Photo Tachometer

"Maybe I have been around vint

"Maybe I have been around vintage engines TOO LONG. When I was exposed to the infrared temperature gun I was amazed and ran out to get one. CLEARLY, it came in handy in so many repairs on our boat.

Today, on an episode of ShipShape TV, I see them use a photo tach to measure RPM. Surely they must cost a bundle but my tachs are so off that I use my swing needle sync gauge and that audible harmonic drone to get them sync'd and close enough to the "semi-accurate gauge". Seems like the most expensive one on the net is less than $30.00

Has anyone had any experience with these type of photo tachs? Any good?"

"not the newer ones but the ol

"not the newer ones but the older ones

With them, best performance came from using the supplied reflector tab - self adhesive - to a flat - non-glossy - area on the rotating part.

The sensor part is very similar to the IR Thermo - the difference is in the signal processing once the signal comes back into the device"

"I have a Snap-On I overpaid f

"I have a Snap-On I overpaid for 15 years ago ($250.00???). You can find them on e-bay for $20.00 although the new cheaper ones probably won't last 15 years. I guess you get what you pay for.

It has paid for itself many times over.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-Laser-Tachometer-Non-Contact-Photo-RPM-Tach-OS_W0QQitemZ350088945711QQihZ022QQcategoryZ4678QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"

Thanks Rick...

Should be he

Thanks Rick...

Should be here before Friday...I hope. My tachs are about 600 rpm off OF EACH OTHER at sync. Let alone what the engine is really thinking its' doing