Protex IF-1212C II Floor Safe
Pros
- 1/2" Thick Solid Steel Door
- Removable Door Adds Storage Capacity
- 1/2" Thick Lip at the Bottom of the Safe
Cons
- Unreliable LaGard Mechanical Lock
- Made in China
- No Warranty or Support from Seller
- Weak Locking Mechanism
- No Hardplate Behind the Lock
Not all floor safes are created equal. They may look the same or similar in pictures but when it comes down to it, there is a huge difference between Made in USA and Made in China quality. The Protex IF-1212C II Floor Safe is the perfect example of what Made in China quality will get you but you won’t know it until after you receive it and unfortunately, install it in your floor.
Many reviewers experienced major issues with the lock and when they went to call the customer service, they quickly realized that there is no phone number. This is not a reliable company that stands behind their products. Unfortunately, this is not able to be returned after it is installed in their floor. In this review, I will help you understand why the Protex floor safe line is one you should stay far away from.
Lock – Protex IF-1212C II Floor Safe
First and always most important for any safe is the lock. The Protex IF-1212C II floor safe uses the LaGard Group 2 Mechanical lock which is UL rated. I always recommend using a UL rated mechanical lock but LaGard is the absolute worst in quality. Not surprisingly it is also the cheapest UL rated mechanical lock and also made in China.
I always recommend going with a UL Rated mechanical lock made by S&G or Big Red. Nearly all of the 1 star reviews on this product complain about the locking mechanism. Customers complain that it loses the combination and is very stiff to use. This is one area where you really can’t cheap out because if the lock doesn’t work, the safe is useless.
Security
When it comes to the security of the Protex IF-1212C II Floor Safe, they actually did a decent job. Similar to the Stealth floor safes, it has a 1/2″ thick solid steel plate door. In addition, it is removable due to its small size. Protex uses the deadbolt extension from the lock as its only locking bolt which offers decent pry resistance. They also include a 1/2″ lip at the bottom of the safe to create further difficulty from full removal. They didn’t cheap out on the steel for this safe and the security is quite good for the price.
Style and Function
If properly installed in concrete, floor safes are not affected by fire as heat rises. If you have perishable items, it is still advised to purchase a fire rated home or gun safe. However, for burglary protection only, floor safes are the most secure option. I also recommend placing your items in waterproof bags or ziplock compartments for additional water protection, especially cash.
Once everything is in the safe, you can cover it with a rug or carpet to make it completely hidden. Finally, a steel plate dust cover is included to make it flush with the floor.
The Bottom Line
While the security of the Protex IF-1212C II floor safe is comparable to higher end models such as the Stealth and American Security Floor Safes, they really missed the mark on the lock. If your safe doesn’t open when you need it to, all of that security goes to waste. Considering a high quality S&G Mechanical Lock would cost around $200 to replace the existing lock, you’re really better off going with the American Made quality in the Stealth floor safe line.
It’s also extremely concerning when a “business” doesn’t list a phone number, doesn’t answer customer messages, doesn’t honor their warranty and doesn’t back their products. All in all, I would stay away from Protex as a company and buy from a reliable American company such as American Security or Stealth.
