Biometric Safe Reliability

[jk96]

My kids are getting old enough now that its time to secure my handgun. I don't keep the gun loaded but do like to keep a loaded clip with it. I'm looking for a secure safe that is easily & quickly accessable for home security.

I'm looking at the Securelogic wall safes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnwl0jofcYs&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edeansafe%2Ecom%2Fetl%2D20710%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded

I like the design, ability to wall mount, gravity open, and was intrigued by the option of a biometric unlocking feature. Looks like they offer the safe in traditional key pad entry or biometric entry.

Anyone have any experience with the biometric safes? My main concerns would be

1. Having to fumble with a key should the safe give a false reject.
2. Giving false access to one of my kids should it malfunction or mis-read somehow.

Thoughts/Opinions? Any other safe mfg. I should be looking at?

JK

 

[schmism]

any safe who's lock is dependent on a battery is asking for trouble if you ask me.

IMHO obscurity is the best version of security for a quick access gun.

perhaps a well camouflaged "safe" whos door opens via magnetic latch. and an everyday item that holds said magnet works great.

(hold the bottom of the precious moments figurine up to the wall in the right spot and the door pops open) YouTube - d01 magnetic lock (ignore the sound, the vid speaks for itself)

 

[gsganzer]

I've had good luck with V-line safes. They're not to be confused with a true firesafe. However, they allow you to keep a gun out of the reach of a child and still have quick access.

I have one of the closet vaults where I keep a handgun, rifle and shotgun. The rest of my guns stay in a full size fire safe.

 

[Tororider]

I have a 5 year old, a 2.5 year old, and a 3 month old so I have the same issues as you. I got an electronic keypad with key back up safe from Wally World. I think it is a honeywell and it was like $88. I also leave a loaded mag but leave it out of the gun and take the slide off before putting the gun away. I have looked at the fingerprint safes at Costco but as of yet haven't pulled the trigger. I like the idea of a wall mount that is concealable. Let me know what you decide to go with.

 

[Willl]

any safe who's lock is dependent on a battery is asking for trouble if you ask me.

I'm curious as to why you say that ?

All the 'electric boxes' (finger print) I've looked into have backup locks/keys.

But I'll definitely agree that "obscurity is the best version of security for a quick access gun". Got 2 'stashed' myself.

But then again, I have no wee ones here.

 

[dmccarty]

I am a bit paranoid abut the biometric safes. Instead I got a safe the has four digit code I can set. Its easy, fast and can be done in the dark.

Having said I am paranoid about biometric, Disney uses a finger print scanners to keep people from cheating on park passes. Its works fairly well but not well enough for me if I really need to access the safe in the middle of the night.

Later,
Dan

 

[Willl]

I am a bit paranoid abut the biometric safes.

Its works fairly well but not well enough for me

What problems have you had with them ?

 

[DocHeb]

I am a bit paranoid abut the biometric safes. Instead I got a safe the has four digit code I can set. Its easy, fast and can be done in the dark.

Having said I am paranoid about biometric, Disney uses a finger print scanners to keep people from cheating on park passes. Its works fairly well but not well enough for me if I really need to access the safe in the middle of the night.

Later,
Dan

Our hospital uses a single fingerprint biometric to control access to all our medications, including narcotics.

 

[jk96]

I decided to go ahead and give the securelogic biometric safe a shot. I was able to find it for only a few dollars more than the advertised price for the keypad version. It will hold up to 6 prints so I figure I can program a couple of prints in case one wouldn't read in an emergency and a backup key can always be used. The fact that I don't have to remember a code ( I have way too many different ones to remember now) is a plus along with the fact that there are no codes for my kids to try and guess at either. I'll follow up with a review after I get it.

jk

 

[Tororider]

Look forward to a review. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you find it for and what size? Thank

 

[jk96]

Toro,

I found it for $330. I ordered the smaller wall safe for a handgun. Inside diminsions are Height - 8.5" Width: 13.25" Depth: 4"

I figure this will be all I'll need for my handgun & ammo.

I'll post a followup once I get it.

 

[dmccarty]

What problems have you had with them ?

The only ones I have used have been at the gates at Disney world!

They work. Sometimes you put your finger on the reader and you get the green light. Sometimes it takes a few tries.

If you need to access the safe in a hurry having to take a few tries could be bad. I don't know how good the readers are on the safes vs the ones at WDW. But I think Disney has more money to spend on such things than I do so my guess is that the readers on the safe might be more problematic. Which is why I just bought a safe with a keypad.

I do need to change the batteries in mine. I have had the safe for a few years and the batteries are fine even though they are the only ones I have put in the safe.... I guess I gots my money out of them.

Later,
Dan

 

[Dargo]

I bought one of these GunVault Microvault Biometric MVB500 Gun Safe | Gunvault Gun Safes | Gun Safes It works well and that's about the best price I've seen for that particular safe as well. It was just under $177 delivered.

 

[Willl]

I bought one of these GunVault Microvault Biometric MVB500 Gun Safe | Gunvault Gun Safes | Gun Safes It works well and that's about the best price I've seen for that particular safe as well. It was just under $177 delivered.

Sweet, and only 2 1/4 thick I could slip it into a wall cavity no problem.

 

[Willl]

Dargo, any chance you could snap a pic with it open and with maybe something we would both be 'size' familiar with in it like a bic lighter or something ?

 

[Tororider]

This one looks pretty nice.

Sam's Club - Secure Vault Fingerprint Entry Handgun Safe

 

[jk96]

Safe arrived today. After reading through the instructions it can be opened by both fingerprint and also by using the keypad. So it has both a keypad backup and key backup in case of a power failure. I'll get it installed over the weekend and will provide a review.

jk

 

[Dargo]

Dargo, any chance you could snap a pic with it open and with maybe something we would both be 'size' familiar with in it like a bic lighter or something ?

Sorry, missed your post. Currently gone on business trip. Safe easily holds one full sized 1911 style pistol with a couple spare mags, but that's about it. May hold 2 smaller sized pistols.

 

[jk96]

Got the safe installed. Here's my initial impressions.



The good.

1. Easy to install
2. Secure and made well - very solid unit.
3. Easy instructions.
4. Works well - I've had two scan rejects in 50 attempts. Both times I was able to gain access with a second attempt.
5. Keypad also allows for a coded entry.
6. Backup key for entry if needed. Key hole is well placed so that your kids would never know you could open it with a key.
7. Plenty of room for my gun & ammo.
8. Fast entry. Door is open in 2 seconds.
9. Option to direct wire the charging unit so that no charger is ever needed.

The bad

1. Price - fingerprint option is an expensive addition if paying regular retail.
2. Keys beep when pressed and safe beeps when open with no option to silence them.
3. Door is a little louder than expected when it drops.

Overall,

The fingerprint option is nice, easy to use, and the keypad provides a second method of entry that is a nice backup in an emergency. The safe is secure, easy to use, and I like the wall install. I'd buy the safe again but would probably just get the keyed version depending on the price difference. Well made unit overall that meets my needs. I also would not want a safe that only had a fingerprint entry - I would want a keypad options as well that this safe has.

jk