Steel mate tpms internal vs external sensors

[shan54 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shan54]

Hi I'm new to this forum and this is my first thread. I own a prado 2000 td and found a steelmate tyre pressure management system (tpms) on ebay. It works with the existing DVD player, but I'm confused about whether internal or external sensors are better. The seller is recommending external sensors due to convenience but I'm unsure as the vehicle will be used about 50% onroad and 50% beach/offroad. Has anyone had experience with tpms and can help recommending which sensors are more suitable? The unit is selling for $215 buy it now $289 and is the only one I can see that uses existing screen in the vehicle. Many thanks, and love this forum, has helped a lot in the past

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

shan there are lots of threads on TPMS as well as comments about internal versus external sensors. Try googling Pradopoint+TPMS

I have both internal sensors (on my daily driver) and external (the Prado). Both have advantages and disadvantages. The biggest problem with the internal sensors is that when the battery goes flat you need to strip and fit the tyre to change the battery or sensor. The internal sensors are also succeptible to damage from heavy handed tyre fitters. They are though less prone to damage in use. The external sensors are very convenient though. In about 6 years of using external sensors on the Prados I have never damaged one and they have not let me down. The sensors are ugly though and you 'should' use steel valve stems to support the extra mass of the sensor, something I have not done on the 150 and will do once the tyres are changed. Anyway have a search and read. You will need to make up your own mind but I haven't had an issue with the external sensors. Oh and the external sensors are about 1/2 the price of the internal ones in my case so that is also a plus.

By the way no comments on the brand you are looking at because I haven't seen / heard of them unless they are yet another copy of a copy of a copy etc. In one of the threads I posted up some research I did before picking the TPMS I bought for the 150.

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...-Systems/page2

There are several other threads too.

Michael

[shan54 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shan54]

Thank you Michael very much for your reply. I tried to search "TPMS" in the top search bar and kept coming up with non related threads, must have been my mistake. Your advice is really appreciated, and have ordered the steelmate TPMS 05E with external sensors. Ive already got too many screens and guages so running through the DVD player makes sense.

Thanks again,

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Let us know how it goes. Unfortunately the search function isn't the best so a google+ search usually works.

[fatboydave Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close fatboydave]

Reviewing an old thread here but interested in how this actually went as the advertising says the TP-05E suits cars with a pressure range of 25~51 psi.
I too am looking for a TPMS system but don't want another screen but wonder how useful the alarm is if you can only set it down to 25psi.

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Let us know how it goes. Unfortunately the search function isn't the best so a google+ search usually works.

Just thought I would let you know I'm fine. I did a google+search on Google and all that come up was Google, now I'm stuck in an endless loop. Hope you're happy.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Exceedingly. Who are you?