BASIC OVERVIEW
Viking is a well-established company that launches good quality security safes at fairly low price points. There are three types of safe. The high-end safes that have very tough builds and are of the best quality. Those are the most expensive.
There are the smaller “home safe” versions which are good budget safes. Lastly, Viking has safes that are a bit of both high-end and budget.
The Viking VS-50BLX comes under that category; a sort of mid-range vault for the everyday user. It uses a bio-metric fingerprint scanner for locking and unlocking and, from what I have read; it looks like a lot of older folks love how easy this thing is to operate.
For many users this is an important point because modern fingerprint scanners can look a little intimidating to people who were born in a not so technological era. With the ever decreasing availability of the older style dial combination safes, people have to get used to these new biometric scanners.
So ease of use is a huge plus for this fingerprint security safe as well as offering a number of quality features at a good price point. Let’s look at some of those features.
This large Viking VS-50BLX bio metric safe is nice looking and well-designed. It weighs around 43 lbs. (20 kg) so it is fairly heavy but not so much that two strong guys couldn’t lift it and move it around. If you are worrying about two burglars lifting up the safe and walking off with it you do have the option to bolt the safe down to the floor – (which is recommended for better security).
It has a really spacious interior with measurements of H 19.29” (502 mm) x W 12.5” (298 mm) x D 9.25” (349 mm). You should be able to get most items stored including full sized A4 documents, (unfolded), passports, other important paperwork, digital media, jewelry, cash, phones, gold, silver, handguns and a whole number of other personal valuables.
There is are three fully adjustable shelves that can be used to keep your smaller items in one place, however they are a little flimsy and so it maybe best keep your heavier items at the bottom of the safe. Also, you can remove the shelving to allow for even more space for bigger items.
If you happen to open the safe in a dark room there is a handy built in LED light that helps to illuminate the interior. The whole interior is also fully carpeted which I think is a nice touch.
Regarding security, I would say it is better than average when compared to other safes in the same category. It has a pry-resistant door with a tightly sealed solid steel outer casing. There are two 20 mm thick solid steel locking bars that are deep inside the top half of the door frame.
Personally I think two more locking bars could have been placed on the bottom half of the door too for even tougher security but of course that would have raised the price point.
When activated, the two bolts slide into the safe frame and lock into position. A useful feature here is if the door is left unlocked a beeping sound will go off.
The locking system uses a digital biometric fingerprint reader and a digital LCD keypad for easy use. The scanner is a top of the range upgraded 500 DPI optical sensor which means it is a lot more sensitive to reading prints. This helps when trying to get into the safe fast as there is a lot less fiddling about trying to reposition your finger to obtain the best scan.
You can scan and save up to 32 fingerprints for multiple people, which is plenty. Having more fingerprint saves in the memory means you can scan your print multiple times at varying placements to help to speed up entry. If you want quick entry then scanning your finger at different angles and saving them is recommended.
There is of course a PIN code option which consists of 4-8 programmable digits. As a double backup, you have a numeric keypad combination lock as well as a key lock system, to gain entry. You get a set of 2 four prong override cross keys for back up so there is little chance of you locking yourself out for whatever reason.
This Viking bio metric safe also has a time out period setting so that after 5 incorrect PINs or 10 incorrect fingerprints attempts the safe will stay locked down. You can then use the included override keys to get in.
Overall this is a very good quality home safe that will be of benefit to the average home owner. Is this a high-end, high security safe? No, but for this price you will struggle to find better.
It will keep the casual thief out and even a pro burglar with tools, (depending on how long the burglar has and what tools they have), but I would not rely on it for storing super expensive items like stacks of gold or cash, etc.
If you want a digital safe that has the best security then expect to pay a minimum of $1000, and that is on the low end. For what you pay for the Viking VS-50BLX you get a quality, stylish, tough, modern, digital fingerprint safe that does exactly what it is supposed to.
FEATURES
Upgraded bio metric scanner: The fingerprint scanner has a 500 DPI optical sensor which means it can scan your print more accurately for faster entry into the safe.
Easy to programme digital keypad: This Viking safe has an easy to operate digital keypad that offers no fuss push button entry and locking.
2 live-locking bolts: There are 2 live-locking bars at the top of the door. Both are 20mm thick and slot into the side frame of the safe.
Strong body material: This fingerprint safe has a black scratch resistant military coating and is made with 5 mm/2 mm solid steel.
Warning alarm system: An alarm will go off if the wrong codes are inputted.
Time out option: After 5 incorrect PINs or 10 incorrect fingerprints attempts the safe will stay locked down.
Removable shelves: There are 3 removable and adjustable shelves that are also carpeted to prevent scratches on your items.
3 options of operation: You can use the biometric scanner, punch in your PIN code or use the override keys.
Pry-resistant: Has seamless welding, laser cut edges and anti-pry insertion slots.
PROS AT A GLANCE
- Has a good sized interior for storing a number of items.
- Digital keypad for easy PIN set up.
- Has an upgraded bio metric fingerprint scanner for fast entry.
- Multiple fingerprints can be scanned and saved.
- The inside is fully carpeted and has 3 adjustable, removable shelves.
- The two 20mm thick live-locking bolts are a great feature.
- 3 options to unlock the safe. If you forget one way, you have 2 other choices.
- Comes with 2 four prong override cross keys for back up.
- Locking requires just 1 button to press and hold.
- Interior has an LED light built-in.
- This safe can be easily bolted down for higher security.
- Time out period after 5 incorrect PINs or 10 incorrect fingerprints attempts.
- One-Year limited Warranty
CONS AT A GLANCE
- The shelving is a little flimsy.
- Screen and keypad should be LED back lit. It’s hard to read even in bright daylight.
SPECIFICATIONS
External Dimensions: H 16.69” (508 mm) x W 13.78”(305 mm) x D 12.21” (355 mm)
Internal Dimensions: H 19.29” (502 mm) x W 12.5” (298 mm) x D 9.25” (349 mm)
Weight: 43 lbs. (20 kg)
