Is There A Tire Pressure GaugeThat Is Accurate?

[dwendt44]

If a good quality pencil gauge has been checked and found to be accurate, that's a good one to keep in the glove compartment.
Nothing wrong with them-per se. It just that there are so many of that type that are real junk. Plastic or even aluminum ones that are over 5 lbs off.

Check and verify.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: AstroTurf
I've got an Old Faithful dial type. I have been thinking of an upgrade though and tripped upon this site...

It has the Mother of All Gauges (includes a built in Pyrometer)

Have a look: http://www.longacreracing.com/catalog/catlist.asp?catid=8



I have the Model # 50356 from that catalog, along with a Craftsman Programmable Digital gauge.
BOTH are backlit, and have VERY LARGE readable displays (of UPMOST importance at my age!), and are quite accurate (the Longacre actually came with a cert. of calibration, and has a self calibrating function/feature as well as the ability to have it calibrated professionally).

I am selling my Longacre analog dial gauge.

 

[94MaxGXE]

Quote:
94MaxGXE - looks like you need to join the BITOG 12 step program Those are way to many gauges for a normal person...


One in the glove box of each car !!

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: BetaBear
...
Pencil types are the least accurate because they rely on the resistance of the stick to stop the gauge and show pressure. depending on how loose or tight this stick is can vary the reading quite a bit, as well as gravity. you sometimes can get two different readings on a pencil type that's loose by holding it upright for one reading and upside down for another because of gravity.

Good for when you have nothing else, but a dial type is definitely more accurate. Digital has the least moving parts, and then using electronics calculates the Pressure, not by some numbers painted on a face with a stick or needle.
...
That is incorrect. The pencils use a calibrated spring. Also, most gauges are precise to .5 lb but are only accurate to w/in 2 lbs IME. I have worked as a professional metrologist and have cal'd gauges and tools in my younger days.

 

[UNC036]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
That is incorrect. The pencils use a calibrated spring.
Also, most gauges are precise to .5 lb but are only accurate to w/in 2 lbs IME.
I have worked as a professional metrologist and have cal'd gauges and tools in my younger days.


ARCOgraphite,
I hate to appear stupid, But, I often do. (It's O.K.) I don't mind.
Anyway, could you explain what the highlighted text in your quote means?
Thanks, Jim

 

[UNC036]

Hey Guys,

Look a this... Chek-a-spare.
I think it's a great idea that I haven't seen before.
I have 2 on order.
Why the car makers aren't doing this already is beyond me.

Jim

http://www.getagauge.com/accessories.cfm

 

[marc1]

I use this gauge, I have two and they are dead on to each other.

http://www.pcltireinflation.com/Products/Product?ProductId=1482

 

[BetaBear]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
That is incorrect. The pencils use a calibrated spring. Also, most gauges are precise to .5 lb but are only accurate to w/in 2 lbs IME. I have worked as a professional metrologist and have cal'd gauges and tools in my younger days.


I have been corrected

Never took a pencil type apart. I should have researched more before posting.

Still, Since pencils rely on a spring, wouldn't it's accuracy depend on the temperature and humidity, among other factors?

 

[ddrumman2004]

Buy a gauge that NASCAR uses...since they raise or lower tire pressure in half pound psi increments.

I use an old pencil type gauge and have had it for years...

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: marc1
I use this gauge, I have two and they are dead on to each other.

http://www.pcltireinflation.com/Products/Product?ProductId=1482


Wow, I'd never seen a link to that before? My dad gave me his when he got too old to drive, maybe 15 years ago-and he had it forever. Thanks for the link!

I keep that gauge in my glove box, but I actually use a Meiser Accu-Gage. I've had a presta version for over 20 years and it's been used a lot. I like the bleed-off valve. It seems over-filling and bleeding off gives the most consistent results. That said, I worry more about the resolution with bike tires than car tires. 1-2 psi is close enough for me. I also like the fact they're still actually making stuff in the U.S.

The old British pencil gauge does match up perfectly with my Meiser.

 

[Colt45ws]

I have a slime round analog type. It stays attached to the trunk hinge with its magnet.

 

[mechtech2]

Crack users are adept at taking apart pencil type gauges.
They are the preferred crack pipe at short notice.

 

[NYSteve]

Originally Posted By: AstroTurf
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
That is incorrect. The pencils use a calibrated spring.
Also, most gauges are precise to .5 lb but are only accurate to w/in 2 lbs IME.
I have worked as a professional metrologist and have cal'd gauges and tools in my younger days.


ARCOgraphite,
I hate to appear stupid, But, I often do. (It's O.K.) I don't mind.
Anyway, could you explain what the highlighted text in your quote means?
Thanks, Jim


Translation:
Most gauges are precise to .5lb, meaning that they will consecutively read the same tire within .5lb. However, their accuracy, meaning how close to the actual true pressure, is usually within 2lbs.

IME = In My Experience

Accuracy and Precision Wiki Link

 

[weebl]

Originally Posted By: JOD
Originally Posted By: marc1
I use this gauge, I have two and they are dead on to each other.

http://www.pcltireinflation.com/Products/Product?ProductId=1482


Wow, I'd never seen a link to that before? My dad gave me his when he got too old to drive, maybe 15 years ago-and he had it forever. Thanks for the link!

I keep that gauge in my glove box, but I actually use a Meiser Accu-Gage. I've had a presta version for over 20 years and it's been used a lot. I like the bleed-off valve. It seems over-filling and bleeding off gives the most consistent results. That said, I worry more about the resolution with bike tires than car tires. 1-2 psi is close enough for me. I also like the fact they're still actually making stuff in the U.S.

The old British pencil gauge does match up perfectly with my Meiser.


My dad had one that I got too. Sadly, I've misplaced it years ago. Looking at the PCL website, I must say I am impressed. Enough that I am seriously looking into the TPG4H01 model, to have the capability of handling my trailer's tires that inflate to 65 psi.

 

[Scorch]

Gotta find out where my shop gets their gauges, read up to 200PSI since they're for gravel train tires which hold between 105-120PSI. Solid stainless steel body. Deadly accurate even after taking on tons of salt/rain/grease/oil/chloride.

 

[charbaby]

Some time ago, Consumer Reports did a tire pressure gague test of all kinds. And in the pensil type, there was a NAPA brand that rated BEST but, IDK which one. They also measured many "dial" type and "digital" type and rated them.

The report was very extensive as they bought 10 of each brand/model from different stores to measure consistancy between others brands and the same model.

The article was very good!

 

[ChiTDI]

I've found Camel and Milton to be about the most accurate and consistent pencil types.
I compare readings with a calibrated dial type when I can and they seem to prove rather accurate.