Stack-On PS-514 Personal Safe with Electronic Lock

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Price: $59.48 $55.97   

Product Feature

• Includes removable shelf for added storage
• 2 live action steel locking bolts and concealed hinges for greater security
• Foam padded bottom and shelf
• Easily programmed electronic lock
• Time out period after 3 incorrect combination attempts

Stack-On PS-514 Personal Safe with Electronic Lock Review

Length:: 9:51 Mins

The video is long at almost 10 minutes, so here is a short break down:
0:00-2:10 : Introduction, keypad operation, and some quick fixes to issues that I had upon delivery
2:10-End : Tear down and display of door locking hardware, discussion of security concerns

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I bought this safe to store a loaded handgun for relatively quick retrieval, and I'm going to depart from a number of the reviews here in that I'm not convinced of how secure this safe is. It is unquestionably more secure than keeping the gun in an unlocked desk drawer or the like. It's also significantly larger than a handgun and therefore more difficult to hide, so it could attract attention. The information that I provide below and in the video is to educate you if you didn't know it already (like I didn't when I bought this), just so that you can make an informed purchase. This safe might be perfect for you, or it might be completely inadequate.

If your goal is to keep young children out, then I'd recommend this safe and call it a good value assuming that you're smart about hiding the keys from your kids. Young kids shouldn't be able to get into this safe.

If your goal is to keep teenagers or thieves out, then my recommendation begins to drop assuming that your teenagers are anything like I was when I was that age - inquisitive, interested in solving puzzles, and with some spare time. Below are some things to be aware of just so that you know about them (I didn't know any of this until I spent about 30 minutes on the web and YouTube, so it's out there for your kids and crooks to find quickly and easily).

Potential Security Concerns:
- Security Code Reset: There are methods to reach the reset button to the dialpad from outside the safe, giving someone entry into the safe without knowing the code. In the video at about the 8:30 mark, I show how to use a twist-tie to defeat this attack.
- Lock Picking: This safe can be opened with a single key that overrides the keypad, meaning that there is a single lock to pick. You (and anyone) can research online how to pick this kind of lock, and you might be surprised how easy it can be. You can disable the key function by removing part of the mechanism inside the door, but then you risk locking yourself out.
- Safe Bouncing: This is the method of opening this type of safe by imparting a shock on the door (e.g. with a hammer). I show in the video the basis of how this works. From what I saw in the mechanism when hitting the door, it looks like it would be possible with this safe. However, in fairness to this product, I admit that I have not yet gotten this to work on this safe. [UPDATE 2011/02/09: After a couple of minutes of practice tonight, I bounced the safe with a rubber mallet. It was not difficult at all, so just be aware of it.]

That said, it's probably perfect for keeping out younger children - and there are some nice features.

Pros:
- The beeping on the keypad can be disabled. That's really nice
- Fairly small and can be placed on a shelf in a closet or pantry
- Can be bolted to the surrounding structure (on the bottom and/or back face) and comes with the bolts
- Comes with the batteries for the keypad
- Comes with two copies of the key used to override the keypad in case the batteries are low or you forget your code

I had some issues when the safe was delivered but here are some easy fixes for a few shortcomings that you might experience, too:
- The shelf is held in place by two (one on each side) plastic inserts. My safe arrived with one of the plastic inserts broken, and the shelf was rattling around as I unpacked it. Given how it was packaged (and how delivery companies transport goods), I wasn't suprised. I secured the shelf in place easily with a twist-tie.
- The door was loose when closed and would clank (it is metal on metal, after all) when I touched the dial or entered my code. Not what I want when trying to be covert. The two bumpers on the door were overly compressed (perhaps during shipping), and I replaced them with more solid bumpers that I had bought at Home Depot for my kitchen cabinet doors (similar to these). The door is nice and snug now.

Overall, well worth $60-$70 for piece of mind with young kids. I do not recommend relying on this to keep out a burgler or inspired teenager, though.

UPDATE 2011/08/07: I want to give a hats off to Stack-On. While trying out a way to make this a bit more secure, I damaged the circuit card inside the door. I contacted Stack-On, told them it was my fault, and asked how much it would cost to get a new one. They immediately replied that they'd send me another one for free (not even a charge for shipping). Totally unexpected and much appreciated - that's outstanding service, IMO. It arrived within a week and works perfectly. Thanks, Stack-On!

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