Searon Tach Hour Meter Tachometer Maintenance for Small Engines Motorcycle Marine Boat ATV Snowmobile Generator Mower

I purchased this Searon Model SRT-32R Tachometer for the primary purpose of tuning some small engines on my own personal lawn equipment (e.g., lawn tractor, push mower, rotary tiller, string trimmer). Like most folks reading this review, I first did quite a bit of online research to determine the best overall value for my specific needs and intended application(s) before ultimately deciding upon this model. Because I need to use a tach so infrequently, I simply couldn’t justify spending nearly five times as much for a professional-type small engine tach such as the Tiny-Tach or Oppama PET-1000. To that end, I’m satisfied with the overall functionality and value offered by this particular Searon tach.Unfortunately, I don't have any equipment at my disposal to test the accuracy of this tachometer’s actual readings. That being said, its readings do seem to be fairly accurate--at least based upon how the engines perform and sound to my ear at the various RPMs shown on the tachometer. I work a lot on small engines so I tend to have a pretty decent idea as to when something sounds like it’s not quite running as well as it ought to be. Interestingly, I've learned that most professional small engine techs actually tune the engines they work on by ear and without the use of any tach whatsoever.The tach’s long wire makes it suitable for wrapping around spark plug leads to gauge RPM readings, but I do find it to be a bit tricky at times to keep that wire secured to the lead tightly enough without having it want to uncoil and thereby possibly provide an inaccurate reading because of that. As a workaround, I simply use either a bit of masking tape or sometimes even a zip-tie to temporarily secure the wire to the spark plug lead for the short bit of time I'm actually using this tach to obtain a reading.The large numbers on the backlit LCD screen are fairly easy to read from within several feet. I find that to be particularly convenient when I’m working to fine-tune an engine but also trying to keep the tach itself safely away from any moving engine parts.The tach’s body is entirely constructed of plastic, presumably to reduce its overall weight for those users who are concerned about such a thing. While that plastic construction seems adequately “sturdy” enough, I do wish that the overall build-quality was a bit more robust. Now, I’m not saying here that the tach’s construction is entirely awful, but I do wish that the manufacturer would have invested even the slightest additional effort into make this thing a bit beefier instead of taking the cheap and easy route for the purpose of reducing overall manufacturing costs and maximizing profit. I personally hate it when you spend a decent amount of good money on a tool that ends up feeling in many ways like this one does--as if it could be mistaken for a child’s toy if you didn’t know any better. That leads me to wonder about the potential long-term durability of this tool. Sadly, most of the other tach’s you’ll find within this same price range seem to be constructed about the same.One thing I do find to be slightly irksome about this tach is its round plastic battery cover found on the back. That cover is nothing more than a small, circular piece of threaded plastic measuring about the size of a quarter and being only about 1/16” thick. This would certainly seem to make it a bit flimsy and likely prone to breaking if one’s not careful. To prevent such a thing from happening, I just make certain to be very careful, whenever I open and close that battery cover using a stubby slotted screwdriver.There’s also no seal whatsoever on the battery cover so that might be a deal breaker for those who are looking to semi-permanently secure this tach to a piece of equipment that remains unprotected from the weather elements (e.g., rain, sleet, snow). Geez, is it really too much to ask from a manufacturer that they integrate a seal (ANY sort of seal!) that could be as ridiculously inexpensive as perhaps even a simple O-ring? Apparently, it is. Again, that’s the cheap and easy route.One thing that sets this tach apart from similar ones is that the battery can be easily removed and replaced, and it’s also a type that’s readily available from the local hardware store. To preserve battery life, I simply remove mine from the tach after each and every use by using a very small, narrow slotted screwdriver to carefully dislodge (i.e., pry) it from the battery holder… which is actually pretty effortless to do. The battery pops right out without very much effort at all. While researching tachometers, I noticed that a great majority of them, which curiously look practically identical to this one, do NOT have a replaceable battery so the fact that this tach does was a big plus for me and is actually the primary reason why I purchased this model.In summary, I find that this tachometer is perfectly suitable for my occasional home workshop needs. It seems to be reasonably accurate and functions as intended. Based on its overall value and my own specific tach needs, I would likely purchase it again However, somebody seeking a heavy-duty, professional-quality tool really ought to consider looking elsewhere.

If I could reach Amazon tech support for this I would. Maybe I'll just have to return it. Arrived repackaged by Amazon . In a cute little bag stating so. Unfortunately the re-packer neglected to include the programming instructions. The brain trust also played with the buttons and left it 'ON' thereby discharging the battery. WTF!!! Why is everyone so incompetent these days. This could've really solved all my problems. Instead it just gave me another one. I heartily DO NOT suggest you purchase this part!!! (Unless you enjoy headaches.)UpdateGot in touch via email with Kenny @ Searon. He had me a manual the next business day. Now that's how to run a business!! Amazon are you listening? Ehh, probably not. Probably too busy counting all the money we send them?Works quite well. Sample window is adjustable between .5 and 1 second. Really smooths out the "jumpiness" of the display. Back light only comes on when you push a button, so as to not discharge the battery too quickly.Originally 1 star because of Amazon's lack of competent customer service. Due to Searon's response and performance of the meter I can now rate it 5 stars.Thank you Searon, thank you Kenny!!

I just received and used this yesterday. Reading the questions and answers from a year or more ago leads me to believe they have made some software changes to this unit.1. You can most definitely turn this unit off by holding menu and setting for three seconds2. You can load previous hours and not have catch your TOT up by doing something ridiculous like allowing a different machine to run.All this being said, the software and interface is very archaic and not responsive....you really have to just stick with it while learning to shift the menu through features etc etc.. the instructions are OK but have alot to be desired.This thing does work as advertised and for the price it is worth it....

I bought this so I can monitor my new outboard hours and especially the rpm’s during break-in. I’ve used it a couple of months now. Easy to install & worked right out of the gate. I can look over my shoulder at the rpm ‘a when running and see total hours when the motor is shut down. I like that I can turn it off to conserve the battery. Some apparently just stay on continuously. I didn’t rate accuracy as I have no way to check that but the idle rpm and top end rpm it shows corresponds closely with what the motor’s owners manual indicates as normal. Simple, cheap, it works.

Works pretty well if you ask me. I'm guessing it's relatively accurate but I don't have anything to base that off of. The only downside is my heat shrink was too small to go around it and the spark plug wire but that's not really the manufacturer's fault.

Installed this on my single cylinder DRZ400S which does not have a tach. I dont know as to its accuracy but it works well for me. My only complaint is that it has no auto power off. It’ll stay on if you dont turn it off manually; I have left it on for two weeks a couple of times and it still powers on.

Beside showing RPM,total time,job time,maintenance time,peak RPM with red back light when set RPM is reached. Being able to shut off display after running to save battery life(easy to replaceable). This is the fourth one I have purchased, with no problems with first three on different small equipment(all still working great).I would buy again if needed.

We bought this to use on a racing kart. A lot of other racers use these for this purpose with no problems. It was easy to install however it didn't read half the time. It would seem to short out and then reset itself. We tried wrapping it in plastic tubing to keep it from shorting out but that didn't work. It was probably due to the vibrations from the motor and not exactly a defect in the product itself. In the end we had to purchase a more expensive tach meant for racing karts.