Posted 02/16/2009 at 05:31:51pm

The lock works great, and you do *NOT* need to buy the Schlage bridge or pay the Schlage monthly service.  Vera, from Mi Casa Verde, fully supports the Schlage locks, uses the same level of security, also supports remote access from web and cell phone, does everything the Schlage bridge does and MUCH MORE (see: http://wiki.micasaverde.com/index.php/Side_By_Side_Comparison). And there is *NO* mandatory subscription fee.  Through 3/31/09 Mi Casa Verde is giving everyone who buys Vera + the Schlage LiNK a lifetime subscription to their online hosted services as well, which is normally $199.  You save $100 by buying the Schlage lock without their bridge, plus $150/year by not using their subscription, and $199 from Mi Casa Verde.  See: http://micasaverde.com/schlage_promo.php   This makes it more affordable, and you get a real, full-featured home control system that supports all Z-Wave devices and does energy monitoring too.