After reading this Stoplock Pro Elite review, you should have an idea of whether this is the right steering wheel lock for you. Hint – It’s very good!
When looking for the best in car security, the first thing that should come to mind is a solid steering wheel lock. They are bold, bright and most importantly incredibly frustrating for would-be car thieves to deal with.
Description
The Stoplock Pro Elite is the top of the line offering of the range. The Pro Elite is designed to be better suited to vehicles with a larger steering wheel size and a bulkier steering wheel body. This is why it has a larger bend in the metal bar, and is slightly longer than the pro version at approx. 27 inches. Apart from these alterations, it’s almost identical to the Pro.
It does the job I expect it to do – it’s very solid and bulky, which means fitting it to your wheel does take a few seconds, but for the benefit of the security this lock offers, it’s a small price to pay. It’s been police tested and proved 100% effective, so it’s easy to put your trust in this thing to do a good job.
The Stoplock is bright yellow, and for good reason – it’s super easy to spot from the outside of the car, which is enough to scare off a majority of car thieves. it feels very solid and durable – I can’t imagine how much elbow grease one would need to try and take this off if you didn’t have the key. That does explain why it’s Thatcham accredited, which is the gold standard in car security innovation.
Speaking of gold standards, it won a 2018 “Sold Secure Automotive Gold Award”.
In my e46 3 series, the lock isn’t the tightest but that is standard by design. the two locking hooks paired with the length of the bar are what stops thieves, rather than a completely firm grip being necessary for it to work. Don’t worry if it’s a little loose on your wheel.
In essence, the Stoplock Pro Elite is an altered design with a larger bend, based on the original Pro model. This is to accommodate for the trend of larger steering wheels in the likes of SUVs in the UK car market. It does still work on smaller cars though, such as the Mercedes A Class or the Fiat Abarth if you are wondering.
Stoplock Pro Elite Specs And Features
Let’s take a look at the design quickly. It’s basically a big bar with a locking pair of hardened steel hooks to attach it to your wheel. These hooks are thick enough that I would expect it’s nearly impossible to get through using hand tools. Enough said.
It weighs in at 2600 grams. As I say, it isn’t the daintiest of locking bars but I can’t imagine who would want to lock their car with something that isn’t beefy. Fitting it to the wheel only takes a couple of seconds so I wouldn’t worry about its weight too much.
Most of the body of the lock is coated in a very vibrant yellow, which can be seen from a long way away, even through most tinted glass. The hooks which wrap around the steering wheel are made from a very tough hardened steel, meaning some serious power tools would be needed to even try to cut it off.
Measuring in at around 27 inches in length means that the steering capabilities of the car are seriously limited when this is fitted, which is exactly what we want! There’s no way a car thief could actually turn right at all without the bar being stopped by the windshield in most cars, and that’s if they somehow manage to get the car running in the first place.
Whats Included In The Box?
In the box is the locking bar and a set of keys. The keys are one of 10,000 possible different combinations so it would be a miracle if someone broke in and actually had a key which matches your lock. Some may come with a carrying case, but I’m not sure if this is standard nowadays.
What If I Lose The Keys?
If you lose your keys, there are a couple of options available to you. Your best bet is to contact locktec security group, who are the only supplier of Stoplock replacement keys. You will need to include your specific Key Code when you purchase a key from them.
They charge around £15 for one replacement key at the moment, which is a heck of a lot cheaper than damaging your wheel or calling out a specialist. If you’re quite forgetful, it’s probably worth pre-emptively ordering a spare key and keeping it somewhere safe just in case you do misplace the keys to your wheel lock..
What Cars Is The Stoplock Pro Elite Compatible With?
For a full list of popular vehicles this car is compatible with, check out the manufacturer’s documentation here. As you can see, the Pro Elite fits the widest range of vehicles so chances are, this is the one to go for.
If you own an SUV or a vehicle with a larger body in the middle of the wheel, the Pro Elite is probably going to be more suited to the car, since the larger bend and additional length fits a wider range of vehicles than the original design does.
Verdict
The Stoplock Pro Elite is fantastic. If you’re looking for an affordable steering wheel lock for your car or van then this really is one of the best options on the market. It’s reasonably priced, good quality and simply does exactly what you would expect it to do. It can be fitted to most cars in a few seconds and once it’s on, it’s on. Coming in at around a third of the price of some of its competitors, it’s definitely one of the best secure yet reasonably priced options.
This lock is ideal for deterring thieves and making their lives a lot more difficult, should they make the mistake of trying to get away with your car. It gives peace of mind helping to prevent keyless car theft and normal break ins.