****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
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.
