GUIDE FOR PURCHASING KART GAUGES [UPDATE 2024]

Analog devices transform the physical phenomenon of reference into a pulse for a meter. In the case of pressure gauges, the pressure data is provided by the measurement of the thrust, generated by the tyre air on the calibration rod along the scale in the dial.
However, given their mechanical nature these devices are more fragile and easier to adjust (often reaching full scale, for example). In this sense, it is important to take great care of these instruments and have protective devices capable of extending their life-cycles.
To further reduce the stress (often related to transport, conditions of use or the circumstances in which a pressure gauge is used) to which the mechanical components of analog pressure gauges are subjected, some manufacturers fill the pressure gauge with liquids (mainly glycerin solutions). If, on the one hand, this protects the internal mechanisms of pressure gauges, avoiding breakages or preventing the devices stopping, on the other hand it can, in particular atmospheric conditions or external pressure, lead to measurement variations even in the order of 2- 3 bars, which would prevent their use in the karting field. It is important in these cases to make sure that the selected pressure gauges have mechanisms capable of eliminating any environmental effect and allow the devices to always be reliable.
Analog devices are a good approach to pressures in karting, given the low costs as well as their ease of use and availability on the market.
When purchasing an analog pressure gauge, it is essential to find a good compromise between the size of the dial and the accuracy class of the device. In fact, for better readability and measurement accuracy it is important to have a generously sized dial: the larger it is, the lower the error percentage (i.e. the accuracy class) of the device.

Digital pressure gauges convert pressure into numerical data on a digital screen using a piezoresistive sensor.
This type of instrument is generally preferable to the analog type, both in relation to their accuracy (having on average a lower percentage of measurement error) and for the ease of reading the data that has been detected, since the univocal data on the display cannot be affected by a parallax error, that is influenced by the angle at which you look at the screen, as can happen in the case of the hand of an analog pressure gauge.
However, even for these devices there are mandatory aspects to consider. First of all, digital devices on average have a higher cost than analog devices: too low prices can mean less accurate and reliable sensors. They then need a power source, so they force you to keep this aspect under control. Basically, if you are a forgetful kart driver who goes karting once in a while and without being there to check the instruments available every time, perhaps an analog device, always ready for use, is more suitable. Finally, even digital devices are subject to the possibility of altering the setting. Most of the instruments, through the combined pressure of a few keys, can be reset manually and periodically. In one case, we will see, this function is instead available automatically, with a pressure gauge that automatically knows that it has been calibrated and applies an automatic reset.

The accuracy class of a device indicates the margin of error of the instrument in percentage terms with respect to the full scale value. In analog devices this is determined by the internal mechanical quality, the size of the dial and the full scale (the latter two measurements are closely related).
While for digital ones, the accuracy class is determined by the precision of the electronics and pressure sensor that is chosen by the manufacturer who will declare it when placing product on the market after tests. In both cases, the lower this value, the greater the accuracy in detecting the data by the device.