Safetech Hardware ViperX2 Gravity Gate Latch | Two-Sided Keyed Alike | 2 Independent Latching Hooks Key Lockable Both Sides | Privacy Gate Gravity Latch | Vinyl, Wood, & Aluminum Gates - Black

I needed a latch for my vinyl gate leading into my garden that my very clever dogs couldn't figure out. This gate latch is perfect. It's also very durable and with the proper tools easy to install. I also love that it self latches when the gate closes.

This is a sturdy, good looking, and well functioning latch lock. I had some problems installing it. The instructions are not very detailed. I had to watch videos and read about it online. I contacted the US company twice for tech support and got no response. I then contacted the Australian company and got the help I needed. They sent me more detailed instructions and responded right away. After the lock was installed correctly, it works perfectly and I love it.

I was able to connect with customer support on the phone, the call started out seeming a little sketchy but I think the agent was just working from home. He had me send him a video of the problem and talked me through the fix. The lock has worked flawlessly since then. Great customer service.This latch and lock worked very well for a few months but today the locking mechanism and the latch failed. I had walked through the gate and locked it behind me but a couple of hours later the gate was open and my dogs were running around in the street. After I got my pets safely into the house I checked the lock only to fine that it was locked on the inside but the outside of the lock worked as if it was unlocked. Besides that, the gate opened at the slightest push, even when the prongs were lowered around the latch bar. I was able to make some adjustments so the latch would hold the bar again but I can’t make the lock function properly again.I’m assuming this lock isn’t really suited for a wooden gate as advertised. Wood swells and shrinks with the weather and this failure occurred at a change in seasons. Also, wooden gates are subject to more movement due to wind hitting the solid surface. Metal gates are often bars that permit the wind to pass through. The plastic bar that connects both sides of the locking mechanism don’t allow much of a margin of error therefore shrinking and swelling of the wood can cause the bar to fail and the gate lock to become inoperative. The lock came with screws that were too short to mount it well on a wooden fence but they would be adequate for a metal fence. I did replace them with longer, outdoor rated deck screws so that was my first clue that this lock was not made for a wood fence despite claims that it would work well for that application.I’ll be contacting support for assistance in repairing this problem and will update this review if they help me find a permanent fix for this issue.

Easy install and workd great.

I had a professional locksmith install this lock so I know it was done correctly. The gate is seldom opened, so over the course of three months, I locked/unlocked it maybe 5-6 times. Then one day the push mechanism simply froze so that the gate remained locked on the outside even though it was unlocked on the inside. For the amount of money I spent, I expected better. My mistake, I should’ve read the other 1 and 2 star reviews. Others had the same issue. Do not buy.

easy enough to install and love that it has opening and locking options on both sides but because it's a bit cheaply made it is often not able to engage the locking teeth unless VERY gently closed. The teeth get stuck in the UP position and even though it is addressed on the troubleshooting section of the manual, it is not always fixable the way they instruct. I often have to pull the teeth down with my fingers. I just wish it was more reliable. Also, the lock mechanism was conveniently able to be put on one or the other side, but the lock arm was NOT...so basically negates the versatility of the lock mechanism positioning. Overall, if it worked exactly as it was supposed to it would be a really really great piece, but unfortunately with mostly plastic parts it just is not that reliable.

Very well made

Had to replace my standard lock on my pool gate because the door sags so it would not latch (lock) properly, no matter how many times I fixed the sag. This latch is awesome. Love the way it clicks into the door and how easy it is to open from the other side (I bought the 2 sided lock). Really simple to install. Easy to open and close, love that I can use a key to lock it too. Highly recommend.