[Darkeeboy]

Can anyone recommend a reliable tyre pressure gauge? Ive got a digital readout on a compressor, sourced from Argos, but I believe it is giving a false readout sometimes. For example I put 42psi in the rears just over a week ago, using the compressor gauge. I read the rears tonight using the same gauge and for both tyres it said 46ps!. I let out 3 psi on both rears to the 42 mark, and tested again with one of those keyring type electronic readers. This reader showed 39psi.
Therefore, is the compressor duff? Was it a one-off (albeit on both tyres!) or should I ignore the keyring electronic gauge?
What Im looking for is something reliable. Do I get a better make compressor? Do I get one of those manual stick type gauges?

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by Darkeeboy

Can anyone recommend a reliable tyre pressure gauge? Ive got a digital readout on a compressor, sourced from Argos, but I believe it is giving a false readout sometimes. For example I put 42psi in the rears just over a week ago, using the compressor gauge. I read the rears tonight using the same gauge and for both tyres it said 46ps!. I let out 3 psi on both rears to the 42 mark, and tested again with one of those keyring type electronic readers. This reader showed 39psi.
Therefore, is the compressor duff? Was it a one-off (albeit on both tyres!) or should I ignore the keyring electronic gauge?
What Im looking for is something reliable. Do I get a better make compressor? Do I get one of those manual stick type gauges?

Manual stick from a car parts place. Cheap, Simple to use and reliable measures.

[SteveC]

I remember reading in some magazine that of all the fancy digital guages they tested, the cheap and cheerful Halford keyring guage was the most accurate.

Unfortunately you've no way of knowing how accurate any guage is unless its properly calibrated and certified, which none are.

[doughboy]

I use this one:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...duct&R=4998850

Its 50 quid + vat, but +/- 1% accuracy, which is vv good. Most mportantly you can rotate the bezel to set the zero each time which compensates for atmosphere and mechanism temperature changes. It also holds the reading until you press the reset button.

Or this one is cheaper, but not as good quality:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...duct&R=4998888

[Darkeeboy]

Cheers, Ill take a look at those links

[SoYank]

I'm of the school that you never believe a station's pump's gauge. They're usually cheaply made and inaccurate. They get beat up day and night. I've had digital gauges that I've applied one right after another to the same tyre and the variation is five or six psi. I'm off digitals until someone can devise one that can be believed. My current gauge is analog and has a brass movement and is purported to be accurate to ±1 psi which was the reason I bought it. It even has a rubber casing for protection.

[e92_alex]

I have a 14quid halfords one and it does the job no complaints!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165648

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by SoYank

I'm of the school that you never believe a station's pump's gauge. They're usually cheaply made and inaccurate. They get beat up day and night. I've had digital gauges that I've applied one right after another to the same tyre and the variation is five or six psi. I'm off digitals until someone can devise one that can be believed. My current gauge is analog and has a brass movement and is purported to be accurate to ±1 psi which was the reason I bought it. It even has a rubber casing for protection.

Mechanical guages will stay accuracte for longer if looked after. Digital ones will age badly.

Have you seen the new style garage airline where you enter the pressure you want (using digi up/down buttons on the compressor cabinet) and just stick the hose on your tyre valve and it inflates / deflates as required.

I have found these to be spot on in all cases against my 1% accuracy mechanical guage.

[SoYank]

I've used the compressors you mention but I don't trust them so I will continue to use my mechanical gauge as final check. The local pump down the street differs from my gauge by about 1 psi. Whether the pump gauge or mine is inaccurate is unknown but for me I will ensure the tyres are inflated and checked with mine for consistency. At least I will know whether the checking gauge has been abused.

[SixDegrees]

I have a Digital one from Next (yes, clothes retailer). Mrs got me it as stocking filler one christmas and its proven to be accurate and reliable. I use it a lot for the bikes but works just as well on cars (as you'd expect).

But overall, if you can get one of the metal slide, pen-like guages then go for it. The good ones are calibrated and being mechanical you won't get a dodgy digital read out!

[Darkeeboy]

I think a collection seems to be the best way. It might just be gremlins in the compressor, but now I cannot trust its readout.. Thanks all!

[DonM3]

This is the one I use
Good value for money I think

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product...re_gauges.html

[Darkeeboy]

does anyone have any faith in these type of devices? If they work well it could be a quick and easy visual guide to levels..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-Airchecker-T...3%3A1|294%3A50

[coodem]

Just make sure you only take your tyre pressures when they are cold. Its quite normal for the pressure to increase once the tyre temp increases.