Gunvault MVB500 Microvault Biometric Pistol Gun Safe Review
A gun may provide you your sense of security, but as capable as it is of doing so, it also needs to be kept in a safe and secure place. Hence, the invention of gun vaults. One concern that involves most gun safes is that they tend to be heavy or cumbersome to lug around, making them only specifically appropriate for home storage.
However, if you want a single handgun safe that can be easily moved or carried to anywhere, then you might be interested in the MVB500 Microvault Biometric. Three words primarily describe it: it is impressively compact, lightweight, and sturdy.
Features of the Gunvault MVB500 Microvault Biometric Pistol Gun Safe
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Simple, Portable Security
The MVB500 Microvault Biometric boasts a high-strength lock feature that is easy to learn. The lock is controlled by a 4-button entry feature in the form of a “No-Eyes” keypad, which is said to be easily programmable with over 12 million potential codes.
The electronics used for the safe is powered by a 9-volt battery, which also powers sound and light – both will notify you if you’ve pressed the code correctly. Extra security is provided by a 24-entry attempt limit system, which allows the safe to go into a two-minute lockdown and activates the Tamper Detection feature.
Padded Safety & Extra Solid Body
The vault’s padded interior is made of premium Soft Foam lnterior technology, which keeps your handgun and your other valuables snug and safe.
The soft foam liner largely helps with staving off damage. On the other hand, if someone wants to pry it open with tools, then they will be disappointed. The vault is constructed from a heavy, 20-gauge steel finished in black, making lid and body fit very closely. The body of the safe is said to be designed specifically to provide zero purchase points for thieves.
Compact and Lightweight Design
The vault’s dimensions are 11.5 x 8.5 x 2.2 inches and it weighs around 4 pounds. Lightweight but sturdy materials are used in its craft, allowing the safe to live true to its promise of portability.
As it is small and compact, anyone can literally fit it almost anywhere and can carry or move it around whenever the need arises. Although small, it has room enough for a Glock 17 and two or three 17-round magazines, which provides other handguns of similar size the same benefit.
Overall Battery Life
Any other GunVauIt MVB500 Microvault Biometric Gun Safe review found online may have a different stance on the durability and quality of the battery. Some think of the 9-volt power as already sufficient, and some think it needs more improvement to last more efficiently and longer than a year.
However, the battery can perform for heavy duty use, and when it starts to die it will notify via LED light. Tube lock keys are provided just in case something unexpected or odd happens that prevents the user from opening the safe.
Added Protection
The safe comes with a four-foot security cable, tested to have 1500 pounds of strain, allowing users to secure it to a car seat for example or any other stable fixtures.
The security cable is covered in plastic sleeve, and although fairly thin, it is snugly and securely anchored on the safe. It would also take a heavy cable cutter for the safe to be taken. GunVauIt also sells an extra 6-foot cable as an extra, which could be a better investment for other users.
Other Useful Properties
The safe has a mute button which can be used to turn the beeps on and off, allowing users to operate it in silent mode. Battery is internal, so when it fails, the key should be used as the secondary unlocking device.
The safe can also be screwed to the floor – like the bottom of a nightstand – if anyone wishes, but with a little personal effort. Two ‘A holes that are six inches apart can be drilled at the bottom of the vault and the cable can always be used to lock it to anything.
Gunvault MVB500 Microvault Biometric Pistol Gun Safe – Videos
Pros
- Security is topnotch; the extra key is commendable
- Compact design allows it to be flexibly fit in or stored almost anywhere
- Snug foam liner does a great job at protecting valuables
- Guns can be easily accessed as the keypad can be operated even in the dark
- For special circumstances, the security cable is always available for extra help
Cons
- The Safe ‘ Battery power may operate fairly well for over the course of a year; however, it may die quicker for users who use the safe more heavily or more often
Technical Details
- Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.5 x 2.2 inches
- Part Number: SECGVMVB500
- Item Weight: 11.7 pounds
- Shipping Weight: 11.7 pounds
- Item model number: MVB500
- Batteries: 1 9V batteries required.
- Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
- Size: Micro
- Color: Black
- Item Package Quantity: 1
- Number Of Pieces: 1
- Certification: certified frustration-free
- Batteries Included?: No
- Batteries Required?: Yes
FAQ
Q: Can the safe be programmed with fingerprints?A: No. The safe is only designed with the “No-Eyes” keypad. The buttons allow you to operate the safe easier in lowlight conditions.Q: ls it compacts enough to store inside a vehicle (trunk or under the seat)?A: It should be, although this depends on the build of your car. Make sure you check out the center console of your car before you install it.Q: How do I reset my combination?A: Press and hold down on the Learn button for 2 seconds. Once the green light shows, the safe is now in Learn mode. Enter your code within 13 seconds as the green light remains. Press and hold down again on the Learn button for 2 seconds and you will see a red light and hear a beep. While the red is still red, enter your code again to confirm it. Press and hold the Learn button for the third time for 2 seconds. The safe will blink green 5 times, you will hear 5 beeps, and your code will then be accepted.Q: How can I make sure the safe will store my gun securely?A: The foam liner makes sure of this, though as a precaution, try to compare your pistol to a Sig. 1911 .45 gun’s size.
Final Verdict
The MVB500 Microvault Biometric is indeed a reliable unit for any hand gunowner to purchase, and given its advantages, it could easily become your go-to safe. Its electronic security system does well in its duty of restricting casual access, although there is no guarantee it could withstand determined attacks using equally determined tools.
Since it’s said to be difficult to pry open with common household tools and that it can notify you via beeps that it’s being hacked, then this unit should be of great and efficient use. The 4-ft. cable and backup override key are well-thought out options that users can take advantage of.