Need a BIG handgun safe…that has all the bells and whistles?
Vaultek ushers in a new large smart safe with the MX Series that lets you quickly access everything among 5 methods. AND hold up to 8 handguns.
I’ve already reviewed the MX’s little bros…the VT10i and VT20i…which I loved and still use today.
So Vaultek sent me their newest MXi.
Let’s see if the big brother has what it takes…with videos of the safe in action!
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
But if a high-tech safe isn’t what you’re looking for…check out our 15 Best Pistol & Long Gun Safes.
Table of Contents
Loading...
Unboxing & Included Items
Like the smaller VT series…the MX came in wonderfully packaged. It was like opening up a new flagship cellphone.
But giant.
The safe even came with straps to help you lift it out without destroying the box.
Once unboxed…you get your usual suspects:
- Physical keys
- Charging kit
- Battery (installed so it’s not shown)
- Smart key
- Screws
- Instructions
The MX is also pretty modular…and it comes with a dual handgun rack.
Setup
The instructions came with a quick setup guide and also something more in-depth.
Very easy to follow.
First you set up a master password and then you can choose to enroll a bunch of fingerprints.
Then you can enable the wireless Smart Key.
By default the Smart Key will only work if the safe is active by lightly touching a button. You can also keep it in a continuous mode which uses more juice…but you can open the safe without getting near it (even in another room).
Syncing the safe to the app was also easy.
You can also add additional modular racks…like another dual pistol or a magazine rack for $35 each.
And also an external magnetically mounted Powerback that will give the decent 2.5 months charge up to another half year.
Use
You already saw the keypad and Smart key entry…here’s the fingerprint biometric reader.
It’s not super fast at around 3 seconds from finger on to door open.
And I’d sometimes get a string of misreads.
But I found if I followed the instructions and moved my finger a little bit during the 5 capture setup…it did much better.
Now…how does the app fare?
Very easy to use via Bluetooth for opening and changing the light brightness…and you can also see the history of everything. Plus…you can connect to all your other Vaultek safes.
Capacity
Vaultek definitely knows how to make a smart safe…how about the capacity of the MX series?
I managed to fit in A LOT. If you wanted to go pure handguns…you can swap out the magazine rack with another dual pistol…plus put at least two other handguns in the top drawer.
The handgun racks are well designed…it can fit full-sized handguns with lights…and even ones with 6″ barrels like my HK Elite.
Here’s how it is with a full magazine rack, 4 pistols, and some valuables.
Channeling my inner poverty Jason Bourne.
However, all this capacity comes at a decent size…
- Exterior Dimensions: 15″ x 11.5″ x 11.6″
- Interior Dimensions: 13″ x 11″ x 8.6″
- Weight: 32 lbs
Even though it’s heavy…a reasonably strong person can still take it away even when fully loaded.
I’d recommend bolting it down.
But if you don’t, that’s where the alarm comes in…(alarm sound in video):
Pros
- 5 Quick Access Methods: keys, keypad, fingerprint, app, & wireless key
- Extremely Modular: can fit up to 8 handguns or endless combinations of guns, magazines, and valuables
- App: easy entry and history lookup
- Looks: manly yet tasteful design and the sound effects are perfect
- Hardware: comes with mounting screws and a dual handgun rack
Cons
- Higher-end price of ~$500
- Dual handgun and magazine racks are additional add-ons
- Fingerprint reader could be faster/better
- Battery operated (can be USB charged with cable, outlet, or battery pack)
Other Models
There’s the smaller single/double handgun safes in the VT line from Vaultek. They also have multiple ways of entry.
The “i” models have biometric readers while regular ones don’t…and are more affordable.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Again…my full review of them here.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day…if you need something big and robust for valuables and handguns (it has a 12-gauge steel front door and double-latch).
But don’t want a full-on safe.
AND you fully embrace technology at a price…
The Vaultek MXi might be for you.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Just be sure it might not be the quickest access safe (at least biometric).
If I were to use it as a nightstand gun safe (or a nightstand!) I would be sure to use the keypad function for something more foolproof.
But with all the ways of entry…and endless options…this Vaultek is going to have a space in my closet for decently-quick access to valuables and multiple pistols.
So…are you going Vaultek? Or are you looking for something more old school? If so…check out our 15 Best Pistol & Long Gun Safes for All Budgets.
10 Leave a Reply
thanks for info
Great Review! For anyone looking for additional input, here my thoughts post purchase.
I research purchases of this magnitude thoroughly. Eventually I decided to go for it and I’m happy I did, I compiled my thoughts below for those who may be on the fence or want more insight.
Cliffnotes: Go for it, you’ll be happy you did.
The build quality is out of the world amazing, every bit what you would expect after spending this kind of money. Vaultek was quick and friendly when I sent them an inquiry prior to purchasing. The ease of access using the various input methods is spot on and most importantly I enjoy accessing this safe. I keep all of my go to EDC gear in the safe which includes a couple of pistols, magazines, holsters, several knives, flashlights and pens. Now in one place I have all of my gear for daily use, secured but easily accessible in my closet rather than having to go down stairs and open the large conventional safe. Everything about this safe seems so well thought out from the pistol racks, the magazine holders, to the drawer. You could fit the 10 pistols Vaultek advertises in this safe or you could mold it specifically hold your EDC in a well-organized and downright sexy way. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit using this thing gives you a James Bond’ish feel as you get ready for the day.
To address a couple of common critiques I ran across when researching this major purchase:
No this does not replace a conventional large safe. In my case it works along aside it, making gearing up in the morning easier and giving me peace of mind when I’m away. I never have to worry about my kids, babysitters, people working on the house coming in contact with my sensitive items because this is secure and most importantly hidden. Large conventional safes are typically not hidden and will be the focus of any burglar. Whether you buy this safe or another you should be very careful to used layered security throughout your and decentralize your valuables. Having one large safe is great, but cramming everything of importance to you in that safe is a mistake. EVERY SAFE CAN BE BROKEN INTO! Having a couple smaller safes in addition to the Big Bertha downstairs is more convenient and more secure. My Vaultek MX is bolted to the wall and hidden from plain sight. It could be broken into eventually but the burglar would have to find it, while the home alarm is going off, set off the tamper alarm on the safe off, and pry it open or rip it off the stud in the wall somehow… Highly doubtful…
I also don’t view this as a quick access safe. Though it opens fast and can be kept where convenient to access easily, I don’t use it as my bump in the night quick access safe. I don’t like the thought of leaving another gun(s) accessible or having to remember to close the safe after rolling out of bed to investigate a bump. You could cram this safe into that role and it would function, but if you are dropping this kind of coin on a pistol safe, you’d be better suited to eventually purchase something of equal design and forethought for that specific use… like the Vaultek Slider Series.
Overall I couldn’t be more happy with my purchase and I look forward to exploring more of Vaultek’s line up. In my mind you either don’t want this safe because it doesn’t fit your preferences (so you aren’t reading this) or you are on the fence about price like I was… which I eventually realized was ridiculous because one of firearms or knives that I store inside the safe costs more than safe itself. Pony up the cash and you won’t regret it… I’m already stacking pennies for the Slider Series.
I'd really expect more than 14 gauge walls for $450-$525.
Similar to shotgun bore sizes, lower gauge numbers means thicker.
Also, once you start getting below 12 gauge, bending becomes much more difficult, making it less of a price-point issue than a design concept issue (welding and bolting start to become necessary).
Well aware that lower is better. There are other safes in this price range that are 10 gauge walls and 7 gauge doors. Would like to see at least 10 gauge.
I'm hoping facial recognition biometric technology will be implemented in gun safes in the near future. Maybe too costly at the moment for pistol safes but should not be a problem to price in an executive long-gun safe.
My iPhone X facial recognition never ceases to amaze me, it's very fast as in milliseconds and works in the dark. Of course, I would want a backup access method just in case HAL would not let me in...ha ha!
Yup, it would help if you access a lot. But the paranoid in me thinks it could be much easier to forcibly enter the safe if you're detained.
Total buyer's remorse getting the VTi Pro model, given the fingerprint reader just isn't reliable enough...programmed 5 fingerprints in memory and usually have to go 2-3 (or more) to get it to open. Sure, sometimes it gets it on the first pass, but that's definitely a rarity.
I wouldn't trust it if I heard someone downstairs in my house at 3am. No way.
I'm buying another for the car, sans fingerprint reader. Other than that shortcoming, these are pretty solid safes.
Yup, great safes once you realize the fingerprint reader is for convenience during normal use. I like and use my VTs but not as a bedside quick-access safe.
I’ve had the same problem lucked out and won an auction on eBay and only paid 109$ for that model. The fingerprint reader hardly ever works. I’d suggest to all to get the cheaper model. I like the app it works great and it’s a sweet looking safe.