PRISM+, a brand synonymous with premium consumer electronics, has ventured into the smart home security market with its Sentinel and Sentry smart lock bundles. These products aim to offer a seamless blend of cutting-edge technology, robust security, and sleek aesthetics. Here’s an in-depth review of what these locks bring to the table, including their standout features and areas for improvement.
An Introduction
About the Sentinel and Sentry
The PRISM+ Sentinel and Sentry locks serve different purposes but are designed to complement each other:
- Sentinel (Door Lock): This lock is specifically designed for main doors, offering robust security and advanced smart features for your primary entry point. It comes with fingerprint recognition, keypad entry, and app control.
- Sentry (Gate Lock): Designed for gates, this lock provides an additional layer of security for homes with separate gate and door access. The Sentry Pro version includes 3D facial recognition, making access even more convenient and secure. It maintains similar unlocking methods as the Sentinel while offering an upgraded authentication method for enhanced security.
Catered for the Singapore market, where most houses come with a metal gate and a main door, PRISM+’s bundle is well suited for a most Singaporeans living in a HDB housing facility. Understanding the target market, these products even feature the DuoSync compatibility that ensures the gate and door locks work seamlessly together for a unified experience.
Design and Build Quality
Both the Sentinel (door lock) and Sentry (gate lock) are crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, ensuring durability and a premium look. The unibody CNC-machined design is complemented by an anodic oxidation coating, which resists corrosion and wear. Measuring just 11.5mm thick, these locks are among the slimmest in the market, making them a perfect match for modern homes.
The locks are available in three stylish finishes: Space Grey, Nickel Silver, and Copper Rose, catering to a wide range of interior aesthetics.
Key Features
1. DuoSync Technology
One of the standout features is DuoSync, which synchronizes the gate (Sentry) and door (Sentinel) locks. With a single unlocking action, both locks can be opened simultaneously, streamlining access and enhancing convenience. This feature is particularly useful for homes with separate gate and door locks, such as the setup in a HDB flat, offering a hassle-free experience for users.
It’s a pity that most smart digital locks don’t support such a feature, which I believe it’s due to the lack of understanding of the target market. Being a homegrown brand, PRISM+ has certainly designed products that’s suitable for our market. The DuoSync feature synchronizes between both the locks on the gate and the main door. If you unlock one, the other will automatically unlock. Truly convenient!
2. 3D Facial Recognition
The Pro models of the Sentry feature advanced 3D facial recognition technology. Unlike traditional 2D systems, this feature uses depth-mapping to accurately identify faces. The system is designed to perform reliably even in challenging conditions such as low light or uneven lighting, making it suitable for nighttime access or poorly lit areas. By utilizing 3D mapping, the locks ensure high security, reducing the risk of spoofing with photos or videos.
Just like magic, the gate will just open for me whenever I’m standing in front of it. It really shows how technology can seamlessly blend into our daily lives, providing both convenience and security. I was particularly impressed when it was also able to work very well in low light settings!
3. Multiple Unlocking Methods
PRISM+ offers a variety of unlocking methods to cater to different user preferences and scenarios:
- Fingerprint Recognition: Quick, secure, and reliable biometric access.
- Mobile App Control: The PRISM+ Connect app allows users to unlock the locks remotely, monitor activity logs, and manage settings from anywhere.
- Keypad Entry: Customizable PIN codes can be created for household members or guests.
- RFID Smart Cards: A physical backup option that’s convenient and easy to use.
- Remote Control: By the tap of a button on a remote.
This comprehensive array of access methods ensures that the locks are both flexible and user-friendly. It also caters to every user’s preferences, be it biometrics or physical access tokens.
4. PRISM+ Connect App
The PRISM+ Connect app acts as a centralized hub for managing the locks. Key features of the app include:
- Remote Unlocking: Unlock your doors from anywhere, ideal for letting in guests or delivery personnel.
- Access Logs: Track who entered and when, with timestamped records stored securely in the app.
- Customizable Access Control: Create temporary access codes for guests, workers, or service providers.
- Push Notifications: Receive real-time alerts for failed unlock attempts or prolonged unlocked states.
The app’s intuitive interface ensures ease of use, making it a valuable companion for managing home security.
5. Long-Lasting Battery Life
The locks are equipped with high-capacity rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, designed for extended usage:
- Standard Models: Provide up to 12 months of operation on a single charge.
- Pro Models: Offer approximately 9 months of battery life, accounting for the additional power demands of 3D facial recognition.
Charging is straightforward via a USB-C port, and the locks include a low-battery warning to ensure users are never caught off guard.
6. Complimentary Add-Ons
Each purchase includes:
- Wi-Fi Gateway: Extends the functionality of the locks by enabling remote access and control.
- Digital Letterbox Lock: Secures your mail with the same level of technology as the door locks.
- Video Doorbell: Included in Pro bundles, this device integrates seamlessly with the locks to enhance overall home security.
Installation
Installing the Sentinel & Sentry Door and Gate locks is not straightforward. Both the gates and doors need to be modified, in order to properly mount the new digital locks. It will also get dusty and noisy, so you need to be prepared for it.
Thankfully, the installers from PRISM+ were extremely professional and friendly. When they first arrived, they explained to me on the work which they will be doing, and then proceeded to cover up the work area with plastic covers to prevent excessive dust from reaching the rest of the house.
Throughout the installation, the installers showed their professionalism and did their work swiftly and effectively. We can see the level of experience they had. Before we know it, the installation was done. It took them more than an hour to complete the installation. Subsequently, they also assisted in setting up the locks and teaching us how to us it.
Certainly, I had no complains with the installers, as they were patient, experienced and helpful while installing the digital locks.
What I really liked about the PRISM+ Sentinel & Sentry
- Sleek and Durable Design The premium aerospace-grade aluminum construction ensures both durability and a stylish aesthetic. It’s a timeless design which can compliment most gates and locks.
- Comprehensive Security Features Multiple unlocking methods, anti-tampering alarms, and fire detection provide strong security. Both the Sentinel and Sentry can provide me with a hassle and worry free usage regardless of environment and situations.
- Convenience with DuoSync Synchronizing both gate and door locks reduces hassle and makes entry seamless. It’s a commonly neglected feature which makes the lock bundle so much more usable. This feature really sets it apart from competing products.
- Reliable Facial Recognition Works well even in low light, providing secure and fast authentication.
- User-Friendly Mobile App The PRISM+ Connect app offers remote control, access logs, and notifications for better management.
- Professional Installation Service Despite the extensive drilling, the team ensures cleanliness and provides thorough guidance after installation.
- Long Battery Life Rechargeable batteries last up to a year on standard models, reducing the need for frequent maintenance.
What can be better
Despite its impressive feature set, the Sentinel and Sentry locks are not without flaws:
- Limited Smart Home Integration The locks work well with the PRISM+ Connect app but lack compatibility with broader smart home ecosystems like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Apple HomeKit. However, you can control the devices with our own phone’s voice assistance via the PRISM+ Connect App.
- Dependence on Wi-Fi Gateway While the Wi-Fi Gateway enhances remote functionality, it introduces an additional dependency. A failure in the Gateway could disrupt app connectivity, especially for remote operations.
- Fingerprint Authentication sensitivity The fingerprint sensor on both the Sentry and Sentinel doesn’t seem to be too reliable. After the registration of fingerprints, the locks could still take a few times before identifying my fingerprint. To overcome this, I had to register a few more fingers with different profiles for it to improve the performance of the fingerprint authentication for unlocking the doors.
Conclusion
The PRISM+ Sentinel and Sentry Bundles are an impressive entry into the smart lock market, combining sleek design, advanced features, and competitive pricing. Features like DuoSync technology, 3D facial recognition, and robust security integrations make these locks a compelling choice for modern homeowners.However, limited smart home integration, reliance on a Wi-Fi Gateway, and the absence of physical key backups are areas that could be improved in future iterations.
For those seeking an affordable, stylish, and functional smart lock system, the PRISM+ Sentinel and Sentry Bundles are excellent options that bring convenience and security to the forefront of home living. The PRISM+ Sentinel & Sentry Bundles only starts from S$799.
