Review on August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge: Enhanced Remote Access & Alexa Integration for Your August Smart Lock by Ines Jones

After reading all the bad reviews about this device I was immediately tempted to buy the August Connect to see if the problem was operator error or really a design flaw of the device was. After reading a lot of bad reviews, I assumed the problem would be with the former, as in my experience many device usage problems stem from poor end-user handling. As an electronics engineer, network/IT technician and do-it-yourselfer, I was very motivated to tackle the August connection. I try to be as brief as possible. Below is a list of the dates and issues I had, along with comments on each step along the way to the point where I was able to successfully get the August connection to work. Smartlock so both can communicate effectively. This must of course have created a problem as the main entrance is about 50ft from the main router which would mean I would have connectivity issues between the main router and the August connection. August 4, 2016: August connection received; installed the same day and was able to successfully connect to the main router; however, within an hour, the message ". went offline. You will not be able to control your lock remotely. "Manage your lock remotely." August 6, 2016: Ordered for (3) 6ft SMA extension cables for main router to boost router signal. I'm still getting the message "Got offline. You won't be able to control your lock remotely." At this point, based on all the steps taken, I've already assumed that August was using a faulty WiFi card in August Connect, which is causing all connectivity issues has caused. I might assume the router on my end is worse, but I have a decent one; ASUS RT-N66U Dual Band Wireless N900 Gigabit Router to be exact. Assuming there is a cheap WiFi card in August Connect, I decided to plug in a second router right next to August Connect. August 18, 2016: After installing a second router alongside August Connect, I no longer have a connection problem when trying to remotely control August Smartlock. It's been over 24 hours and I still haven't received a disconnect from August Connect. Conclusion: Based on this single experience, August Connect works as intended, but I can certainly understand the frustration of many to get this thing working right away. Of course, if I were an August employee, I would point out to customers that the August Connect needs to be next to the router to function effectively. Of course, not everyone knows how to program a router, which brings its own problems. I have just ordered a second August Connect as I have another August Smartlock. I will come back and explain how everything went with the installation of this second one and if I have any connection problems. Update August 24, 2016 – No disconnects. The August connection increased by 100% on the 6th day since I placed the router next to it. September 14, 2016 - Only one link is broken since the router was moved closer to the August link; There was also an instance of the August app that would not remotely connect to any of my August smart locks. Turns out I had to reset the lock by removing and inserting the batteries. March 5, 2017 I haven't had any connection problems since my last update in September. My connects from August 2nd worked fine. This is my last update. May I recommend the August Connect? I love what they do for me and I have no complaints. As I said, they work great for me at the moment. But getting them to work the way they're supposed to work certainly makes me think twice before recommending them. I suspect many won't have the patience or technical knowledge to get August Connect working enough to stop receiving "offline messages". But if you like challenges like me, you won't be disappointed. Much luck!