air pressure gauges

[themess]

My pencil style air pressure gauges are shot, I think. From what I've read, the seals in pencil gauges eventually fail. Bourdon tube, dial type gauges seem to be a permanent solution, if they aren't physically damaged. I don't trust any made-in-China. Made-in-the USA gauges seem to start at about $15.

Can anyone comment on what is better?

[1_v8_merc]

I've had China stuff break, and USA stuff break.
I wouldn't be overly concerned about that with tire-gauges.
Unless you're REALLY into tire pressure......some gauges exceed $200 easily.

I prefer something with a gauge, flex-line, with a relief valve.
(common on 4x4 tire air gauges)

I have an old Accu-gauge 4x4, only paid around $25 for it.
I've beat the **** out of it, thrown it all over the garage, and it still works flawlessly.
I think it's made in China....and it's JUST as accurate as my dads nice digital gauge.

[rustybronco]

I've always liked Milton pencil gauges (i.e. S921). unfortunately, over the past 25 years, mine appears to be off by a few Lbs. We use the newer digital gauges at work. they are durable appear to be very accurate. I'll get the brand when I'm at work later this morning.

we use Intercomp tire pressure gauges on the race cars. an older version of this one.

http://www.intercomp-racing.com/Products/25_DELUXE_GLOW-IN-THE-DARK_30PSI_AIR_PRESSURE_GAUGE_713.cfm

very happy with them.

[bwringer]

Whenever I'm in Lowe's, I buy a handful of the Kobalt brand pencil gauges for 99 cents each. They're well-made (although I don't know or care where) and seem to be quite consistent and accurate. I do test each one to make sure they're consistent. I've had to throw out other brands of gauges, but not one of these.

Anyway, pretty much everyone I meet who doesn't have a good tire gauge in their car or bike gets one. Plus, I can always find one in my garage when I need it.

If you want a very nice digital, Roadgear sells them. The talking gauge has a sassy attitude and entertaining lisp -- "Thirty thix pea eth eye!"...

There are also a couple of nice electronic Craftsman gauges at Sears (and a couple of crappy ones, so watch it).

I don't like the hose-and-gauge types because I am the sort of klutz who WILL drop every tool sooner or later, and this type of gauge will break or lose calibration when it hits the concrete. YMMV if you're able to hold onto things better than I am...

[850 Combat]

I like the ones with the gauge built into the pistol grip for filling. I bought a blue one at Fred Meyer though that seems to read low about 15% Whatever you get, test it against some other gauges to see if its in the ballpark.

[rustybronco]

The gauges we have at work say pro series. no name on it other than that.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Hi Tom, I always carry the pencil type gauge on the bike and I have used this brand for many years. They are made in England and are very good quality. I keep mine inside a 20mm PVC pipe with the tool roll to protect it however, the seal finally died last week after 29 years so I have just bought a new one. Hope this is of help, cheers.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/260503186836?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

[themess]

Thank you all for your replies.I followed Brian's advice to take care of my immediate problem. A Lowe's store is less than a mile from my house. Three gauges for $3.18 is a deal that can't be beat. One for each car, and one for the 850. I can compare them.

I also need something for higher pressures, and haven't decided yet. I'm leaning towards a Bourdon tube gauge in a tire filling apparatus. With three pencil gauges to compare it to, I won't worry much about it being accurate enough.

I also saved the URLs you included.

[cowboyup3371]

Depending on what you need Tom, I found a high-pressure pencil gauge at OReilly's for my truck (have 80 psi in my tires) that goes up to either 100 or 120 psi.

[themess]

Depending on what you need Tom, I found a high-pressure pencil gauge at OReilly's for my truck (have 80 psi in my tires) that goes up to either 100 or 120 psi.

Thanks. I have one, but it has also apparently failed due to age. I used to have to wait until I made a trip to Indianapolis (60 miles each way) to go to OReilly's, but one opened in Lafayette just a week ago!

[themess]

Bought one of the OReilly pencil gauges yesterday.

[JCSkokos]

I keep this under my seat, it seems pretty accurate so far. I think I will get one for my glove box whenever I get around to getting a car/truck.

http://www.bikebandit.com/bikemaster-digital-tire-gauge

[themess]

Yesterday I biought a hose/gauge/bleeder that attached to air compressor output. $20 at Lowe's. The three 0.99 pencil gauges are close enough to each other and to the Bourdon tube for my present purposes. But the plastic lens on the Bourdon tube gauge is already scratched.

[koolaid_kid]

When I replace a gauge, I replace them all with the same unit. That way I can be assured that they will all (approx.) read the same, as the measurements are all relative anyway.

[azr]

How about one of these?