Electronic Locks VS Dial Combinations
Your
safety is of the utmost importance. That’s why when buying a safe for your home
or office, there are many decisions to make. Whether you’re in the market for a
wall safe, floor safe, or any of the several other types of safes we offer,
choosing the best one that fits your lifestyle includes many considerations.
One of those is the choice between a safe with an electronic keypad, and one
with a dial combination. Here I have collected a lot of thoughts and
information about the two so you can make an educated and informed decision.
First
up is the electronic keypad and the advantages of purchasing a safe with one.
If your lifestyle warrants the need to open and close your safe numerous times
per day, this may be something that is worth an investment. Sometimes using a
dial combination can be a bit of a hassle, and I have found that when customers
begin to feel this is an inconvenience, they abandon using their safe. Of
course, if you stop putting valuables in your safe, why own one at all?
I’ve
also been asked which one is better between an electronic keypad and a dial
combination safe. The truth is, through my long experience in the safe industry
I have discovered that both are very difficult to crack or get into. After 4
repeated invalid codes, a safe with an electronic keypad will go into
“lockdown” mode. Once in this state, the electronic keypad becomes unworkable
for 5 minutes. After that time has passed, the user is able to try again two
more times, if more invalid entries are made, the safe will go into lockdown
mode once again. This process essentially eliminates the ability to enter a
random code to crack the safe.
Customers
also tend to have concerns about the battery life a safe using an electronic
keypad, what if it goes dead? It’s actually very easy to switch out a dead
battery! Simply open the battery compartment on the outside of the keypad and
replace the nine-volt battery. A dead battery will not compromise your safe or
the combination code, as the internal computer component’s memory will maintain
the combination.
To
make it easier on you to decide, we have mapped out a pretty straightforward
pros and cons list. I hope this will help you in your decision:
Electronic
Keypad
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PROS
1. Ease of changing code
combination
2. Quickly input combo
3. User is able to
customize his or her own code, so memorizing it should be easy
4. When an incorrect code
has been entered 5 times, the safe will lockdown and the user will not be able
to try again for 5 minutes.
5. The same security and
strength of all our quality safes.
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CONS
1. Batteries do require
changing, on average about once every year. Of course the combination will be
remembered when the battery dies.
2. More expensive than a
dial combination safe
3. If lockdown mode occurs
because your combination code is forgotten, you will have to 5 minutes before
trying again.
4. This is a new
technology, only having been on the market for about 20 years.
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Dial
Combination Lock
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PROS
1.
The safes can maintain the same combo and will not display wear
2.
With good upkeep, dials will keep for very long
3.
Usually much less expensive than an electronic keypad
4.
Dial combination locks have a 150-year history
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CONS
1. A locksmith is needed
to change combination
2. Unlocking and opening
the safe takes longer
3. People who have
arthritis or unsteady hands may find it hard to open
4. There is no “lockdown”
function
5. Old fashioned and not
very convenient
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It
is also a concern of many people that they must change their combination code
through the keypad only. This is simply not true, and there is a simple process
that can change the code whenever you feel like its integrity has been
compromised. The safe will come with step-by-step instructions on how to do
this, but I have also included some easy directions that may help you determine
whether or not this is something you could manage with an electronic keypad
safe. You may download the instructions in PDF format: click
here.
We
hope that this has given you some perspective on what is the best choice for
you. It truly does come down to your lifestyle, comfortably and convenience
needs. However, we are confident that no matter what you choose, one of our
high quality safes is right for you. If after reading this you still have
questions regarding Electronic Keypad vs Dial Combinations, Contact us at
877-629-6214 or send us an email at sam@valuesafes.com,
and we’ll be happy to assist you. |
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ValueSafes
24123 Peachland Blvd. Suite C-4
Port Charlotte, Florida 33954
Fax: 1 (866) 408-7303 Phone: 1 (877) 629-6214
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