Biometric Gun Safes?

[Ben]

Do any of you use one of those biometric handgun safes like the NRA sells and that I see Gunvault now sells? I have a regular Gunvault, but am looking at getting a second one. I'm curious if anyone has, and likes, a biometric safe.

[K Frame]

I think NRA selling those safes was a HUGE mistake.

NRA for years maintained, and still maintains, that that technology isn't good enough to be used to identify firearms to owners, yet they're using it for gun safes.

Yow.

[Manedwolf]

Mythbusters totally defeated fingerprint locks using a number of simple methods.

A guy in Japan defeated them using melted gummi bears as the positive impression.

Absolutely not ready for the market.

[Euclidean]

I trust these devices no more than I do the scanner at a grocery store checkout cash register.  It's probably just about as reliable if not less so.

[HankB]

I've been working in high-technology areas long enough that I would prefer not to trust anything that requires *cheap* electronics . . . or batteries.

[charby]

Wife and I were looking at gun safes the other day, she liked one with a only a keypad on it, I asked her what happens when the batteries die. She said we better be looking at the ones with combo dial.

-C

[Ben]

Wow! 100% again' it so far!

I have dials on my big safes, but was just curious on the alternatives for the "quick open next to wherever I am" kind. Guess I'll stick to the regular ones, they're cheaper anyway.

[Firethorn]

Wife and I were looking at gun safes the other day, she liked one with a only a keypad on it, I asked her what happens when the batteries die. She said we better be looking at the ones with combo dial.

-C

The ones I've seen have a battery that can be replaced from outside the vault.  The secure electronics are stored inside, and are buffered so you can't just hook a device up to feed it the wrong voltage or automatically input codes.

[charby]

Wife and I were looking at gun safes the other day, she liked one with a only a keypad on it, I asked her what happens when the batteries die. She said we better be looking at the ones with combo dial.

-C

The ones I've seen have a battery that can be replaced from outside the vault.  The secure electronics are stored inside, and are buffered so you can't just hook a device up to feed it the wrong voltage or automatically input codes.

Interesting, I'll have to check that out.

I have seen a few combo safes that also have a key lock built in, but you have to have the tumblers set right to use the key, seems like a PITA to me.

-C

[K Frame]

Everyone I've seen with an electrically driven mechanism has a key override.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

got 2  one i don't use has had same battery 3 years still works other ione get changed same time i do smoke detectors  both have key backup  comes with 2 keys

[Euclidean]

I do use a quick access mini vault from ADG sports with an electronic combination lock, but mine has doubly redundant override mechanisms.  That mechanism is far more reliable than the scanners so long as one changes the batteries religiously, something which I can control (I can't make a scanner work better).

[AntiqueCollector]

Thief might just cut off your finger to open it. That's what was done with this car:

http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/31/the-downside-to-using-a-biometric-car-lock/

[charby]

Everyone I've seen with an electrically driven mechanism has a key override.

I looked at one the other day that way just like that, it was nice, what I needed and I may purchase it.

-C

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

i like the ones that are 14 1/2 inches wide they fit in a stud bay and conceal great  with kids you can keep stuff handy but safe

[Manedwolf]

i like the ones that are 14 1/2 inches wide they fit in a stud bay and conceal great  with kids you can keep stuff handy but safe

If you mean the V-line one, the "closet vault" that mounts into the wall between studs...the lock is extremely weak and can be popped with a screwdriver. In fact, it's so weak that it doesn't even qualify for the CA laws about secure gun storage, something even the $79 u-assemble cabinets passed. The V-line failed.

The State of California requires the following disclaimer for sales within the state.
V-Lines Closet Vault model is legal to use and purchase inside Calif. However it is not classified as a safe as defined by CA DOJ and is not a registered Firearm Safety Device, therefore it cannot be used for the purchase of a new firearm in the state of California

WARNING: This gun safe does not meet the safety standards for gun safes specified in California Penal Code Section 12088.2.  It does not satisfy the requirements of Penal Code Section 12088.1, which mandates that all firearms sold in California be accompanied by a firearms safety device or proof of ownership, as required by law, of a gun safe that meets the Section 12088.2 minimum safety standards developed by the California Attorney General.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

http://www.builderdepot.com/browse.ihtml?pid=223076&step=5&prodstoreid=1453

i've used this one as well as a couple others  you need to hide em but for keeping kids from shooting each other they work good