Customer Reviews

Hopkins 30100VA nVision Tire Pressure Monitoring System

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Compared many brands and this was best overall due to number of memory locations (24). With multi-vehicles I can monitor all tires in one unit without having to purchase multi receivers, just transfer this one receiver to other vehicles as needed and ZINGO all done. The receiver has a large viewing screen making it easy to read; it is also self-checking. Mdl 30100VA has 4 sending units whereas Mdl 38100VA has 6 sending units. Additional sending units come 4 units per set and their internal batteries last 3-5 yrs before replacement depending on how often the pressure is monitored/checked externally; at about $20 a unit spread over 3-5 yrs that isn't bad. Install and setup is a snap. Hopkins 30100VA nVision Tire Pressure Monitoring System

I use this monitoring system on my RV (Roadtrek van converted 4 wheels). Had a flat tire some years ago while driving. Would hate to have it with a heavy RV. So I installed this monitoring system and can drive much more relaxed now. System works fine and is precise. This is a good insurance.

Some friends told me the sensors might not be quite airtight, but I had no such problem. They close tightly. You can actually see quite clearly the changes of the tire pressure between cold morning and warmer noon temperatures.

When in storage I remove the sensors because that will prolong the life time of the sensor batteries (they cannot be replaced - when they are empty, you need new sensors!).

This after-market system works accurately. The monitor is a little large to conveniently fit on must dashboards (which are not flat), and is difficult to read in bright sunlight. The biggest issue I have with the system is the tendency of the pressure sender devices to work loose, and let air out of the tires. Sort of defeats the purpose of having the device in the first place. So far, in several months of use I have lost pressure in two tires this way, although it was quick to report that the pressure was falling. I'm going to look for a new system that is installed inside the wheel as an itergral part of the air stem, like the TPMS systems on new cars. I use the system with my 5th wheel trailer.

These tire pressure monitors will be well worth the money when and if a tire starts leaking. I put these on my motorhome and with tires costing about $300 each, I want to know if pressure is correct. If just one tire slowly loses air without warning and overheats, it's goodbye $300.00! (Which is $250.00 more than the cost of the tire's monitor. Also, their customer service hotline is great! I had some difficulty in the initial setup, and one phone call to a friendly, helpful technician solved the issue. Thanks, Hopkins!

I installed this system on my motorhome, 3 of the 6 sending units would not send a signal. Two of the units continually leaked air. After about 2 days tire presure would go from 110psi to about 20psi. I am taking it back to the store that I purchased it from. I would rather take my chances than have something that causes flats.

As the title states, this is definitely an interesting concept. And if designed properly, this would be an outstanding product for RV travelers (among others), but alas there are too many issues for me to be able to reccomend this product. I will outline those in very simple terms:

1.) Build quality. This thing feels like a child's toy. And not the good toys you find at Toys R U either. No, this thing feels like something you find at the dollar store...on the clearance rack. Take the screen for instance. Although detented (several clicks supposedly hold it into place), the screen still flops back and forth with the slightest of touch or movement. The materials used really feel cheap. The sensors that screw onto the tire stem seem robust enough, but the problem there is they are TOO robust and really put a strain on the tire stem. Although during my testing, I didn't run into any issues, others apparently have and I can certainly understand why. This much of a rotating mass, attached to a rubber stem just doesn't seem like that good of an idea. Inertia is funny that way.

2.) Functionality. Plain and simple, this thing doesn't quite work properly. I have a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo (NOT the biggest vehicle out there), and even had trouble pairing the sensors to the unit, holding it a foot away. But once I finally got it paired, I was able to track tire pressure and was ready to sing it's praises.... But no singing ensued. About 2 miles later, the right rear sensor lost it's pairing.....then the left front. I stopped, repaired, and tried again. This time, I got 26 miles (26.3 to be exact) before both of the rear tired lost pairing. The front stayed paired however. Probably due to the fact the unit was sitting up front on the dashboard; for about 20 more miles that is. I stopped, re-paired (again) and was on my way (again). This time, everything was good for about 40 miles, until I lost the right rear (again). I finally just gave up, pulled the sensors off and put it in the glovebox. Once home from my trip, I decided to give this unit another try on a smaller vehicle. A 2007 Chevy Malibu, with unfortunately the same results. Albeit, I was able to get about 42 miles before I lost complete pairing to all 4 sensors.

I REALLY wanted to like this unit and do NOT consider myself a harsh reviewer, but there are just too many issues with this unit for me to reccomend it to anyone.

I bought this after reading many reviews. Upon reading the manual carefully, I see that Hopkins does not allow users to change batteries in the sensors. Their answer: simply buy new sensors every 4 years or so. What???!!!! A 6-wheel set of sensors is $300 - - almost the same as buying a complete new system. So Hopkins is telling us that their $300 TPMS must essentially be thrown away after 4 years. Not my kind of investment; I will be returning the unit to Camping World tomorrow.

This was the first stand alone TPM system I have ever owned the rest were factory installed systems.

Our set up is a 40' Motor Coach with a 20' trailer. I did my reading about these systems and opted to purchase the Hopkins TPM system.

Because of our length (65 feet) we had to get an additional device called a repeater. I set it all up and placed the repeater in a cargo bay near the rear of the coach.

The system was sporadic about reading the signal from the trailer tires. At times it would read the trailer tire pressure and some times not receive a signal. That's when it will beep at you.

I called Hopkins and told them of my problem. The rep was very nice and helpful. He said that's not an uncommon problem in diesel coaches. He recommended I move it up inside the coach and it should take care of the problem. So I did, I moved it to inside the closet (where you can't see it) and it's worked great ever since.

I would recommend the Hopkins TPM System to any one. It's great to be able to monitor the tire pressure in any of the 10 tires at a glance.

I was curious also about the operating temperature of -30 to only 85 degrees fahrenheit. So I called the manufacture, he said that the specifications printed in Amazon's web site are for celsius not fahrenheit. I have not purchased one of these units yet so I can't give a true rating at this time.I pull a 5th wheel RV and I am thinking very seriously about buying one. If I do I will give my personal review later.
REVIEW UPDATE: I purchased the unit and 8 tire sensors for my 5th wheel RV and truck. I was having minor problems with the trailer sensors being received at the monitoring unit so I acquired the 30300 repeater unit and everything is now working perfect. I have had tires blow on my trailer in the past and the damages were over $2000. The peace of mind knowing that when one or more of my tires may be loosing pressure because of a nail or other road hazard is well worth the cost of the Hopkins Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Also when pulling a large trailer,I consider my family and others life worth more than the cost of this unit. I guess that's why tire pressure monitoring is now required on all new cars. If you just have a car or truck, you won't need the repeater unit, but if you pull a trailer, I recommend you also buy the repeater unit. You can use this unit when you have a vehicle and trailer. Drop off the trailer and use it for car or truck only. Swap between vehicles, the combinations are many. I am well pleased with my purchase and VERY, VERY impressed with the customer support team at Hopkins. They want you satified.

Works as advertised but a utilitarian dated design.

Fortunately I had no problems with either the installation or the signal quality like many of the other reviewers. But based on price, design and features, it is clear that this must be a sellers market. The entire package is like a first generation of a gadget, bulky, not very user friendly, but it does the job. The initial configuration is probably onerous out of necessity. You have to use a 9 volt battery to pair up the console with each tire sensor by holding it in the proximity of the sensor that is flashing on the display, so each sensor has a unique position. Ok so far, although I wish the sensors would have some distinguishing marking on them , be it FL, FR, RL, RR, or even 1-4 in case you need to move them around. It really takes about 15 minutes to set up, which once again is understandable. The manufacturer recommends that you leave the unit powered up all the time, I'd like to but my cigarette lighter plug is only powered up while the car is running, so each time I start the car I have to wait about 5 minutes before I get a green light on the console ( although each tire pressure comes up at about 1 minute intervals). So if you don't want to drive before confirming that everything is OK, you have to wait about 5 minutes before rolling. The sensors are about 2/3 of an ounce each so you may need to re balance the tires after installation. I have seen estimates of about 10 lbs centrifugal force pulling on the valve stem at highway speeds and some concern about stems that are long or flexible being damaged. Mine sort of goes through a tunnel in the rim so it was not a worry for me. I did not notice any appreciable vibration up to about 70 mph, over 75 you may want to consider adding the recommended ½ oz weight opposite the sensor. The accuracy of the sensor is specified as +/- 5%, in my experience it appears to be reading about 2-3 psi high around 36 psig. The display is quite easy to read, but you have to squint to figure out for which tire the current pressure is being displayed, it rotates the monitoring location pressure. The temperature monitor claim must be only when the heat drives the tire pressure very high, hence an inferred high temperature. There is no way to monitor the temperature at user selected time. The console clamshell design is very clumsy to locate as the power cord plugs in the front. Since many vehicles power down the utility plug when car is off, why no provision for a hard wired connector? I tried hard to used the supplied rubber mat and find a place where the console would be visible at all times. Could not do it. Why not a GPS style suction mount, or a vent visor clip, or maybe even a Bluetooth or WiFi signal that has an app for your smart phone, pad or a computer? There are after all OBD II scanners that utilize just such an interface. Fortunately if you are stuck placing the console on the floor or under the seat, the warning green, yellow, red lights and beeps still provide adequate notification of a low pressure. Finally a biggie, the sensors do not have a replaceable battery. Why not? They certainly are big enough to use a 2032 button cell with a screw on cap. As is, the cheapest I saw for replacements are two sensors for about $65.

In summary if you are concerned about towing or loosing pressure (by the way the OEM also cautions that any sign of unusual behavior from the wheels is a sign to pull over, no matter what the sensors say), this device can help with early diagnosis. Unfortunately while it does what it claims, I wish it was in a more user friendly manner.