The James Bond series has been running since 1962, spawning over two dozen movies that ignited several generations of fans. Though Sean Connery is commonly viewed as the first James Bond actor, did you know that “Dr. No” was originally designed to star the winner of a “Find James Bond” contest? The man who won the contest was named Peter Anthony, but he was unable to “cope” with playing James Bond. Sean Connery was actually a second choice, and ended up playing James Bond for five consecutive films!
The Bond movie franchise is widely known for its incorporation of unique and useful gadgets. In the 1997 Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies” (starring Pierce Brosnan), James Bond receives a stun gun, which also proves useful at disabling high-tech door locks. However, that stun gun wouldn’t have worked on the Sunnect AP501, which has bypass circuitry that protects the circuit board from high-voltage electrical shock attacks! Here is some more information about this unique and popular electronic deadbolt lock.
Appearance
One of the features of the Sunnect AP501 that received good customer feedback was its appearance. For a digital deadbolt, the style is remarkably appealing, featuring a slick metal design and a sliding panel to hide the keypad. There are three finish choices that are popular for the Sunnect AP501 – “Aged Bronze”, “Satin Nickel” and “Bright Brass”.
How it Works
The Sunnect AP501 operates much in the same way as other digital deadbolt lock models, using a code entered on a keypad to disengage the deadbolt, unlocking the door. However, this model also allows a homeowner to carry an “electronic tag key”, which instantly opens the door when it’s recognized by the system.
Product Features
Some of the included features of the Sunnect AP501 are:
Operational Temperature Range
The interior portion of the Sunnect AP501 has been tested at temperatures ranging from -5 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The exterior unit can operate at temperatures ranging from -35 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Secure Throwbolt
The Sunnect AP501 features a 1″, solid metal throwbolt. This bolt contains a roll-pin, which helps to discourage sawing attempts. There are also extra reinforcements contained inside the latch tube, which help to prevent a successful side attack on the lock.
Lost Tag Key Deletion
If one of the electronic tag keys is lost or stolen, it can be easily deleted from the system to prevent unauthorized entry.
Intruder Alarm
When an intrusion is detected, the Sunnect AP501 emits an audio and a visual alarm.
Decoy Digits
To improve the security of this lock, it supports “Decoy Digits”. Decoy digits are random numbers that are entered into the lock before your actual passcode.
Wireless
Since the system operates off of battery power, it does not need to have a wire running to an electrical outlet.
Backlit Keypad
For entering your code in the dark, the Sunnect AP501 has an illuminated keypad.
Long Battery Life
The four AA batteries (and 1 9V backup battery) are estimated to be able to power the system for up to one year before needing replacement.
Sliding Keypad Cover
To help make the locking mechanism more attractive (and keep out moisture), the Sunnect AP501 includes a sliding metal cover that protects the keypad.
Customer Reviews
Currently, the Sunnect AP501 has a 4.6 (out of 5) star rating on Amazon.com. Customers seem to be very impressed with the AP501 over similar models, also citing its attractive appearance as a positive selling point. The ability of the lock to “auto-lock” when a door is closed also seems to be well-received by consumers. Since the Sunnect AP501 doesn’t have a keyhole, it’s immune to lock-picking and lock-bumping, a feature that differs from many other electronic deadbolt locks. The lock is also very easy to install, and only requires very basic tools to successfully place on a door. One customer even went as far as to name it “The Rolls Royce of Deadbolts”.
