SentrySafe H2300CG Waterproof Fire Chest – Small Safe
The SentrySafe H2300CG is a medium size tubular lock fire chest and is a good choice for anyone looking to buy a small safe to store documents, cash and small sized valuables. This quality made lock chest offers fire and water protection as well as a basic locking mechanism. The medium size offers some degree of mobility and it is designed to be accessed and used on a daily basis if needed.
The SentrySafe H2300CG is a small to medium size fire chest and, as specified by the manufacturer, it will hold A4 sized paper without any folds. However, you will have to curl the paper slightly to get it in the chest full length.
There is a fair bit of room for storing various documents but do bear in mind large legal documents may need to be folded. The storage space of 0.4 cubic feet is large enough to store passports, cash and all types of digital media storage such as USB memory sticks, hard drives, CDs and DVDs. Other valuables such as jewelry can also be stored comfortably inside the holding space.
It should be pointed out that it is inadvisable to store weapons and ammunition in this safety chest. For best protection the manufacturer recommends using any kind of airtight containers such as plastic vacuum packs for documents that you plan on storing inside.
The SentrySafe H2300CG is designed to protect from both fire and water. These are its main features and considering that is it quite a small safe this really looks like it will hold up well in a fire. Regarding the protection against water damage, there is a waterproof seal which completely insulates the interior from any possibility of water entering the chest and has a special 360-degree jamb design.
As for its fire protection feature, it does include UL classified fire endurance for 1/2 hour. This will keep items such as CDs, DVDs, USB drives and memory sticks safe from any fire damage. There is also an ETL verification for 30 minutes fire resistance. The SentrySafe H2300CG can sustain heat of up to 1550 degrees Fahrenheit in a 30-minute time frame.
The specifications of this SentrySafe fire chest are 8.2 inches x 20.6 inches x 15.6 in (Amazon specs), with the volume capacity at 0.36 cubic feet of usable inner space. At around 24 pounds of weight, it offers a portability aspect although considering that it is a portable small safe it is not one of the lightest. Some small safes have the option to bolt them down to the floor to increase security but the H2300CG does not have that option.
The absence of a lid handle makes it slightly inconvenient to move around though this is more a security measure than a disadvantage. Luckily there are grip points on the casing for easier handling and carrying. Overall it has a nice exterior finish that looks both well-made and professional. An all-black color finish compliments the good build quality quite well.
Security
The SentrySafe H2300CG uses a tubular key lock design as its primary unauthorized opening deterrent method. The locking mechanism comprises of a full-time spring latching seal that will seal the contents of the chest even when it is unlocked. The locking procedure is simple and straight forward however some people have had issues with opening the safe.
A counterclockwise key turn to the left (horizontal position) opens and a turn to the right (vertical position) locks the SentrySafe H2300CG. Due to the seal protection, the lid has to be compressed before opening and closing it. There are two opening keys that come included in the retail package.
Things to consider
Overall the SentrySafe H2300CG is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a good price to quality ratio fire and water proof safe. The portability and relatively compact size make it easy to move around the house and store it practically anywhere. It is a bit heavy so it does offer pretty good protection in case of theft.
A well-made and sturdy construction that offers peace of mind for durability and its longevity of use. Security is not the strongest point of this type of locking design and there is a possibility of breaking it easily with even simple tools so keep that in mind. The warranty included is valid for 1 year only. There is also a user’s manual included in the retail package.
I can’t help but feel that SentrySafe could have done a slightly better job with this safe. It is a very tough safe and I have no doubt it will hold up in a fire and that its waterproofing is sound…however they may need to consider looking into the locking and opening method of the lid.
PROS:
Would likely do very well in a fire because of its solid design.
Compact enough to fit into a small space.
CONS:
Some people may find it difficult to open.
No lid handle.
Interior may be too small for unfolded A4 sized paperwork.
