Featured & Reviewed
Connected States: VS-38BLA in a Custom Tech Van
Connected States featured the Viking VS-38BLA in a custom van build, highlighting its biometric security for protecting tech gear on the road. In the article “Pimp My Van: All the Tech I’ve Added to the Beast,” writer Brent Rose documents his transformation of a converted van into a high-tech, off-grid home and office. Among solar panels, lithium batteries, GPS security systems, and upgraded audio components, he installed the Viking VS-38BLA laptop biometric security safe to protect his equipment while traveling full-time.
Security in a Mobile Environment
Living and working from a van presents a different set of challenges compared to a fixed home. Electronics such as laptops, microphones, recording gear, and storage drives must remain secure while the vehicle itself is constantly moving.
In the video walkthrough, Brent explains that even with a top-tier vehicle alarm system installed, he wanted an additional layer of protection specifically for his gadgets. As part of that layered approach, he dismantled a cabinet and mounted the VS-38BLA inside the van’s interior.
He notes that the safe was installed in a way that would make removal difficult — especially while the vehicle’s alarm system was active.
The VS-38BLA in Action
The VS-38BLA is designed to store laptops and electronic equipment in compact environments. In the video, Brent describes how it is large enough to hold:
A laptop
Microphones
Recorders
External hard drives
Other portable tech equipment
For a mobile content creator, these items represent both work tools and valuable assets.
The safe features biometric fingerprint access, which Brent describes as part of the “teched-out” theme of the van build. Biometric entry offers quick access without needing to manage physical keys inside a compact living space.
Layered Security Approach
The article and video highlight a layered security strategy:
Solar-powered electrical independence
GPS-enabled vehicle alarm system
Biometric interior safe for electronics
This layered setup demonstrates how interior asset protection complements vehicle-level security.
While alarms and tracking systems protect the vehicle itself, an internal safe protects the valuables inside it — particularly important for mobile professionals.
A Real-World Use Case
Unlike traditional product reviews, the Connected States feature places the VS-38BLA within a real lifestyle scenario: full-time van living.
This context shows how compact safes are used outside conventional residential settings, including:
Mobile offices
RV conversions
Traveling professionals
Digital nomads
The installation inside a cabinet also demonstrates how safes can be integrated into custom builds where space optimization is critical.
Independent Editorial Context
Connected States and WIRED independently select products for editorial coverage. The inclusion of the VS-38BLA in this project reflects its suitability for protecting portable electronics in confined environments.
While the article focuses broadly on the van’s technological upgrades, the presence of the VS-38BLA underscores the importance of interior security as part of a comprehensive mobile setup.
Links
Read the full Connected States article: https://www.connectedstates.com/journal/2015/9/21/pimp-my-van-all-the-tech-ive-added-to-the-beast
Watch the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sec69osmQpw
See the Viking VS-38BLA on our site: VS-38BLA Extra Wide Biometric Laptop Safe
