+1 for mechanical.
I bought a safe about the same time another local gun owner did. We both took delivery within a day of each other. Mine has a mechancial dial lock with a key-lock to lock the dial. His is a S&G digital lock.
He returned from the range and after cleaning his rifle, went to put it in the safe. The lock failed to work. It was day 308 of owning the safe and he was trying to put his .308 away. On my safe, I can pre-dial one or more of the combination digits, then lock the dial at "0" with the key. To open the safe, unlock the dial and finish dialing the last or last two digits.
I bought a safe about the same time another local gun owner did. We both took delivery within a day of each other. Mine has a mechancial dial lock with a key-lock to lock the dial. His is a S&G digital lock.
He returned from the range and after cleaning his rifle, went to put it in the safe. The lock failed to work. It was day 308 of owning the safe and he was trying to put his .308 away. On my safe, I can pre-dial one or more of the combination digits, then lock the dial at "0" with the key. To open the safe, unlock the dial and finish dialing the last or last two digits.
I like the electronic I don't need to turn the lights on to open the safe. And I'm not trying to shove the numeric pad into next week. A light touch is all that's needed. As for the batt. its replaced from the outside. If I feel the key pad looks shabby or isn't working well, I would call a locksmith or the manufacturer. Since it can be replaced easily I don't think its much of a problem. Also most of the electronic safes can take 2 combo's put in 2 and don't repeat any #'s in both combos. Now I will tell you that I've only had them about 4 years but they get used daily and several times on the weekends. Still look new and work great. I would check the warranty of the manufacture and go with the best I could afford. I do have 2 safes one upstairs one downstairs if one fails I'm still armed!