The Top 5 Digital Tachometers of 2020

Digital Tachometers are small, cost-effective, and easy-to-use devices found in various commercial and industrial operations where there is a need to measure the rotational speed of a disc or shaft, such as a motor.

Getting the best digital tachometer for your application means you will safely, accurately, and economically measure the rotating speed of your equipment. To short-cut your search, Instrument Choice Scientists have assembled a list of the top five digital tachometers.

Common Applications for Digital Tachometers

These include:

• Machines, motors, cars, trucks, aircraft, and light rail vehicles,
• Lathe for metal or wood cutting work; and
• HVAC applications (e.g., measuring fan speeds).

Types of Digital Tachometer

There are two main types of digital tachometer - non-contact and contact.

1. Non-contact tachometers (also known as laser and photo-tachometers)

Non-contact tachometers contain a light source that creates a focused light beam capable of bouncing off reflective objects. Each time a shaft rotates, light from a reflector reaches a sensor located in the tachometer. The tachometer counts each rotation, then calculates the number of times the sensor detects reflected light in a given timeframe, expressing theresult in revolutions per minute.

2. Contact Tachometers

Contact tachometers have a freely spinning wheel that makes direct contact with the rotating item you wish to measure. The rotating element propels the wheel, which in turn creates pulses that are interpreted by the tachometer and converted into RPM. Most contact tachometers also calculate and display linear speed and distance.

The Top 5 Digital Tachometers

Here is our expert list of the top 5 digital tachometers, including some essential specifications, such as measurement range, accuracy, and resolution.

1. Digital Tachometer with Memory includes Min-Max 
Product Code: DT-48 

The DT-48 is one of the most popular digital tachometers Instrument Choice offers. It is cost-effective, reliable, and accurate.

Features

• RPM and Revolution modes
  
• Recall of maximum, minimum, and last values
• Five-digit resolution on a backlit LCD screen

Specifications

Measures: RPM and revolution modes

Range:2 - 99,999 RPM

Accuracy: ±0.05% plus 1 digit

Resolution:0.1 RPM from 2 to 999.9 RPM and 1 RPM over 1000 RPM

2. Photo Contact Tachometer 
Product Code: DT-2268

Expand your measurement capabilities without the need for two separate instruments. The DT-2268 is a two-in-one contact and non-contact digital tachometer.

Features

• The memory recall button accesses the last measurement, along with the maximum and minimum RPM readings
• Takes non-contact measurements from a distance of up to 50cm
• Straightforward navigation between contact and non-contact measurements.

Specifications

Measures: RPM and Surface speed (m/min, ft/min).

Range: Non Contact 5 to 99,999 RPM, Contact 0.5 to 19,999 RPM.

Accuracy: ±0.05%.

Resolution: 0.1 RPM.

3. Digital Laser Non-Contact Photo Tachometer 
Product Code: IC-TAC-01

The IC-TAC-01 is a cost-effective and user-friendly non-contact tachometer boasting a wide measurement range, fast sample time, and high resolution.

Features

• Built-in microcomputer LSI circuit and crystal time base that guarantees high accuracy and quick measurement time
• A laser detecting distance of up to 500mm and an ultra-fast sampling time of 0.8 seconds
• Low power consumption for extended battery life.

Specifications

Measures: RPM

Range:2.5 to 99,999 RPM

Accuracy: ±0.05% + 1 digit

Resolution:0.1 RPM from 2.5 to 999.9RPM, and 1 RPM over 1,000 RPM

4. 2 in 1 Digital Contact And Non-Contact Tachometer 
Product Code: IC-TAC-02

The IC-TAC-02 is both a contact and a non-contact tachometer in one device.

Features

• Capable of both laser photo and surface contact measurements
• Has auto Ranging, automatic low power indication, insignificant zero suppression and LSI-circuit and crystal time base mechanism for high accuracy and fast measuring time
• Recalls last value, maximum value, and minimum value.

Specifications

Measures: RPM and surface speed

Range:Non-contact: 2.5 - 99,999 RPM; Contact: 0.5 - 19,999 RPM

Accuracy: ±0.05% +1 digit

Resolution: 0.1 RPM 2.5 - 999.9 RPM and 1 RPM over 1,000 RPM

5. Combination Contact and Non-Contact Digital Tachometer 
Product Code: IC-CDT-2000HD

The IC-CDT-2000HD tachometer combines the best features of both contact and non-contact models to measure RPM, surface speed, and length accurately.

Features

• A built-in memory stores maximum, minimum, average and last reading for recall to the display

• Can be set for use with two optional-sized surface speed wheels for contact measurements

• Kit includes; a traceable calibration certificateSlide-in contact adapter, 15cm (6") and 0.1m surface speed wheels, cone tip, funnel tip, extension shaft, reflective tape, removable protective rubber shell, two AA batteries, and an operating instruction manual.

Specifications

Measures: RPM, surface speed and length

Range: Non-contact: 1.00 - 99,999 RPM, Contact: 1.00 - 19,999 RPM

Accuracy: ±0.02% of reading or one digit

Resolution: 0.01 from 0 – 100 RPM, 0.1 from 100 - 1,000 RPM and 1 from 1000 - 99,999 RPM

Conclusion

Tachometers are simple-to-use devices for safely and reliably measuring the rotational speed of an object.

Want more information on any of the top 5 digital tachometers listed above? Speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist! We're here to help! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].

You can view the full range of digital tachometers available at Instrument Choice here.