Tire Gauge: Analog vs. Digital

[theoldwizard1]

My favorite gauges are the analog with a large dial that hold the reading after it is removed from the valve

Hmmm ... Where did I hear that ?

I'm not a fan of digital because they require a battery and there is no reason they should inherently be more accurate (as a retired engineer, I know that most electronic pressure measuring methods are subject to other influences, mostly temperature).

But regradless of if you go analog or digital, look at Accu-Gage. Personally, I love the S-series 60 PSI with swivel chuck, push button bleeder and the optional rubber guard ! ($14.50 plus shipping)

And they have a Lifetime Warranty (at least on the analog gauges; mail in with $3 for return postage).

Also MADE / TESTED / ASSEMBLED IN THE USA

Get some buddies together (or buy one for each car and a spare for the tool box) and save on shipping !

How can you go wrong !

 

[crazy5]

I'm not a fan of digital because they require a battery and there is no reason they should inherently be more accurate (as a retired engineer, I know that most electronic pressure measuring methods are subject to other influences, mostly temperature).

But regradless of if you go analog or digital, look at Accu-Gage. Personally, I love the S-series 60 PSI with swivel chuck, push button bleeder and the optional rubber guard ! ($14.50 plus shipping)

And they have a Lifetime Warranty (at least on the analog gauges; mail in with $3 for return postage).

Also MADE / TESTED / ASSEMBLED IN THE USA

Get some buddies together (or buy one for each car and a spare for the tool box) and save on shipping !

How can you go wrong !

I bought one of these several years ago from Sears and have been very happy with it. Just checked, and Sears has it on sale for $3.99 with in store pickup. Hell, I might just grab another one or two at that price. http://www.sears.com/accu-gage-tire-gauge/p-02820528000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[Nathan.Johnson]

My favorite gauges are the analog with a large dial that hold the reading after it is removed from the valve

Analog tire pressure gauges, in my opinion, are the best way to go. A big plus, they don't require batteries...and will last a lifetime. The pencil type pressure gauges are very difficult for my older eyes to read, and the ability of a gauge to hold the reading after you have taken it off the valve stem is paramount. Having a large dial is important, and they are easier to read.

Also, the bleed release valve is also handy on the dial type pressure gauges as I tend to sometimes over inflate the tire.

Just my two cents!

 

[Junkman]

I first did a search, and found this post from 2011, and since the question is the same, but the times have changed, I decided that it is better to revive an old thread, than start an new one. What are your recommendations for a Digital Tire Inflation Gauge? I would like one that will both inflate, and deflate and give an accurate read out. I have used the Matco DT4B, but at a list price of $132.95, I am looking for something less expensive.

 

[JohnDeere1]

I have a couple Schrader co. Gauges made out of brass and very nice but old but Schrader invented the the valve given th3 name and also invented the gauges and can't be beat, I just bought one new in box nos and its great you can buy one for aroun $20 off ebay and all are the pencil style but have leak down and are not cheap plastic anywhere on the guages.

 

[nickelmore]

Bump

 

[tym]

The mac daddy of all tire pressure gauges is the intercomp. Dead accurate and used by most top flight racing teams in top series (F1, ALMS, NASCAR, etc). It ain't cheap, but it always works. The main issue with many other gauges is that if your drop them or knock them, they lose calibration. And you don't figure this out right away, until you're going 2 secs a lap slower because you're TP gauge is reading 3lbs off.

http://www.intercomp-racing.com/Products/9999_PSI_DIGITAL_AIR_PRESSURE_GAUGE_704.cfm

I went a little crazy around the holidays and bought one of these Intercomp digital gauges. Definitely the last one you'll ever need to buy.

https://www.intercompracing.com/99.99-digital-pressure-gauge-p-180-l-en.html

 

[engineer2]

The mac daddy of all tire pressure gauges is the intercomp. Dead accurate and used by most top flight racing teams in top series.

In reality very few teams use them unless Intercomp sponsors them. Most racing teams use Cecomp. You can tell by the orange boot.

In any case, if you spend over $200 you will get something that is pretty accurate and durable.

 

[vwmandem]

I'd agree analog gauges are the best option. I started off with a digital one.. it was quite a cheap model but I check my tires regularly (at least once a month) and I ended up spending more on batteries than the gauge cost! Go for analogue with a large dial, mine has lasted for 8 years and still works good as new.

I went for this 60psi gauge which does the trick, but i think any good analog gauge will do the trick. Always check the accuracy level though

Something to note: the recommended pressure levels provided by the manufacturers are for COLD temperatures. I think most people are unaware of this. For this reason it's always best to check/inflate your tires at home (before driving and heating up the tire)

 

[Mr_John]

There was a review of the most accurate tire gauges, as I recall, and some magazine conducted the competition. It was either a Popular Mechanics or Car & Driver type magazine, but I believe the accuracy was bench marked... and the Accutire MS-4021B Digital Tire Pressure Gauge (I own a couple of them, btw) was ranked the winner and most accurate overall:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00080QHMM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[RKA]

Something to note: the recommended pressure levels provided by the manufacturers are for COLD temperatures. I think most people are unaware of this. For this reason it's always best to check/inflate your tires at home (before driving and heating up the tire)

I've always done this, however, generally the tire pressure and temp doesn't change too drastically when driving around town (less than 2 psi difference). Highway driving and peak of the summer would increase the temps and pressures a little more. What I never stopped to think about (until I got a car with temp and pressure readings on the dash) is the effect the sun has on the temp and pressure while the car is parked. If the sun hits one side, and the other side is in the shade, you'll see a 2-4 psi difference. And if you inflate so they are both equal, depending on the kind of car you drive, you might notice some strange handling characteristics.

So yes, measure and inflate when cold and do it with all four tires in the sun (good luck with that) or all four in the shade.

 

[byacey]

New VW's are an exception to the rule. There is no practical value to having a system that is that sensitive. If you didn't have a tpms system, you could never feel the difference in the way it drove, in the way it performs, or the way the tire wears, just by changing the tire pressure by 1 or 2 psi. Under extreme conditions, (sports car, huge wheels with no sidewalls, rock hard suspension, very perceptive driver) someone might be able to tell a slight difference on the street.

The newer tourag tpms systems actually have a lot of issues. The dealerships have a lot of problems trying to get them to work properly and keep the light off. Other models may have similar problems as well.

I agree, there's no point in having the warning threshold programmed so tight in a passenger vehicle. 5 to 7 PSI would be a more realistic window. Further, how do you know the mass produced pressure sensors in the vehicle are that accurate?

 

[byacey]

You can actually build your own pressure gauge using a tire filling chuck ordinarily used on an air hose, with a pressure gauge that you select yourself based on desired range and accuracy.

The chuck typically is threaded for 1/4" NPT, as are many off the shelf pressure gauges.

 

[Minnesota Steve]

There was a review of the most accurate tire gauges, as I recall, and some magazine conducted the competition. It was either a Popular Mechanics or Car & Driver type magazine, but I believe the accuracy was bench marked... and the Accutire MS-4021B Digital Tire Pressure Gauge (I own a couple of them, btw) was ranked the winner and most accurate overall:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00080QHMM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

One caution... this uses three button cell batteries. Now you can find button cells cheap on amazon but I've had mixed success with them. You'll quickly find if you try to buy them locally you'll be spending $10 on batteries.

If I were going to look for a digital tire gauge I'd find one that uses a standard 9V or AAA or something.

I generally prefer analog in this case. As long as it's accurate to +/- 1 pound, that's good enough. I have a Longacre gauge that cost me $27 and it's been great. It's mostly about the convenience of having a release button and the hose. I'm also fine with a good pencil gauge.