Digital Tyre Gauge

Warfer
I have one and use it all the time. BUT, how do I know it's accurate? I dont. It seems every gauge you use will give you at least a slightly different reading. I have come to the conclusion that if you get similar readings from a number of gauges they must all be pretty right but no more. If one is wildly different throw it away. I drove out of a servo once with what I subsequently found was 60psi in all my tyres while the servo's gauge had told me 40psi.
I have had my digital for about 12 months and have found its readings are comparable to the round dial style I was using before. I bought the digital because it is easier to read!!! I do occasionally check it against the old one.
tessa

I changed over to a digital gauge because I'm an old bastard and with my failing eyesight, I couldn't read the dial properly.

I bought a "Bushranger" brand from Kmart and it's great.

Turn it on and it beeps at you when it has received enough air.
Ignore it for a few minutes and it switches itself off.
If you press the button again after switching it on, it changes from psi to whatever that other one is that I don't use, oh yeah, kpa.

Within reason, I don't believe absolute accuracy is required. What you need is consistency of reading and the Bushranger does that.

The expensive dial gauge lies unused in the box containing my Big Red Compressor and is there "for a spare", but the Bushranger has not failed me yet.

Bill.

Warfer,
I bought a digital unit from Dick Smith years ago & it is still going strong.Also have old type of gauge & both readings are the same.
Cheers.
Vince

I purchased a Draper gauge for my husband. Pricey but very good and accurate. Accuracy to me means two things - incrementation (like 1psi) and also reading consistency. We tested it against a couple of other gauges, it's the only way you'll know really.

Here is the link TW Performance - Draper Gauge
It's the actual store we purchased from, very good to deal with.

Apart from that I also have a Topeak Digital gauge, it does schrader & presta valves so it's great for my mountain bike. It may not be suitable for 4x4's if your valves don't stick out enough from the rim. Otherwise it's a reliable and accurate gauge...

Topeak Digital Smarthead from Fortheriders

You will always get a small variation if you take the tyre pressure reading with one gauge then another. Reason being is that the first gauge will fill up with air, you take the reading and pull it off, the air inside the gauge then escapes. Put gauge no.2 on and same thing, it takes a bit more air, you take a reading and that air escapes. So there will always be up to a 1psi or so variation. Yeah you shouldn't get a huge variation unless you're measuring from some high pressure / low volume thing (obviously a shock and not a tire).
I guess the trick is to get a gauge you like and use it - providing the readings are consistent you will always have a relative amount of pressure in. If you know your gauge is 5psi out then it doesn't matter as long as it's readings are consistently 5psi out and you're not using a different gauge each time.

I use a Mitchelin digital type that turns itself off after about a minute so the batteries dont go flat. It switches easily between psi, kpa and bar. They probably don't actually make it but it has their brand on it. I NEVER use the gauges at servo's unless they have the old type like a big clock mounted and fixed on the wall. Because of misuse and abuse servo hand held gauge/inflation combo units are notorious for their inaccuracy. I check mine regularly with a gauge of known accuracy and even if it is 2 or 4 psi out I just allow for that when checking my tyre pressures. It comes in a small pouch and fits easily in ther glovebox.

Thanks once guys



Cheers

Out a Bounds.
"I purchased a Draper gauge for my husband". I hope you warm it up first. Do you find that it improves all round performance ot just consistency. Might have to get one.

G'day,

Use one all the time. Seems quite accurate considering I check pressures at a couple of different servos depending which way I head home after a beach run, it is also backlit for night runs. Only time I have destroyed one is in a serious dunking.

If you spend more than the $20 asking price I got mine at Repco for, I'm sure it will be SPOT-ON, not sure if it's worth the couple of PSI accuracy...

Regards,

Ross.

Warfer

I would recommend that you re-think, just a little .

A guage that will give you the a consistent result, is what I would be seeeking. You can compensate for it's "spot on" reading if you have this factor.

Cheers
Bucky

ps.... hope this makes sence ....still a little early ..

The fact that it reads out a number has no bearing on its accuracy and in general adds another error factor.

The best guage I've seen and used is $25 Bush ranger 3 in 1 dial guage available widely.

This is because its large clear display which can be read and even better estimated without glasses on.

Its a screw on type and this gives more consistency than push on types.

It reads reliably from about 4psi to 60 psi.

It has an inbuilt deflator.

Used to use a $60 digital from ARB , but its battery went flat once and then force to push it onto valve broke its circuit board tracks and after I repaired it I carry it as a back up guage and still use it on tyres inflated to over 60 psi as most digital read to 99 psi

In regards to the Draper, you take the reading and it holds it at that until you depress the little release valve. So you can take the reading, take it off the valve & lift it as close to your eyes as you need to see the readout. Then you just press the thingo and it goes back to zero ready to go again.
I think these are pretty popular with Moto riders, you'll see quite a few cheap knock offs on Ebay.