- Last Updated: April 22, 2020
Stack-On PS-15-10-B-P Biometric Safe – Review
Sometimes owning a small home safe is more than just about locking away your firearms. Even if gun laws require you to do it for your own safety (and that of your children), you’ll probably want something that will secure more than just your guns. If you’re going to spend money anyway, you may as well buy something that will serve multiple purposes, and the Stack-On Biometric Personal Safe will do just that.
Product Specifications
- SIZE: 9.88 x 9.88 x 13.88 inches
- WEIGHT: 21 pounds
Product Rating
Stack-On Biometric Safe Review
Product Features
- Biometric Lock -This safe features a biometric fingerprint scanner that can store up to 32 different fingerprints, which is especially useful in a home or business environment.
- Hidden Trouble Key - Stack-On is one of the few gun safe manufacturers that has recognized the need for hidden key entry. If the fingerprint scanner fails, users can remove the faceplate of the scanner to reveal a hidden keyhole. This is especially useful considering that burglars would rather attempt to pick key locks rather than spend extra effort trying to pry or cut the safe.
- Four-Key Combination Lock - In addition to the biometric lock and hidden key lock, Stack-On has also included a four-key combination lock. Users can program a 4-8 digit code which can grant quick access in the event of a stress situation.
- Concealed Hinges - Hinges that are exposed on the other body of safes are often cut by intruders using power tools. Stack-On has recognized this threat and responded by including concealed hinges. Of course, prying is still always a threat, but any additional deterrent to unwanted entry is definitely welcome.
- Adjustable Shelf - This safe includes a shelf that can be adjusted inside, allowing users to store multiple items in addition to firearms. This is especially useful if your goal for owning a safe extends beyond locking away your handguns, and makes usage much more convenient.
First Impressions
Design
The size and weight of this two-shelf safe is somewhat of a contradiction. Although we were able to fit multiple handguns and valuables inside using the adjustable shelf, the safe itself isn’t heavy enough to deter a burglar from outright stealing the safe altogether. In a way, the weight of the safe isn’t enough to justify its size unless you decide to customize the safe by mounting it to a surface, but this particular model doesn’t include any mounting hardware or instructions. Even though the safe adequately fits plenty of items, we weren’t too satisfied with the weight. Still, the build quality on this safe is superb. The outer body is constructed with thick solid steel, and the door gap is small enough that you’d have to use an incredible amount of force and advanced tools to break into the safe.
Function
As usual, our main concern was with the biometric fingerprint scanner. The fingerprint scanner works nearly perfect, although inputting the fingerprint must be consistent. The scanner can store up to 32 fingerprints, but you’d probably have to use a lot of that memory to store the same fingerprints from different angles. The removable faceplate and hidden key lock is particularly useful, since many burglars would first attempt to pick a lock rather than pry the safe open.
However, this safe is kind of a jack of all trades, yet master of none. We found that having three modes of entry was somewhat redundant. The biometric scanner will still fail if you’re not inputting the fingerprint consistently, whereas the combination lock won’t fail as long as you input the right code. Whether or not we were in a stress situation, we’d probably opt to use the keypad more often than not.
Product Review
What We Liked
- Inexpensive -As far as fingerprint gun safes are concerned, this Stack-On model meets our general requirement as a decent cheap gun safe. The safe is mildly priced at around -click for price-, although in the gun safe industry, you generally get what you pay for.
- Lots of Space - We definitely appreciated that the safe was big enough to fit plenty of things other than firearms, and the shelf helps utilize the space more efficiently. We would recommend that you purchase a rack for this safe for optimal use.
What Needs Improvement
- Lightweight - The size and weight are an issue if you don’t bolt the safe to a solid surface, since the safe alone only weighs about 20 lbs. We generally prefer heavier safes with strong mounting brackets as opposed to lightweight models.
- Redundancy - We appreciated that there were three modes of entry, but the keypad basically renders the biometric lock useless because it inputting a code is still more reliable than inputting a fingerprint.
If you’re having second thoughts, you might want to check out some other options, such as the SentrySafe Biometric Safe, Viking Safe, Barska Top Opening Safe, Liberty HDX-150 Biometric Safe, or Verifi S6000 Smart Safe.