Oxford Big Boss Alarm Lock (Oxford OF4) Thatcham Approved Vehicle Security (16mm version).
This is part of my lock system I use at home to secure my bike, All three parts (Anchor, Chain and Lock) are from the same known brand “Oxford”. Unlike my other 2 parts this comes with a Thatcham Approved rating which does reduce your insurance, unlike the others which are Sold Secure.
After my issues with my original lock, I decided it was worth investing in something that would not only give the highest strength Oxford offered in locks, but it was also an alarm system too, 2 for 1 kinda thing. Along with my current CCTV system with a dedicated camera on my bike and 15 other cameras covering every direction too access my bike, I thought the alarm and lock combo would be a real bonus to alerting me if someone attempted to take my bike. Not only would they need to cut my lock or chain, which would be pretty hard and Loud, they would need to disable the alarm going off, and were it locked in my front next to my kitchen window we would hear any noise of someone trying, then if they got around all that the CCTV system would have them doing it all.
The Boss alarm lock is amazing, thou costing near on £80 its a costly part but pricing is dropping to a more average £60 now, which does make it a good investment. Like my old lock it can be used as a disc lock, thou being a 16mm system in some cases like mine, I have to lock it on my wheel as the disc does not have holes this large. The alarm is great on this and it pretty loud, there is no warning, it get knocked and goes off screaming at 100 db which is plenty to wake you up. It auto reset once it been going off which is good too. Very sensitive but lacks the option of most dedicated alarm to have a sensitivity control.
I would recommend this lock for sure, it is amazing, and so well built, and being 16mm its HUGE and can see it really making it hard for anyone wanting to steal you loved bike. I think they would see this monster off a lock and alarm and would just walk buy knowing there not getting through that thing in a hurry, and then see the added chain, and anchor point, it a pretty great set and with that added dedicated alarm and CCTV makes me safe at night when she tucked away.
Oxford Big Boss Lock Update :- Having owned this over a couple of years I thought I would do a quick update on any new thoughts and happening since then. I got to say this lock still reduces my insurance premium each year but I have had to replace the Alarm Module in it three times now, thankfully the second replacement I got under warranty (as it stopped working with in 6 months of the 1st replacement) and then on the 3rd replacement I contact Oxford direct as it was happening to often.
They asked for the lock to be sent in so they could inspect it, so as always with my gear I had the original box still and posted it all back as it would from new, and it still looked new. After a week I got a reply back saying that they had replaced the module and “We believe the issue could be that the contact point inside the lock has become dirty and rusty overtime, so we advise you thoroughly clean the lock with WD40 a few times.”
I was somewhat disappointed with that reply as it was still looking new and was pretty well cleaned, secondly thou and the main reason, if that was the fault why does buying a new £20 alarm module fix it ? The problem is with the module stopping working, all the contact point does is allow the alarm to activate. I would understand if the contact point (which is a magnet on the lock) lost its magnetic side and hence it stop the module knowing when it was contacted, but that is not the case as with a module replacement it always works, so its clear its a module fault not the lock part, and then thirdly was there reply quoting “We believe the issue” well I would like to know what is the issue as 3 times it needed replacing, so being unsure does not solve the unit keep failing.