sclemmons

I am willing to learn and have the following questions. If the liquid filled gauge is superior, why is it that the Longacre folks only make it in the smaller 2 1/2" gauge? The magnum 3 1/2" and 4" pro gauge do not seem to come liquid filled. Seems to me the more expensive gauges should come liquid filled if that is superior, but they appear to have more in common with the deluxe than the liquid filled. Second, is the ball chuck or the angle chuck the preferred way?

See below:

50402 Deluxe. $45

http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...id=222&catid=8

50403 Liquid Filled. $50

http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...d=1118&catid=8

50404 Magnum 3 1/2" Not liquid filled, apparently. $80

http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...id=217&catid=8

50407 Professional. 4". No mention of liquid filled here either. $180.

http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...d=1168&catid=8

cab&coupe

Thanks CM, pondering what I will do...

tcouture

These are very good questions sclemmons... Did you ask Longacre by any chance? I would be curious as to what their answer is.

From my understanding, one of the benefits of a liquid filled gauge is that the liquid protects the gauge's mechanism from vibration during handing, an thus somewhat prevents the calibration from going out of whack. My thinking here is that if you are going to put your gauge in a toolboox, that you carry around and drop all the time, bring to the track and gets thrown around, or leave in your trunk all the time. Some insulation cannot hurt.

The high end gauges they have are BIGger and that is sort of in opposition of carrying it everywhere, so, again in my opinion, it would not make much sense of having a large "statement gauge" liquid filled, presumably for travel, because my understanding is that these higher end gauges are bigger physically. It's kind of like making a laptop computer with a 42" screen; it would defeat the purpose.

If you want the most precise gauge, I would probably go digital since it makes 1/10 of lbs easier to read. But again, calibration is key and, they only way to solve that one is to have a 2nd gauge that is a known good reference. These gauges are beautiful instruments and I could completely see someone keeping a large (more expensive) one in the garage just to verify pressure at home and validate the calibration of a smaller gauge that you leave in the trunk and cary everywhere.

Just my 0.02,

T.

P.S.: I have a ball chuck and it works fine but that is because that is what the vendor had in stock.

IMGT3

this is what Longacre has to say on the subject.

Liquid Filled ~ Here is the scoop on liquid filled tire gauges. Liquid is used to soften the blow of air pressure when it enters the gauge. Just think, if you have 30 pounds of pressure then you have 30 pounds of pressure blasting the gears inside the gauge. That abrupt movement inside the gauge is what wears them out. However All Longacre tire gauges have a dampening system built into the gauge head that softens the blow of air pressure, therefore helping to protect the gears.

Chuck

tcouture

Making liquid filled gauges seems redundant then...

T.

sclemmons

I spoke to Longacre today. They told me that they make a small liquid filled tire gauge because that is what the competitors make, and they have to have one in their line up to be competitive. They said the liquid filled is competent, popular and the feature is important to customers. They also said that if you drop it, they can not recalibrate a liquid filled unit. They can recalibrate all the others. The guy I talked to said his recommendation would be to get one with a case rather than a liquid filled one because the case will do more to protect it than the liquid. He said the Magnum and Pro versions have a case for that reason.

tcouture

Thanks sclemmons for geting to the bottom of this. Sounds like I need to be more careful with my liquid filled gauge - yikes.

T.

jw1977

I got my deluxe last week. It works great, but I am surprised at how big it is. Won't be putting this in the glove box

sclemmons

I am getting close to pulling the trigger. Do people prefer the ball chuck or the angle chuck?

IMGT3

both work well, it certainly isn't a matter of one performing better than the other. I don't think you'd be dissatisfied with either style. I personally prefer the ball chuck and I think that's because that's what I've been brought up with. Chuck

vman4639

Why use a tire gauge if the dash tells me what the pressure is? I am asking because I assume there is a really good reason and I'm just ignorant to it.

Is it accuracy?

cab&coupe

Chuck, you have a PM.

cab&coupe

Order placed, thanks Chuck

Eric - Plug Guy

IF you trust those readings, no need.

I, for one, have zero trust in TPMS accuracy. And sometimes I'd rather know while I'm detailing the car, not five miles down the road (TPMS is not valid until you drive some miles).

I just got my Longacre this week, and looking forward to using it this weekend. Thanks for the pricing, Chuck!

ADias

I find the Accutire very accurate (they all read the same). Any reason to have any other one?

The only issue I see in the Accutire is sealing against the tire valve. To solve that I fit a proper sized o-ring to it and all is fine.