2Gig Gun Lock / Motion Detector Tested

By Brian Rhodes, Published Aug 17, 2018, 08:26am EDT

Safer guns for families and an opportunity for security dealers to sell more services? That is the aim of Nortek's 2GIG 'Gun Motion Detector' (2GIG-GNGRD1-345).

Rather than simply a mechanical lock for the gun, 2GIG has integrated motion detection capability and monitoring, so that if anyone (e.g., a child) gets a hold of the gun, an alarm can be triggered for immediate response.

We bought and tested this 2GIG product on 4 guns, including 2 shown below from our testing:

This adds to our existing testing including 2Gig Intrusion Megatest (GC2 & GC3 Panels Tested)

Inside we share test results and findings that led us there, including:

  • Key Weaknesses & Key Strengths
  • The Major Fit Problem With Some Guns
  • How Some Guns Can Still Fire When Installed
  • Which Of The Four Sensor Alarms Is Most Useful

The report inside includes 2 videos and details more than eight key performance points.

Key ********

*** **** ****** * key ******** *** *** key ********:

**** ***** ** ****** Gun *****: ******* ** *** selected ******** ****** *** trigger-lock-style ****** **** ****** or ****** ** ******** guns, ********** ***** ******* in '***********' ******. *** is ***** ****** **** some ******** **** *** trigger *** ***** ** actuated ** ****** *** entire ****** ********, *********** still ******** *** *** to ****.

****** ******** ********: ************, ********** *** sensor *** ******* *** user ** ****** *** gun ********. ** *** test, ********** *** ****** often ******** ******** *** gun ** ** ****** direction, ********** ** *****.

**** ****** *****: *******, *** ********* range ****** ***** ****,******** *** *** **** claimed, *** **** ******** movement ****** ***** **** shelves, ****-*****, *** ****** closets ***'+ **** **** the ***** - *** most ****** ****** ******** will ** ****** ** users.

*********

******* *** ******, ****'* sensor **** **** ****** well, **** ****** **** conventional **** ** ******* alarms ** *****:

  • ******** ****, *** *****: *** ****** ** the ****** ******** ** individual **** ****** **** general ******* *****.  *** test ***** **** * gun ** ***** *** attempted ** ** ***** or ******, ** ***** sounds *** *********** ******** police.  *** ****** *** not **** ** ****** gun ******** ** ******** types ** **** *** in ******** ******* ***** (closets, *****, *********) ****** our ****.
  • ********** ***** ****:  ******* ***** ******* powered, ***** ****** **** and *** ****** ********* alarms ****** *** ******* 350' ***** *** ****** multiple ******, **** **** the *** ** **** in * *****, ***** lockbox.
  • ********** **********: ***** *** ************ identified ** ***** ******, the ****** ** ********** by *** *****. ******* shows **** ** *** battery ** ******* **** the ****** **** *****, the ***** **** *******. Or ** *** ****** is *********/**** *******, *** panel ************ ****** ** see ** *** ****** is ******. ** ***, the ***** ******.

**********

*******, ******* ***** *** gun ****** *** ********, enough **** ** ***** not ********* **. ***** weakness ***:

  • **** **** ***: ** ****** ****** fit ** **** ****** types ** ********, *** saw *** ******** **** two ** *** **** types. ** ***** *****, sensor *** *** ****** enough *** *** ******** operable **** **** *** lock *********. *** ****-**** pistols *** ******, *** was ********* ****, *** for ******* ******* *** some *********, *** *** *** too *****. ************, ******* instructions ******** '*** ******** for *** **** *****-****** rifles ** ********', ** other ******** ******* ***** trigger ******.
  • ******* ***** ********: *** ******* **** poor *** ****** *** fundamental ****** *** **** is ******** ** *******: pulling *** *******. ** some ****, ****** *** sensor **** *** ***** allowed *** ******* ** activate, *** * ****** and ****** *** **** a ********* ***** ***** discharge.
  • ************* ****** ***********: *** ****** ** the ****** ****** **** needs *********** ** *** sensitive ** ** ** motion. *** **** ***** in **** *****, * slight **** ****** *** sensor ** ****, *** in ****** ****** *** weapon ******* ****/ ************ for ******* ******* *** needed ****** ********** ** alarm.

Sensor *********

*** ***** ***** ***** how *** ****** ** designed ** ** ********* on * ***, *** what ** ***** ************ sounds **** **** *********:

*** ******* ******* ****** is *** ****** ** a ****, ******** ** block *** *** ******* of * ***.  *** two ****** *** ****** by ********* *** **** through * ***'* ******* guards, *** ** ******/******** with * *****-***** ********** spinner ***********:

Showstopper: ****** ******** ********

*** ******* ***** **** the ****** ** **** it ******** ****** ******* handling ** ******* ** common ****.

*** *******, ** *** test *** *****, ** order ** ****** **** both ****** ** *** sensor, ** ******** '******** the ******' ****** *** hands, ******, *** *********** others ** ******** *****. ******* the ****** ******** ********* the ********* ******* ****** rule ** '***** ***** *** ** if ** **** ******' *** *** ** enough ** ***** ****** it ** ***** ** for *********** *** ******.

*** ***** ***** ***** the ***********:

Sensor ***** ** *****

******* ******* **** *** sensor ** **** ** adds *********** ********* ** firearms, ** **** ** 3X ** *** **** guns:

**** ******* ********** **** occupying *********** ********* ******* space ** *** ***** or *********, *** *** not **** *** ****** common ****** *** *********.

Four ***** *****

*** ****** *** ** configured ** **** ********* sensors ** * *****, and ***** ** ***** type ***** ************* ***** different.

*** **** ***** **** one ****, '******** *', will ** *** **** most ***** **** ****, as ****** *** ******* when **** *** ***** when *** ****** ** armed ** *** ***, and *** ***** ****** even ** *******:

*** ***** ***** ***** with *****, ** **** not ***** **** *** system ** ***** ** 'Stay' ****- *** ** most *****, ** * user ***** *** *** even ** ****, **** will **** ****** ********.  User ***** ****** *** option ** ******** ****** the ***** ** *** cases.

Guns ***** ********* **** ******

* *** ********* ***** is *** ****** ****** can ** ***** **** installed ****** ** *********** pull *** *******.

** *** ***** *****, notice *** *** *** behind *** ******* **** allows ****** *** ****** or ****** ********* * tool ** ***** ****** deep ****** ** ******** a ****** ******:

**** ***** **** **** must ** ********** ********, potentially ************* ******** ***** value *** ****-******* ***** a ****** *** ** needed ** ***** ********.

*******, ****** *************** **** ***** ** plainly ***** "** *** Use ** * ****** Firearm', ******** **** ***** will ** ******* ****.

Sensor ******* 

*********-***** ********* **** ****** dealers,************, ************* * ****** ***** of ~$**.

2Gig ***** ********** ****

*** ****** ***** **** with **** ***** ******, specifically *** *** & *** ****** (See *** ****). **** ***** ******** panels *** *** ********* compatible **** **** ******* 345 *** *********.

Guns *** ******

** ****** *** ****** on ******* ****** ******* types, ** *** *** performance *** ******** ** variables **** *** *****, size, *** ********* (**: polymer **. *****). *** four ***** ** ****** using:

  • ***** **- **** *****/******* ******* pistol ****************** ****** *** ** width, *** ****** ***** was *** ********. 
  • *&* *-*****- **** ***** ******** was*************** ******, *** *** trigger ******** '********' *** to ******* ***** ******, but ***** *** *** impacted.
  • **** ****- **** ****-**** ****** was **** ************ ******, and *** ***** *** not ******** ** *** steel ***** ***********. *******, the ****/****** ****** **** with **** ****.
  • **-**- **** (*****) ***** was ************ ****** *** the ***** *** *** impacted ** *** ****, although ******* ***** ******* in ***** ** ***** may ****** ******* ** the *****.

**** ** ***** **** types ** ****** ****** to ******* **** ********* of ******** ** ******* owner ***** *** *** typical ** *** ***** users **** **** ** secure **** *** ******.

Comments (36)

Undisclosed #1

08/17/18 12:34pm

From what you describe in the test results, you really wouldn't want to use this on any gun intended for home defense use, IMO. I wouldn't want to risk setting off my home alarm, or have to deal with first disarming an alarm in Home/Stay/Night mode just to pick up my defense pistol while investigating a "bump in the night".

This might be good for guns that are mostly stored and stationary, but then again most safes, trigger locks, and cable locks would be just as effective with proper protocol.

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 08/17/18 02:14pm

but then again most safes, trigger locks, and cable locks would be just as effective with proper protocol.

Agree. It seems like 2Gig could use the same basic motion detector and package it as a cable lock with little difficulty, ie:

 

Undisclosed Distributor #2

08/17/18 12:48pm

This seems like a great concept, but it sounds like the sensor itself needs a complete redesign. I wonder what Nortek's testing consisted of. 

My wife and I want to buy a gun, but we have young kids at home, and we're worried about them finding a gun when we have our backs turned or whatever. I've been looking at gun safes, but this sensor would be perfect if it was designed better. 

Carl Kristoffersen

In reply to Undisclosed Distributor #2 | 08/20/18 04:56pm

Children need to be taught about guns, and how to handle them, whether you are going to buy one, or not.  

 

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Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC
In reply to Undisclosed Distributor #2 | 08/21/18 12:10am

A gun safe should be your first purchase. You need to know what type of guns you may purchase to know what size of safe to buy, but I wouldn’t recommend even shopping for a gun until you have a safe at home and ready to go. 

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security
08/17/18 01:19pm

Great Article. You can stick a sensor on just about anything it seems. 

Undisclosed Integrator #3

08/17/18 01:59pm

Why not just keep the gun in a locked cabinet? If required alarm the cabinet. Gun is safe and so are the kids?

How does the lock fair against the typical pull it apart and turn the rotary dials and feel for notch? 

 

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3 | 08/17/18 02:08pm

How does the lock fair against the typical pull it apart and turn the rotary dials and feel for notch?

Any kind of binding locks the dials. So pulling it apart makes it difficult to spin them.  I think you can grind them, but the whole thing feels miserable, and there is no telltale 'notch'.

Undisclosed Distributor #2

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3 | 08/17/18 02:08pm

I'm pretty sure my kids would eventually figure out how to open a locked cabinet. Getting an alert on my phone if a gun moved would make me feel better. I guess I could alarm the cabinet, but that isn't nearly as cool. 

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Undisclosed Distributor #2 | 08/17/18 02:17pm

Getting an alert on my phone if a gun moved would make me feel better.

It wouldn't, you can't rely on a sensor for gun safety. Here is what would happen, you'd be driving, or in a big meeting and you'd get an alert that your gun moved, with no other context or information. What do you do? Is it a false alarm? Is your wife just dusting? Did your kid get ahold of the gun?

This sensor is the LAST step in your gun safety plan, not the first.

 

Undisclosed Distributor #2

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 08/17/18 02:22pm

My plan is to keep it in a safe, which would then be in a locked cabinet. But I still feel uncomfortable about it, because when I was a kid I found my dad's gun, in a locked safe, in his sock drawer. And I found the key in his dresser drawer, inside a jar, buried in a big pile of change. 

What can I say, we didn't have cable when I was growing up and had to make our own entertainment.

I wouldn't use this as my only precaution, but I would like another layer of protection.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Undisclosed Distributor #2 | 08/17/18 02:29pm

A problem though is that this sensor allows some guns to still fire, while at the same time preventing you from using other trigger locks (you could still do a cable lock). I like the concept, but I don't think this is executed well enough to be used with enough peace of mind to really make your gun security overall better. A sensor on the door of the gun safe would probably be more reliable, give you earlier warning, and not interfere with your overall gun safety strategy as much.

Undisclosed Distributor #2

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 08/17/18 02:30pm

Yeah, that's what I said. Great concept, needs a total redesign to be practical. 

Ron DeBerry

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3 | 08/20/18 02:16pm

Take a look at Gunbox ( https://www.thegunbox.com/ ).

You can use it with RFID if you want but can be biometric only. 

Piston opening (i.e springs open on valid finger/RFID), has built-in motion that will alert your phone if moved, tampered plus local audio. 

LED flashes until you open if previous motion/tamper was detected.

Attractive, does not look like a safe.

Portable if you want to take it with you.

Have had mine for a few years now.  No issues at all.

 

 

Avatar

Walter Holm

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Ron DeBerry | 08/20/18 02:33pm

The gun box SK-1

Doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, haha!

Ron DeBerry

In reply to Walter Holm | 08/20/18 02:47pm

I have this one:

The gun box

 

Wife would not let me get the one the speaker :)

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Walter Holm

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Ron DeBerry | 08/20/18 02:54pm

I am definitely ordering one of those or rather letting my wife do it, so I will have to wait a while.

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Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Ron DeBerry | 08/20/18 03:28pm

Thanks for the link.  I embedded the company's promo overview video.

A different concept for sure.  Bluetooth speaker stand model is a weird tech/purpose paring!

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security
In reply to Brian Rhodes | 08/20/18 03:32pm

somewhat related. We just got this in and started testing it. Bluetooth speaker and security camera from alarm.com

Ron DeBerry

In reply to Brian Rhodes | 08/20/18 04:17pm

Agree on the speaker, I have the one for a nighstand/table.  About the size of a wireless router, does not look out of place next to TV/sat receiver.  Kinda blends in.  I have it on fingerprint only (it did come with RFID tags, wristband) as I did not want a tag to open it.  Works well, has never failed to open for me or my wife.  Takes about 2 seconds to spring open.  Mine is the original one with GPS/cellular, so it notifies without my Wifi/internet or during power outage due to built-in lithium battery.  It does exactly what I wanted:  secure location for loaded guns but with fast access to me or wife only along with notification if someone moves it or tries to open.  

Shannon Davis

08/17/18 01:59pm

Seems like a great idea but if you can still squeeze of a round with the device installed I personally wouldn't want to sell these. This would be way too much liability.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #4

08/17/18 03:08pm

"This would be way too much liability."....I agree.  I wonder what the typical security company's insurance agent would say about whether their existing coverage extended to securing firearms?

Undisclosed #5

IPVMU Certified | 08/18/18 06:25am

Since it seems it’s more likely that you accidentally shoot yourself than prevent someone else from purposefully shooting you, I’ll pass.

Undisclosed #5

IPVMU Certified | 08/19/18 12:19am

John: Nice work, Brian, on your last article “The Complete History of Access Control - Volume XXIV - Mullions for the Masses”.   So, what you think your going to tackle next?

Brian: Maybe a little change would be nice; I’m thinking I’m going to do a review of the 2GIG GMD motion detection system.

John: Never heard of it, sounds interesting.... What do you need me to order?

Brian: Just get the 2GIG unit.....also a Colt 1911, a Glock or two and... an AR-15 semi with pistol grip.

John: Is that all??

Brian: Ammo?

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Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed #5 | 08/20/18 03:35pm

I voted 'funny', but -

Overt disclosure: IPVM did not purchase firearms for this test.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Brian Rhodes | 08/20/18 03:38pm

Overt disclosure: IPVM did not purchase firearms for this test.

Of course not, that would just be redundant. :)

Undisclosed Distributor #2

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 08/20/18 03:40pm

They were probably just lying around, left over from the Louroe analytics testing. 

Undisclosed #5

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Brian Rhodes | 08/20/18 04:49pm

IPVM did not purchase firearms for this test.

Congrats! You are now the IPVM authority for 2 of the 3G’s of physical security!*

*aka Guns, Guards and Gates

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Walter Holm

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Brian Rhodes | 08/20/18 06:34pm

Sounds like a missed opportunity.  We all want to know how it works with this:

https://cheytac.com/product/m300-carbon-fiber/ in .408

 

Jason Brown

08/20/18 12:37pm

Great review, and a great idea for a sensor. Kudos to both IPVM and Nortek/2Gig. Even if there are a few shortcomings with its design, this is a great step in the right direction.

Shannon Davis

In reply to Jason Brown | 08/20/18 12:42pm

I agree this is a step in the right direction. Although not sure how you could release a product that still allows a firearm to fire. Sure the sensor will sound an alarm but that doesn't stop a child from firing the weapon. Hopefully they will see this review and work on correcting with version 2.0 and as well others like Honeywell will follow suit and make something as well. I know they already have movement sensors for painting and TV's and such. Of course they may see that there is too much liability as well. We have all put sensors on safes but that is completely different than on the actual weapon. Good work IPVM.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #7

In reply to Shannon Davis | 08/20/18 02:07pm

I’m mostly worried about the fact that you can fire it while having the sensor/lock installed. I’m wondering what V2 of this lock will look like - as IPVM just did a great job of collecting feedback for them! 

Undisclosed Integrator #6

08/20/18 01:13pm

I'd be more concerned about a false alarm triggering a police response. Your going to end up having all your weapons inspected.

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Walter Holm

IPVMU Certified | 08/20/18 02:02pm

Put your guns in a safe and put a camera in the safe or outside the safe or both.  You can trigger alarms, etc. without having to buy many of these.

As already stated, no gun owner will put this on their primary or backup weapon.

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | 08/20/18 03:47pm

This test does not discuss alternatives in-depth, so the mentions are appreciated.

There are a number of sensors/products designed to alarm storage safes, like this:

Liberty SafeAlarm - ~$200

This product is a stand-alone system that pushes alerts to your cellphone via SMS.

However, as others have mentioned, installing door contacts or accelerometer sensors to a safe, and then configuring it to an existing intrusion/burg system is common too, and rarely costs more than ~$75:

Undisclosed #5

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Brian Rhodes | 08/21/18 12:51am

The jewels are well protected ;)

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