EOC_Jason
Well-known member
12 degrees ambient I would think any moisture in the air would probably ice up the diaphragm (pressure regulator)...
Most Accurate- Digital Tire Gauge ?
- Thread starter 427HISS
- Start date
12 degrees ambient I would think any moisture in the air would probably ice up the diaphragm (pressure regulator)...
He must be a young whipper snapper with good eyes. Nice guy too.
engineer2
Well-known member
They find 0.5 psi makes a difference in handling. They go by "build" more than a pressure setting. Build is how much the pressure increases with temperature thus affecting the spring rate of the tire. It's different for each tire, each track, ambient temp, etc., etc. There is a whole science to it. See
The argument for digital vs mechanical is valid. For approximate readings, mechanical is fine as long as you take care of the gauge and don't drop it. Digital is less subject to interpretation error, and since it has no moving parts, dropping it won't affect accuracy (unless you broke something, in which case it probably won't work.)
95% of the NASCAR teams use Cecomp (same gauge as Buxton).
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engineer2
Well-known member
I didn't notice a car in that first picture.
engineer2
Well-known member
Something was distracting me.
Interesting. Motion Pro is a California based company, and I thought all their stuff was made in the states. I only have experience with their analog gauge which I love and is dead on accurate, but it is disappointing if they are in fact just dressing up Chinese import digital gauges now.
I can't say for certain but I'm looking at the gauge part of the package and that's what I think. Take a look at this MP gauge
http://www.redlinecyclesports.net/v/vspfiles/photos/08-0468-2.jpg
Now look at these ones from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J7DO9VQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073NZ38HQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Notice the LCDs are basically the same. That doesn't mean they are the same but when the LCDs are that close (including where the PSI text is located and its font) I generally assume the guts are the same. Of course that doesn't mean there isn't a difference. The boot around the gauge and the quality of the hose, chuck etc can all be a factor. Also, the basic digital gauges are probably accurate enough that a cheap one does the job just as well.
Interesting. Life warranty too, and being digital impress's me.
4.5 stars from 117 buyers.
Youtube review-
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J7DO9VQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I like this one for the garage.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LKZ8Z96/?tag=atomicindus08-20
4.5 stars from 117 buyers.
Youtube review-
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J7DO9VQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I like this one for the garage.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LKZ8Z96/?tag=atomicindus08-20
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engineer2
Well-known member
I picked up the Freeman version for $15 at Menards last month. Haven't played with it much yet, but is seems OK for the price. Looks like most of them use the same Chinese digital gauge. I've always said be cautious if they don't publish accuracy specs.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NBK7F9R/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NBK7F9R/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I just purchased this unit because of this thread.
Can not wait to use it. I hope it’s accurate. My Tpms sensors drove me crazy this winter and my Royobi inflater (2 of them) failed. I’m back to my wired gauge less compressor so this is a welcome addition.
Can not wait to use it. I hope it’s accurate. My Tpms sensors drove me crazy this winter and my Royobi inflater (2 of them) failed. I’m back to my wired gauge less compressor so this is a welcome addition.
How can you test a gauge to see that is accurate. I have two digital gauges and a manual one. I tested them against my car's front wheel tpms which was at 32 lbs. One digital was 29 the other 35 and the analog at 34. Problem is. Which one is the benchmark. Know nothing about the accuracy of the car's tpms compared to store bought digital and analog gauges.
boosteddsm92
Well-known member
This is the inflator I bought from Amazon. Happy thus far but it's not going to see heavy duty use with me.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071VLXJTD/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071VLXJTD/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I have the Astro too, and love it. First time I've had a combo air chuck + gauge, and it's very convenient.
A thought or two on the accuracy discussion. I think the most important thing is to have the proper left/right and front/rear balance correct. It doesn't really matter if it's 31 vs 32 lbs, as long as both sides match. And if the front is supposed to be 2 lbs lower than the rear, that it is.
Use the same gauge every time, check frequently and watch your tire wear pattern, and you should be good.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
A thought or two on the accuracy discussion. I think the most important thing is to have the proper left/right and front/rear balance correct. It doesn't really matter if it's 31 vs 32 lbs, as long as both sides match. And if the front is supposed to be 2 lbs lower than the rear, that it is.
Use the same gauge every time, check frequently and watch your tire wear pattern, and you should be good.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Honda guy
Well-known member
I'm happy with all the Motion Pro tools, that I own or use. Good quality, but most are made in Taiwan.
engineer2
Well-known member
You have to check it against a gauge that is at least 4 time more accurate. There really isn't any way for the average Joe to do this, unless you pay money to a metrology lab, or maybe get a pit pass to a NASCAR race and ask around for their gauge check station.
engineer2
Well-known member
Got the Freeman Chinese gauge tested on our calibrator.
It reads from 3 psi to 150 psi. Below about 3 psi it reads zero.
Similar Chinese version claim 1% accuracy.
No idea if it is temperature compensated, but I doubt it.
Calibrator . . . .Reading . . .%FS
0.0 . . . . . . 0.0 . . . . . . 0.00%
2.6 . . . . . . 3.0 . . . . . . .0.27%
15.0 . . . . . 15.4 . . . . . 0.27%
30.0 . . . . . 30.5 . . . . . 0.33%
45.0 . . . . . 45.5 . . . . . .0.33%
60.0 . . . . . 60.5 . . . . . .0.33%
75.0 . . . . . 75.4 . . . . . .0.27%
90.0 . . . . . 90.3 . . . . . .0.20%
105.0 . . . 105.2 . . . . . .0.13%
120.0 . . . 120.0 . . . . . .0.00%
135.0 . . . 134.6 . . . . . -0.27%
150.0 . . . 149.2 . . . . . .-0.53%
Not too bad for a $5 gauge.
It reads from 3 psi to 150 psi. Below about 3 psi it reads zero.
Similar Chinese version claim 1% accuracy.
No idea if it is temperature compensated, but I doubt it.
Calibrator . . . .Reading . . .%FS
0.0 . . . . . . 0.0 . . . . . . 0.00%
2.6 . . . . . . 3.0 . . . . . . .0.27%
15.0 . . . . . 15.4 . . . . . 0.27%
30.0 . . . . . 30.5 . . . . . 0.33%
45.0 . . . . . 45.5 . . . . . .0.33%
60.0 . . . . . 60.5 . . . . . .0.33%
75.0 . . . . . 75.4 . . . . . .0.27%
90.0 . . . . . 90.3 . . . . . .0.20%
105.0 . . . 105.2 . . . . . .0.13%
120.0 . . . 120.0 . . . . . .0.00%
135.0 . . . 134.6 . . . . . -0.27%
150.0 . . . 149.2 . . . . . .-0.53%
Not too bad for a $5 gauge.
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KM223
Well-known member
Interesting! I wonder what a Cecomp/Buxton would do?
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
I need to take pics tomorrow, but I finally got around to building my tire inflator...
I based it off of this video: http://www.lastgreatroadtrip.com/4x4-tech/trail-talk/best-tire-inflator/
Instead of doing just one valve though I used a manifold to fill two tires at a time. This ensures that the PSI is equal for both tires since the air line is physically tied together.
A pair of lock of air-chucks:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078WVQL31/?tag=atomicindus08-20
A 4-way (actually more) manifold:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RRRIOK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
1/4" Mini Regulator from HF:
https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-mini-air-regulator-with-dial-gauge-68226.html
Two air hose "remnant" packs from HF (were both ~9ft):
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-x-8-ft-15-ft-rubber-air-hose-remnant-61942.html
I had plenty of air fittings and such on hand. You could just as easily buy the cheap HF manifold if you wanted I guess.
Simply dial the PSI you want on the regulator, hook up to both tires, maybe tweak a little. Unhook and done!
I drive a 3/4 ton truck so my rear tires are higher psi than the front. After filling I checked my TPMS display and they were equal left-to-right! Woohoo!
I've been needing a manifold anyhow for quite a while, I hated always having to swap air hoses at times...
I based it off of this video: http://www.lastgreatroadtrip.com/4x4-tech/trail-talk/best-tire-inflator/
Instead of doing just one valve though I used a manifold to fill two tires at a time. This ensures that the PSI is equal for both tires since the air line is physically tied together.
A pair of lock of air-chucks:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078WVQL31/?tag=atomicindus08-20
A 4-way (actually more) manifold:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RRRIOK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
1/4" Mini Regulator from HF:
https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-mini-air-regulator-with-dial-gauge-68226.html
Two air hose "remnant" packs from HF (were both ~9ft):
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-x-8-ft-15-ft-rubber-air-hose-remnant-61942.html
I had plenty of air fittings and such on hand. You could just as easily buy the cheap HF manifold if you wanted I guess.
Simply dial the PSI you want on the regulator, hook up to both tires, maybe tweak a little. Unhook and done!
I drive a 3/4 ton truck so my rear tires are higher psi than the front. After filling I checked my TPMS display and they were equal left-to-right! Woohoo!
I've been needing a manifold anyhow for quite a while, I hated always having to swap air hoses at times...
xin
Well-known member
Is there a link to one of them that works good?
KM223
Well-known member
That is big bucks. The 100 psi gauge is accurate to .25psi over the whole scale. Unless you are racing, just having your tires match, with an accuracy of maybe 1psi is plenty good enough. The tpmi standard is nowhere near this gauge. You can get something a little less accurate for a small fraction of the price. Besides, tire pressure is going to vary much more with temperature changes. Filling with nitrogen reduces that problem.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
KM223
Well-known member
Yes I understand it’s big bucks. I have one and I do use it when racing. I’m curious to see what a really good tire gauge can do on the same bench test vs. the one that engineer2 has already tested. When you have someone on the board that has the ability to put accuracy to the test why not see if they can get a solid answer.
engineer2
Well-known member
Per the Cecomp specs, if you do the math, it is ±0.35 psi from 0 to 70°C. At normal room temps, it would probably be better than that. I'll see if I can get mine checked.
Agree that ±1 psi is good for passenger cars, but for auto racing and aircraft, they need a higher level of accuracy.
BTW, when we checked the Freeman gauge, the inflator assembly was rather leaky, so we had to test the gauge by itself.
Agree that ±1 psi is good for passenger cars, but for auto racing and aircraft, they need a higher level of accuracy.
BTW, when we checked the Freeman gauge, the inflator assembly was rather leaky, so we had to test the gauge by itself.
Modern Garage
Well-known member
I'm seeing a lot of discussion about accuracy but nothing about durability. I've been using digital tire gauges for ten or fifteen years now since I got my first one as freebie with some product somewhere. I have an auto repair shop and my policy is that every car that comes through the door gets its tires checked. I've worn out at least a half dozen gauges because the tiny peg that depresses the schrader valve wears down and I can't get a reading anymore. I find the cheap gauges are accurate enough for what I do so it only averages about $5 per year expense but the gauges actually still work and it makes me crazy to throw them out.
Joe
Joe
engineer2
Well-known member
It's hard to find decent tire chucks. Most are cheap made in China ****. The angle tire chucks seem to be the most popular with the racing teams. The rubber washer needs to be replaced if it starts leaking. Looks like if you wear the center pin down, you need to replace the entire chuck.
