Who makes the best Tachometer?

I need a Tachometer, Who makes the best one? Analog or Digital?

Thanks in advance
John

>I need a Tachometer, Who makes
>the best one? Analog or
>Digital?
>

I think the only one worth it's (hefty) price is the TNC Digital tachometer. I think it's $85, but it actually works. There are other, cheaper tachs that work most of the time, but the TNC is just about bulletproof.

Ditto on the TNC. Heres their link to the website.....http://www.ulster.net/~tnc/tncweb.html

http://www.pspec.com/ click on the "High Performance Accessories" button, then the "Master Tach". It's an alternative, and shows the value you get with the TNC tach.

I bought the TNC tach, and would again. I got all the standard options, memory, extra digit, etc, and would again. I found the TNC works best if you hold it back from the prop at least a foot, which is nice.

Of the cheaper tachs, I might consider a Thunder Tiger, Magnum, or Hanger 9, but reluctantly. Too bad Futaba doesn't make their tach anymore. Steve

>Of the cheaper tachs, I might
>consider a Thunder Tiger, Magnum,
>or Hanger 9, but reluctantly.

The Magnum tach works pretty well most of the time.

The old square Hobbico/Great planes tach uses expensive watch batteries, gives very inconsistent readings, and in general, stinks. Avoid this one.

>
>>Of the cheaper tachs, I might
>>consider a Thunder Tiger, Magnum,
>>or Hanger 9, but reluctantly.
>
> The Magnum tach works
>pretty well most of the
>time.
>
> The old square
>Hobbico/Great planes tach uses expensive
>watch batteries, gives very inconsistent
>readings, and in general, stinks.
>Avoid this one.
>
> Brett

Gee, Brett, I thought my hobbico was hot stuff...

Now you spoiled my fun, I (if you know me) will have no peace of mind till I get that one you advise.

Incidentally, those batteries are Energizer A76 alkalines. You can get them cheap from the Wal-Mart fishing section. They're sold for use with lighted fishing floats. I use them in a variety of older cameras (Pentax MEs, Ricohs). Works pretty well.

Another vote for the TNC. I have the one with the extra digit but I've never used it. If I ever have to buy another one (which I doubt) I would get the standard model. I threw away $60 worth of the cheapie tachs (2) before I got the TNC. The only drawback I've found with the TNC is that it has no auto shutoff. Perhaps the new ones do? I've only forgotten to shut it off once, so far. Btw, I bought it on Brett's recommendation 4-5 years ago.

> Perhaps
>the new ones do? I've
>only forgotten to shut it
>off once, so far.

It'll last a couple of weeks even on the cheapie "grade F" battery they supply with it. I've had mine for probably 7-8 years and only replaced the battery once. And it only costs $2 to replace, instead of something like $12 of watch batteries. The batteries alone pay for it over the Hobbico.

Bill Fitzgerald actually discovered it, to give credit where credit is due.

Yes, go for the TNC. Excellent tach.

BTW, Tony is a nice guy as well as an excellent engineer (retired).

The on-off switch is a little flaky. It is the first thing one should suspect if the tach misbehaves. It is easily replaced with a little PC-board-mount toggle switch.

I hate to be the voice of discent here. If you want to use the tach to set your stunt motor, a digital tach is absolutely useless because they all hae a 'sample time' which can be typically 3 seconds. It then takes another 3 seconds to display the result, so your reading is 6 seconds old. You MUST have an instantaneous reading if you want to use it to set the needle.
Only an analog tach can do this. Some years ago, Mike Kaufman designed the 'Protach' which was published in 'R/C Modeler' and kitted by someone whose name currently escapes me. That would be my choice.

Just checked out the web page for these tachs and it says 3 updates per second for a two blade prop - not 3 seconds per update. I can handle 1/3 of a second delay.

I just tried to order one from Tony N. Criscimagna at the website posted. He stated to me that he had sold his business because of poor health. Skyborne Electronics bought him out and is currently out of stock. They expect to have 20 within two weeks. They are only going to provide the PT10S model.

regards,
catdaddy

Could build one.....

>Could build one.....
>
>[photo not recovered: 3e35b3e83ce45578.jpg]

Isn't that the diagram for Oaklands offensive game plan?
catdaddy

>Isn't that the diagram for Oaklands
>offensive game plan?

Well, no; it's the Raiders'.
Explains a lot, I'm afraid.

>Skyborne Electronics bought
>him out. catdaddy

Catdaddy,

Do you have an internet address for Skyborne? I had heard that Tony was out of business from another source, but wasn't aware of Skyborne buying his business.

Thanks,
Kim Mortimore

>
>>Skyborne Electronics bought
>>him out. catdaddy
>
>Catdaddy,
>
>Do you have an internet address
>for Skyborne? I had
>heard that Tony was out
>of business from another source,
>but wasn't aware of Skyborne
>buying his business.
>
>Thanks,
>Kim Mortimore

website for Skyborne is <http://www.bktsi.com>
phone # 972 267 5099

Bob

Is that circuit available as a kit or a PCB and instructions?

Found it on the web when I was doing the reasearch for the wind speed meter.

http://www.rcdesign.ru/eng/electronics/tacho/

IF you don't want THE BEST, but a tacho that will probably work:

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/360880.asp And you can also order some Thunderbolt R/C Long glowplugs or the 4 stroke plug, either of which is VERY good....Steve