NickZac
Ultimate Member
Better than normal biometric?
Based on the biometrics I have used, I personally wouldn't use a biometric fast-access vault if it were free. There may be good biometric systems, but reviews on Amazon shows that these locking mechanisms seem to have far more issues than others.
There is no single perfect lock for a handgun lockbox.
You have to choose your poison. Biometrics and other electronic locks mail fail or run out of batteries rendering them unusable. Some also generate light or audible sounds that could give away your surprise or position to an intruder.
Simplex locks are relatively easily "cracked" by a determined attacker with enough time, but their failure rate is very low. They also do not generate light or noise so as to not give away your position to an intruder.
Pick your poison.
I think the Simplex is probably the best. Realistically, the Fort Knox is still only something like 10 gauge. It's hella more armored than most, but it's not designed to withstand a concentrated or sustained attack using tools. The fast-access vaults are generally trade-offs...it's smaller, lighter, not heavily armored, not fireproof, and generally limited in features. Someone who is a determined attacker will likely have multiple means of defeating such sort of safe. But because they are so small, they are easy to hide and if the attacker does not know it's there, then you're golden!
Simplex's reliability over electronic and biometric is, to me, the most important reason it's better. The worst thing that can happen is needing a gun and having an electronic/biometric lock fail when getting to that gun fast means you live and not getting to the gun fast means you die. I've seen many electronic locks fail. Further, most other fast-access vaults can have their locking mechanisms defeated far easier than a Simplex. With the most common models, a peperclip is enough to gain access in seconds. So while I agree nothing is perfect, I look at the Simplex as being really, really close...