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Steering Wheel Locks: A Review (part 1 Of 2)


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#11
cbsteh

Posted 02 December 2010 - 10:49 AM

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QUOTE (tr0llb41t @ Dec 2 2010, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The Stoplock looks like a mini guitar, pretty funky smile.gif But it's damn heavy for something meant to be fitted to yr steering wheel. Whoo 4.2kg according to Amazon.


Yes! It does look like a mini guitar, and it has a flashing light too! Disklok, unfortunately, is also heavy. I suppose that is the price to pay for good, strong locks. But I read from users that they eventually got used to the weight. Some also said they only used them when they park their cars for long periods or at dubious areas.


Stoplock Ultima

#12
cbsteh

Posted 24 October 2011 - 10:18 AM

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Just an update:

Stoplock Ultima is no longer available from Eneos 1Utama. I don't know where else sells it. smile_blackeye.gif


#13
rambolee

Posted 06 January 2012 - 02:29 PM

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QUOTE (cbsteh @ Nov 10 2010, 01:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
PART 1:

It is well known that steering wheel locks offer little protection against their removal from the car steering wheel. They are more effective as a visual deterrent to theft. For example, a thief may not be interested to invest in the additional time needed to overcome a steering wheel lock. This is especially true if there is another car (better or similar with yours) nearby which has no steering wheel lock.

Not all steering wheel locks are created equal. Some offer almost no resistance to thieves. I include below a link to very useful review of various steering wheel locks. These locks were tested by a well known security specialist, Giles Verdon, from the UK.

Steering wheel locks review


I was fortunate once to see him in action in the UK, and I was flabbergasted at how easy he ripped out some of the steering wheel locks. He used only his brute strength to rip them out. No need to huff-and-puff or spent 1 hour yanking the wheel lock out or causing damage to the car in doing so. Particurlarly susceptible to Verdon's "ripping out strategy" was those so-called "clubs" like this:



and those flat ones that rest on your dashboard top such as this:



There are two basic manner how a steering wheel lock can be overcomed: attack either the car steering wheel or the wheel lock itself. So when you get a steering wheel lock, go for the following criteria:

... to be continued


what about ABUS steering lock? made in germany
http://www.eshop-loc...?item_id=100001

Vehicle Key Specialist
http://www.eshop-locksmith2u.com.my

#14
cbsteh

Posted 07 January 2012 - 12:46 PM

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QUOTE (rambolee @ Jan 6 2012, 02:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
what about ABUS steering lock? made in germany
http://www.eshop-loc...?item_id=100001


No, the lock does not cover and protect the steering wheel hub/center. This means the wheel can be removed (with the lock still attached to the wheel) and replaced by another wheel (which the thief carries). Besides the wheel can still be cut and the lock removed.

You need a steering wheel lock that protects the wheel hub.


#15
johorean

Posted 11 February 2012 - 01:27 AM

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Nowadays, they just tow your car away.

 


#16
cbsteh

Posted 14 February 2012 - 01:04 PM

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QUOTE (johorean @ Feb 11 2012, 01:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Nowadays, they just tow your car away.


Steering wheel locks are a deterrent. It *reduces* but does not eliminate the risks of car theft.

#17
nuggyn

Posted 16 February 2012 - 01:16 AM

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QUOTE (cbsteh @ Jan 7 2012, 12:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No, the lock does not cover and protect the steering wheel hub/center. This means the wheel can be removed (with the lock still attached to the wheel) and replaced by another wheel (which the thief carries). Besides the wheel can still be cut and the lock removed.

You need a steering wheel lock that protects the wheel hub.



Those buggers will just simply cut or saw off the rim of the steering and slide the steering lock clamp off.

as you said, steering wheel is just a deterrent.

better protection would be clamping the pedals. Proven. My previous car got broke in...they managed to by pass my RM2000 alarm system....and even managed to start the engine. but couldn't drive off as the pedals we locked together.

it's easier to cut the rim of the steering wheel than the pedals (pedals are made from harder steel).



#18
cbsteh

Posted 16 February 2012 - 01:17 PM

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QUOTE (nuggyn @ Feb 16 2012, 01:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Those buggers will just simply cut or saw off the rim of the steering and slide the steering lock clamp off.

as you said, steering wheel is just a deterrent.

better protection would be clamping the pedals. Proven. My previous car got broke in...they managed to by pass my RM2000 alarm system....and even managed to start the engine. but couldn't drive off as the pedals we locked together.

it's easier to cut the rim of the steering wheel than the pedals (pedals are made from harder steel).


All locks have their strengths and weaknesses. Even the pedal locks like the famous AutoLock Pro has a serious design flaw which allows people who know about it to pull out the lock without needing to cut or break anything. These flaws are fortunately not described in detail because we fear the wrong people would learn about them. Web sites might say something like:

"This lock can be twisted and turned in such a way that the lock can be removed without requiring us to cut or break the lock or pedal."

But they won't describe how they "twisted and turned it".

Pedal locks and steering locks are all deterrents because they make the thief work harder and longer to get into your car -- something that might dissuade the thief and to try elsewhere.

Anything that lowers the risks of car theft is always a good thing.

So saying things like "they can still tow away your car" is correct but not helpful. In the same way, we can also say "they can always airlift your car right out of the parking lot, so what kind of super car security system can stop that?"

#19
nuggyn

Posted 17 February 2012 - 08:16 PM

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i am using this...


#20
Stamp

Posted 22 February 2012 - 11:26 AM

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QUOTE (cbsteh @ Feb 14 2012, 01:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Steering wheel locks are a deterrent. It *reduces* but does not eliminate the risks of car theft.


yes...any thieves will try to steal a car that is easiest and fastest to break into and driven off the easiest.

a car with visible steering lock will put off the car thieves. their first choice, naturally is to break into a car without a steering lock. unless they specifically target cars of certain models.....