Customer Reviews:
 Pretty good October 24, 2007
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
The Draper 52304 gauge is easy to use, and locates positively on the tyre valve with a minimum of air leakage. Unlike another, mechanical, gauge I own, it's a good fit on VW dust caps, which don't need to be removed to measure the pressure.
It beeps when the pressure reading is ready, which I think is quite useful, even though I tend to find beeps from devices gratuitous and annoying.
A sticker on the back of the device gives the pressure range as 2.0-99.5 PSI, or 0.15-7.00 bars (7.00 bars is actually 101.5 PSI). This makes more sense than the range given in Draper's catalogue (and on the product packaging!) and reproduced on Amazon, and matches the range given for the Draper "Expert" (as called by Amazon) pressure gauge. The resolution is 0.5 PSI, or 0.05 bars. Draper don't specify this, though they specify an accuracy of +/-1 PSI. I wonder if they're confusing accuracy with resolution (and still getting it wrong).
The instruction leaflet cautions: "No serviceable parts or adjustments can be made. (Battery should be replaced by competant [sic] persons only.)" There are two small cross-head screws, and I imagine the heads and threads would survive at least one battery change. (I haven't looked inside.)
Looking at the image and description of the more expensive Expert (Draper stock no. 73183), I see no advantage of this over the 52304. The display of the 52304 is on the front, immediately readable, while the Expert's display is on the left side, needing the hand to be turned to read it; presumably this is rather awkward if the device is held in the left hand and turned the right way up. Unlike the 52304, Draper don't quote the accuracy of the Expert. All they say is "Expert Quality", which is meaningless without elaboration.
Overall, I'll give the 52304 4/5, on the basis that it does all right and I haven't seen anything better.
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