Some biometric locks offer a “pass” override, which means that the door will remain unlocked until it is activated again. Depending on the system, this can be done remotely or by physical intervention. Some provide a proximity sensor and will sound an alarm if someone stands at the door without attempting to enter. These have proven effective in putting off the opportunist thief push pull digital lock.
FRR and FAR
While it is very unusual for the fingerprint scanner to fail, inexpensive biometric locks often scan at a lower resolution than the more expensive models. Technically, this has an impact on what the industry calls the False Recognition Rate (FRR) and False Acceptance Rate (FAR). Unfortunately, manufacturers hardly ever provide these figures. In real terms, it is highly unlikely that an unauthorized person will gain access, but FRR may involve slower activation or repeated attempts before an authorized person can enter. There are no hard and fast rules, but in general, the more you spend, the less frequently these false readings occur. The best models can read your fingerprint even if your hand is wet.
Data collection
More complex biometric locks can record who has access and when and send the data to a smartphone. Some can connect to devices that have an RJ45 cable connector. Smartphone connectivity also offers the opportunity to allow limited, one-time access no matter where you are. A digital key can be sent to another phone and the door can be managed via Bluetooth (which does not rely on an available internet signal).