Gun safe to store camera gear?

I currently store my cameras, lenses and flashes in pelican cases and various camera bags. I use one bag for my daily gear and the rest stays home. I'm thinking that I've made it easy for a thief to carry all my gear out to their car by having it neatly packed for them.

A safe with shelves seems like a better way to store the gear I'm not using that day. Gun safes look large enough to display everything in easy sight and reach but still protected from unauthorized access.

Does anyone have suggestions on favorite safes? I'm in the USA and would hope to spend less than the price of another "L" zoom.

Cannon Safes are pretty popular in my region since they're in Southern California, but they are carried by a few Nation-wide retailers.

http://www.cannonsafe.​com/retailers.html

Thanks, I was researching these earlier. Even Amazon carries them and offers free delivery to my house here in Florida. I sort of like the brand name too.

Great idea... Started that some years ago when I got out of guns and into cameras. If nothing else it keeps everything together and the kids out....

Liberty is fine.... I have FT KNOX which is about the best on the market.... I'd say if you get something in the 800lb range you should be OK no matter what the brand.

If you know how to move it, they are easy to move.... Videos on UTUBE or PM me and I can explain. Similarly if THEY know how to move it its easy to move So you need at least one bolt into the floor. Place it in a closet if its smaller... Or somewhere out of casual sight where visitors to the house can't see it..... Also a SIGN on the front that says NO GUNS INSIDE CAMERAS only may discourage theft.....

Last, looker at the bargain shopper newspapers for a used one.... They don't wear out and sell pretty darn cheap used. $1000 should get you a very good lifetime used safe. BTW, no matter what they say, they are NOT and FAR FROM FIREPROOF. (they are ways to inprove that if you want, pretty easy too...

Also before you install, there are things to prepare. If its on a carpet, cut a piece of chairmat to fit under it (slightly smaller than safe so it doesn't show) to protect carpet from rust). If its on concrete, you need a rubber mat under it to protect from cold and hence moisture. Need an outlet installed NEXT TO THE SAFE (not behind it) to plus the dehumidifier and lights into... There are probably a few other things to mention but can't think of them now....

Immediate solution.... Tether your Pelican cases (I do it in the car).... Attach a bolt to something solid.... Go to HOME DEPOT and buy a couple of decent padlocks and a security cable (next to padlocks)..... Attach locks to cases and string cable through the locks.... Makes it hard to run off with cases bolted to the floor or door frame, etc......

Best wishes..

Mark H

If you're going to be bolting stuff to the floor (which seems like a decent idea), why not get a lockable climate controlled cabinet for your cameras and bolt that to the floor.

Alternately...why not just insure your gear? For the price of one of these massive gun cabinets (and moving/installing it), you could add your cameras to your home insurance for a hundred years...and then you'll be covered while you travel, drop your camera into the water on a boating trip, etc...Just a thought.

Liberty safes are a economical solution if you can find one in your area. Bass Pro and other outdoor stores usually carry a small selection to choose from and usually have sales quite frequently.

My recommendation is to buy one that weighs @ 800 - 1000 lbs. Getting a smaller, lighter safe runs the same risk as you current Pelican storage solution. If it weighs 200 - 400 lbs, 2 people could push it over and slide it out of the house down stairs causing even more damage to the house than the equipment inside might be worth.

I don't see why this wouldn't be a bad idea IF you have the space for it and the extra scratch for it as well.

Keep in mind that you will be putting other valuables in the safe so get one larger than what you think you'll need. Some insurance companies might even give you a discount because you have a safe.

I use the large silica bags (in boxes) to soak up any moisture rather than an electrical device. In 25 yrs I've not had any moisture damage problems. When the indicator turns pink (instead of blue) you put the bags in the oven for a few hours and that drys it out and it's good for another 3-4 months. Got mine at Cabela's.

A gun safe is a great way to go!
Costco has a couple of great gun safes available.
Also gun shows are a great source for safes and in many cases those vendors deliver at a fair prices.
Bolting it to the floor is a must.
A"Goldenrod" can be had for around $20.00 which is a low temp electrical warming rod for humidity concerns.
http://www.goldenrodde​humidifiers.com …and_locker_prot​ection.htm
Desiccant (silicon) can also be used to control humidity.
Lighting is easy with "stick up" appliances.

LowriderS10 wrote in post #15221399
Alternately...why not just insure your gear? For the price of one of these massive gun cabinets (and moving/installing it), you could add your cameras to your home insurance for a hundred years...and then you'll be covered while you travel, drop your camera into the water on a boating trip, etc...Just a thought.

This seems like a much better idea. Its cheap to insure your gear and protects it when its not at home and from a variety of issues.

I trashed a 7D and 70-200 awhile back and it was Friday when I got my gear from B&H and I called in the claim on Monday so you wouldn't even be out of your gear for very long if the worst case happens.

I like the idea of a gun safe for my camera gear as well. Matter of fact, I use a Stack On brand safe. They make a wide variety of sizes and protection levels (thickness, fire,drilling, etc.).

My thought is that if it can't be stolen, then I don't have to file a claim

Insuring gear for outside use and travel is obviously a good idea too.

I used an idea posted on this forum when the topic of safes came up. A lockable tool cabinet. I have bolted mine to a wall, organizes my gear well, less expensive than a safe and still offers a measure of security... that and insurance.

I have a Ft Knox safe, it's roughly 72"H x 41"W and 29"D and weighs almost 1800 lbs. and is rated to do well in a fire (I don't recall the details). I store rare books in it. The only thing I don't like about gun safes is they're an obvious target for a thief.

I'm with Lowrider, why not just insure your gear. It's cheaper, easier, and your covered both inside and outside the house. Also, it's covered in case of fire.

I prefer the gun safe idea along with insurance. Plus, you should have a gun safe anyway for your guns.