- Includes a lithium ion battery
- Projected 5 to 7 year battery life
- Displays tire pressure
- Ergonomic Design
UPDATE - 27 Jan 2013:
I was wrong, none of the sensors has died, all work well!
Story: after a few weeks of extreme cold temp outside, the "low tire pressure" indicator went on. Checked pressure in the 4 "main" tires, though they were inflated with Nitrogen, it was ~30psi. I inflated them to the "proper" 32psi but the indicator did not go off. So, I though 1 or more of the sensors died. Now, when the temps got milder, I checked the pressure of the spare tire, if had been inflated with air and indicated only 20psi. I got it to 32psi as well and the indicator went off.
Actually, Lexus GX470 can indicate when 1 or more of the sensors have failed - in such case, the "low tire pressure" indicator would blink. In my case, it was "constantly on" which simply means 1 or more of the tires are low pressure.
So, the sensors successfully survived a month+ of extreme cold outside (-20-30C), a few nights even below -30C, and they work fine. During these colds, my car battery (as well as of some others) died, diesel cars could not start, etc.
So, 6 months in a row, an extreme temperature test -- and 5+ stars go to the Orange sensors.
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UPDATE - 21 Jan 2013:
Apparently, one or more of the sensors died. Probably not related to the sensors per se but to unusually cold weather - it's been less than 20C for a few weeks, my car battery died as well...
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UPDATE 31 Oct 2012:
The sensors work just fine so far (2 months in operation)
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ORIGINAL POST - 20 August 2012:
Ordered 5 sensors from Amazon (it also being the seller) a month or so ago and installed them today, fit Lexus GX470, 2005.
The delivered sensors looked slightly differently (not so elegant) than on the Amazon picture and came with plastic (not metal) caps.
They came in 2 batches: the 1st of 4 sensors, built in Nov 2009, and the 2nd of 1 sensor, built in Dec 2011. The manufacturer's support explained that year/month built comes from the batch number - in my case, 510-091117006 and 511-111221012 respectively.
Manufacturer's support service is very quick. They explained that though an average sensor's life is 5-7 years, the year built should be of no concern as sensors use no power until activated (by inflating the tire up to 26psi).
Installation by a dealer should not take more than 2 hours.
I had checked with a few authorized Lexus dealers, they were selling at ~$130 per sensor. For the system to work, you need 5 -- for the main and spare tires -- i.e. $650. So, Amazon's price for the Orange sensors ($36 each or $180 for 5) makes the difference. By the way, the removed original sensors look exactly like the Schrader sensors also sold by Amazon at approx $130 each.
One needs to know that Orange sensors are aftermarket and untested. I'll update this report if any failures or sudden death.
If you need additional info, post a comment (I should get an auto email notification).
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