Automotive

Tire pressure gauge: Analog vs Digital

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  • May 22nd, 2019 10:33 am
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May 17th, 2019 1:28 pm
Enforcer22 [OP]
Sr. Member
Aug 22, 2012
634 posts
819 upvotes

May 17th, 2019 1:28 pm

Tire pressure gauge: Analog vs Digital

Hey guys,

Getting mixed opinions on accurate tire pressure gauges for car tires

Accutire digital: https://www.amazon.ca/Measurement-Limit ... 31&sr=8-15

Joe's racing analog: https://www.amazon.ca/Joes-Racing-32307 ... way&sr=8-1

My tires are 32PSI and the cheapo stick gauge from CT was off by 10PSI according to my dealership, so I need something better to check occasionally. I'd wait for a sale on the Joe's one if that's the way to go
29 replies
May 17th, 2019 1:35 pm
vkizzle
Deal Expert
Aug 22, 2011
37418 posts
23488 upvotes
Center of Universe

May 17th, 2019 1:35 pm

I use the cheap analog ones and they are only off be 2psi.
Between the individual TPMS readings, tire guage pen and the inflator readout, I don't know which to trust...LOL
May 17th, 2019 1:42 pm
AlicW93740
Sr. Member
Sep 25, 2018
928 posts
1840 upvotes

May 17th, 2019 1:42 pm

I got a 1 dollar tire gauge pen from ebay and it was as accurate as mechanic's gauge.
+1
May 17th, 2019 2:09 pm
Viperoni
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Mar 30, 2010
2978 posts
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May 17th, 2019 2:09 pm

I would definitely expect the Joes Racing one to be more accurate.

I have a 15 year old Autometer unit that still works well.
+1
May 17th, 2019 2:47 pm
tebore
Deal Guru
Feb 9, 2006
12793 posts
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Brampton

May 17th, 2019 2:47 pm

I usually use digital because it's just easier to read.
Either way between the freeones I get from tire shops (keychains) and the $20 ones I get from stores they're all within 0.5 PSI of each of each other. Which Is good enough. They're usually accurate to 10 kPa.
+2
May 17th, 2019 3:54 pm
billford
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Feb 6, 2011
1937 posts
2209 upvotes

May 17th, 2019 3:54 pm

denti72 wrote: ↑ holy jumpin'!!! $40 for a tire gauge!!!

I'm in the camp of el cheapo from crappy tire would suffice... i'm not racing so close enough will do.

Same price range as the ops 2nd link.

Of course you can by a $2 dollar store gauge which is enough for most people. But the Op wants something accurate.
+1
May 17th, 2019 4:17 pm
CanadianLurker
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Sep 9, 2012
5637 posts
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Oakville, ON

May 17th, 2019 4:17 pm

Enforcer22 wrote: ↑ Hey guys,

Getting mixed opinions on accurate tire pressure gauges for car tires

Accutire digital: https://www.amazon.ca/Measurement-Limit ... 31&sr=8-15

Joe's racing analog: https://www.amazon.ca/Joes-Racing-32307 ... way&sr=8-1

My tires are 32PSI and the cheapo stick gauge from CT was off by 10PSI according to my dealership, so I need something better to check occasionally. I'd wait for a sale on the Joe's one if that's the way to go
I don’t think analog vs digital makes a difference other than digital is easier to read.

A good digital one will be better than a poor analog one.

And a good analog one will be better than a poor digital one.

Therefore, take into consideration things like reviews, warranty, research, recommendations, etc. Ive been relying on the cheapie pen/stick ones and you have me worried now...so I’m going to stay tuned here to see what gets recommended here at a reasonable price to upgrade mine for some peace of mind!
+1
May 17th, 2019 4:39 pm
macrossr
Member
May 24, 2008
296 posts
233 upvotes
Mississauga

May 17th, 2019 4:39 pm

I have the joes racing analog one and its very accurate. It also have the button to release air without releasing the valve which helps. I need it to be very accurate for tracking/autox purpose
+1
May 17th, 2019 6:21 pm
jzmtl
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Jun 14, 2008
4087 posts
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Montreal

May 17th, 2019 6:21 pm

Been using this one for a few years, very solid and accurate enough for me. Tried those big dial type, pain in the butt to use and store. Had a few digital ones and after battery dies you'd have to buy a new one.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0002SQYTG/
May 17th, 2019 9:27 pm
6mthatch
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Aug 10, 2013
2791 posts
2023 upvotes

May 17th, 2019 9:27 pm

I use a Joe's racing gauge in my garage however Longacre is another very well regarded brand.
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May 17th, 2019 9:29 pm
engineered
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May 17th, 2019 9:29 pm

I have a few digital gauges I got from crappytire for about $10 on sale. They're all pretty accurate. I also have an analog racing gauge but rarely use it. The digital ones are actually more accurate.
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May 17th, 2019 9:48 pm
l69norm
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Jun 12, 2007
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May 17th, 2019 9:48 pm

Remember the old school analog gauges that were heavy duty and were all metal?

Image
May 17th, 2019 11:25 pm
billford
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Feb 6, 2011
1937 posts
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May 17th, 2019 11:25 pm

l69norm wrote: ↑ Remember the old school analog gauges that were heavy duty and were all metal?

Image





DSC_0086.JPG
DSC_0089.JPG




I still have mine, all metal, must be at least 50 years old. The small one even has a valve core tool. Small one made in England, large one made either in England, Toronto, or New York. Definitely not made in china...
May 17th, 2019 11:43 pm
peteryorkuca
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Jul 26, 2007
6572 posts
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Toronto

May 17th, 2019 11:43 pm

I have the same digital Accu tire gauge I got from ct 20 years back. Used it regularly on many cars through out the years. The latest car have TPMS and what shows on the gauge is same as what's shown on the car display.

Being a minimalist, buying something small, cheap instead of that bulking thing from Amazon. I remember buying something like the amazon one which was attached to my air compressor, but hardly use it.
+2
May 18th, 2019 1:09 am
derass
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Sep 8, 2017
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May 18th, 2019 1:09 am

Two things I like about digital over analog are:
1) easier / faster to read
2) backlit for use in low light

But one bad thing I noticed about digital tire gauges and inflators is that they all seem to have a huge range on them. Usually up to 250 psi. I think it's generally accepted that a measuring device is most accurate when you're measuring something in the middle of it's range. So I can't imagine that trying to measure 32 psi on a 250 psi sensor is very accurate.

You'll notice that those fancy pressure gauges from Joe's, Longacre etc. give you the option to select 0-30 psi, 0-60 psi, 0-100 psi etc. So for example, a dragster with very low tire pressures would want to use that first option, a passenger vehicle with the typical 32 psi would use the second, and 3/4 ton pickup with 50-60 psi would use the third.
May 18th, 2019 7:32 am
ES_Revenge
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Mar 23, 2004
32936 posts
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May 18th, 2019 7:32 am

Similar discussion was had here not long ago:
https://forums.redflagdeals.com/amazon- ... m-2268268/

I stand by what I said there--my Accutire has held up to the test of time (over 20 years, just like peteryourkuca) and has been better and more reliable than any mechanical gauge I've ever had. Mind you, I never had any expensive/premium mechanical gauges but pretty sure that first Accutire I bought was like $20 back then so not like it was expensive either.
May 18th, 2019 7:51 am
unknownone
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Mar 31, 2009
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May 18th, 2019 7:51 am

Go for a good analog that will last forever, be accurate, and never need batteries to be replaced. Hassle free, one less battery replacement cycle to worry about in life.

These days people buy *way* too many random battery powered items that inevitably have dead batteries when you need them some day.

Obviously replacing a $1 battery isn't a huge deal, but if you have 30 random battery powered items in your house that all randomly need batteries, to me that's a little annoyance that I'd rather opt out of.

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