Safe lock digital changed to mechanical

[Swang]

I have a Costco bighorn and recently switched out the electronic lock to a mechanical. I was apprehensive knowing zero about the subject, but it was very easy and bolted right up. I had to drill one hole (non-critical) and cut the dial spindle to length. Lock was working okay but just didn’t have confidence it would last. I used a S&G 6730 from Amazon everything was included.

dont hesitate doing it if you have been contemplating it. Not sure how it is on other safes, but the Costco bighorn was butter...

[Grayfox54]

I've never liked electronic locks. Anything electronic can fail much easier than plain old mechanical. Although highly unlikely, just in case that EMP does ever hit, you'd be locked out of your safe. You'll be needing what's in there.  

There's an old saying that I fully believe in. "Never trust you life to anything that requires a battery". 

[Jeb48]

I agree, mechanical is my preference also. I limited my last safe shopping based on having a mechanical lock and only found out later I could have swapped out fairly inexpensively. I like what I have but at the time I had wished I researched more because the next model up had some features I thought would be nice. Most of those features were easy to add, so all I lost is about 6" of depth.

[swiley383]

I have a canon safe that the electronic lock crapped out on a couple years ago. Canon sent me a new lock and keypad but would not pay to get it opened or for replacement labor. The lock Smith was able to open it without drilling it. I asked about converting it to a mechanical lock and it was going to cost more than I paid for the safe. If I ever upgrade safes it will not have a electronic lock.

[DaveTN]

I have always wondered….. if the good guys have the ability to open an electronic safe; don’t the bad guys also have that ability?

I assume its some electronic device or manipulation of the keypad?

[swiley383]

The keypad was the problem. Canon sent me a new one along with a new lock but I was unable to get it open. Lock smit got it open in a few minutes with the new keypad. Not sure what he did I followed canon instructions while on the phone with there tech guy. He must have know some tricks.

[Swang]

I lost trust in that servo sound that retracts the lock. The Bighorn safe keypad does feel pretty rinky-dink. 

The electronic locks must be doing well seeing that most are electronic nowadays.

make me feel even better having a mechanical since the locksmith just snapped his universal keypad on... something comes to mind now.., is the combo stored in the lock or the keypad portion? Can someone just swap keypads...  or did the locksmith have a hacked keypad that sent a “combo good” impulse to the lock portion... glad I switched either way.

[swiley383]

It was a new keypad canon sent me and due to the battery being out  for 72 hrs it reset to the factory default code.

[BHunted]

Keypads and/or bio is fine as long as you have Key backup... My Patriot safe requires one key in it at all times and will only turn once I type in password. Then the wheel takes over. I would never have something with -just- a keypad as its only means... If the keypad fails, I have to put in a second key and turn them both to open. Great design that has never failed me. Sadly, Patriot has gone out of biz years ago. But the safe is smooth and balanced as budda like when it first arrived many years ago... even made the move from NJ to TN safely.......

 

[TripleGGG]

When I bought my last safe from Safe house in Maryville I was talking with them about the digital on a Canom safe I have. I just wasn't happy with it. Lady said they have to get i to about 100 a year that have failed. Wanted to put a dual on it but it wasn't possible so they installed a digital that is supposed to be top of the line. Said they had had zero failures with it. My other 3 safes are all dial with keys. 

[Luckyforward]

On 1/16/2020 at 9:52 PM, Grayfox54 said:

I've never liked electronic locks. Anything electronic can fail much easier than plain old mechanical. Although highly unlikely, just in case that EMP does ever hit, you'd be locked out of your safe. You'll be needing what's in there.  

There's an old saying that I fully believe in. "Never trust you life to anything that requires a battery". 

YEP!