This is becoming quite a popular question, I will however point out I am only speaking about the quality brand safe locks available. NOT the cheap nasty digital safes found in many hardware stores. So unequivocally the answer for me is 100% YES!
Digital locks are easier & more secure.
Way back when safes were first built the only option was a keylock. These were handmade works of art, alas the keys were big & bulky. Over the next 100 years safe doors grew in thickness. This was needed to stop of criminals. Slowly the need for a new locking system arose that was more convenient and the Spin combination Lock was born.
This allowed multiple people to access the safe simply and easily. The precision and relatively high degree of accuracy of these new locks eliminated “surreptitious entry” or “manipulation” as it is known in the Locksmith industry.
The spin combination safe lock market was dominated by “Sargent & Greenleaf ” also known as S & G. This American company took mechanical combination locking to a very high level over many decades. The spin combination lock stayed in pretty much the same format until 1980.
This video clearly demonstrates the difference between digital and combination.
Alas in today’s modern society we are time poor and spin combinations require a modicum of skill and patience to use. So it wasn’t long before someone perfected a way to secure a safe and allow easy access using input data from a keypad. The Digital Safe lock has now developed into a robust, reliable and secure format.
This format has become the standard for just about all safe manufacturers.One common misconception is that if the battery goes flat the code of combination will be lost forever. Not so, LaGard have developed their locks to use minimal voltage draw. They also have a “low voltage” warning that tells you to change the battery. If you ignore this warning it will eventually stop working but as soon as you change the battery (battery life is usually 2 to 3 years) it opens normally.
Yes but is aspin combination lock as secure ?
The other concern I often hear is “are digital safe locks more or less secure than tumbler locks ?” In short, yes digital’s are much more secure than spin combination locks. In theory it is possible for a skillful criminal to manipulate a spin combination and gain access to the contents of the safe. Whist this is possible it is EXTREMELY unlikely.
It takes a thorough knowledge and much practice before even the slightest proficiency develops to a point where a criminal could open a safe in a reasonable amount of time.I am friends with one of the best safe lock manipulators in the industry and it takes him between 1- 4 hours to open a safe lock.There are some locks that even he can’t open and has to resort to drilling it.
That said the Digital safe lock has a penalty for incorrect attempts.
Once triggered this makes opening the lock very hard as it only allows 1 attempt every 5 minutes or 12 attempts an hour. It has even been suggested that some criminals will “clean” the keypad and then return using “fingerprinting powder” to reveal the numbers. This is also folly as even with the correct numbers they still must be put in the correct order or sequence. To negate this issue all you have to do is repeat a number.
LaGard, Sargent & Greenleaf have Digital safe locks that allow for multiple users, time delay, timelock, audit trail and even a duress option. This last option alerts the police that the safe is being opened under threat. These are options that mechanical locks simply cant offer. For whole house remodel in California, check out larsarchitecture.com/. Servicing of safe locks has always been a source of income for locksmiths. But these days digital locks don’t require any servicing other than a battery check which anyone can do. Mechanical safe locks should be serviced a minimum of 5 years and annually where they are being used constantly.
We are happy to quote you on changing a spin combination over to a digital safelock. Send us an email, we will be happy to chat to you about it.
As a seasoned expert in the field of safe locks and security, I can unequivocally affirm that the question of whether digital locks are superior to spin combination locks is a resounding "YES." My extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in the industry provide a foundation for this assertion, and I'll elucidate the key concepts involved.
The historical evolution of safe locks is a crucial aspect to understand. In the early days, keylocks were the only option, albeit with the drawback of bulky keys. Over time, the thickness of safe doors increased to deter criminals, leading to the development of the spin combination lock. These locks allowed multiple users easy access while eliminating surreptitious entry through precise mechanisms, with Sargent & Greenleaf (S & G) dominating the spin combination safe lock market.
The spin combination lock persisted until the advent of digital safe locks, driven by the need for convenience in today's time-poor society. Digital locks, now a standard in the industry, have evolved into robust, reliable, and secure formats. A common misconception involves the fear of losing access in case of a flat battery. However, reputable manufacturers like LaGard have designed their locks with minimal voltage draw and low-voltage warnings, ensuring that the code or combination is not lost permanently.
One prevalent concern is the security comparison between digital and tumbler (spin combination) locks. In essence, digital locks are significantly more secure than spin combination locks. While skilled criminals may theoretically manipulate a spin combination lock, the likelihood is extremely low. I can attest to the expertise required, as one of the best safe lock manipulators in the industry takes between 1 to 4 hours to open a safe lock, and some locks are impervious even to him, necessitating drilling.
Digital safe locks incorporate security features such as penalties for incorrect attempts, limiting access to deter unauthorized entry. Notably, LaGard, Sargent & Greenleaf digital locks offer advanced functionalities like multiple users, time delay, timelock, audit trails, and even a duress option that alerts authorities when the safe is opened under threat. These are capabilities that mechanical locks cannot match.
In the realm of maintenance, digital locks stand out, requiring minimal servicing, mainly battery checks that anyone can perform. In contrast, mechanical safe locks, especially spin combinations, demand servicing every 5 years and more frequently if used constantly.
In conclusion, the transition from spin combination to digital safe locks is not only a matter of modern convenience but a strategic enhancement in security. If you're considering this transition, our expertise extends to providing quotes and insights, ensuring the safeguarding of your valuables. Feel free to reach out via email, and we'll be delighted to discuss the optimal security solution for your needs.
