Pro Lok Fingerprint Reader Safe By iteclab on Dec 06, 2008 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

I purchased this Pro-Lok fingerprint-reader safe to put in our bedroom closet for my handguns and my wife's more-valuable jewelry. We were looking for one that would sit on a shelf and could be quickly accessed in a hurry.

This model (GLSF-08FP) can store over 25 fingerprints, is made from steel with two 3/4in. chrome bolts to secure the door and has a removable shelf. It also has bolt holes in the back to secure it to a cabinet or wall. It uses 4 AA batteries for the electronics and release mechanism. It also has a key/lock mechanism in case the batteries should go dead. I purchased this safe from Keyless Access Locks for about $250.

Apparently the biometric technology used in this product is still in its infancy because I found that it is not very dependable nor is it flexible enough to read minor variations in finger placement. It takes several tries to get it to open. I have to place my finger exactly as I did when I programmed it in. If I put my finger in further than I did originally, move it while it is reading or a bit to the side, it will not accept it and unlock. If I was under pressure or in a hurry, this could pose a serious problem. In addition, the instructions are vague and the batteries that were included in mine were dead. And by the way, it is not fireproof.

I contacted the manufacturer about the problems and they said that you had to program your fingerprint in a variety of positions . With only 25 fingerprints available, you are limited to the actual number of people that can be entered when these variations are included. They offered no further assistance.

I would not recommend this particular model of fingerprint-reader safe. There are electronic number keypad models that I might recommend and they cost $50 to $100 less. I know it is hard to remember numbers under pressure, but at least youI could probably get into it when needed.