Biometric "fingerprint" safe

[Seattleimport]

Looking to get a quick-access gun safe for my handguns, and I ran across this: http://www.deansafe.com/gubio10bifha.html . Has anyone here tried out this tech? Any recommendations for this, or competing products?

I'm looking at Bio rather than keypad because my girlfriend is terrible with numbers, especially when flustered. Being able to access the gun via "put your hand on the safe" seems like an ideal solution.

(by the way, I searched the forums and found some old threads, but would appreciate fresh opinions on current products)

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Whew. a bit steep. I would want it if children are about. It's cheaper to get this kind of safe or any safe than it is to take someone to the ER.

I already keep my handgun in a safe from time to time. But at night when asleep that thing is somewhere where I can get to it. Either that or one of the shotguns.

 

[nalioth]

Fingerprint recognition is great - when it works.

It is easy to fool, as well.

Why not get the hand shaped lock that you 'press twice with the index finger, once with the thumb, once with the middle finger than the the ring finger' (or whatever combo you choose) ?

No numbers involved and less finicky than a 'fingerprint reader' model.

 

[Geneseo1911]

I read a Maximum PC article where they fooled the fingerprint scanner on a computer with a piece of scotch tape. I certainly wouldn't trust my guns to one.

I opted against the GunVault as I thought it looked like it could be popped with a screwdriver. I would advise you to look at one in person before investing.

I went with a V-line http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0027552223551a&navCount=1&podId=0027552&parentId=cat20799&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat602007-cat20799&catalogCode=XJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20799&hasJS=true No batteries to worry about and made of much heavier steel. I can open it in the dark when groggy.

 

[autospike]

Electronics suck. I have two dead gunvaults and one dead stack on.

The VLINE with a simpex style lock is the way to go as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Rockwell1]

The more complex the mechanism the more prone to failure. If there are no children in the home, no safe just lay the pistol on the night stand ( this doesn't apply to storage at other times).

If children are in the home pistol safe C/key door open at night just reach in a get the little feller out.

lock it up in the morning

 

[MisterMike]

I have a BioBox pistol box and it's been completely reliable. Having said that, I keep the backup key nearby.

I recognize that nothing manmade is 100% reliable, and that the more complex a product becomes, the greater the chance of failure. But, the BioBox is very simple to operate, seems to be pretty robust, and offers the option of using the key as a backup. Given all this, I feel comfortable in relying on it.

 

[Seattleimport]

Thanks for the advice. The vline looks like a winner.

 

[mountainpharm]

biometrics

We use biometrics for our medication cabinets at the hospital where I work. There is a percentage of people (I am one of them) that just cannot use the biometric system -- there is something about certain fingerprint patterns that are very difficult for these scanners to read.

I think the Vline or a non-biometric GunVault would be a good choice. I use the DAC SportSafe and have been very pleased.

 

[Stirling XD]

What if you have a cut finger?

Just thought of this and I haven't seen it addressed. What if you cut your finger and have it wrapped up? I'm sure in a pinch you can rip the bandage off and scan it. But then you may still have gash in the middle of your finger print. I guess this is what the backup key is for. And if the vault can register multiple prints you can use several of your own fingers.

But for those of you that have the boi-safes, have you addressed this potential complication? Just a thought.

 

[rbernie]

I don't want my wife locked out of the bedside safe, so I use the pushbutton locking units instead of a fingerprint unit.

 

[MisterMike]

What if you have a cut finger?

As I mentioned above, I use a BioBox. I understand that a simple cut wouldn't prevent the scanner from recognizing your fingerprint, but I've recorded my other index finger as a backup, in case my right finger is bandaged or missing.

I don't want my wife locked out of the bedside safe, so I use the pushbutton locking units instead of a fingerprint unit.

Since you can record multiple users, my wife's fingerprints are also able to open the BioBox.

I'm not advocating this as the only--or even the best--option, but the ability of the BioBox to record multiple fingerprints for multiple users addresses the concerns noted above.

 

[Jason_G]

biometrics
We use biometrics for our medication cabinets at the hospital where I work. There is a percentage of people (I am one of them) that just cannot use the biometric system -- there is something about certain fingerprint patterns that are very difficult for these scanners to read.

Same deal for me at work. Biometric time-clock. Took months to get the thing to read my prints properly. No thank you.

Jason