fingerprint to open my Pelican case is invaluable as a photographer. When people are paying you to get photos of an event and you can’t be fumbling around with a key or code because time is money. Every second I’m fumbling with my gear translates to memories lost. I feel the Tapplock Lite is a smart investment for anyone who needs to keep belongings safe and away from prying eyes.
