As a result of this Group Buy thread: https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?149594-Fobo-Bluetooth-Tpms-(show-of-interest) I bought a FOBO Bike Kit ($99 MSRP) and T-Valves ($24/pair).
The Bike kit contains two FOBO TMPS sensors four security/lock nuts and two plastic wrenches to tighten the security nuts against the sensor. My kit also included an additional 2032 battery attached to the FOBO box in bag labeled LOC item. I have no idea what that means.
This kit had no display of any kind. Instead it uses either an iPhone or Android phone for the display along with FOBO's app and Bluetooth 4.x to talk to the sensors.
There's a little blurb on the box that tells you to go to my-fobo.com for installation instructions. I downloaded them to my iPhone and opened them in iBooks and proceeded with the installation. https://my-fobo.com/uploads/fobobike/FOBOBikeUserGuidever2_1.pdf
The first step is to download the FOBO app for your platform from the App Store or Google Play and open an account. This is tied to the serial numbered devices so this can't be avoided. Just submit an email address and click the verification link sent to that email. Once tied to your account the FOBOs can't be used by someone else. This may not prevent them being stolen but at least the thief won't be able to use them.
This may be the point were you customize the app for your bike. You can take a pic of your bike and enter a name for its profile. You can also change the units for temperature and pressure from metric to normal.
You're taken to the app's Settings and asked to enter you bike's recommended tire pressure (but you can use your personal preference) for both the front and rear tires. The app then shows you the Min and Max tire pressure deviations that sound an alarm. For 42 lbs the defaults are 38lbs and 52lbs. These may be user adjustable but I didn't check that out.
Remove the valve cap then screw on the security nut all the way down to the bottom of the stems' threads. Screw on the FOBO sensor on when and as instructed by the app starting with the rear tire. If you've jumped the gun you'll have to remove it for at least 8sec then attach it as instructed. DAMHIK. There is some slight air loss when attaching or removing the sensors so turn quickly. Removing then re-attaching them cost me 1lb of air. NBD.
Next spin the security nut (lock nut/jam nut) against the sensor then use the included wrench to cinch it down. I used the click of my wrist to torque them firmly but not tight.
The instructions tell you to touch your phone to the sensor and click OK on the app. This pairs the sensor to your phone. Repeat the process following the app cues for the front tire. This isn't NFC so it's most likely just to minimize any possible RF or passive interference with pairing.
The app tells you when installation is complete. Look at the screen and see your tire pressures. COOL!
You can edit the bikes profile at any time and the app can track up to 20 vehicles' pressures.
The tires should probably be rebalanced with the addition of the sensors and well definitely need it when the T-Valves are installed as they are heavy. These valves will work with either the 8.3mm or 11.3mm (ST size) valve holes in the rim.
The operation on iOS is very simple. Open the FOBO app and view your tire pressures and act accordingly. Done. Since the sensors use BT the range should be about 10m (33'). FOBO advises objects or devices may interfere with and limit the range. I haven't challenged the range but 10' was no problem at all.
All of the pieces seem well made and though plastic is used extensively there isn't any cheap feel at all. The sensors use replaceable common 2032 batteries and FOBO says they should last about two years but lists some things that will shorten battery life. Very much a YMMV.
Since it doesn't use its own display those riders who want tire pressure information always displayed won't want this unit. Even if you mount the phone on the bike you'd have to keep it open to the app to mimic a dedicated display. It's a choice. I just want a quick easy way to check tire pressure before I get on the bike. This lets me fire up the compressor if needed and top off before even saddling up. On the road I can check it at any food or gas or "other" stop.
The iOS app will sound an alarm if the Min or Max air pressure level is crossed. If you're using BT comms for music or GPS you'll probably hear the alarm in the headphones/headset. I haven't verified this.
It's too soon to speak to long-term reliability but I'm very encouraged.
The company was a joy to do business with. All communication was prompt and on point and shipping was fast. The MSRP is painless.
I will order one more sensor as a portable air gauge and maybe one more set for a buddy. If you don't want to mount a dedicated TMPS display this is a great solution.
https://my-fobo.com/Product/FOBOBike#specification
The Bike kit contains two FOBO TMPS sensors four security/lock nuts and two plastic wrenches to tighten the security nuts against the sensor. My kit also included an additional 2032 battery attached to the FOBO box in bag labeled LOC item. I have no idea what that means.
This kit had no display of any kind. Instead it uses either an iPhone or Android phone for the display along with FOBO's app and Bluetooth 4.x to talk to the sensors.
There's a little blurb on the box that tells you to go to my-fobo.com for installation instructions. I downloaded them to my iPhone and opened them in iBooks and proceeded with the installation. https://my-fobo.com/uploads/fobobike/FOBOBikeUserGuidever2_1.pdf
The first step is to download the FOBO app for your platform from the App Store or Google Play and open an account. This is tied to the serial numbered devices so this can't be avoided. Just submit an email address and click the verification link sent to that email. Once tied to your account the FOBOs can't be used by someone else. This may not prevent them being stolen but at least the thief won't be able to use them.
This may be the point were you customize the app for your bike. You can take a pic of your bike and enter a name for its profile. You can also change the units for temperature and pressure from metric to normal.
You're taken to the app's Settings and asked to enter you bike's recommended tire pressure (but you can use your personal preference) for both the front and rear tires. The app then shows you the Min and Max tire pressure deviations that sound an alarm. For 42 lbs the defaults are 38lbs and 52lbs. These may be user adjustable but I didn't check that out.
Remove the valve cap then screw on the security nut all the way down to the bottom of the stems' threads. Screw on the FOBO sensor on when and as instructed by the app starting with the rear tire. If you've jumped the gun you'll have to remove it for at least 8sec then attach it as instructed. DAMHIK. There is some slight air loss when attaching or removing the sensors so turn quickly. Removing then re-attaching them cost me 1lb of air. NBD.
Next spin the security nut (lock nut/jam nut) against the sensor then use the included wrench to cinch it down. I used the click of my wrist to torque them firmly but not tight.
The instructions tell you to touch your phone to the sensor and click OK on the app. This pairs the sensor to your phone. Repeat the process following the app cues for the front tire. This isn't NFC so it's most likely just to minimize any possible RF or passive interference with pairing.
The app tells you when installation is complete. Look at the screen and see your tire pressures. COOL!
You can edit the bikes profile at any time and the app can track up to 20 vehicles' pressures.
The tires should probably be rebalanced with the addition of the sensors and well definitely need it when the T-Valves are installed as they are heavy. These valves will work with either the 8.3mm or 11.3mm (ST size) valve holes in the rim.
The operation on iOS is very simple. Open the FOBO app and view your tire pressures and act accordingly. Done. Since the sensors use BT the range should be about 10m (33'). FOBO advises objects or devices may interfere with and limit the range. I haven't challenged the range but 10' was no problem at all.
All of the pieces seem well made and though plastic is used extensively there isn't any cheap feel at all. The sensors use replaceable common 2032 batteries and FOBO says they should last about two years but lists some things that will shorten battery life. Very much a YMMV.
Since it doesn't use its own display those riders who want tire pressure information always displayed won't want this unit. Even if you mount the phone on the bike you'd have to keep it open to the app to mimic a dedicated display. It's a choice. I just want a quick easy way to check tire pressure before I get on the bike. This lets me fire up the compressor if needed and top off before even saddling up. On the road I can check it at any food or gas or "other" stop.
The iOS app will sound an alarm if the Min or Max air pressure level is crossed. If you're using BT comms for music or GPS you'll probably hear the alarm in the headphones/headset. I haven't verified this.
It's too soon to speak to long-term reliability but I'm very encouraged.
The company was a joy to do business with. All communication was prompt and on point and shipping was fast. The MSRP is painless.
I will order one more sensor as a portable air gauge and maybe one more set for a buddy. If you don't want to mount a dedicated TMPS display this is a great solution.
https://my-fobo.com/Product/FOBOBike#specification
