7 best car gauges

Automotive gauges are devices for measuring tire pressure, the value of which in the practice of operating vehicles is very difficult to overestimate. These uncomplicated devices allow drivers to avoid imbalances in wheel pressure, which can lead to poor handling and also maintain optimum wheel performance to minimize rubber wear.

At this stage of development, automobile gauges are divided into two fundamentally different groups:

1. arrow (analog) - reliable and low-cost devices, the main drawback of which is the lack of automation of the measurement process (if a deflator is not provided on the pressure gauge) and the complexity of use at night;
2. digital (electronic) - devices with automatic detection and fixation of measurement results, the lack of which until recently was a low degree of reliability of the components.

Due to the development of the automotive pressure gauge market, every vehicle owner is somehow faced with the problem of choice. Often, if the experience of using such devices is minimal or completely absent, one has to rely on tips from consultants or other sources, the accuracy of which leaves much to be desired. In connection with a similar situation, expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ magazine carried out an expert analysis of the available information and prepared for you a rating of the best automobile gauges in the two leading categories of the segment in question. As the selection criteria, collective assessments of the expert group were selected, as well as consumer reviews along with the aggregate characteristics of the models under consideration.

Top gauges rating

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best analog gauges	1	BERKUT ADG-031	1 270 ₽
	2	HEYNER 564200	499 ₽
	3	Airline APR-M-02	297 ₽
The best digital gauges	1	BERKUT DIGITAL MAX	1 650 ₽
	2	Airline APR-MD-06	495 ₽
	3	CEM TP-5 481257	900 ₽
	4	DAEWOO DWM 7	690 ₽

Best analog gauges

BERKUT ADG-031

Rating: 4.9

Pressure gauge with a flexible hose, extremely convenient for use in off-road driving conditions, when there is a need to relieve tire pressure. It has a built-in deflator, with which it is very easy to adjust the pressure indicator in real time, without fear of losing the nipple in the conditions of a practically hopeless natural mess. True, beginners without special knowledge of foreign languages ​​(namely, English) may have certain problems with the use of such a simple thing. Fortunately, you can think of everything by trial and search for actions.

The second feature of BERKUT ADG-031 is that the leading scale uses units of psi, which are unusual for domestic users, - pounds per square inch. This is due to the orientation of the product on the foreign market, and mainly on the countries of Western Europe. However, it’s still too early to attribute this to the section of deficiencies: the scale in the atmospheres understandable to us is present on the manometer, but in a minimalist form and with a division value of 0.2 units.Certain difficulties in etching (or pumping) this delivers, but only when you want to reach an odd value on the scale (catch the intermediate position of the arrow between the risks). In general, with BERKUT ADG-031, you can find a way out of any difficult situation, but the most important thing is that it is almost invulnerable.

HEYNER 564200

Rating: 4.8

A simple and uncomplicated Chinese manometer with echoes of the German past, the primacy of the characteristics of which are headed by reliability parameters. This is reflected in the presence of a durable metal case, equipped with rubber inserts to prevent slipping from the hands. All measurement results are displayed on the scale in units of measure in kg / cm³ (or comfortable atmosphere). The maximum threshold is 4.5 atm, which is quite enough to control the pressure in the tires of SUVs and even more so of cars.

Despite its Chinese origins, the HEYNER 564200 is a very accurate manometer, which, however, requires periodic calibrations after long periods of operation. Its ergonomic performance is also good, a small case is very comfortable in the hand. The only thing you can find fault with is the lack of LED backlighting, due to which the use of the device during the dark time of day becomes problematic.

Airline APR-M-02

Rating: 4.7

Monolithic budget manometer switch type, a big plus of which lies in the combined scale with two units of measurement. Moreover, the leading scale, contrary to the same BERKUT ADG-031, shows the current tire pressure in the atmospheres, which is very convenient for the domestic user. The maximum value of the measured pressure of the model can reach 7 atmospheres, which is more than enough even for any type of transport (from a bicycle to KAMAZ).

As a feature of the Airline APR-M-02, users often refer to the inclination of the measuring head, which is inconvenient at first for an accurate hit on the nipple. However, this is one of those moments that just need to get used to. From the point of view of reliability, the model shows good results, except that it would not be superfluous to “fasten” at least some semblance of an anti-slip rubber pad on a smooth metal. Among the nuances could be attributed to the lack of illumination to work with a pressure gauge at night, but given the extremely low price it would be a real “fat”.

The best digital gauges

BERKUT DIGITAL MAX

Rating: 4.9

Let the words that Airline APR-MD-06 actually “lost” its direct opponent heading this segment, and were voiced within our rating, yet it is worth understanding that Berkut DIGITAL MAX is a completely different gauge. Its high price is due to a number of usage features that make measurements a little easier than the absolute majority of competitors.

In particular, it is necessary to highlight the exceptional convenience of the case with the power button proudly brought to the forefront. The need for which, however, is rather doubtful due to the presence of an automatic switch-on function when the measuring head is presented to the nipple.The measurement itself takes 1-2 seconds, after which the device carefully informs about the end of the process (by means of an audible alert) and displays the resulting value on a bright display. By the way, this is another feature of the DIGITAL MAX - it is very easy to use the pressure gauge (one can say routinely) in the dark, much easier than all the models considered in the category. The final advantage of the model is the presence of a branded case from “Berkut”, which in the standard sense is a real “fat”.

Airline APR-MD-06

Rating: 4.8

Airline APR-MD-06 can be called a victim of a certain bias on the part of a number of users who do not recognize any other authorities in the segment except for the tried-and-true and always chic Berkut products. In fact, this device is one of the few who can challenge the more expensive Berkut DIGITAL MAX and get out of the confrontation with a nominal winner. Just because it comes to an important indicator of value.

As shown by a number of user checks, the results of the control measurements of the pressure of the two above-mentioned pressure gauges are identical to each other, and, therefore, in terms of accuracy, the APR-MD-06 in the cheerful orange case is not inferior to a more serious (metallic) device from Bercut. The whole difference between them lies in the ephemeral concept of "durability", which entirely depends on the directness of the hands of the consumer and the confluence of circumstances (roughly speaking, what hardness the coating will be under the device during its fall). So, discarding prejudices, we state: the digital pressure gauge from the Airline did the famous model from its main competitor.

CEM TP-5 481257

Rating: 4.7

Convenient digital pressure gauge for domestic use (not included in the state registry), the measurement range of which ranges from 5 to 100 psi (up to 7 atm). The dimensional design of CEM TP-5 481257 is ideal for a strong and comfortable grip, and for both male and female hands (the benefit of the device is only 77 grams). The combination of the working head of the manometer with the nipple does not require manipulations like those that are made with the Airline APR-M-02 pointer device: there are no turns and tilt angles of the working part here and there.

Despite the low price, CEM TP-5 481257 provides satisfactory measurement accuracy within ± (1% + 0.5 psi). To impose a struggle over the eminent pillar of the market in the face of BERKUT DIGITAL MAX is not enough, but the model is enough to fight for the middle places. Perhaps the final advantage of this gauge can be considered the presence of the display backlight and the measuring head, thanks to which you can comfortably measure pressure at dusk and darkness. The function of memorizing the maximum result for a long time did not surprise anyone.

DAEWOO DWM 7

Rating: 4.6

The gauge of a fairly well-known Asian manufacturer, whose “filling” very clearly sends us to draw parallels with the products of CEM or Berkut. It has a bright body with a comfortable grip, but mainly for the female hand, since excessive compactness has played a cruel joke with the device.It does not have a deflator (like the main opponents by rating), but it has a very accurate measuring potential, which is shown to users in full.

If from the point of view of usability with DAEWOO DWM 7 everything is more or less clear (additionally, you can note the presence of LED backlighting for ease of operation in the dark), then in terms of performance there is one very relevant issue. Namely: did the manufacturer go astray when he prescribed -50 degrees Celsius to the lower limit on the operating temperature of the pressure gauge? The answer is yes, and obviously. A number of expert tests showed that the device electronics can adequately perceive no more than -30 degrees Celsius (which is also a kind of achievement). At temperatures below the designated point there is a violation of the stability of work and the reliability of the results.

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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.