Advantages and disadvantages of digital safes
Since technological advances became part of the security industry, the competition between digital devices and standard types of security, such as locks, keys, and now safes, has become a part of an endless comparison, where every small detail counts. There is a lot of information that you might not find when you research digital safes and their locks, so there are many different questions you might have: How do these mechanisms work? What are their weak points? Are they better than traditional safes? There are many different opinions on this topic, but it’s always best to get your answers directly from reliable sources. If you want to find out more about the functions of digital safes and their advantages and disadvantages, it’s a good idea to ask a professional. Sure Lock & Key is a nationwide locksmith company with 35 years of experience. We are ready to provide you with any information about digital safes you might desire.
What is a digital safe lock
Some people might not know the difference between a mechanical lock and a digital lock for a safe. We’ll discuss this below.
Some safes are equipped with classic locks that require a key in order to be opened. Another type of mechanical lock is one with a dial, where you turn it to enter the combination and open the door.
Eventually, digital locks with keypads became widely available. To open them, you just need to enter your code on the keypad. The newest technological advance is safes with biometric locks that require your fingerprint to unlock them.
In a way, the electronic safe lock works just like the traditional one, except that you don’t need to turn a key to open it. When you enter the code, the mechanisms automatically turn and unlock your safe.
When you use this type of lock, you can manage and access your safe by adding or deleting combinations. Also, you don’t have to worry about losing the key or someone picking the lock. However, there are a few problems you might come across. Sometimes people can forget the code or have problems with the mechanism. For this reason, it’s good to know how to open a safe without a combination. If the keypad works on batteries, it’s essential to make sure that they’re always charged. Otherwise, a time will arrive in which you won’t be able to open the safe.
Advantages of electronic safe lock
Even though some people don’t think electronic safe locks are trustworthy, they have a lot to offer. So, let’s take a look at some of the advantages of this type of safe lock:
- Reliability. This may be a controversial statement, but locks that operate with computers and electronic chips have fewer chances of becoming worn out. Also, they can’t be picked because they simply don’t have a keyhole.
- Easy to use: You just need to press a few buttons on the keypad, and voila, your door opens. Even if you forget the combination, some models are designed to reset an old combination and create a new one.
- Protection from thieves: Criminals constantly monitor progress in the security industry and develop new methods to try to bypass the system. They may use special devices to guess a code and open the safe. However, where is the guarantee that they will get the right code after the first try? After a few unsuccessful attempts, the lock will be blocked. Moreover, if your safe is equipped with a Dual Control mode, thieves will have to deal with two different combinations that may have completely different sequences.
- Total control: As the owner, you have complete control over how you want to use the device. You can change the number of codes, disable some of them, or add new ones. If you have doubts about some individuals who have access to the safe, you can perform an audit to track when the locks were used and who used them. If you have trouble operating your digital home safe, you can always ask the manufacturer or a professional Locksmith if the manufacturer is not reachable, for help.
Unfortunately, safes are not perfect, and even a “multimillion-dollar” safe can become damaged or malfunction. If that happens, you probably need professional safe locksmith services to resolve the issue.
Disadvantages of electronic safe locks
A digital electronic safe is an amazing alternative to a traditional safe with a mechanical lock. However, like any other electronic device, this safe is not perfect. Before deciding if the digital safe suits your needs, you should consider not only the advantages but the disadvantages as well.
- Price: Every time people choose between mechanical and digital safes, they compare the prices. Electronic devices are expensive, mostly because of all these chips and mechanisms implemented inside the construction. If you are looking for a brand new digital safe, keep in mind that an average model is approximately $100 more than the mechanical one.
- Battery replacement: As we mentioned above, the keypad in the digital safe runs with a battery. These batteries need to be replaced occasionally. Most safes now have a notification system, so users will get notifications about the battery status. Even if your battery dies, the combination can be restored.
- Poor resistance to water and chemical damage: Safe owners need to be careful while choosing a place for their electronic safes. Even a small amount of liquid (water, soda, chemicals for washing) could cause serious damage. That’s why it’s essential to keep the safe dry and not allow any liquid to get inside the micro schemes.
Summing up
Today, the digital electronic safe is not something out of the ordinary. People who want to keep their belongings safe and not take any chances of theft will seriously consider buying this product. However, purchasing a safe is not enough. It’s also important to understand where to keep it, how to maintain it, and what to do in an emergency. So finding a local locksmith you can count on would probably be an intelligent solution and Sure Lock & Key might be an excellent option. We are available 24 hours a day, working to keep you safe throughout the year. Whether it is an emergency issue or scheduled maintenance, you can rely on us. Have some problems with the digital lock for safe? Give us a call!