Preface
If you read my previous article about the Onnais Security Safe, you might feel a little bit of Deja vu. All these amazing little technological gadgets keep working their way into our lives, simplifying tasks and supposedly improving things. Today I am bringing you another one of those products from Onnais, but this one is a little different. The Onnais Defender EDC SE gun lock is designed to keep your handgun close and ready should you need it.

The Onnais Defender
Much like the other products made by Onnais, the Defender EDC gun lock is made to keep handguns secure. Lets be honest though, most of these devices can be circumvented or destroyed. This product is the same way, someone with the right tools and time could break into this product. But in my opinion that isn’t what it’s for.
The Onnais Defender in my opinion is made to keep honest people honest, and keep kids away from danger. It might not keep a dedicated thief from doing his thing. But it will certainly keep kids and other unauthorized users from accessing your gun.

The Defender functions much like a holster, it uses a rubber lined cradle to support your handgun. A set of metal claws secure the pistol by its trigger-guard, covering both the trigger, mag-release, and slide lock (on most guns). It is made to be attached to a wall or other firm foundation to prevent moving.

The electronic components of the Defender uses some great technology to grant you quick access. With triple security points using electronic key-pad, a fingerprint scan, and a manual key to allow access. With programmable code, and multiple fingerprint scans from multiple users, you are in control of who can remove the pistol. And the fall back security of a key should the electronics fail.

Setup Of the Onnais Defender
It took me a moment to get the controls figured out, but the included instructions are handy. And if that’s not enough, there are some great videos on youtube explaining how to do it. You can start by setting up a code for the keypad, you can select and change the code any time.

After setting the code, you can add a fingerprint scan for even quicker access. I entered one finger from both hands so I don’t even have to put down my drink while gaining access. I also added my wife’s fingerprint as well so she too has access.
Mounting
The mounting bracket is included with the device. And allows you to screw the bracket to a large piece of furniture, bed frame or wall. Again, much like the device itself, the bracket is robust enough to prevent unauthorized access. But probably won’t stop the crowbar of a thief. Once the bracket is mounted, you can attach the Defender to it. It can be removed and attached with ease as it slides into a dovetail mount, making it a quick job to charge the battery every few months.

Operation
To lock your pistol, you simply set it in the rubber cradle, then push down on the locking lever on the left side. This compressed the pistol slightly into the rubber while the jaws pull tight against the trigger guard.

To remove the pistol, you use either of the three unlocking methods. The fingerprint is the fastest, with a gentle touch there is a beep and a green light illuminates around the pad. The keypad also beeps and illuminated blue while entering the code. When the last number is keyed, a green light is shown and the locking jaws snap open.
The key entry is done from the bottom of the device, and releases the jaws with no beeps or lights. Just a click as the jaws release.
Pros and Cons
The pros of this device are pretty clear; it gives you incredibly fast access to your firearm while preventing others from the same. It allows you the ability to safely leave a pistol in condition 1 or better, so its ready if you need it. It fits a wide variety of handguns, and is affordable enough you can get more than one unit for various locations in your home or vehicles if desired. It’s easy to set up, and has redundancy built in for access. The buttons to reset and program the device are obscured under the pistol unless it is unlocked.

There are a couple things I guess you could call down sides though I think its fair to say they are good compromises. While it does secure your handgun, a serious delinquent could defeat the device with enough time and a few tools. So I guess I would only want to use this device in controlled conditions like a home, office, or personal vehicle.
Another thing I wish the Defender EDC would allow is the use of a weapon light. I expect many people outfit their EDC pistol with a light, and it would make sense for a home defensive pistol to have one. But I also understand that allowing the use of a weapon light with the Defender would add a layer of complexity or compromise. Making it either far more expensive with various options for different light models, or compromising it’s ability to secure the pistol if a specific weapon light wasn’t used.

Conclusion
All in all I think the Onnais Defender EDC SE gun lock is a great security device. While there are a few compromises, I think they are well worth it. Making it an affordable security option for folks who are always on the move, and usually with a handgun on them. It gives you the option to have immediate access to a hot handgun while also having the confidence that only you can get to it. That is well worth the $109 price in my opinion. Onnais was even kind enough to offer our readers a discount, so enter the code: Thecoldboremiracle when checking out.





