Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

. Disclosure: The manufacturer sent me a free mailbox for review after seeing my amazon review of the Solar Group RSKB0000 Curbside Locking Mailbox. I feel this is an impartial review. I have no connection to any mailbox manufacturer. I researched several locking mailboxes for the benefit of 104 homeowners in my neighborhood. Hoped to find a 5-star box. Not yet. Mail Boss is one of the better choices. It's way more secure than your neighbor's sub-$100 locking mailbox. Prying it open with a 24" crowbar would take some time and effort. However, someone could fish for mail using a 10" grabber tool, and you'd never know. (Security comparison below.) - - - Compared to Architectural Mailboxes Oasis Mailbox: [not Oasis Jr.] - - - I did a careful hands-on comparison. Advantages to each, but I did end up preferring the Mail Boss. The Mail Boss is: - - Much more pry resistant. Thicker steel (14/12 gauge vs 16/14). Recessed door top. Heavier lock, Hook-style lock tab. - - About equally resistant to fishing for mail. - - More resistant to fishing for packages (Packages in the Oasis may stand tall.) - - Will not accept packages thicker than 1-7/8" (Oasis hopper style door will accept appx 12" x 6" x 4") - - Will accept some large 1-3/4"+ packages that the Oasis won't (rare) - - Deeper and much less tall than the Oasis (MB: 11.2"w x 13.7"h x 21"d; Oasis: 13.5"w x 20"h x 18.5"d) - - Similar Capacity: appx 1400 cu in. (Oasis has appx 28% more capacity than Mail Boss at hand-fishing limit. See below.) - - Protects from wind-blown rain using inset door-tops (Oasis will more easily take in water if its rubber seals degrade.) - - Slightly less expensive PROs: - - Serious anti-pry design - - Includes 3 keys and reflective address numbers - - Clean look. Not too tall; Looks OK mounted next to smaller mailboxes - - Easy mounting system. Lag screws & drill bit provided CONs: - - Rust will eventually get to it (like any steel mailbox)...(Avoid white model.) - - It's possible to fish for mail. - - 10"x13" envelopes hang in the mail slot due to textured mailbox floor (like most other mailboxes) (add smooth cardboard to rear of floor) - - Workmanship is flawed, but acceptable (like most other mailboxes) . - - - Specs - - - - - Inbound Slot: 1-7/8"h x 10.2"w - - Max Package: 1-7/8"h x 10.2"w x 14.5" - - Mail Capacity: 11"w x 18-1/4"d x appx 3-1/2"h* *(3-1/2" to 7" high mail pile is reach-able through slot) Warranty: "Limited Lifetime Warranty...original owner...requires proof of purchase...does not cover lock replacement...finishes...or rust." . - - - Security Comparison - - - Pry Open . . . . Fish for Mail . . . Model ------------ . . ----------- . . . -------------------- Bare Hands . . . Bare Hands . . . Solar Group RSKB0000 Screw Driver . . Bare Hands . . . Oasis Jr. 12" prybar? . . . With Tool(1) . . Oasis 24" crowbar? . . With Tool(2) . . Mail Boss 24" crowbar? . . . . No . . . . . . 4-C Aluminum Cluster Box Units . . . No . . . . . . . . No . . . . . . . Armadillo (1) or with hands if mail is piled higher than appx 4.25" (2) or with hands if mail is piled higher than appx 3.5" ~~~ Comments & questions welcome ~~~