Customer Reviews

Accutire MS-5510B Racing Tire Gauge

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

This gauge works well and is easy to read. It seats well and does mostly what it should.
There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding from what I have read in other reviews. Let's clear a few things up.
First of all, you do NOT have to wait ten seconds between readings. You DO have to hit the recall button on the bottom between readings.
Secondly, you DO NOT have to send the unit back to replace the batteries. The instructions VERY clearly state the model number of user replaceable batteries (if you were to read the instructions).
The hose was flexible for me in 30 degree weather contrary to what I have read elsewhere. Maybe it gets stiff in really cold weather but then I use mine in the garage.

Very Nice Gauge

I had the same problem described by R. Nielsen. The gauge would not take a new reading after I pressed the release valve to let air out. It only took a new reading if it was removed from the tire completely and reconnected. I called the manufacturer, who told me that it sounded like a problem and that I should return the gauge to them for a replacement. I returned it to Amazon as defective and got a new one with the same problem. I contacted the manufacturer again and they again asked me to send the gauge in for a replacement. I have sent the gauge to the manufacturer at my expense. The second replacement also had the problem. Customer service told me that they had sent the second replacement from the wrong batch/crate.

Six weeks later (November 27th) I received a properly functioning gauge. So it seems that a properly manufactured example of this gauge really does work properly. There was just a very large run of defective ones. At this point, I would give this item 3 stars: 4 for performance and price, minus one for the hassle involved in getting one that isn't defective.

If yours is defective, you should contact Accutire customer service and let them know: 973-402-4240.

I like this gauge. For the price, it is efficient and accurate. Yes the hose is a bit stiff, but hardly more than a minor annoyance. As for any leaks, I have had none (so far). The fitting over the tire valve stem seems just fine to me. Just get it on snugly; grips the stem just fine. I also simply bleed the pressure out of the gauge between readings and all is good to go for the next reading, so not sure what others here are talking about when they say they need to press the recall button. I only use that for calibration. In addition, I do not understand what one other reviewer was referring to when having to wait 10 seconds between reads... As I bleed, sure, the pressure reading is not accurate, but once you stop the bleeding while using the bleed valve, the current pressure is immediately updated for me...

Overall, definitely recommended, at least for now. If that changes, I'll be sure to update here.

December 7, 2010 UPDATE: 3 years later, this is still working flawlessly! No leaks, battery still good.

After reading the other reviews here on Amazon I was a little apprehensive. It did appear that the more negative reviews were the older ones. The company that makes the gauge itself has also switched hands so I took a chance.

The gauge is fast and accurate. You have both a digital readout and a bar readout around the circumference that is reminiscent of an analog gauge. The digital readout gives you a reading to a tenth of a pound and is MUCH larger and easier to read than the bar around the outside edge. The readout changes on the fly even while bleeding air. The hose is very soft and flexible. The connection on the end is awesome. The seal is great. Not ONCE have I bleed air unintentionally while trying to make a seal. The clip is solid. You can clip it on to the stem and let go and it holds on tight. The blue backlighting is bright and even.

I have no idea why you would want to clip it on and monitor the pressure for more than a second but you can if you like. The hose also remains pressurized after you disconnect it from the tire. This permits you to stare at the reading for up to one full minute. You can tap the bleed valve to reset the gauge or just plug it into the next tire and the pressure equalizes with the tire to give you the new reading. You do not have to hit a reset button (The reset button picture in the product image is now just the ON button. There is no reset button). The only time you have to press the bleed valve to get a reading is if you leave pressure in the hose and let the device go into standby while still pressurized. When you turn it on with pressure in the hose the display reads "BL" prompting you to press the bleed valve before taking a reading.

The bleed valve button is easily usable while holding the gauge in the left hand. It does not bleed air terribly fast but you are apparently considering the purchase of a tire pressure gauge with a decimal point; you are obviously are O-C-D enough to want to do it right. Of course the readout is not accurate while it is bleeding. Is an analog gauge? No. You have to let the bleed valve close to get an accurate reading.

The flexible hose is a blessing and a nuisance. It's great because it allows you hold the gauge comfortably and easily see the readout when the tire stem is in an awkward position. On the downside it means you have to use two hands to take a reading. My old gauge was a little one piece analog number that allowed me to press it to the tire stem while holding the compressor hose in the other. On the whole the benefit outweighs the disadvantage for me.

The gauge is larger than I expected. Including the rubber grip/padding around the outside it is about 2 and 5/8 inches across and 1 and 3/8 inches deep. I'm a six foot tall guy and it fits very comfortably in my hand. It may be too large to hold solidly if you have small hands. The hose is 12 inches long which sounds unnecessary but it's actually just right.

Lastly... It's an LCD display. This means that it's polarized. It is viewable from all normal angles. It is not visible when viewing from a steep angle above or from very steep angles on the sides or from below. You can't see it if you're wearing polarized sunglasses. It's far from a problem. You will not have trouble reading the display under any normal circumstances.

Final thoughts: It's a quality product. Buy it.

This gauge makes one (probably very precise) measuring. The problem is that the display does not follow the current pressure after the initial reading.
When bleeding excess air from the tires to reach a certain pressure you make a reading, let some air out, remove the gauge, empty the trapped air from the gauge, attach the gauge again, make a new reading, let some more air out, remove the gauge again, release the trapped air, attach it again, make another reading .... the device looks cool, but has no real value.
I'd recommend getting a good quality mechanical gauge instead.

To be honest I had second thoughts of getting this gauge because of a lot of negative reviews, glad I discounted them, either because some seem not to know how to operate the gauge or some earlier units had some battery troubles, maybe the fault lays of listing the "oldest reviews" before the newest.

I will admit I am somewhat anal about pressure in my tires maybe because being a motorcycle rider for the last 30 years or because I just brought new tires for my car for $120 a piece filled with free nitrogen, I wanted to see if the nitrogen pressure did hold until the next tire rotation, (8,000 miles) see if it drops any less than plain air, it holds way better than regular air, less than 1/2 lb.

This gauge is really made well, works flawlessly, so easy to read with that blue digital screen, seems accurate I mean reading in tenths of a pound !

One of the best things about it ? the only tire pressure gauge I ever owned that doesn't lose air from the tire as you set the valve on the stem of the tire, this is a first for me, all gauges leak a bit when setting on valve, not this one, I just hold it on a read the gauge, one might hear the tiniest of a hiss when releasing the valve and hose off the tire valve, truly amazing, I love this gauge I would have paid $50 for it !

The only gauge one needs, remember up to 60 lbs, psi, if one has to measure tire pressure of 61 or higher forget this gauge it's made to read up to 60 lbs, anything more which I tried, the screen doesn't even light up over 60 lbs. (they should make a different model to read above 60 lbs, for large work vans and large suv's) check your air pressure "plate" mounted in all cars, trucks, driver side door frame, this is what you need to put in the tires on your model car, if you have the same type tires, never use the MAX air pressure, stamped on the tire side wall your checking.

Remember this gauge has a timer on it, if one takes too long going from the front to the rear of the car, unscrewing the tire valves, bleeding out the air from the last tire you checed, it will "time-out" the unit will turn off, you must turn on the gauge, button at top of gauge, at this point make sure your reading 0.0, if your not press on the "bleeder valve" to make sure all the air is out ! if you hold or push it too long it switches from psi to metric, easy to flip back, just hold it a little longer, one other tip, again make sure you "bleed - out" all the air of the tire you just got a reading on, before you test the next tire, tire gauge must read "0.0" lbs to check pressure, pretty simple enough !

I ordered this in early Nov, sticker on back of unit stated 09/2007, nice and freshly made.

Forget the "bad old reviews", this is a great gauge !!!!! or I hope your model is ?? : - )))

As other reviewers mentioned, the display does not update when using the bleed valve and you have to wait at least 10 seconds between readings. It may be accurate, but dropping overpressure tires to a desired level ends up being a several-minute guessing and waiting game. Calling it a "racing" gauge is ridiculous.

May 12 update: I have had some occurrences of the fitting not sealing completely when attached to the valve stem, but removing the gauge, turning it about a quarter turn, and reconnecting it to the valve stem allowed the fitting to make a good seal, and I could still read the gauge easily (the hose is flexible enough to allow the gauge face to be turned so it can be read).

The company that manufactures and services the gauge has changed from the one mentioned in my original post (my 2nd gauge has the new company, Measurement Specialties, Inc.), but it seems to be a company at least comparable to the first one, specializing in pressure sensors, and they have contact info. printed with the gauge instructions.

After some months of use, I still feel this is the best gauge for the money and the easiest to use. Also, this gauge is now offered by Tire Rack and Proper Auto Care (both for more $ than it sells for here), which are two well-respected sites re high-quality automotive products.

Jan. 21 update: I got the low-battery indication while using the gauge, and it turns out that the LR1130 batteries are alkaline, not lithium as both the product packaging and instructions say they are. The batteries are indeed very easily replaced, and I'm replacing them with the silver oxide equivalent (SR1130W), as the original batteries apparently weren't the freshest (although they were Hitachi-Maxell). I continue to like this gauge very much.

I think this is a great product at a great price (currently $35 total), and I just bought a 2nd one to lend so others can see for themselves (don't want to be without mine in case it doesn't come back).

Very simple to connect and take a reading, and when bleeding air the numbers drop with the drop in air pressure, so I can reach the exact pressure I want quickly. The batteries are user replaceable, but they are lithium (LR1130) and are expected to last more than several years (the packaging suggests they will last the life of the gauge, as "permanent power"). The gauge can be zeroed (recalibrated) simply by turning it on without any air pressure in the hose, confirming that the display reads "0.0," and waiting until the display goes off (20 sec. when no pressure is present and 60 sec. when there is pressure present).

While the gauge display reads to a tenth of a pound, the actual stated accuracy in the instructions is plus or minus 1 percent plus 0.5 PSI, which suggests that the real accuracy is within about 0.2 to 0.8 pound, which is still better than any other gauge I've seen or used.

The instructions explain things well enough (they read as though they were translated into English, but still completely understandable), and the listed Web site for the actual manufacturer, Measurement Ltd., Inc. (in New Jersey), provides contact info. for user inquiries.

I like using this gauge (it's quick and easy), and that makes maintaining my tire pressure at the proper level simple to do consistently (along with a good portable air compressor, like the TyphoonMax TX-500, which I also really like).

I recieved my first gauge and as everyone else had said, the batteries were dead, so I had to go out and spend another $7 to get it going. I then tried it out but I have volk wheels and the valve stems are very short so I had to modify the end and cut off the part that locks onto the valve stem and do a little grinding. After modding it I checked my pressures and compared the results to my buddies snap-on guage and it was within 1lb so I was satisfied with the accuracy. The bleed off valve worked flawlessly and the guage would recheck the pressure without having to remove it or wait for it to turn off, so I think they fixed that problem. Now to the reason that I am only giving it 4 stars instead of 5 stars. As mentioned, I had to modify mine but I recently bought new wheels with longer valve stems and I wanted to get a replacement hose with the end that clamps onto the stem. I called customer service and was told that the only way to get a replacement hose was to buy another unit. I decided to break down and buy one just to compare the readings between two units. I got the second gauge and this time the batteries are good (maybe they have fixed this issue also) and it gives the exact same readings as the original gauge. I overall love the product but lets be serious here, the company has to have thousands of hoses and surely they could have sold me just one to fix my problem. For that reason I can only give it 4 stars.

I bought two of these gauges. Ones's very good, the other, not so good.

The first one I got, I did have to replace the batteries as soon as I tried to use it, as some have said. But once I did that, it works well. The hose is pretty flexible. You don't have to turn it on. You just attach the guage to the tire and it'll turn on and read the pressure automatically. You can use the bleed value to reduce pressure and it'll read correctly as soon as you release the valve. There is no waiting. It reads to .1 of a pound.

Now the 2nd guage I got (about 3 months after the first) is a different beast. Yes, it looks like the first, however, it does not work as well. The hose is not as flexible as the first. A bit stiff and not smooth. Also, the bleed valve does not work. It does release the air, but the guage will not update till you remove it and let it set for a few seconds and then put it back on. Really useless in my opinion. Also, the 2nd guage reads about 5 pounds low! I compared both gauges to a few other guages I have and definitely the 2nd is the one that is wrong. I don't know what's going on, they both came in the same type packaging and appear to be the same, however the 2nd one is not anywhere near what the first one is.

So the 2nd one I'm going to try and return. I do recommend this guage, the first one is very fast acting, easy to read and is a pleasure to use. The 2nd one is very disappointing. If both were like the first, I'd give it 5 stars, but because one was not, I had to knock it down to 4. (That and the first came with dead batteries.)