Combination locks are almost as old as regular, key locks. A lot of people prefer them over key locks because you don’t need to carry a key with you! That one factor alone is one of the main reasons the locks are so popular today! If you’re on the hunt for a combination lock for yourself, you can’t just go into it blindly, you have to consider a few things before deciding to buy the combination lock. In this post, we’ll be going over 5 “key” things you need to keep in mind before getting a combination lock, to make sure it’s the best one for you!
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What to Consider When Choosing the Best Combination Locks?
Before you buy a combination lock, ask yourself these 5 questions to determine which one will work the best in your home
What do you need it for?
This is by far the most important thing you need to consider before buying a combination lock. Picking up just any lock won’t work, you need to know what you’re trying to protect! Let’s say you need to protect a gate to a restricted area, you’ll have to get a heavy-duty combination lock, a regular small backpack lock won’t work for you. Once you’ve answered this question, your “pool of choices” will already become a lot smaller! And we’re only on point number 1!
The amount of space you’re going to have
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when getting a combination lock is to not keep its size in mind. Some locks are borderline massive while others are super tiny! The issue here is that if the hook your lock is supposed to go on, is too small or too big for your lock, it simply won’t fit and will end up being useless! So, you need to measure the size of the hook, and keep the size of the shackle in mind and make sure it will fit before you buy it!
Do you need to use the lock indoors or outdoors?
The next thing you need to keep in mind is where the lock needs to be used. If you just need to lock a close inside the house, almost any lock will do. But if you’re trying to lock, let’s say your tool shed outside the home, you’ll need to get something that’s stronger, and more importantly, is weatherproof. This will ensure that whether there’s rain, dust, heat, or snow, your lock is going to stay intact until you unlock it yourself!
Do you want to go old school, or digital?
There are two types of combination locks, the old school ones that have the dial (or dials) on them where you spin them to enter the combination, or digital ones where you can either digitally type them in or type them in and use your fingerprint to unlock it. Depending on what you’re trying to guard, and the environment it’s going to be in, will determine which type of lock goes where!
Does it come with added security features?
While some combination locks are strong but relatively simple, meaning that they only really have the dial to protect your things, others tend to kick it up a notch! If you want to keep your possessions as secure as they possibly can, go for a lock that has added security features like a fingerprint scanner! This way you’ll be sure that even if someone knows your code, they can’t open the lock without your fingerprint!
If you can’t understand any of these things, or simply don’t have the time to go through all of this, an easier way is to contact a Locksmith in Chicago, or a recommended locksmith in your area, and have them either survey the place you need to lock, or just consult them over the phone so they can recommend the type of combination lock you should go for!
