Top positive review
Fingerprint reader works well and was easy to program
By Gee Dubya on Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2015
When I first got mine, the latch caught somewhere on the inside when using the fingerprint reader. After a few days, though, it resolved itself. Weird, but I'll take it. Fingerprint reader works well and was easy to program. Fits in a backpack for taking traveling. Note that this is for keeping little hands or casual observers away. A good drill and some determination will be able to get through this. Oh yeah- the thing always beeps when you open it with the fingerprint reader. That's something to consider in case you wanted it to be silent. And it runs on batteries.
Top critical review
3 people found this helpful
Complete and utter GARBAGE
By Billy on Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2015
GARBAGE. ABSOLUTE GARBAGE. OK, so, I expected this to be a cheap lockbox (despite the price!!), but dang! I can't believe what a waste of money this thing is! For starters, I bought to use for my firearm while flying. TSA tried to make me hand over the key to my gun safe so that they could access my gun without being in my presence, which would be illegal for me to do under their own federal guidelines. When I pointed this out, they threatened to put me on a no fly list. So, my plan was to use this box and claim that I don't have the key, that I just use my fingerprint. That's why i didn't go with another brand that has a key combination too. So, I was immediately surprised by how cheap the construction actually is. I'm fairly certain that I could bend the safe with my bare hands; at least enough to get a wallet or something like that out. This MAY keep toddlers out, but then again, they'll probably just get their fingers stuck in the gap between the top and bottom half if they tried to pull it open. The fingerprint scanner is terribly unreliable. Sometimes it would deny a valid print a half dozen times! And that is after entering that finger in 3 times to account for any variation of angles and such! The design, overall, is just BAD. If you want to open the box with the key, you have to turn the key, lift the lid a tiny bit, then, turn the key the other way and remove it before you can open the lid the rest of the way. That's annoying, but the REAL design flaw is the fact that the programming button is EASILY accessed with the box closed, allowing somebody to add their fingerprints and open the lockbox anytime they want, using only a paperclip or hair pin! (And yes, I DID do it! It took under 2 minutes!) I can't believe they charge $120 for this piece of junk! It's not even worth $20 UNLESS you cannot possibly use any alternative! If you want it for valuables, you're better off hiding them in an empty Doritos bag. If you want it for a firearm, just get a cable style lock from your local PD for free! You won't have quick access to your gun, but at least you know it, as opposed to here, where you don't find out that you can't get to your gun in time until it's too late. I ended up with the SmartVault HDX-150 from Liberty Safes. The design was purchased from another company and a few things were improved upon. It's a new product for Liberty and it's not available on Amazon yet, but when it is, I'll post a review. Basically, it solves all the problems the Barska is plagued with, and shines in every category. The only downside to the Liberty SmartVault is it's weight (at least for me)... the Barska box is 3.3lbs and the Liberty box is 9.5lbs! The Barska is < 18gauge, and the Liberty is > 14gauge! The Liberty box blocks access to the programming button and even has a cover for the key hole, which is great for my intended use.
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Complete and utter GARBAGE
By Billy - Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2015
Verified Amazon Purchase
GARBAGE. ABSOLUTE GARBAGE. OK, so, I expected this to be a cheap lockbox (despite the price!!), but dang! I can't believe what a waste of money this thing is! For starters, I bought to use for my firearm while flying. TSA tried to make me hand over the key to my gun safe so that they could access my gun without being in my presence, which would be illegal for me to do under their own federal guidelines. When I pointed this out, they threatened to put me on a no fly list. So, my plan was to use this box and claim that I don't have the key, that I just use my fingerprint. That's why i didn't go with another brand that has a key combination too. So, I was immediately surprised by how cheap the construction actually is. I'm fairly certain that I could bend the safe with my bare hands; at least enough to get a wallet or something like that out. This MAY keep toddlers out, but then again, they'll probably just get their fingers stuck in the gap between the top and bottom half if they tried to pull it open. The fingerprint scanner is terribly unreliable. Sometimes it would deny a valid print a half dozen times! And that is after entering that finger in 3 times to account for any variation of angles and such! The design, overall, is just BAD. If you want to open the box with the key, you have to turn the key, lift the lid a tiny bit, then, turn the key the other way and remove it before you can open the lid the rest of the way. That's annoying, but the REAL design flaw is the fact that the programming button is EASILY accessed with the box closed, allowing somebody to add their fingerprints and open the lockbox anytime they want, using only a paperclip or hair pin! (And yes, I DID do it! It took under 2 minutes!) I can't believe they charge $120 for this piece of junk! It's not even worth $20 UNLESS you cannot possibly use any alternative! If you want it for valuables, you're better off hiding them in an empty Doritos bag. If you want it for a firearm, just get a cable style lock from your local PD for free! You won't have quick access to your gun, but at least you know it, as opposed to here, where you don't find out that you can't get to your gun in time until it's too late. I ended up with the SmartVault HDX-150 from Liberty Safes. The design was purchased from another company and a few things were improved upon. It's a new product for Liberty and it's not available on Amazon yet, but when it is, I'll post a review. Basically, it solves all the problems the Barska is plagued with, and shines in every category. The only downside to the Liberty SmartVault is it's weight (at least for me)... the Barska box is 3.3lbs and the Liberty box is 9.5lbs! The Barska is < 18gauge, and the Liberty is > 14gauge! The Liberty box blocks access to the programming button and even has a cover for the key hole, which is great for my intended use.
Returned
By James Gillin - Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2013
Safe would not lock, defeating the purpose of a safe. No replacement was offered. This is the second safe with this issue.
Fingerprint reader works well and was easy to program
By Gee Dubya - Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2015
Verified Amazon Purchase
When I first got mine, the latch caught somewhere on the inside when using the fingerprint reader. After a few days, though, it resolved itself. Weird, but I'll take it. Fingerprint reader works well and was easy to program. Fits in a backpack for taking traveling. Note that this is for keeping little hands or casual observers away. A good drill and some determination will be able to get through this. Oh yeah- the thing always beeps when you open it with the fingerprint reader. That's something to consider in case you wanted it to be silent. And it runs on batteries.
price increase
By David - Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2015
Verified Amazon Purchase
Great product but I bought in August 2015 for $127 from Amazon direct..
This is not a "Safe." It's a "deterrent."
By Michael - Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2014
Verified Amazon Purchase
We bought this to keep handguns in our cars. First and foremost, this is not a safe. If an adult wanted in this, it wouldn't be too difficult with a screwdriver and a hammer. We got this to keep our young children from our handguns. This can be programmed for multiple adults (based on the number of saved fingerprint scans). Overall, it's a fantastic product. It fits in all of our glove-boxes (Honda Odyssey, Chevy Tahoe, and a Lincoln). It can be opened with the touch of your index finger and it has an elastic strap inside to keep objects from shifting around. If you understand what you are getting and don't have expectations of Fort Knox level security, you won't be disappointed.
Did they send me a USED item?
By Michael Cervantes - Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2015
Verified Amazon Purchase
Waste of money. A lot of it. I bought this item BRAND NEW knowing it provided NO serious security but I didn't realize just how poorly designed this item is. First off, the hinges are super loose and the lid can too easily slide side to side and lift up, creating a gap in the case, even when locked. Second, the inside reset button is easily accessible from the outside with a paperclip. Third, the locking mechanism within the machine, holding the lid in place, seems to be made out of plastic and looks quite fragile. Odd feature for a security box. Fourth, the lid does not sit flush with the lock and fingerprint scanner and due to the loose hinges, sits lopsided when closed. Finally, the foam protection on the inside is unevenly cut and glued crooked inside the case covered by an all TOO TIGHT strap. When I received the item today, a chunk of the internal styrofoam was missing and the rest looked like it was about of rip apart in a number of places. The metal of the lock (for the key) is scratched, chipped, and dented. In addition, I had heard some rattling inside the machine and looked around a bit to see what it was. I finally realized that one of the internal buttons had been broken off and was rolling around inside. The whole reason I bought the case was for protection of specific items and I paid close attention to the dimensions of this box and others like it. The inside of the case is advertised to be 8 inches long but is barely 7 1/2 inches long. The items I was going to store in the case do not fit. So to sum it all up in short: Poor design, Terrible packaging, and False advertising. Way to go Barska, you were supposed to be awesome.
Poor/Cheap Activation Button Assembly
By Papa Glenn - Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2015
Verified Amazon Purchase
I own the Top Opening Biometric Drawer Safe by Barska and it works great, very solid construction and awesome biometric opening mechanism. I wanted something smaller to access even more quickly in the event of a hostile break-in. On the initial setup and use of this compact safe, the activation button below the fingerprint reader came loose and got wedged beneath the housing surface rendering the fingerprint opener inoperable. Thankfully I discovered this in a non-emergency situation. The unit is made in China (which most things are nowadays) but quality control on a primary function to open the safe should be higher. I would not trust my family's or my life to this safe!
Oh for Two
By Elise Wilson - Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2013
Verified Amazon Purchase
Ordered this thinking it might be a good way to secure a firearm in a vehicle while still providing quick access. First one arrived and the keylock would not unlock the cover. Rendered it un usable since you have to open it to install the batteries and program finger prints. Returned (excellent Amazon return service) and received a 2nd about a week later. While this one would open, the "activate" button that you have to depress to enable fingerprint reading failed by falling into the unit. Again, useless. I would NOT trust this device to provide quick access in an emergency situation and am returning the 2nd for a refund.
No la recomiendo
By Ng09 - Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2024
Verified Amazon Purchase
no son muy seguras, se abren solas en la mayorias de las veces, y se mueven la tapa para un lado se abren
Great for keeping protection nearby at night and not having ...
By DFarkas - Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2015
Verified Amazon Purchase
This lock box does what it's supposed to. Great for keeping protection nearby at night and not having to worry about forgetting to lock it up during the daytime, especially with small kids around. Just be sure to wipe the finger glass off after you use it as I have found if you don't it may not open when you want it to - I guess because of smudges. The instructions tell you to do that to. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it's a little flimsier than I thought it would be and looks like it could be broken into with a little effort. But for having a home safeguard from the kiddies it works fine.
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