Recommendation for a tach

First of all, do you think I need one? I don't plan on fixing up a lot of saws. Famous last words of a chainsaw addict huh?

Anyway I've bought a few now via the power of the internets, and one thing they've all needed is a tune up. I think I've done an OK job at it to this point, at least on the low end. All start much better now, throttle response is there, don't die when you let off the trigger, and the chain doesn't spin when it's idling. However I'm finding it difficult to set the high end using only my untrained ear. There are more clues on the low end I can use to determine if I'm in the right place or not.

So I guess the reason I'm thinking about one, is because I need a little help getting the tuning right on the high end. With one of these, I think I could get it closer to the factory recommendations, to know if I'm at least in the ballpark. Or are these really more useful for informational/bragging purposes, just to get a measurement *after* an expert ear has tuned it?

What brands are good and cheap?

 

I thought it would be nice to have one just to check my tune and see where it's really at.

 

This is what I have. Has fast refresh and setting for more than one cylinder instead of doing calculations.
http://www.amickssuperstore.com/DTI...chometer_Tach_p/dti tech-tach tt-20k tach.htm

 

I have a Hardline brand Tach/Hour meter, works like it should. I think I paid around 25 bucks at Amazon.
http://hardlineproducts.com/ShowItem.cfm?itemid=268&catid=129

 

Yup, that is the one I went with after consulting with the gurus here. You won't be disappointed.

 

My favorite feature on it is the highest point recall. You don't have to watch it

 

You're right squarefile, I forgot to mention that feature. I borrowed my buddy's tach before I got mine and found it almost useless without this feature. The refresh time was slow too. I wouldn't have taken that tach even if he gave it to me

 

All you need to know on tachs. http://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/stickys-of-how-to-basics/chainsaw-tachometer-choices/

 

MasterMech and I think DexterDay know a good bit about tachs.

 

I have this one.

http://www.amickssuperstore.com/DTI_2_Cycle_Two_Stroke_Tachometer_Fast_Tach_p/dti fast-tach.htm

I used to tune by ear. Owning a tach made my ear better. I think it was worth every penny.

 

Thanks for posting that. That's the one I have (was to comfy sitting in the sun to go to the garage) and could not remember the name. It works well and I tuned my saw after the muffler mod with it.

 

I have a TECH-TACH TT-20K, was $65 when I bought mine, I think an amateur like me needs a tach more than a pro does .
You have money invested in the saws , go ahead invest in a tool to tune em up

 

I used mine to set the idle on a truck once. Nice to have around. Like some said. it makes the ears better too.

I had guys show up with saws they thought were fat enough. Turned out they were lean as all get out. I like tune by ear then check if needed.

edt8 to slow for the money. Dont buy IMO just like in the thread.

 

That one works, huh? I bought this similar one at Amazon, and it is useless, says it's running when it's not, RPM's are not even close..... : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049IFX56/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Does that one just wrap around the plug wire also?

 

Yes, just wrap a wire around the plug wire.....I've had no problems with mine

 

Thanks for your help and advice guys. I just ordered the TT20K from Amick's. I saw DTI has a "FastTach" as well, $25 cheaper, still wireless, but it didn't have the max RPM feature.

 

I bought a Fast-tach. It's not real cheap but for this tool I think a no tach is money better spent than a cheap one that doesn't work well. I figured if I stop using it I can resell it and reclaim most of my money.

It was fairly easy to set my top end, and based on the way it 4 strokes in a spin and 2 strokes under load, it would be the same result if tuned by ear.

David