Gadget Guy: Firearm Recovery Device w/ Motion Detection & GPS Tracking
By João Matos
August 29, 2024
When it comes to protecting yourself and your family, owning a firearm is a great solution. While owning a gun provides an additional layer of security that can help you and your loved ones feel safe, that also comes with some responsibilities. Responsible gun ownership is not only about how, where, and when a person uses their firearm; it’s also about how they store it when not in use. Storing your firearms securely can help make your home and community much safer. Research shows that secure firearm storage practices play a vital role in reducing the risk of gun violence. According to a study, 73% of children under age 10 living in homes with guns reported knowing the location of their parents’ firearms, and 36% admitted they had handled the weapons without their parents’ knowledge. Furthermore, it’s estimated that every 2 minutes a gun is stolen in the U.S, which often end up being used to commit violent crimes. That said, it’s your responsibility as a gun owner to store your firearms securely at all times, as that can help prevent gun suicides, gun shootings, and gun theft. Keep your guns stored securely with MetAlert’s GunAlert.
MetAlert’s GunAlert is a motion sensitive firearm recovery device that’s designed to detect unauthorized movement of your firearm and alert you immediately. It can be easily attached to a firearm, gun bag, or lock box, featuring a robust steel combination cable lock that’s integrated with a highly sensitive motion sensor, making the device sensitive enough to send an alert to your smartphone the second your gun is moved. It also boasts cellular connectivity in over 190 countries, patented GPS technology for real-time location tracking of your firearm, and up to 14 days battery on a single 2-hour charge. Via the GunAlert App, gun owners can track their firearm’s exact location and monitor its movement with location ping updates every 5 minutes until it is recovered, and that location data is only stored locally in your device.
Created with gun owners and gun safety in mind, this innovative firearm safety solution can help you store your guns more securely and ultimately recover them in the event their taken without your consent or stolen from their dedicated storage place.
Here’s our comprehensive review of MetAlert’s GunAlert, where we explain in detail how this firearm recovery device is meant to be used and discuss how it can help you keep your guns stored securely.
DESIGN & SPECS
Starting with the device’s size, this firearm recovery device has a fairly compact form factor, which makes its installation easy and hassle-free.
The device consists of a robust steel combination cable lock which packs a very high-quality and extremely construction, meaning it’s built to last and withstand tampering attempts from brute force as well as the use of prying tools. Its ultra-sturdy construction makes it easy for gun owners to restrict the use of their firearm by locking the device’s steel cable lock directly through it.
It’s also worth noting that this firearm recovery device is also rated to have a IPX5 Water-Resistance Rating, which qualifies it as being capable of resisting small amounts of water for a short period of time such as faint rain and accidental water spills (like dropping the device and the firearm that it is attached to into a puddle of water).
Integrated at the front side of the device, there’s a built-in combination lock that enables gun owners to unlock the device’s cable lock by inserting the correct 3-digit pin combination that’s associated with it.
Located at the left-side of the device, there’s an unlock button for unlocking the device’s cable lock after inserting the correct 3-digit pin.
At the right side of the device, there are also two SIM card slots, which is where MetAlert’s proprietary SIM card (for cellular and GPS connectivity) is inserted.
Integrated at the bottom side of the device, there’s a USB-C charging port for charging the device’s battery when its running low on power.
Lastly, the device also comes integrated with a highly sensitive motion sensor, making it sensitive enough to send an alert to your smartphone the second your gun is moved.
SET UP / INSTALLATION
To install MetAlert’s GunAlert in a firearm, simply attach the device onto your firearm, gun bag, or gun storage lock box by unlocking its combination lock and then slipping its cable lock through any crucial part of your firearm such as its trigger or bullet chamber / magazine chamber.
Once that’s done, you can enjoy the additional safety layer that this device provides when it comes to securely storing your firearms.
CONNECTIVITY
For its wireless connectivity, this firearm recovery device utilizes cellular connectivity, supporting coverage in over 190 countries.
It also boasts GPS connectivity powered by patented GPS technology, which allows for real-time location tracking of the device and the firearm that you have it attached to.
BATTERY & BATTERY LIFE
For its power, the device comes equipped with a 2600mAh Lithium-Polymer battery that offers gun owners up to 14 days of battery life.
When its battery is running low on power, you simply have to connect the USB-C charging cable from its USB-C charger to the device’s USB-C charging port and then connect its charger to power.
It only takes 2 hours for the device’s battery to recharge from 0% back to 100% power.
THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP – The GunAlert App
For monitoring and tracking the device’s location (and consequently that of your firearm), gun owners are required to install the GunAlert App on their smartphones, which can be downloaded for free for iOS and Android devices.
Via the GunAlert App, you can track their firearm’s exact location and monitor its movement with location ping updates every 5 minutes until it is recovered and safely back in your hands.
The app also supports multiple GunAlert devices, so you can easily keep track of several guns at once if you happen to own multiple firearms.
The device’s recorded GPS location data is only stored locally in your phone (not in MetAlert’s servers), and is also never shared with anyone. That location data can also be deleted at any time with just a single button.
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
If you’re interested in purchasing MetAlert’s GunAlert, know that each device is priced at $149 plus a paid cellular plan, for which you can choose between a 1-Month Service Plan priced at $6.99, a 6-Months Service Plan costing $29.99 (saves you $12), and a 1-Year Service Plan for $49.99 (saves you $33.96).
You can order GunAlert online either directly from MetAlert’s official shopping page, or you can instead get it from Amazon, if you’d prefer.