Datatool Therma heated grips

[Fordfocus-man]

1. First Impressions/Unboxing Impressions

I was swayed by the sliding heat controller and whilst I'm sure all other heated grips have a "simple" 2 wire installation. This along the auto off when the engine is not running, the 2yr warranty and the Datatool brand made this a more favourable purchase over any with a push button control box. The grips have a quality feel to them and the sliding heat controller doesn't feel flimsy.

2. Initial Setup/Installation

In theory it should have been easy... thanks to the forum again for the advice on how to remove existing grips, that was easy!. I really couldn't be bothered to take off the hand guards after the time they took to fit so that hindered some of the installation. The lhs grip went on very easy, I had a dry run, cut out an opening in the end of the heated grip for the bar end to be re-inserted, then I used the glue and set the heat slide controller into my preferred position.
The throttle sleeve turned into a slight nightmare,   your typical cold December evening job in the garage, not a great deal of room to move around and tools everywhere. (that's why I NEVER tinker with anything technical!! ) As the oem grip clip over a large flange towards the inner part of the sleeve to form a rigid lip, that needed cutting / removing / filing as the new heated grip overhung the bar and interferred with the bar end spacer.( probably would have been easier if I had removed the handguard )The small lip on outer part of the throttle sleeve was easier to remove. Again it needed a dry to run to see where the on display light would be positioned and also bearing in mind as you twist the throttle how much cable would be needed before I tidied those up.
Next it was time to run the cable to the battery. The route I took will no doubt cause problems when I need a service but maybe I'll alter it before then as getting fed up by this point so I removed the lhs petrol tank panel and fed the wires to the battery. It was then time to tidy up the cables from the grips. I opted to lightly attach them to existing cables with small black ties which looks neat.

3. Real World Testing (how did it perform)

The first ride was brief but the temperature was 7 degrees and I wore my mid season favourite Dainese goretex leather gloves to test the grips. Not sure if it was an illusion but the rhs grip felt hotter ( throttle sleeve better for heat transfer? / I hold the throttle grip tighter ? ) The heat on the palm was extremely hot on the highest setting (no 4 ) and it was possible to reposition my hand to get some heat to my fingers due to the slightly larger diameter grips. As soon as I turned off the heated grips  it wasn't long before my hands started to feel chilly so they went back on again even with handguards fitted.

4. Specs & Other noteworthy facts

There are 4 heat settings which are controlled by a sliding switch positioned on the inner lhs grip along with the off position.
The on light indicator is positioned on inner rhs grip but as you twist the grip that rotates aswell.
2 year warranty.
Should be easy to fit for most!
Quality feel about the grips and the overall construction.

5. Tester's Opinion (summary)

The Good
I was really impressed with the heat thrown out on the highest setting
I like the fact that the sliding switch is discreet and not a control box attached to the handlebars.
Reasonably priced at around £65 so comparable with Oxford.

Take note
As both grips incorporate the on light indicator and on the other side the slide controller, the grips are a little narrower than most, I probably have average sized hands but there isn't much extra left if you have wider hands.
The on display indicator flashes dependant on the heat setting which I found off putting as you twist the throttle, as I kept noticing the flashing.

7. Pictures To follow!