Are Electronic Gun Safe Locks Reliable?
Electronic locks are convenient as they don’t require keys or combinations to operate them. They also provide security as they prevent a thief from entering your home when you’re not there.
These locks are much safer than traditional locks because they do not require keys. They can be remotely accessed by a PIN or fingerprint scan, which makes them easy to use and convenient for people who do not have physical keys.
However, electronic locks can be unreliable and sometimes malfunction, which needs to be considered before purchasing these locks for your home or office.
A recent study found that electronic locks are less reliable than we think. This is because many of these products rely on batteries that can run out of power at any time.
This means that the lock will not work until you replace the battery or find a way to charge it up again. And that is perhaps the only downside to electronic locks. Okay, so let’s start with the basics, and let me tell you what I think of electronic safe locks.
How Does An Electronic Safe Lock Work?
To open a mechanical safe, a combination dial must be spun to enter a code. Then, by using the right combination, the lock’s tumblers are positioned correctly, allowing the door to be opened. There’s nothing complicated about it, but it works.
In comparison to traditional locks, digital locks are more advanced. For example, with electronic safe locks, you can enter a four- to six-digit combination on an electronic keypad, just like with traditional locks.
The keypad is powered by batteries. You can open the safe’s door by entering the correct combo, which engages the mechanism and allows the handle to turn.
What Are The Advantages of Electronic Gun Safe Locks?
It has quite a few benefits to buying a digital gun safe instead of a traditional safe. It is hard to argue against the benefits of electronic safe installations, due to their ease of use, reliability, and stellar security features. To help you make your decision, here are a few pros and cons.
1. A Higher Level Of Security
The industry is dominated by electronic locks when it comes to additional security features. With modern features built into some gun safes, you can set a number of useful secondary security checks to increase the safety and reliability of your safe:
Codes That Can Only Be Used Once
In some safe models, the digital lock can provide a temporary code that can only be used once.
Wrong Try Functions
Upon entering a specified number of incorrect codes, the safe’s lock will be automatically disabled.
Set The Time Period
It is possible to program an electronic safe lock to be accessible only during certain hours, for example, when your business is open.
The Duress Mode
It is possible to trigger a silent alarm in the event of being held up and someone attempting to force your hand into opening the safe.
Options For Time Delay
Using a short delay period, you can prevent burglary attempts by setting your safe to only open after a short delay.
Dual Token Mode
Electronic locks provide you with double protection thanks to this feature.
Dual Controls
In order to use this feature, two separate combination entries must be entered.
2. Reliability
There is less wear and tear on electronic locks, and they tend to last longer than traditional locks. As well as undergoing a great deal of evolution over time, these locks are also just as reliable as traditional mechanical safe locks that have been around for decades.
Check the UL rating of your safe’s lock if you want to know how good it is. Hardware manufacturers strive to manufacture safe locks that meet UL standards. In addition, testing has been conducted to ensure the lock’s reliability and functionality.
3. An Easy-To-Use Interface
For fire/burglary safes and those gun safes that goes under your bed, digital locking devices are the most user-friendly type of lock available. Keyless locks are convenient and eliminate the need to keep track of keys or remember combinations.
It is better to program a safe lock so that it uses a keycode that you can easily remember and change if necessary. In addition, most safes have a digital keypad with a light, making it easier to use in the dark.
On the other hand, a mechanical safe lock requires you to enter the combination precisely as you turn the dial. Some safe owners may find this difficult. Additionally, spinning a dial takes more time.
It takes longer to open a safe using this method than it does with an electronic lock, even if you get the combination right on your first try. You can only change the combination with the assistance of a safe locksmith because you cannot change the combination yourself.
4. Faster Access
Take a moment to consider all of the electronic devices you might have in your home. Isn’t it nice to have them around? They make life easier, don’t they? For example, having an electronic lock makes opening your safe a breeze.
When you need access to your – say for example an in-wall safe immediately due to an emergency situation, you will usually find that an electronic lock works better than a conventional mechanical lock.
A keypad on an electronic lock allows you to punch your code in place of fumbling in the dark trying to get your combination into a mechanical lock.
Disadvantages Of Electronic Lock
Electronic locks on gun safes have been around for a while now and have been used by many people in homes and businesses alike, but some disadvantages still come with them.
1. Changing Batteries
The batteries on the keypad of digital safe locks will need to be replaced periodically, just like anything else electronic. However, your combination will still be stored in the electronic lock even if the battery dies.
Furthermore, the safe lock will warn you if the battery power runs low. You should read your device’s owner’s manual to learn more about its requirements and notification system.
2. Cost
Comparing electronic safe locks with mechanical safe locks, we must take price into consideration. Many people consider the cost of a safe when purchasing one.
The most common type of lock in the industry is a mechanical lock. A few safes from a given brand may come with electronic locks, but most will start with mechanical dials.
If you choose an electronic lock, you will typically need to pay an additional fee. Depending on the model and the brand, electronic safes will cost differently. For example, you can expect to pay between $100 and $200 more for a battery-powered electronic lock compared to a mechanical dial lock.
Can You Fully Trust Biometric Lock Technology?
In many cases, we do not recommend biometric safe locks despite the fact that biometric safe lock technology has improved for years. This is because they frequently cause false negatives and false positives. In other words, a registered user cannot open the safe, or a non-registered user is accessing the safe.
Most cheap, safe brands use biometric locks. But would you consider the finger-scan technology to be reliable if you’re paying $300 for the entire gun safe? Despite this, technology is rapidly improving. And I can easily recommend some top-rated biometric gun safes out there. Check out my top picks.
How Reliable Are Electronic Locks?
There are many things that can go wrong with electronic locks, but a simple replacement of the keypad will fix most of them. There is no question of “if” electronic locks will fail, but only “when.”
According to some experienced locksmiths with years of experience in the industry, drilling open electronic locks is 20-1 more difficult than drilling open mechanical locks. In most cases, however, improper operations are the cause of the problem.
Several years ago, a locksmith told me a really interesting and inspiring story – “I see some gentle ladies slam the safe’s door by mistake because they think the safe is heavy and strong since the safe protects such valuable items.”
The safe also needs to be taken care of; therefore, you should worry about it. This is also true when it comes to locks. By following the instructions in your user manual, you may never have to call a locksmith again, and you will have a reliable gun safe lock that is easy to use.
How Secure Are Digital Safe Locks?
The reliability of electronic safe locks is a question many current and potential safe owners ask. If you buy a high-quality electronic safe lock, the answer is yes, digital safe locks are just as reliable as mechanical locks.
The quality of a lock is as important as the cost. It is possible to find cheaply made locks as well as high-quality locks. You might want to consider getting a gun safe for your truck with electronic keypad. Trust me, they are far better than traditional locks in a road rage situation.
Electronic Locks: Are They Less Durable Than Mechanical Locks?
It depends. Because of their electronic component failure possibilities and low moisture resistance, basic electronic locks are less wear-resistant and durable than mechanical locks.
For example, some ultra-high security electronic locks have a backup for all key electronic components, making them much more durable than average mechanical locks.
What Is The Failure Rate Of Electronic Safe Locks?
About three percent of digital locks fail. That means over the course of ten years, only three locks will fail out of 100. It may be possible to replace a broken keypad, but deeper issues may require replacing the entire lock.
What About Warranty And Repairs?
Electronic locks are sometimes covered by lifetime warranties or free repair/replacement by safe manufacturers and suppliers. However, free repairs and claims might not cover the door.
The most common method locksmiths use to fix locks is to drill holes in the door and drill holes in the lock. You will also need to pay an additional fee to move your safe outside to repair the safe door.
Is It Possible To Hack Electronic Safe Locks?
It is common for people to forget that smart locks are small computers that can be hacked. Bluetooth-enabled locks can be accessed by hackers if they have access to their data, or hackers can access them if they have access to their data.
Are Batteries Really A Problem?
In most cases, an indicator light will appear before a battery runs out on an electronic lock. You can easily replace a dead battery with a new one through the keypad without worrying about losing your code if the battery dies.
In the main lock, not in the keypad, codes are stored safely without batteries. Most nightstand bedside gun safe have this feature.
Why Should You Choose Electronic Safe Locks?
It is very important for you to have fast access to safes since you use them frequently. In addition, it is necessary to manage different groups of users. You need high-tech features like dual mode and time delay if you prefer one electronic lock instead of two or more mechanical locks.
Is A Key Safe Better Than A Digital Safe?
Traditional key locks are more robust and traditional. In addition, well-maintained key locks will last longer than electronic locks. A quality key lock can also be more reliable than a cheaper key lock at a lower price point.
I’m an old-school guy and like to keep things simple. Heck, the pistol gun safe I own uses a simplex mechanical lock. I also own biometric safes, but those are just to keep the kids away from guns.
Do All Electronic Safes Come With A Key?
Backup keys are included with all electronic-lock safes. Backup keys are not included with combination-lock safes. Take note of the serial number of the combination-lock safe you own. The serial number is required to submit a combination request form if you lose your combination.
The Bottom Line
Modern features, security, and gun safes can make a huge difference in an ever-changing world, which is certainly true in an ever-changing industry.
With electronics becoming more difficult to penetrate every day, choosing an electronic safe is the best choice if you want the maximum level of security. Codes can be created, deleted, and changed for an electronic safe lock.
A mechanical lock on a safe prevents you from doing that. If you want to change your code, you’ll have to either use the code supplied by the manufacturer or have a locksmith do it at your expense. For simplicity, I would say electronic gun-safe locks are better.
