I've never owned a tach before. However, since I'm getting into 4c engines now, I think I'll need one. [8D] Can you folks recommend a reliable and accurate tachometer? I've seen tons out there, most of which seem cheaply made.

Thanks!

Most of them work, it depends on how much you want to spend.

The $20 one needs a good bit of light and you need to be close to the prop.

The $100 are a lot better

Any specifics? Anything I should look for? Are lighting and distance to prop the only distinguishing characteristics between spending $20 on a tach and $100+?

Thanks!

Lighting and distance are the main factors.

Many people get along fine with the Glow Bee type

Others feel they need a TNC type tach.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_36...tm.htm#3669439

I bought the hobbico one for $25 & it seems to work ok. I pretty much have to hold it in the shadow of the prop for it to work. In general as long as the prop is casting a shadow I lay it on the ground & watch it from a safe distance.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXPT32&P=ML

Robert,


I would second Tony's recommendation.
I have the Hobbico tachometer and it works pretty well even on cloudy days.

You sometimes have to change viewing angles to get a consistent reading, but experience will easily teach you when it is not showing what it should.
The only thing that really affects it... don't take readings in close vicinity to extreme voltages (high tension wires, F.E.), or your 10,000 RPM would appear to be 31,000...

For $20 you can't go wrong.

in lowlight conditions I ziptie my cheap tachometer to a small maglite, works great.