Adaptiv Tpx Radar And Laser System

Adaptiv TPX Radar and Laser System

Freed to speed?

DOWNSIDE TO RADAR DETECTORS ADvertised as compatible with motorcycles is that most were developed for cars. Not so the Adaptiv Technologies TPX Radar and Laser Detection System. In fact, “Designed by motorcyclists for motorcyclists” is the phrase TPX inventor Wayne Chen uses when describing his company’s product.

This isn’t marketing hyperbole. Chen was fed up with his attempts to adapt traditional detectors to bikes. He was frustrated by missed audio and visual alerts, illegible readouts and switchgear that was difficult to operate while wearing gloves.

Addressing these and other issues was tougher than Chen and Adaptiv co-founder Adam Gold imagined, but the TPX delivers on its promise. Mating the shock-, vibrationand water-resistant console to a Techmount stem mount on our long-term Kawasaki ZX-14 required an optional Universal Mount Adaptor ($19), but hard-wiring the fused harness to the bike’s battery was a no-brainer. On the road, the angled backlit LCD is easy to read day or night. Same goes for the five-button keypad. Choosing the appropriate mode-City, Highway or City NoX-is a single-button affair, and the bandspecific warning alarms can be heard even when wearing a full-face helmet and earplugs. An optional LED Visual Alert ($45) provides eye-catching backup to the external speaker.

Bottom line: The TPX saved us from costly tickets-both in and out of townmore times than we care to remember. Think of it as the next best thing to a get-out-of-j ail-free card.

DETAILS

Adaptiv Technologies, LLC 459 Columbus Ave. #709 New York, NY 10024 866/232-7848 www.radarforbikes.com Price...$309

Ups 360-degree protection against all radar bands, including X, K and Superwide Ka Easy-to-use, intuitive design Certified by independent Speed Measurement Labs

Downs Seen as bulky by iPhone generation Illegal in Virginia and Washington D.C. Instant-on laser still difficult to defeat