Hornady RAPiD Safe Night Guard

So far, I'm really impressed with this gun safe. It's very sturdy, with a nice fit and finish. I especially like that it can be opened with several different approaches, such as a PIN or RFID. It seems to work flawlessly, and provides an easily accessible way of safely storing a firearm, which is especially important when we have youngsters in the house. My only negative, which is not enough to change my rating or thoughts, is that it would be better if the door had a "soft" opening, vice springing open. When opening with the RFID, for example, the door snaps open very quickly. I would think that a softer opening, where the drawer slides open rather than springs open, would be a better approach, especially for those using an RFID on something like a watch band. Again, not a negative comment, but just an observation. Edit: 3/7/24. Having used the safe now for a couple months, I have some observations. I agree with one of the comments that no, it really doesn't look like clock radio. It's pretty much just what it looks like--a gray box with the time on it. It's not awful, but it really doesn't blend. Now, one person commented that the clock was rubbish. Certainly possible, but mine has been spot on since I plugged it in. I've compared it a couple of times, and it's within a second of being accurate. Pretty good. My last comment is about the security cable. The steel cable that is used to secure it could be another couple of feet longer. It's not bad, but once you've secured it to something there isn't a lot of extra cable to work with, which can make placing the safe more of a challenge.

High quality at a good price. Looks good too

This safe works from a keypad and RFiD tags. For those of us who don't get along with fingerprint readers, this is the next best solution. The RFiD is 125Khz and so it is compatible with other RFiD tags that can be purchased online. It comes with an RFiD tag that goes on a keychain, an RFiD that goes on a watch band and 2 RFiD tags with peel and stick backing to put wherever. The peel and stick tags are very thick (2+ mm) and so have limited options if you are looking for something low profile. Peel and stick tags that are less than .5 mm thick can be purchased and are very inexpensive. I ordered an RFiD ring. That should work well in my environment. Another good feature is how it is powered. It runs off of batteries and AC power. It can be plugged into the AC and the batteries are only used if there is a power outage. This means far fewer battery replacements than a gun safe that runs only on battery. The only thing I would have changed is the keypad. Instead of physical key, it has "soft" keys. the LCD screen is touch sensitive and the 4 buttons keypad is built into the touch screen. For the same reason that I don't get along with fingerprint readers, I don't get along with touch screens very well either. But, the RFiD has been so reliable I don't anticipate needing the buttons too much. Overall, I'm very happy with this gun safe and would recommend it for anyone that struggles with fingerprint readers.

All the features of the safe itself are really great. I thought it was odd that the instructions say several times not to store a loaded firearm in it. Uh... Really? It's very easy to program the RFID keys though it didn't come with a rubber wristband as advertised. It did come with a rubber sleeve that you can put on your own watch band. It also comes with 2 stick-on hard "chips" that remind me of the center part of a poker chip. A little thicker than a credit card, but hard and inflexible. You're supposed to stick them onto the back of your cell phone. This won't work for me because I have a skin on my phone and my phone chargers are wireless. It also has a tear-drop shaped tag for your key ring. So 4 total RFID "keys". Also easy to program the time. The spring is strong, so when you operate the drawer, it pops open enough to grab and go. So strong in fact, that the unit moves if there is not enough friction on the surface you have it set on. So naturally, I don't want to be constantly re-adjusting the unit, so I took advantage of the mounting holes on the bottom. Here is where my problem comes in: I just wanted to run a couple of wood screws down into my nightstand. There's no template provided, so you have to make your own. Time-waster. Then you drill out the pilot holes and hope for the best. There's no room at all inside if you have big meaty hands like I do. It was very hard to screw from inside the unit. I could have drilled and run the bolts from underneath, but then my drawer wouldn't operate. And I'm not trying to secure it from being stolen, that's what the cable that comes with it is for. I just want to anchor it so it doesn't move every time I use it. The security "leash" cable is nice and will allow you to secure the unit to your bed frame or whatever, but it's not quite long enough. You'd think that since they went to all the trouble of making it look like a clock radio, it could actually be... oh I don't know... A clock radio? An alarm clock? Do I have to do everything myself? LOL.

These work terrific for bedside tables or nightstands. Great way to keep guns safely stored away from little fingers. We bought 2

This safe was well packaged and shipped quickly. Manufacturer's packaging was foam-lined and kept the safe perfect during shipping. Very easy to set-up and program RFID tags. I keep the keychain RFID tag inside my Spigen cell phone case and my Samsung S21+ can still fast charge on a wireless charging pad. All I have to do is hold the side of my phone with the back-facing cameras close to the safe's clock readout and the drawer springs open. Keypad code as a back-up and I keep a key on my keyring just in case. Note, keys on top in picture for illustration purposes, these are always on my person. Enough room for my home gun as well as my EDC pistol in its holster. Looks-wise, the clock helps a casual observer from thinking this is a gun safe which is nice. Security cable is just long enough to go through my bedframe which is a plus. All in all, am very satisfied.

This is a well-made piece of equipment. It’s perfect for my needs with sufficient room for any sized hand gun plus a watch or other small items. I did have to call the co twice to help with programming the key fob (which didn’t work and which the co promised to send a replacement) as well as the programmable pieces, all of which programmed with no problem, once the tech walked me through. The written instructions were not clear about this programming. Too many assumptions were made by their person writing the instructions. And, finally, there was no pattern to use to drill holes which could be used to bolt the unit in place. You have to remove the drawer and try to get your hand, and a marker, inside the unit to do the marking.

This review is specifically for the RAPID SAFE Night Guard. My use case is to have quick access where I sleep. My comments may be more or less useful depending on how and where you plan to use this safe. Here what's *good* as a safe for quick access where you sleep: 1) It has a digital clock on the front that creates the possibility that it could blend in to your room on a nightstand - like the advertising shows 2) It easily holds a full size Sig, 1911, Beretta, Glock even with and rail mounted flashlight. 3) Once the safe is unlocked the bay slides open easily and quietly. 4) It has 2 USB ports for other nightstand items like an Alexa or Phone Charger. 5) It can be plugged into the wall for guaranteed power, but also has battery back up with four regular AAA batteries. 6) The keypad code is programmable and comes with 2 back up tubular keys 7) It's thick enough to withstand non professional theft and also includes a sturdy locking cable Here what I am *neutral* for quick access where you sleep and are not ideal, but can be worked around: 1) The RFID chips and bracelet for "quick access" to the safe are not my thing. I like the idea of using the technology for this application, but in practice I don't think people really want to wear a bracelet to sleep. I don't have small children, but I'd also be concerned about children getting access to the RFIDs and accessing the safe. Kids see and hear everything. Of course - you can choose to not program the RFIDs to eliminate that issue. 2) The USB ports are positioned face up on the top/back of the device - they are recessed a little. However, this means that any plugged in USB cable stands straight up exposing the cables and looks terrible. The USB ports should be positioned facing back or down to help hide the cords. Of course - you can avoid this by not using the ports. 3) The safe is kind of ugly and does not blend into the bedroom motif unless your bedroom looks like a grey, stone and metal luggage store or a spaceship. No one's wife will happily allow this safe to be exposed on a nightstand or bureau because of how it looks. This would be worked around if you built a tight fitting cases out of wood and finished it nicely. I'd consider that as a work around. 4) There are plenty of comparable safes that have automated interior lighting and motion sensitive key pad lighting so you can easily and quickly see the critical components and access the safe in the dark. With the Hornady Nigh Guard safe, you have locate and press the Hornady icon on the key pad in the dark to even begin to start mashing in your code. To get around this, you could keep a flashlight next to your bed. Here is what is *bad* and eliminates this safe for quick access when you sleep: 1) The digital keypad is flush mounted to the front surface and is unreliable. The flush mount means the numbered buttons do not protrude from the safe and hence you can't "feel" them. In this respect - you have to physically look at the keypad while entering the code and press on or in the area of where each digit is labelled. This wouldn't be the worst, but after hundreds of attempts, there is no clear pattern or intensity of how to press each code number and have the system accept each number consistently. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. Meaning, sometime I'd press the area where the number 1 was labelled, for example, but no beep. I tried many times to illicit a beep for the digit from the device, but there was no sound. Sometimes I'd get a beep from the first number, but then it would fail to get a beep on the second number. Sometimes, it would work perfectly. Because of this - it's completely unacceptable for my use case. If seems like Hornady focussed on too many ways to open the safe and in the process lost sight making sure the basic push button access was usability tested. Hornady makes a shotgun wall safe that does have protruding buttons and it unlocks 100% of the time.