What brand/model is a good optical tach ?

I am building my Trex 600e and I will need one soon.

Harry

I'm happy with the Miniature Aircraft X-Cell Model#0524. HeliProz sells em.

I use the "Sky Tach" from Model Avionics. It goes from 100 - 3200 RPM. No Complaints

Have you done any homework on this subject? Last time I checked, there were only two optical tachs on the market, somebody correct me if I'm wrong. Depending on your budget and the RPM range that you desire, you purchase the one that fits your needs. Both of them are very good units.

Rafael

I just wanted to say "Thanks" to rcjon and soop7667 .

both answers are helping me learn. I value both of your "civil" responses.

Harry

Rafael,

I know of at least 4 of them. Your answer did not help me. As a beginner I do not know all features of all products that are sold.

I am posting here to learn, not to be degraded with overly vague comments.



Harry

Congratulations - You have seen something I've seen myself

Well, help the next person in line to see this thread by posting something a correcting my post.

This is what I said:

But nobody has stepped up to the plate to correct me. If you know there are 4 tachs please correct me so the next time we all know more. I only know of two OPTICAL Tachs.

If you are insinuating something, tell me. Not just dance around the subject like you were afraid of me. Send me an e-mail or PM, I have nobody to hide from or nothing to hide. My e-mail is not blocked and my PM is open to everybody. My real name is part of my screen name and my location is true, unlike a lot of people in these threads in which you place trust with your very expensive helicopter.

What gets to me is peole that have to make a decision and the first thing they do is to come here and ask the question instead of doing some research. Like they want the solution be given to them. I apologize if that is not the case on this thread, but it really sounded like it. Now fi that was the case in this situation be a man and accept it just like I have accepted that I might be wrong and not politically correct sometimes.

Rafael

I have two of them, miniatures tach won't go over 2000 RPM, but they have fixed this on the newer models. I don't remember the brand of the other one but it is the 90 dollar model that Miniature aircraft sells. It is good and works up to something like 3000 rpm. I like the miniature model better, but they can't fix it to spin faster and I was ticked and wouldn't buy the new one that was faster. Either one does the job and both are good.

using a skytach here.. its simple and has an autoshutoff so you dont kill the battery from it getting accidently turned on

I love these forums

Reminds me of when my mother used to say "now now children" "you play nice and run along" or something like that. Maybe she didn't say that but it fits well anyhow.

I need a tach too but its been tuff to spend 100 bucks on something that doesn't bling or repair broken parts for me lately.

Hey Old Sloppy,
Wow!!! Ol' Rafael there needs to work on his people skills a bit. Last time I checked arrogance and vituperance weren't supposed to be a part of these forums but questions were. I "have" done research on tachs recently and found there to be over a dozen different ones available in several different ranges of rpm and price. I have been involved in R/C helis for over 12 years (mostly nitros and recently electrics) and have used several different types of tachs. Some of the older ones operated on infrared spectrums and were iffy at best. The newer opticals are much more accurate and are widely available. If one browses the R/C hobby sites you will find them. Also, some of the higher end models are offered on some of the electronic suppliers websites and some of the precision tool suppliers sites. Even some of the automotive racing supply sites have them. I just recently purchased a 'Glowbee Intellitach' from techmodelproducts.com. Cost me only $24.95. It's range is 0 to 32,000 RPM. I have used it on my nitros and my electrics. I have compared this tach to the 'fancy' digital lasers and it is right there with them.

Rafael
There ya go bub. Someone stepped up[>:]. If you're going to be critical and rude, then I suggest you do some "research" yourself before spouting off. Better yet, if you're going to be like that-DON'T RESPOND AT ALL[:@]!!!!

OK, we have to differentiate between Photo-sensitive tachs and Visual (Optical) tachs. ONE type is MUCH safer than the other ones. Safety being the number one concern, photo-sensitive tachs pretty much falls off the list. Notice how the two people that were not argueing about my "personality" only mentioned those two. The other ones are so dangerous that are not even worth mentioning.

As mentioned before, there are two Visual tachs: One is the Miniature Aircraft, and the other is the Model Avionics. One is over $100 and does not reach 3000 rpms. the other is closer to $80 and can reach 3000 rpms.

I might be arrogant, that remains to be seen. But the fact that people come to these forums to have the information given to them is an undeniable fact. And nobody has proven me wrong yet. If the topic starter would have laid out the research he had done, my response would have been a whole lot different. If the question had gone somewhat like this:

"Hey guys, I'm thinking about buying a Tach. I noticed that there are some that are visual, and some use light sensors to calculate rpms. what are the benefits or downfalls of each?

Then the subject would have gone a completely different way.

But his question was so vague, that it seemed like he was looking for a handout. Notice that (other than your input) all through this thread there are only two tachs mentioned. Leading me to believe that he had not done a least bit of research before posting this question here. There are only two tachs worth purchasing, safe and accurate. Take your pick from there. If you want to play with your safety, your selection becomes a little wider.

I would NEVER use a photo-sensitive tach and would never suggest that somebody use one either.

I'm done here. Time to move on.

Rafael

Well--I kind of knew you wouldn't give in any. It's good you are "moving on". You seem to feel that if you don't have the answer no one does. When you're wrong- you're wrong. And, you are wrong! There are a lot more models of visual tachs out there than you seem to know of. Try looking beyond your narrow scope of believing that the R/C suppliers are the only ones that offer them. Even if you were right (you're not) on this your manner of response was rude, arrogant and un-necessary. It's true that one should learn to research for answers and the internet is a wonderful tool for this. But, civility is also a big part of the forums and youseem to lack a sense of that.
Farewell and good riddance!

Can someone explain to me the safety concern of which Rafeal makes note of concerning photo sensitive tachs? I haven't done much "research" before asking so please don't castrate me. I did google it if that makes a difference [:@]

I have never used either of the types, I was just curious. I don't really need to know though if I must be flamed for asking. Doesn't matter all that much to me.

I too thought it was rather "vague" of him to not explain that. I use both types of tach and have suffered no injuries. I'm not sure, but,I suspect the fact that you need to set the photo sensitive type under the rotor to get a good reading might be what he is referring to. However, most know that you don't try to hold it there. Just set it up under the rotor, step away and run it up. I can see the readout from mine from a safe distance. If you absolutley have to use the memory function of a tach then by all means use the optical type. With those though, you still need to be at a close distance to use them, you just don't have to put it under the rotor so light creates the shadow that the photo sensitive types need to react. I just write the reading down the old fashioned way. He may also be referring to the accuracy of the two types. Perhaps not knowing to within 2 or 3 rpms worries him. But I haven't experienced a lack of accuracy with the photo sensitive types that was enough to worry me or cause any catastrophies.

If you really want to "research" optical tachs go to http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?p...l%20tachometer. Plan on spending some time on that list as ther are "considerably more than two models to check out.

Hi Guys,

I know of these 4 different brands of optical (viewfinder style) tachs.


Kyosho "heli blade tachometer" $149

Kyosho "syncro meter 2" $159

Miniture Aircraft "X Cell" $149

Western Robotics "Chinook" $149

Model Avionics "Sky tach" red $109

Model Avionics "Sky tach" blue $89

I had a "light sensor" tach some years back, (Glowbie style) you can place it on the ground and hover over it or you can tape it to the tailboom.

both ways worked for me with no safety injuries ....[8D]

Harry