Tire Monitoring System

["Rudy Consolacion" <rconsolacion@kumhotech.com>]

I've come across a Wireless Tire Pressure Monitoring System here at 
work and was wondering what Q-listers thought about it. A sensor is 
mounted at the wheel drop-center and monitors tire pressure and air 
cavity temperature.  A programmable Interactive Display Module is 
mounted in the cockpit somewhere and displays the location and value 
of any detected abnormal tire pressure or temperature, alerting the 
driver at preset limits (uses an alert light and buzzer). 

This technology is required with runflat tires because it is 
difficult to sense a tire going down since the sidewalls are very 
stiff. I was wondering if it would be beneficial for regular 
everyday tires. It would be able to alert the driver if a tire is 
beginning to go flat so that the vehicle could be stopped before the 
tire shreds itself to death. I know I've often wondered if 
I've damaged a tire after hitting a pothole. Another interesting 
place where this type of system could be used is at track events. You 
could possibly use it as a tuning device to dial-in handling.

The system costs $399. Ouch, I know. Here are some specs if you're 
interested:

Projected Sensor Battery Life:  10 years/160,000 kms
Operating Temp Range:  -40 to 85 deg C
Operating Humidity:  100%
Data Transmission Rate:  Every 60 seconds while vehicle is in motion
Sensor Weight:  3 ounces
Sensor Size:  32 x 36 x 100 mm
Frequency:  355 Mhz
Accuracy:  +/- 1psi @ 25 deg C
Display Weight:  3 ounces
Display Size:  20 x 75 x 137 mm
Display Power Consumption:  4 watts max during alert

If there's enough interest out there, I could try to swing a deal and 
get a discount. It's made by Smartire USA which is a subsidiary of 
UniComm Signal Inc. Let me know what you think. TIA!

Rudy C.
Akron, OH
87 5ktq
97 a42.8q
83 928s