Your favorite?

[jymbee]

I've probably used a dozen or so tire pressure gauges in the past. Everything from relatively expensive digital units that connect to the VAIR pump to different kinds of gauges with digital readouts, to analog gauges with dials, to the simple, inexpensive "pop up" kinds. Now that the one I used the most (analog dial) has ceased to work (broken display needle) I'm looking for a replacement.

I actually like the most simple pop up kinds and have a feeling they're as accurate as any, but I'd like a gauge that is reasonably accurate from 10-100 lbs. The pop ups I've used don't do so well on that lower end it seems.

Flexibility and the ability to connect to the valve stem at different angles in some of those harder to reach places would also be a plus. Also need one that "holds" the reading after removal.

Suggestions?

 

[JayArr]

I still use the pop-ups for on the road, ie - in my glove box.

I had a nice digital unit with a hold feature but the battery went dead while in the glovebox and when I really needed it - it was worthless. That taught me a lesson about battery operated emergency gear.

I have a digital gauge on the filling gun that attaches to my compressor at home, it doesn't hold but that doesn't matter to me in the driveway.

 

[John From Detroit]

Had to put air in a tire Thursday.. Dial gauge on pump showed 1o PSI
Pop up 45, TPMS 45.... (I know the pump gauge is off, way off)

 

[meierjn]

I have a digital, another digital attached to my air compressor hose, a couple of the old pop-up style, and a TPMS on my motorcycle. None of them read the exact same but are within a couple of pounds. It drives me nuts!

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

My favorite for quick & easy checks is Accutire digital. I've had excellent reliability with them and the battery seems to last forever in light duty use. Accutire makes several models, but I like the basic Accutire 4021B model.

However, my "gut feel" always leads me back to an Accu-Gage analog dial gauge when I feel I need best accuracy. I've no real technical reason for that except that Accu-Gage is from Milton, a highly respected name in tire tools and air pressure products.

 

[Great Horned Owl]

Some of the newer gauges have soft silicone rubber tips that fit inside the valve stem are much easier to use than the traditional type that fit on the outside of the valve stem. I no longer, ever have to try more than once to get a seal.

There several manufacturers, and they are widely available.

Best photo I could find of one.

Joel

 

[ChasA]

Link doesn't work.

 

[Punomatic]

"I actually like the most simple pop up kinds and have a feeling they're as accurate as any, but I'd like a gauge that is reasonably accurate from 10-100 lbs. The pop ups I've used don't do so well on that lower end it seems."
I have a couple of popups that are calibrated for different pressure ranges. For car tires the one that tops out at (I think) 50 psi works better than the one that tops out at 125 psi.

 

[jymbee]

Had to put air in a tire Thursday.. Dial gauge on pump showed 1o PSI
Pop up 45, TPMS 45.... (I know the pump gauge is off, way off)

More often than not when i set the pressure in one of those drive-up air stations, fill the tire to what the dial says, then check with a gauge-- not even close. Plus I have this, perhaps irrational resistance, to paying for air.

Yeah, I know it costs $$ to provide air and too many customers can abuse the mechanisms/hoses etc. but I guess I'm just stuck in the past when not only was air free, but a someone at a gas station would gladly check your tires for free.

 

[gwinger]

I have two Sears digital gauges and they are within 1lb of each other and 1-2lbs off my TPMS.
Searching shows out of stock every where though.
One thing to look for is one that actually slips over the valve stem and not just presses against it. The Accutire MS-4021B has this feature. Reiviews are mostly good.

 

[jymbee]

My favorite for quick & easy checks is Accutire digital. I've had excellent reliability with them and the battery seems to last forever in light duty use. Accutire makes several models, but I like the basic Accutire 4021B model.

However, my "gut feel" always leads me back to an Accu-Gage analog dial gauge when I feel I need best accuracy. I've no real technical reason for that except that Accu-Gage is from Milton, a highly respected name in tire tools and air pressure products.

Not sure if it's the same manufacturer, but that Accu-Gage model you listed looks exactly what I had been using for some time up until something came loose in side the dial. Looks like they have a newer model also.

GIven they aren't all that expensive it might be worth it to get two different types and compare readings from one to the other to gain some confidence as to the accuracy of either. You'd also have a spare that way as well.

As a side note, I see there are some very expensive 0-60 gauges that apparently users such as race car drivers use where precise accuracy is critical. I would think for 22" Class A tires if the pressure was measured in recommended conditions, an accuracy of +/- 2 or 3 psi would be sufficient?

 

[jymbee]

I have two Sears digital gauges and they are within 1lb of each other and 1-2lbs off my TPMS.
Searching shows out of stock every where though.
One thing to look for is one that actually slips over the valve stem and not just presses against it. The Accutire MS-4021B has this feature. Reiviews are mostly good.

Gary also mentioned that model. Generally good reviews but as with many items these days, there seems to be comments such as "The Engineers Ruined a Good Thing" on Amazon where some claim the newer models aren't as good as what they've used in the past due to one added "feature" or the other.