Adequate Tools: specifically what should I look for in a tachometer

[zpbruno]

I got mildly burned by a cheap compression tester from Amazon that was giving me values much lower than truth. I verified this by "renting" a compression tester from a local auto parts store. So the compression tester is getting returned.

I also bought a cheap hourmeter/tachometer that gives tach results with very poor resolution that hop all over the place. I want something better: what should I get? I've got a dmm that measures frequency and that works ok on my outboard with a tacho output but still seems jittery. Seems like there should be better choices.

 

[alldodge]

Stick with old name brands and you should be good
OTC, Snapon, Craftsman, IR,

 

[Chris1956]

The tach signal of an OB is different than a battery coil ignition like a distributor based auto ignition. Therefore a standard dwell/tach will give incorrect results.

An OB tach does count pulses, but I do not know if the freq. setting on your multimeter will count is correctly.

Why not get an OB tachometer? If you don't want to install it into the boat, make a stand for it..

 

[Scott Danforth]

for diagnostics, a good laser tach

for mounting on your dash, a VDO, VeeThree, or Faria