Wireless Tire Pressure & Temperature Monitoring gizmo

[Mike Werner]

Just wrote up on this interesting device. Not that expensive, looks good, and could be very usefull, specially when travelling long distance.

Currently, only available (I think) in France, but would presume they're getting ready for export since the frequencies they use are adapted for different parts of the world.

Added advantage that the unit also displays outside temperature !!

Article Tire Watch

 

[Fanum]

Price: €299; It's not that expensive

You obviously live on a different planet from me Mike

This is a gizmo too far IMO.....if you need to spend 300 euros on knowing you've got a flat tyre, you shouldn't be on a bike !!

Checking the tyre every so often (whether that's every ride, once aweek or whatever ) is the only sensible way.....this gizmo isn't going to tell you that the side wall's cracked or bulging, or that there's a nail embedded that you need to sort out, or that the blocks on your TKC's are shredding because of a bit of sideways action.

And if you do need a visual check, there's those valve caps with tiny red and green flags that are about 16 quid from any accessory shop.

300 euros???

Arse!!!!!

 

[Nostromo]

How about this - not as good looking but does the same job far cheaper

http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=SMARTTYRE

and if your addicted to flashy toys add one of these

http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=VVR2

Or why not -

Busters also sell the valve caps recommended above - 2 for £7.50, 4 for £12.50 which is more my price range.

 

[Mike Werner]

You obviously live on a different planet from me Mike

This is a gizmo too far IMO.....if you need to spend 300 euros on knowing you've got a flat tyre, you shouldn't be on a bike !!

Checking the tyre every so often (whether that's every ride, once aweek or whatever ) is the only sensible way.....this gizmo isn't going to tell you that the side wall's cracked or bulging, or that there's a nail embedded that you need to sort out, or that the blocks on your TKC's are shredding because of a bit of sideways action.

And if you do need a visual check, there's those valve caps with tiny red and green flags that are about 16 quid from any accessory shop.

300 euros???

Arse!!!!!

The reason I find it interesting is when you're on a long ride. Of course you can at every stop check your pressure, but how many of us do that ??? I know I don't. I've once ridden on a trip, and the tire was deflating slowly, and I never noticed until the bike started wobbling. By then I was too far from any garage. Luckily I had an electrical air pressure thingy to put air back in...

And, on top, you get the outside temperature ?? I know it's, just one gadget too many, but this one is for safety, and I don't ignore safety devices.....

 

[Mike Werner]

How about this - not as good looking but does the same job far cheaper

http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=SMARTTYRE

and if your addicted to flashy toys add one of these

http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=VVR2

Or why not -


Busters also sell the valve caps recommended above - 2 for £7.50, 4 for £12.50 which is more my price range.

That first gizmo is interesting. Looks more or less the same, except it doesn't tell you the pressure, but who cares, as long as you can monitor the pressure itself.

 

[Tarka]

but this one is for safety, and I don't ignore safety devices.....

By the sound of things,you do ignore common sense in favour of gizmos though.

That gadget`s got feck all to do with safety,and everything to do with getting gizmo muppets to buy another toy.

The only safe way to deal with tyres is to check them before every ride,with a visual and pressure test.


As for those red/green indicator caps.....if you`ve got them I`d advise removing them IMMEDIATELY.
They`ve been proven to be inaccurate and they don`t 'fail safe'.....they just blow their guts out.

 

[Mike Werner]

By the sound of things,you do ignore common sense in favour of gizmos though.

That gadget`s got feck all to do with safety,and everything to do with getting gizmo muppets to buy another toy.

The only safe way to deal with tyres is to check them before every ride,with a visual and pressure test.


As for those red/green indicator caps.....if you`ve got them I`d advise removing them IMMEDIATELY.
They`ve been proven to be inaccurate and they don`t 'fail safe'.....they just blow their guts out.

Being a former commercial pilot, I know all about safety checks. But what worries me is long distance. I know that veyr few people check their tyres more than once a day. You should at each stop check them, since if they start deflating, or worse, after long distance high speed runs, increase in temperature, safety is paramount. But we all get tired, and sloppy. That's were I see these gadgets come in. It's not the end-all, but it's one factor that'll help...

 

[simonm]

 

[Mike Werner]

You can monitor with that while riding ???

 

[Tarka]

Being a former commercial pilot, I know all about safety checks. But what worries me is long distance. I know that veyr few people check their tyres more than once a day. You should at each stop check them, since if they start deflating, or worse, after long distance high speed runs, increase in temperature, safety is paramount. But we all get tired, and sloppy. That's were I see these gadgets come in. It's not the end-all, but it's one factor that'll help...

Mike,I agree with your concerns.
What bothers me with gizmos like that is people relying on them and not performing 'proper' checks themselves.
Gizmo reliance is a major bane of modern life,and it is in the increase.

I`ve lost count of how many times someone in work has called me to a process problem because ' sugar didn`t go into the mixer', or 'the flour diverter valve didn`t operate' and I`ve discovered a 20 tonne silo to be empty when the operator screen shows no alarms,for instance.
The operators and managers firmly adhere to a policy of 'The screen says the silo is full,so it must be full', without opening the hatch to check.

The storeman constantly says 'There's two dozen of those items in stock', when you complain that the parts bin is empty.

Too many people using systems take them as infallible gospels,and don`t get off their arse to verify a situation properly.

How many times have GPS users gone the wrong way,because 'The GPS said to go that way ?'
I`ve witnessed that one a few times......a certain GSer going East instead of West en route to Beaulieu....a mate unable to get from Calais to the Formula 1 at Arques...

That tyre gizmo just creates a mental image of someone carrying on regardless with a damaged tyre 'because the system says my pressures are ok'.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

look - its on the internet - it must be good - i'd buy one

computer says one - go and do it !

 

[Bill]

Mike,
I think this 'gadget' is a great idea!

It would benefit someone like me who tends to ride as long as I've petrol in the tank!
It's not about checking and finding fault when stopped, it's about knowing instantly... before you lay it down at the next corner!

It allows you to make an informed decision on the move.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[Mike Werner]

Mike,I agree with your concerns.
What bothers me with gizmos like that is people relying on them and not performing 'proper' checks themselves.
Gizmo reliance is a major bane of modern life,and it is in the increase.

I`ve lost count of how many times someone in work has called me to a process problem because ' sugar didn`t go into the mixer', or 'the flour diverter valve didn`t operate' and I`ve discovered a 20 tonne silo to be empty when the operator screen shows no alarms,for instance.
The operators and managers firmly adhere to a policy of 'The screen says the silo is full,so it must be full', without opening the hatch to check.

The storeman constantly says 'There's two dozen of those items in stock', when you complain that the parts bin is empty.

Too many people using systems take them as infallible gospels,and don`t get off their arse to verify a situation properly.

How many times have GPS users gone the wrong way,because 'The GPS said to go that way ?'
I`ve witnessed that one a few times......a certain GSer going East instead of West en route to Beaulieu....a mate unable to get from Calais to the Formula 1 at Arques...

That tyre gizmo just creates a mental image of someone carrying on regardless with a damaged tyre 'because the system says my pressures are ok'.

Well... technology should be an aid, not THE way of doing it. Best example is ABS. It's a great device, and your life can depend on it, but if you don't know how to properly brake, it remains dangerous.

Same with GPS. GPS is an assistance to riding, not THE only way to navigate. I fyou don't know more or less the road you'll be travelling, than don't bother. GPS is great when travelling long distance, and with often changes. I find it hard to believe BTW, that the GPS was pointing in the wrong direction. Wouldn't it have been operator error PEBKAC (Problem Exists Between Keyword and Chair).

Same with this device. On an airplane, you've got tonnes of gizmos telling you about anything you want to know, but it doesn't dispense the pilot from walking around the airplane to visually check the craft. I'd check visually my tyres, but when riding to Timbucto, I'd be using this gadget...

 

[Tim Cullis]

My BMW M Roadster had a tyre pressure monitor, using information from the ABS system to detect a lowering of pressure (count and compare the revolutions of each wheel). It's likely the same technology will be using on the forthcoming K1200GT.

I would welcome the use of such safety technology on all bikes, but I guess BMW marketing will use it as a range differentiator, in the same way the R1200GS doesn't have the BC (onboard computer) of the R1200RT.

Tim