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Igloohome Smart Deadbolt Lock 02 or igloobolt 02 in short is the second generation Igloohome Smart Lock or igloobolt 01 in short.

The product name has been changed to be more accurate to cater for more Igloohome products like Igloohome Smart Keybox and Igloohome Smart Mortise Lock (coming soon).

Previously, there are two models of the Igloohome Smart Lock, Deadbolt, and Latch. The Latch model has been phased out for the Deadbolt model because deadbolts are much more common in Singapore and the U.S.

The Igloohome Smart Deadbolt Lock 02 is retailing for S$388 (including installation) till 28th February 2017 and after that it will be retailing for S$499. You can use the coupon code LESTER, and it will give you S$20 off the price of the lock. The coupon code is valid until 15th March 2017.

Since I have reviewed the Igloohome Smart Lock back in June 2016, for this post, I will be examining the differences between them.

Unboxing

Material
The most obvious difference is the change in color and material used. igloobolt 02 uses Zinc Alloy whereas the igloobolt 01 uses plastic. Metal gives users a better sense of security as compared to plastic.

igloobolt 02 weighs much heavier at 2.2kg and feels more solid because of this change in material.

The color has been changed from chrome/silver to black brushed metal.

Personally, I love the new color because it gives an industrial design feel.

The button below the physical thumb turn is to activate the privacy mode. You can read on for more details.

Bolt Tongue
The bolt tongue has been updated as well. igloobolt 02 is now American Nation Standards Institution (ANSI) grade 2 certified. It is because Igloohome intends to sell the igloobolt 02 in the US and hence it has to be ANSI certified.

Grade 1 is the highest grade security followed by grade 2 and then grade 3 which is the lowest.

With the new bolt tongue, you will notice that the locking/unlocking is smoother due to lesser friction. Because of lesser friction, less battery power is needed for each lock/unlock, and it is much quieter when it is locking/unlocking.

Installation
If you are an igloobolt 01 user, the installation process is very simple. It is just a one to one replacement/swap.

Igloohome App
Not exactly a new feature, but if you compared the Igloohome app from my first review and now, the app has gotten darker, and the UX has been improved.

The setup process is incredibly fast as well thanks to the new chip which features faster Bluetooth connection.

If you look at the time in the screenshots below, you will notice that the setup process only took a minute.

The instruction manuals can now be found in the app. Previously, I have to keep referring to the manual that Igloohome sent to me via email.

Chip
The chip that powered the lock has been updated as well. The most noticeable thing is that Bluetooth related function, such as pairing, locking and unlocking are extremely fast. That is because the Bluetooth is always on now. Previously, for igloobolt 01, it will only be switched on when you touch the keypad.

When your phone is communicating with the igloobolt 02, there will be an indication on igloobolt 02’s keypad. The # sign of the keypad will be lighted in green. Previously, on igloobolt 01, there is no indication.

I would consider the igloobolt 01’s keypad very responsive, but the igloobolt 02 further improves on it. Keying in your PIN code at the keypad on the igloobolt 02 is extremely responsive.

The app also has a few new features to make use of the new chip.

You can now create duration PIN codes that have definite start and end time instead of how long the duration of a PIN code will last.

The access logs also contain more details now. Like which PIN code is being used to open the door and when there is an invalid PIN code being entered.

Previously, on igloobolt 01, when you change your PIN code via the keypad * 1 0 # <Old PIN> # <New Pin> # <New Pin Again> #, the new PIN code will not be reflected on the app. For igloobolt 02, this problem has been solved. When you change your PIN code on the keypad, it will be sync back to the app when you do a Bluetooth unlock.

Time Re-Lock
Previously, for the igloobolt 01, it will only re-locks when you unlock the door with a PIN code or Bluetooth. When you turn the physical thumb turn to unlock your door to leave the house, the lock will not be re-locked.

I am so glad that for the igloobolt 02, it will now re-locks whenever the lock is unlocked.

As mentioned in my previous review, the re-lock has to be manually activated by pressing * 2 1 # <Master PIN> # <Duration> # on the keypad. The duration is between 5 seconds and 120 seconds.

I wish for future updates; you can set this option using the app instead of physically using the keypad.

Tamper Alarm
igloobolt 02 comes with a tamper alarm. The lock will sound if any intruders attempt to pry the lock from the door.

I can’t test this feature as I do not want to spoil my lock.

Privacy Mode
Privacy mode is an interesting feature of the igloobolt 02. To activate this mode, you have to press the button below the physical thumb turn.

When privacy mode is enabled, it will disable electronic entry from the outside. What that means is that the lock will not unlock via Bluetooth or PIN code. However, if you have the physical key to the lock, you still can use it to unlock.

Of course, when you leave the house by turning the physical thumb turn, the privacy mode will be deactivated.

Bluetooth Key
Bluetooth Key not a new feature and has been there since igloobolt 01. But since I did not cover it in the previous review, I thought I would mention it here.

You can create a Bluetooth Key and share it your friend or part time cleaners so that they can use it to enter your house if you are not at home.

You can set the precise start and end date/time for each Bluetooth Key and share it via QR code or a link.

Of course, the other party would need to download and install the Igloohome app.

Conclusion
The igloobolt 02 is a nice upgrade over igloobolt 01. It fixes a lot of shortcomings found in igloobolt 01 like the slow Bluetooth connection and the timed re-lock which only re-locks under certain conditions rather than always.

My favorite improvements got to be the extremely responsive keypad and the fast and stable Bluetooth connection.

When using igloobolt 01, I have so many issues with the Bluetooth connection that I would rather use the PIN code to unlock my door as it is faster.

For igloobolt 02, I have been using the Igloohome app to unlock the door because I can now unlock it as I am walking towards my house.

If you have been waiting to switch to Igloohome locks, now is the best time as I think the igloobolt 02 is ready for prime time.

If you are on igloobolt 01, I am not sure whether you would want to spend another S$388 just to upgrade to igloobolt 02. I would suggest hanging around Igloohome Facebook Page to see if they have any upgrade or trade-in discounts along the way.