Accurate dial tire gauge

[Steve_P]

Whatever happened to the days when everybody just trusted that this thing was the gold standard that everyone should use?

The pencil style is typically very accurate, and fine if you have good vision; I'm old enough that they're a bit difficult to easily read.

 

[Steve_P]

I'd take Project Farm tests with a grain of salt. He is not very technical, omits certain brands, and is known to favor certain brands. A guy I worked with tested various Chinese digital pressure gauges. They were reasonably accurate, but they did not do well if the ambient temperature changed. Most had no calibration provisions or calibration instructions. If they were off, throw them away and buy another.

C'mon. Did you actually watch the PF test? What brands does he favor? Jaco? And he can't test every brand. Yes, he does test a lot of the alphabet soup brands on Amazon, but sometimes there's a gem there.

He did a very thorough test on the tire gauges including factoring in gauge temperature and testing at different pressures. Yes, he didn't do it using $100K laboratory equipment, but feel free to do that and then post the video on youtube. If Consumer Reports did the same test in their laboratory, people here would complain about their being biased, don't know what they're doing, etc.

 

[seber]

I find PF to be very useful most of the time. Some things he should not get near. Like motor oil. But I don't find any bias. Unlike Consumer Reports. I stopped paying attention to them decades ago when cars with US brand got horrible reviews while the same car with Japanese branding were considered wonderful. All of the Big Three did that.

 

[Beanscoot]

Thanks for the link to the Project Farm review. I've watched a couple of the episodes over the years and I think they do a pretty good, scientific review of products.

 

[xjfish]

Blue Point dial type is seemingly the most accurate I own. https://b2b.snapon.com/productDetails/819173/2/885310

 

[Wandering]

Wow you guys put a lot of thought into tire pressure gauges. I keep cheap ones in the truck less for an accurate number and more to observe changes compared to the other tires. I have learned a lot and am now shamed to buy a better quality gauges wow just wow

 

[LopezBart]

A fellow steamboater friend has a antique dead weight tester that works pretty well.... the modern versions are quite accurate and expensive....

Whoops, we couldn't find that.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Unless you are racing and need to be able to adjust in less than 1 psig increments, it doesn't really matter if your tires are at 32 psig or 34.

Racing dosen't matter either as long as you use the same gauge every time and set it to whatever works best for your application.

This is just like using a tape measure thats WAAAY OFF, it dosen't matter how far off it is as long you dont switch mid project.

 

[cgrutt]

This is just like using a tape measure thats WAAAY OFF, it dosen't matter how far off it is as long you dont switch mid project.

I hear what you're saying but don't necessarily agree with your analogy. Importance of accurate tape measure will become apparent after framing a wall only to find your doors/ windows /cabinets /appliances /tiles /panels /etc dont fit.

 

[engineer2]

Since auto racing was brought up they use gauges that read to 0.1 psig and sometimes 0.01.
For NASCAR and Indy +/- 0.5 psig matters. NASCAR and Goodyear have tire pressure range recommendations depending on the tires and the track. It's all about the pressure "build" as the tires heat up.
For go karts I'm told +/-0.05 psig matters.
I think the airline tire gauges are good to +/-0.5 psig, but they just set them to the recommended spec before the first flight of the day.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I am not that impressed with mechanical pressure gauge accuracy. As part of a job in youth I would calibrate big pressure gauges and create correction curves. They were never that great. For calibration, Dead weight testers were great for higher pressures. But a good mercury manometer was really accurate with temperature correction. I amazed we lived thru all that mercury exposure.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Since auto racing was brought up they use gauges that read to 0.1 psig and sometimes 0.01.
For NASCAR and Indy +/- 0.5 psig matters. NASCAR and Goodyear have tire pressure range recommendations depending on the tires and the track. It's all about the pressure "build" as the tires heat up.
For go karts I'm told +/-0.05 psig matters.
I think the airline tire gauges are good to +/-0.5 psig, but they just set them to the recommended spec before the first flight of the day.

I'm curious what brand / make / model gauge NASCAR and Indy teams use.

 

[zimman]

I'm curious what brand / make / model gauge NASCAR and Indy teams use.

Me too
Zim

 

[rancherbill]

That looks like one of their EXELAIR product line. Sadly Milton, like most manufactures, has to use offshore sources in order to stay competitive if not just survive. Unless you purchase one of the legacy products ($$$) the box will probably say Made In China. Today's business reality is that everyone shops by price, not quality or value.

I do not care what line it is !!! I expect top line Quality from Milton - that's simple. I paid money for a "top line one" and expected to get it.

Secondly, China does not make Junk. They can make ANY QUALITY the buyer wants to pay for. China is far advanced to the US in many manufacturing areas already. Milton got the quality level they were willing to pay for the product. Did they pay for a top of the line product - NO. They paid for a product that would have huge profits flow to their bottom line. Guess what? The Execs made great bonuses on that bottom line. They had not been investing in their process and automation, because that return did not flow to the bottom line in a quarter.

Thirdly, this whole China thing is just chirping Managements story as to why they're laying off people closing plants etc. Today's manager has no motivation to build, they only are motivated by their quarterly bonus.

 

[Wrench97]

Mittler Bros, and they sell replacement parts.

Racing Tire Gauge for Accurate Racing Tire Pressure from Mittler Bros.

Racing tire gauge for accurate racing tire pressure, inflation tool, replacement parts, gauge lens, rubber bumpers & glow in the dark tire gauges for professional race cars.

www.mittlerbros.com

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

I'm curious what brand / make / model gauge NASCAR and Indy teams use.

Its going to be whoever sponsors them and gives them free tools.

This would probably be an underwhelming topic because they don't do pressure changes on the cars. The pressure is changed on the new set of tires going on the car. Being they use nitrogen filled they are all probably overinflated and bumped down before going over the wall. I wouldn't think they would have nitrogen fill stations in every pit stall.

I was reading somewhere before that F1 uses IR sensors on each tire (this would be much more accurate then measuring tire pressure for tire wear) and like NASCAR the tire sponsor own all the tires. The teams provide the wheels to the tire companies then pick up the tires at the track already mounted, balanced, and ready to roll. At the end of the event all tires have to be turned back in.

 

[Badger 13]

I'm very happy with my Longacre analog pressure gauge.

 

[zendriver]

I know I ask about dial pressure gauges, but after discussion realizing I never had any digital tire gauge, I thought I’d give them a try

I got a couple of these for eight dollars each.

I’ll see how they jive up with the pressure gauge on my inflator chuck

ETENWOLF T300 Digital Tire Pressure Gauge (±1 PSI)

Keep your tires in top shape with the T300 Plus digital tire pressure gauge. Accurate readings with a bright display—drive safely with ETENWOLF!

etenwolf.com

Thanks for the responses

 

[Notgrownup]

I'm very happy with my Longacre analog pressure gauge.

I have 2 of these and a digital JACO that I bought because of reviews.

 

[engineer2]

I'm curious what brand / make / model gauge NASCAR and Indy teams use.

Mostly Cecomp, cecomp.com. The versions for racing cost near $600 and they can be customized.
They only make the gauges. Teams build their own valve/hose/chuck assemblies since they want a tool to meet their needs.
Most NASCAR teams use a 100.0 psig range with 8 memory storage.
Indy car teams can use 60.00 range to give them 0.01 psig resolution, or the 100.0 psig range.
8 memory locations are for hot-cold pressure or inner outer liner pressures.

If you do an online search for "NASCAR tire gauges", it's mostly sellers licensed to use the NASCAR name. I guarantee NASCAR or Indy teams do not use pencil, Chinese, or mechanical gauges.

Its going to be whoever sponsors them and gives them free tools.

No, they buy them as a tool and pay list price. Tire gauges are a minor behind-the-scenes tool. Most teams are well-funded businesses.
Years go my dad's employer got talked into "sponsoring" the air system for a race team shop. The team got all their stuff for free but publicity and increased sales never happened.

 

[Crow Horse]

I have a Ventoso Rubicon and it is the bee's knees. It is pricey and I got a deal on it by trading in my old Power Tank gauge. Everything about it screams quality. As far as accuracy is concerned, I can't speak to it. As long as you stay using the same gauge, even if it's off a bit, it'll be fine for the average user. ****Edit**** From their website "1% accuracy +/-0.6 psi"

 

[rayik]

Moroso 89560 0-60 lb.

 

[NUTTSGT]

This is the gauge I keep in the Mustang and car trailer.

 

[zendriver]

FWIW I thought I’d check how accurate these are at least with each other.

Tire was about 32 psi on another gauge. I took these two readings back to back with the outside temperature about 20°. Yesterday. Left one lay one the outside ground until today measured again. I could not get a good image of the readout but each was .1 psi higher. 30° out. Must be able to compensate for temperature of the gauge.



Was not excited about any digital unit. using button batteries, but these use AAA and if I want to store them outside the gauge they can be easily removed. still need to find out what the brass adapter is for



They’ll do for now.

Thanks again for the responses.

 

[KnurledNut]

still need to find out what the brass adapter is for

That's a Presta to Schrader valve adaptor. Nice accessory.

 

[whateg01]

FWIW I thought I’d check how accurate these are at least with each other.

Tire was about 32 psi on another gauge. I took these two readings back to back with the outside temperature about 20°. Yesterday. Left one lay one the outside ground until today measured again. I could not get a good image of the readout but each was .1 psi higher. 30° out. Must be able to compensate for temperature of the gauge.

I don't know what the temperature is the gauge would have to do with the measurements. Are load cells that sensitive to temperature?

 

[zendriver]

I don't know what the temperature is the gauge would have to do with the measurements. Are load cells that sensitive to temperature?

Maybe some, not sure. I thought temperature compensations was mentioned here.

Might not matter.

 

[danielbuck]

I keep one gauge in each vehicle. I try to match the gauge range to the tire range needed. For example, a vehicle that needs 24psi for the road, I keep a 0-30 psi gauge in there. If the tires need 40psi for the road, I get a 0-60. Much easier to read than a 0-200psi gauge or whatever.

To me, it's more like a torque wrench, accuracy isn't as important as repeatability. Lots of things change what PSI the tires need. temperature, load on the vehicle, tire size, intended driving surface... so rarely is the tire PSI actually ideal anyway, unless you're constantly adjusting it.

I haven't tested all of my gauges, but the ones I have all read within 2psi or so of each other at around 30psi. That's probably plenty accurate enough assuming they repeat the same measurements every time and don't bounce around much. Even cheap ones seem to work fairly well from what I've seen.

 

[impactims]

This thread made me realize that I have room for improvement in the tire pressure gauge department. I have always used the pencil type but I have never really been happy with it since it's so hard to read. So I got one of these…

 

[zendriver]

I’m trying to get them in the same ballpark

I like this one(Mac from an estate auction) but the gauge was broken. Tried the HF gauge but the scale was not suitable for a tire accuracy. Imo

Took this liquid filled gauge from a sprayer and it reads almost the same as the new gauges. Now on to the gauge on the inflator.