Tire Guages

[lragan]

Guys, what do you use for a tire gauge?   I have different types, and they give different readings on the same tire.  So I don't know which to believe.  The worst case variance is 4 psi out of 30 psi.

[Greg Cothern]

I also would like to find an accurate tire gauge that fits my bikes.  I am currently looking at one like this one, http://www.jegs.com/i/Moroso/710/89560/10002/-1

[TLRam1]

Consumer Reports did an article on gauges some time back. I do remember pencil type gauges were pretty accurate, not the cheap ones but from a name brand company, dial gauges I think might be more prone to discrepancies if dropped. Some didn't hold the reading when removed from the tire, this is a preference though.

I will see if I can locate the article.

[TLRam1]

I found what looks to be the article. Not recommendations but information that might help you make a decision.

We tested eight models--two pencil-type, two dial-type, and four digital--and evaluated them in four areas.

Ease of use. All of the gauges we tested were equipped with collared chucks that sealed easily to the valve stem and allowed very little, if any, air to escape while taking a reading. All but one, the Monkey Grip M8854 dial, held their readings when removed from the tire; this makes it easier to read the gauge.

Two of the gauges we tested--the AccuGauge H100X dial-type and the Monkey Grip M8862 pencil-type--were equipped with a bleed for removing air from an overinflated tire. The AccuGauge H100X is also capable of monitoring pressure as the tire is deflated, though the process is slower.

Readability. A gauge should be easy to read, with large, well-spaced numbers and/or index markings and good contrast between the markings and the gauge face. While all the gauges we tested were judged easy to read, the smaller, vertically oriented hash marks on the pencil gauges were slightly more difficult to make out than the readouts on the other types.

Ruggedness. Because tire gauges are likely to see some rough treatment, we tested their ruggedness by dropping them from a height of three feet onto a tile-covered concrete floor. None of the gauges showed signs of physical damage, but both of the dial gauges we tested--the AccuGauge H100X and the Monkey Grip M8854--were knocked out of calibration by an average of more than 5 pounds per square inch (psi). After being dropped, the Pressure Inc. DT-105's digital display went blank for about a minute but then returned to normal.

Accuracy. Most of the gauges were highly accurate and yielded repeatable readings over a wide pressure range, never varying by more than 1 psi. Slightly less accurate were the Monkey Grip M8862 and M8854, which were within 2 psi.


RECOMMENDATIONS

The digital gauges performed flawlessly in all tested areas but were a bit more expensive than the other types. All digitals have replaceable batteries except the Monkey Grip M8867. If you decide on a digital, consider the Accutire MS-4020B, which reads from 5 to150 psi and comes with a five-year warranty. The pencil gauges also performed well and have the benefit of being less expensive. A good all-around performer, the NAPA 90-389 was our pencil gauge of choice. Note, however, that both pencil gauges had a maximum pressure reading of 50 psi, making them unsuitable for use on "space-saver" spares, which can require 60 psi. Because both dial gauges were knocked out of calibration by our drop test, they didn't score as highly in ruggedness as the others.


Since we are on the subject of inflation. This might be of interest, Nitrogen


The test was quite simple: fill and set the inflation pressure at room temperature to 30 psi (pounds per square inch); set the tire outdoors for one year; and then recheck the inflation pressure at room temperature after a one year period.

The tires were filled and deflated three times with nitrogen to purge the air out of the tire cavity. We also used an oxygen analyzer to be sure we had 95-percent nitrogen purity in the tire--the claimed purity limit of our nitrogen system, which generates nitrogen gas from ambient air.
The test started on September 20, 2006 and the final measurements were taken on September 20, 2007. 

The results show nitrogen does reduce pressure loss over time, but the reduction is only a 1.3 psi difference from air-filled tires. The average loss of air-filled tires was just 3.5 psi from the initial 30 pressure setting. Nitrogen-filled tires lost an average of 2.2 psi from the initial 30 psi setting. More important, all tires lost air pressure regardless of the inflation medium, so consumers should check their tires' air pressure routinely. No evaluation was done to assess the aging claim.

Bottom line: Overall, consumers can use nitrogen and might enjoy the slight improvement in air retention provided, but it's not a substitute for regular inflation checks.

[Magna 4 Me]

I've got a digital, real cheap one from Wally World, and a dial type similar to the one Greg had a link to.  They both read pretty close to each other but the digital won't fit onto the rear tire of the bike.  I stick with the dial one on the bike and use the digital on the cages.

I got the dial one from the local Honda dealer at a reasonable price, have had it for about 6 or 7 years so I don't recall what I paid for it.  Like anything else you get what you pay for, so don't be afraid to spend a buck or two more to get a good one.
Tom

[hootmon]

I found a small pencil type at a local autoparts store.. It's only 3 1/4 inches long.. and it has a strong magnet on the back of it... So I stick it to the bottom of my tank where the fuel switch is (But on the other side)..
It may not be deadly accurate, but having a gauge available while on the road, is much better than having a deadly accurate gauge at home while your on the road...