GunVault Speedvault Biometric Biometric Pistol Safe SVB500

I decided to try the biometric version instead of the keypad version. After reading mixed reviews here, I wasn't sure if I'd be returning it for the keypad version or not, but I wanted to give the potentially faster and less error-prone technology a try first. The unit has functioned exactly as I expected it to and I have no serious complaints so far. I followed the advice of a few reviewers here and encoded several versions of each fingerprint into the device.The Good1) It's fast. I recorded my first three fingers about 7 times each, while having my finger in slightly different positions and dragging my finger across the sensor at slightly different speeds. I can now get it to read my finger on the first scan every time without fail2) It's sturdy - Okay... someone with a lot of time who wasn't worried about making lots of noise could probably get into this thing... but the casual curious kid is never going to get it open and it's solid enough I feel comfortable it will last a long time.3) Mounting options - I really like that it's made to mount from each side and back. It's slim and there's not a lot of places you CAN'T put this thing. Mine is in between my bedside table and the bed, and it's really hard to see it unless you're looking for it.4) Setup was simple - Okay, the directions weren't nearly perfect, but they gave enough idea of a process that I didn't need to guess. I setup both administrator prints on the first try and had all 50 scans of my various finger positions done in about 15-20 minutes. I'm an engineer, though, and used to figuring things out via directions written in bad English imported from China. The main issue I saw was that the directions said it should only take two scans to encode the fingerprint and for me it took 4 scans every time. Otherwise, the printed directions were fairly accurate.The Bad1) There's no switch for the internal light or the beep it makes - Seriously. Putting a switch in (I understand the keypad model has one) wouldn't have added any real expense to this thing and would have added a lot of flexibility. The light I can live with, but the beep has got to go. I'm personally not afraid to take this thing apart and add my own switch in manually (although I may just get rid of the speaker entirely, with the indicator lights on the top, there's really no need for it) and that's what I'm going to do. But if you're nervous about minor electrical do-it-yourself projects, that may be a deal-breaker for you. I also plan on getting rid of the 9 volt battery and wiring an AC adapter into the unit with a wire out the back to the AC outlet next to where the SpeedVault is mounted. It would have been NICE to have an AC option built-in.2) It's a little thin - On my initial attempts to open and draw from the SpeedVault, I found my hands getting scraped up by the sides of the metal drop-out box. My CZ75 fits in there quite nicely (and it's a larger model), but my hand is large enough that the fist I make to grasp the gun and draw is just close enough to the width of the box that I can get scraped. I do have pretty large hands, though, so this might not be a general issue for most of you. I also seem to have a knack for drawing just a little high and catching the top of the gun on the top lip, which not only slows my speed down but also makes a pretty good metal clang sound. Not ideal for night-time defense. Putting a top-plate in the design made of an ABS plastic might have been a good idea. I'm going to try my Walther PPS in there and see if that makes a difference. It could also just need a little practice on my part to get the muscle memory for the draw right.On the whole, I'd recommend getting one of these. At the moment, it's exactly what I wanted and I think with a little practice, I'll get proficient with opening and drawing from it without making too much commotion. I'll update my review later if something changes.

The media could not be loaded.  The struggle between safe storage and easy access is over. When contemplating this purchase I was torn between getting the keypad or the biometric (finger print reader) version. My intention was to mount the Speed Vault to my bed so that my wife or I could have quick easy access to a firearm if needed. I love my wife, but I could totally see her forgetting the password, or writing it down on something to help remember it (which throws security right out the window). But a finger print, you can’t forget a finger print. But, I’ve used plenty of fingerprint readers that just don’t work well, and that’s the last thing you want in a panic situation. Cautiously, I ordered the SVB-500 hoping it would work well and give us easier access to one of my pistols (which were previously in my gun safe).I was hoping that the 120 finger print memory would make the reader work well by remembering many different versions / angles of the same finger print. What I experienced was mixed. If found that if I programmed each finger I wanted to store just 3 times at 3 different angles, the reader worked great…! With only 18 memory spots used, the reader was working for me with near 100% reliability. Then I went to programming my wife’s fingers. The unit really doesn’t seem to be able to read her fingers, maybe because of their smaller size. It did work well on her thumbs and after some patient programming attempts we did get it to read her pointer finger, though the performance on that finger is not great it is great on her thumbs. Not perfect, but the way I mounted the vault makes the thumb the most convenient finger anyway so I’m sticking with 5 stars for this review simply because I can’t give it 4.9 stars.From press, to scan to open takes 2-3 seconds. It’s not instant, but it’s pretty darn fast. I’ve read complaints about the sound of the mechanism when it opens. No, the unit is not silent, it does make some noise when opening (see the video). It’s not terribly loud and if you catch the door with your hand as it opens you can eliminate 50% of the sound. (I also keep a set of keys in the vault, you'll hear them jingle in the video)I’ve been using the speed vault for almost a month now and I love it. It’s so great to know that I’ve got the best of both worlds. I’ve got fast easy access to one of my pistols if needed, and no visitors can get their hands on it (something I take seriously). I have a feeling I’ll be buying a couple more of these to place strategically around my home. What point is there in owning a weapons for protection if they’re locked in a gun safe and not easily available if needed..?UPDATE (8/15/2017): I've been using this product for almost 2 years now and thought it would be a good idea to provide an update. When I read reviews 2 years ago several mentioned poor battery life. If I hadn't used one myself I wouldn't believe what I'm about to tell you. I haven't changed the battery in mine yet...! It's been in there for 23 months and it still works great. (I put a Lithium Ion Energizer in there, which is a very good battery.) I usually open the box a couple of times per week, sometimes more, sometimes less.The fingerprint reader continues to work well. I have had to "tune up" a couple of prints over the years and have found that it doesn't read well right after exiting the shower (just program water logged prints and you're good). I still highly recommend this product. I'm very happy with mine.

Excellent product for our organization.

Safe is good as advertised. Only problem is they do not tell you in the instructions where the learn/mute button is. It is under the lip of the safe, inside next to the light.If a screw had not fallen out of the battery housing, I never would have found it.

Good product. Biometic reader can be finnicky if you don't place and move your finger exactly right. As a result, I would probably get the punch code option (which is also cheaper than the biometic version) if I could buy it over again.

It's the perfect little safe to keep your 1911 handy and easy to access. I just wish the finger scanner worked a little faster.

IT IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY, CAN EASILY BE BROKEN INTO IF YOU HAVE A LITTLE SKILLS