Handheld (non-wired) tachometer

[livemusic]

I have researched this online, and in the digital age, am surprised these things are expensive as they are. I am not someone who needs one of these all the time and doesn't need precision, just to decently tune a saw every once in awhile, maybe it's a good idea to have one? Anything new that's come out that works fine and doesn't cost much? Most of the ones I saw that have a good reputation are $90 and more. Is that what it takes? I think of some cheap digital calipers I have, cost less than $20 and they seem to work fine. Fine for what I do, lol. Anything I could buy for, say, less than $40 that's decent? I would rather have a device that you can easily use/read while you run a saw.

 

[huskihl]

I have a wired one. I just lay the ziptied bundle near the plug or wire and it works fine. $25

 

[Wilhelm]

I have two cheap eBay wired tachs.

They work "wirelessly" by just holding them atop the air filter cover above the spark plug (Dolmar PS-64/73/79xx saw family).

These have a slow refresh rate, but they will read rpm's just fine for the occasional tune up.

 

[qurotro]

EDT 9 is overpriced of course. Tech tends to get pricy depend on its functions. Some can display highest rpm some can tech multiple cylinders and both 2 and 4 strokes.

 

[Definitive Dave]

DTI 20K is the cats meow but their dealer support id pretty terrible, I got tired of them losing and delaying our orders.

 

[Jungleman]

Hi folks. Giving this thread a little “bump” rather than starting a new one and cluttering up the forum. Couple people mentioned some cheap competent tachs but didn’t give a name. I’m Interested in a cheap but acceptable tachometer. Not the 100 dollar ones and not a 9 dollar one that I have found on eBay. Somewhere in between.
Thanks for any tips.

 

[Wolverine]

Hi folks. Giving this thread a little “bump” rather than starting a new one and cluttering up the forum. Couple people mentioned some cheap competent tachs but didn’t give a name. I’m Interested in a cheap but acceptable tachometer. Not the 100 dollar ones and not a 9 dollar one that I have found on eBay. Somewhere in between.
Thanks for any tips.

Hey Jungleman, I'm just across the Md line w/ a Gettysburg address. Where in Md are you? Welcome to the mad house...
I use one of these but they are I think $75.

 

[Ketchup]

I just found a Tacho app for my phone. It actually works! It reads sound waves not ignition, so it’s not as accurate but it’s handy when the tach isn’t around. $9.

 

[Wolverine]

I just found a Tacho app for my phone. It actually works! It reads sound waves not ignition, so it’s not as accurate but it’s handy when the tach isn’t around. $9.

Is your name Chris and are you sure you don't live in Pa?

 

[Jungleman]

Hey Jungleman, I'm just across the Md line w/ a Gettysburg address. Where in Md are you? Welcome to the mad house...
I use one of these but they are I think $75.

Hey there friend, glad to be here and learn more about chainsaws. I already got the experience in operating them, now I want to learn more about how to tweak them.
I work out by Frederick near Harpers Ferry. Been to to Gettysburg a few times, gone boating at a friends house on Lake Meade many times so I pass that way every summer.
That tach is a bit pricey for me. I’ll keep rummaging around in this forum till I find something more recent and better priced. I saw a thread from 2017 that had good units but I would imagine in two years something better and with a decent price has to have come on the market.

 

[Jungleman]

I just found a Tacho app for my phone. It actually works! It reads sound waves not ignition, so it’s not as accurate but it’s handy when the tach isn’t around. $9.

Hey Ketchup just out of curiosity what’s the app called? I prefer a separate unit but I will check that out.

 

[Ketchup]

It’s called Engine RPM. It’s no substitute for a real tachometer, but handy in a pinch. You’ll need to know approximate rpm range your testing (2400-3000 idle, 11500-14000 WOT on most modern saws) and read the help pages. It’s about the same helpfulness as my phone’s flashlight.

 

[Ketchup]

Is your name Chris and are you sure you don't live in Pa?

Nah. Grew up in WV, live in Colorado. My folks were old testament thumpers. Named me after a hebrew general.

-Caleb

 

[BangBang77]

Nah. Grew up in WV, live in Colorado. My folks were old testament thumpers. Named me after a hebrew general.

-Caleb

Haha. I was named after Methusala's grandfather...