10 best thickness gauges

How to choose a good thickness gauge

The speed of technology change is sometimes amazing, but current trends to a lesser extent affect such market segments as thickness gauges and their associated integrated devices. Nevertheless, even despite a certain stagnation in the change of generations, these devices have a number of features that must be considered when choosing. Expertex Internet magazine recommends paying attention to the following aspects:

1. Display type. The most trivial, but at the same time the most necessary parameter directly affecting the nature of the measurements. The first models of thickness gauges were equipped with simple indicator strips, the buildup of which during the measurement process meant an increase in the thickness of the paintwork. But, since people were interested in more quantitative indicators, displays were quickly replaced by indicators on which information was already presented in the form of numbers. We strongly recommend that you look to the more modern versions due to the banal informativeness of the displays in comparison with the display screens.
2. Display dimensions. Many users associate the dimensions of the display with a large thickness gauge functionality, and, in fact, are not far from the truth. Modern production trends are reduced to a gradual increase in the screen diagonal, which, by chance, is accompanied by the introduction of an increasing number of functions and programs. If you think in terms of convenience, ergonomics, then in the case of buying a multifunctional device, be sure to pay attention to the size of the display.
3. Battery capacity. Quite an important technical parameter of the thickness gauge, which determines the duration of its autonomous operation. Currently on the market there are two principles of power devices: from a set of batteries or from a full-fledged lithium-ion batteries. In the first case, the elements are most often subject to replacement, and their service life is calculated in months (less often in years). In the second case, the energy element is subject to repeated charging processes, and its capacity is sufficient for operation from several days to several weeks. In principle, in terms of reliability, both options are equal, and everything depends only on your personal preferences.
4. Execution. According to this parameter, thickness gauges are divided into trigger and pressure. A more classic option is a device with a remote pressure sensor, which allows measurements in hard-to-reach places. Kurkovy models, in turn, differ in the increased warranty period of service equal 1-1,5 years. But, if in the case of the remote sensor there is a possibility of its replacement, then the wear of the trigger sensor is practically beyond repair and replacement.

Top Thickness Gauges

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best thickness gauges for coatings	1	CONDTROL Paint Pro	9 990 ₽
	2	Etari ET 11P	7 180 ₽
	3	Delta T 415	6 600 ₽
	4	RECXON RM-660	2 710 ₽
Best Universal Thickness Gauges	1	Etari ET 740	7 180 ₽
	2	CHY-115	7 100 ₽
	3	AKTAK ATE 7156	9 381 ₽
Best Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges	1	Megeon 19220	29 800 ₽
	2	TEMP-UT1	49 200 ₽
	3	MEGEON 19100	10 500 ₽

The best thickness gauges for coatings

CONDTROL Paint Pro

Rating: 4.9

The thickness gauge of the combined type, designed for use in the automotive and construction fields, when conducting laboratory studies or a set of actions in the field. It can work with both black and non-ferrous metals, automatically selecting the most convenient method of diagnosis (eddy current and magnetic, respectively). It has a wide range of measurement, recording the thickness of the paint coating from 0.1 to 1600 micrometers, while the magnitude of the error in the calibrated state does not exceed 3% of the actual parameter.

Nominal weight CONDTROL Paint Pro is 0.08 kilograms, which makes the device the lightest in its class. Its popularity is due to the prevalence of professional diagnostics of the condition of the car when it is sold, mainly for its ease of handling and greater reliability of the measured data. One of the best offers of the market, worthy of a priority consideration among the proposals for the purchase.

Etari ET 11P

Rating: 4.8

Semi-automatic pistol-type thickness gauge, which came to the market as a Russified alternative to the CHY-115 model. In addition to fully adapting the interface for a Russian user, Eurotrade has worked hard to upgrade the performance characteristics of its product, making it resistant to low temperatures (the lower limit of the temperature range is -25 degrees Celsius). Combined, it is able to work with both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, using several methods for diagnosing paint coatings.

Etari ET 11P measures thicknesses from 0 to 2000 micrometers, being the most functional category device for this indicator. The magnitude of the error is also small, which guarantees high reliability of the data obtained even when measured "in the field" conditions. Representatives of car-care centers and companies preparing for the sale of used cars work with this device most often - such a “gun” did not receive great popularity among private diagnosticians.

Delta T 415

Rating: 4.7

The Delta T 415 is a typical example of a “public favorite,” which, for all its flaws, shows excellent sales numbers. This thickness gauge is used mainly by independent auto experts and multi-brand service centers with a moderate stream of serviced vehicles. The limited flow here plays a big role, because the thickness gauge has a very subtle nuance: the memory capacity is enough to memorize 10 measurements, and therefore, it will not work out to quickly measure the whole body.

The strength of the Delta T 415 is the reliability parameter, both mechanical and thermal. Designed specifically for use in the Russian conditions, the device is able to withstand up to -35 degrees Celsius, without spontaneous outages, lags and hangs. If the component of protection protection and durability is primary for you, then this model will be an ideal option for purchase.

RECXON RM-660

Rating: 4.7

Similar to competitors in the segment, the measurement of the thickness of paint coatings in the RECXON RM-660 is implemented using the principles of EMI (for ferrous metals) and eddy currents (for non-ferrous). Thickness measurement here ranges from 0 to 1250 micrometers, which is the most modest result in the selection, but sufficient to establish the degree of suitability of the body and painted metal for operation. The magnitude of the possible deviation from the true result is consistent with the acceptable range, but is also not optimal: ± 20 micrometers can play a dirty trick when it comes to boundary values.

Being a product of European development, RECXON RM-660 is unable to withstand low temperatures, so the use of the device in the winter period is strictly limited. In fact, failures are observed at a temperature of -5 degrees Celsius, which is the weakest point of the current assembly. However, consumers have no complaints about the work during the summer period: the accuracy of determining broken and primed places on cars is 97%, and with such indicators it is more than possible to develop an expert examination activity.

Best Universal Thickness Gauges

Etari ET 740

Rating: 4.9

Until recently, it was CHY-115 that retained the brand of the most productive and popular thickness gauge, but the output of Etari ET 740 brought about fundamental changes to the segment. First, the device set new standards for quality of performance, being equipped with an internal memory volume of 10 thousand measurements, a completely (and correctly) Russified menu, a measurement range from 0 to 15,000 micrometers (which is very much for magnetic devices), Accuracy around 0.05 micrometers. Secondly, with all its uniqueness, the cost is not too superior to the previous market leaders, so the rate of popularity gains has been boosted.

According to experts, the uniqueness of Etari ET 740 lies in the ability to accurately determine the thickness even on a surface with a rough roughness, which under normal conditions is greatly hampered by the lack of sensitivity of the inductor. In many ways, many surveyors mistakenly attribute this thickness gauge to the number of German products, although the Taiwanese masters were fully engaged in its production. Anyway, we are faced with a clear leader in the segment of the coming seasons, as well as another proof of the growing quality of export production of Asian (read, Chinese) companies.

CHY-115

Rating: 4.8

A kind of legend among the thickness gauges that have ever entered the domestic market simply could not remain without a place in the ranking of the best. Positioning as a device for checking the thickness of the paintwork of car bodies, CHY-115 managed to go beyond the boundaries of the nominal field of application and began to appear in the field of chemical, construction and even shipbuilding.

The main motive for using this model for users is not so much the outstanding parameters of measurement accuracy, but also the ability to record 255 measurements, which can later be transferred to a PC for further analysis. In addition, for its age, the CHY-115 is equipped with a very good LCD display with flexible brightness, backlight settings and the possibility of setting the power saving mode.For correct measurements of the thickness gauge, a preliminary calibration is required, after which the reliability of the determination of the quality of the coating reaches an enormous 99% - none of the presented thickness gauges has this indicator.

AKTAK ATE 7156

Rating: 4.7

Like all devices similar to it, AKTAKOM ATE 7156 uses the combined principle of measuring the thickness of paintwork: eddy current for color, and magnetic for ferrous metal. His audience is most often car mechanics and independent appraisers, for whom the speed of the control operation and the accuracy of the obtained indicators are important.

The versatility of this model is also expressed in the ability to work in the dual mode: continuous and single, which allow localizing and, accordingly, spontaneously checking a specific surface area. At the same time, up to 80 values ​​can be included in one common group, and the amount of internal memory is calculated for memorizing of them. Not bad, considering that more expensive competitive models do not have even half of this storage reserve. In general, the "AKTAKOM" ATE 7156 thickness gauge is positioned as a serious device for comprehensive diagnostics, the use of which is most appropriate in service centers with a large flow of serviced vehicles.

Best Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges

Megeon 19220

Rating: 4.9

Later development of the company MEGEON, devoid of the shortcomings of the early models. It can be used as a traditional thickness gauge that works exclusively with coatings, but it also defines the thickness parameter equally well on solid metal, cast-iron, polymeric, ceramic and other (reflecting ultrasonic waves) products. The range of its measurements varies in the range of 0-18000 micrometers, slightly losing in size of the model MEGEON 19100.

The main drawback of this thickness gauge, which is noted by both users and market experts, is the lack of protection against the guidance of extraneous magnetic fields. In view of this circumstance, the test point should be located as far as possible from other electrical devices (preferably in the field), otherwise the results will be unreliable. However, in other components 19220 demonstrates an enviable consistency of a high level, such as: the presence of an LCD display and a convenient control interface, a complete case for transporting the device without the risk of mechanical damage, low cost, satisfactory for independent car evaluators, low measurement error, etc. .

TEMP-UT1

Rating: 4.8

TEMP-UT1 is one of the most reliable devices for the entire segment of industrial thickness gauges. It is mainly used to control the thickness of metal and cast iron products, but it can work with rubber, glass and plastic surfaces with no less effective degree. It is noteworthy that the calibration of the device has significantly increased the accuracy of the measurements - so much so that the error on average at individual points does not exceed 0.1 micrometer.

According to consumers, the TEMP-UT1 power consumption component has been thoroughly studied, and therefore one set of batteries can last for a year of uninterrupted and comfortable work. A special note is the optimization and intuitiveness of the adapted interface, which is understandable even for an absolute beginner in thickness measurement. Ultimately, if it were not for the high cost, this thickness gauge could be considered a reference.

MEGEON 19100

Rating: 4.7

Very cool device from domestic manufacturers, capable of measuring thickness from 1200 to 225000 micrometers. It is the most powerful tool in the segment, for which it regularly pays a little inconvenience when using. Such is the urgent need to apply a special lapping solution to the controlled surface, which gives the most intimate contact between the coating and the receiver.

The widespread use of MEGEON 19100 is due to the ability to control not only metal products, but also polymer, glass and ceramic surfaces, i.e. all those that reflect ultrasonic waves. Among the most significant advantages of the thickness gauge, consumers also include the possibility of measuring up to 10 thousand cycles, a choice of 12 measurement speeds, excellent accuracy (about 0.1 micrometer), and the presence of a self-calibration function using the standard. From the point of view of operation, everything looks more than good, but in fact the acquisition of the device does not look so seamless. Just because the manufacturer is distinguished by large demands, which can only be done by service stations and a small number of vehicle evaluators.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.