ORIGINAL: CGRetired
No matter what, a tach is a tool to be used as necessary, but not absolutely necessary for flight. Proper tuning can be attained without one.
They are handy to have in your flight box and can help under certain circumstances, however, it is not required, just nice to have.
The price of the combination tach/ESV is a good thing but it is a bit pricey if you are watching your $$$. If it doesn't matter to you, then, hey, it's a great combination.
I have the second item, the tach only, and it comes in handy at times, but I tune by ear and seldom go to the tach unless I change props. Then I use it to see where the engine is at max throttle. My goal is not to over-rev the engine if I lower the pitch, and that's about it.
Lots of folks will say that it's required for four stroke engines, but others will say it's unnecessary. I don't own a four stroke so I can't comment on that, but from what I've read from other poster comments, again, it's not required, just nice to have.
More advanced pilots, Pattern folks, for instance, can tell from the sound and the tach how their engines are running. Most of us are not that advanced, and can tune them by ear just fine for our purposes.
Remember, this is a beginners forum, and advice passed here is for beginner to intermediate pilots.
CGr.
This is pretty true Dick, I don't pull out my tach all that often. I have one YS 1.20 you just have to use the tach if you want to get the low end set correctly. I use it for changing props like you do. Gas engines is where I use it a lot more. Some engines require being shut off before you can get in there to twist a needle, like my Brisons, read the tach then shut it down and twist a needle and keep doing it until it's where you want it. The tach makes it a lot easier. $45.00 for a good tach and volt meter isn't all that much. Do most people need a tach?? No. But everyone needs a good volt meter so two birds with one stone!!
I was just very surprised at how good the tach was for that kind of money!!
Wish my eye sight was as good as me hearing, I may not be able to hear my wife but I can still hear an engine, I'm just tired of seeing two fuzzy planes when I know I'monly flying one!!!
