02/09/2026
Most of the time, replacing an existing digital lock with the same type is sensible.
It is usually simpler and avoids unnecessary changes.
But there are exceptions.
This homeowner had an older Yale add-on rim lock and wanted his replacement to include facial recognition and video viewing.
The problem was that the current rim-lock market has very limited options offering this level of advanced functionality together.
If we restricted him to another rim lock, he would have had to give up some of the features he wanted.
When we assessed the existing door, however, we noticed the old keyhole sat very close to the Yale rim lock.
That created another possibility.
On this particular door, the taller Mercury X6 mortise body could cover both the old rim-lock area and the existing keyhole area.
So instead of simply replacing the old lock with the same type, we changed the setup to a mortise lock and gave the homeowner the functionality he originally wanted.
The lesson:
Your existing lock is a starting point; it does not always have to dictate what comes next.
