Craftsman Digital Tire Gauge

The Craftsman Digital Tire Gauge, model CMMT14134, initially caught my attention with its promise of precise tire pressure measurements and a user-friendly design. It boasts a backlit display and an illuminated nozzle for better visibility, which seemed particularly useful for checking tire pressure in low-light conditions. With a full lifetime warranty and the reputable Craftsman brand, I had high hopes for this tool. However, my experience with it has been mixed, to say the least.

Upon unboxing the tire gauge, I was impressed by its sleek design and the high-quality feel of the full polish chrome finish. The compact size and lightweight nature (weighing just 0.2 pounds) made it easy to handle and store in my glove compartment. The backlit display was bright and clear, and the illuminated nozzle indeed made it easier to locate the tire valve in dim lighting.

Using the gauge for the first time was straightforward. The device powered on quickly, and the digital display allowed me to set the measurement unit to PSI, which is my preferred unit for tire pressure. I appreciated the automatic shutoff feature, which kicked in after 30 seconds of inactivity to conserve battery life. This is a thoughtful addition, especially for someone like me who occasionally forgets to turn off devices.

The initial readings were accurate and consistent, which is crucial for maintaining proper tire pressure and ensuring vehicle safety. However, the honeymoon period with this gauge was short-lived. After a few uses, I began to encounter some frustrating issues. The gauge started to blink erratically and displayed an "88.8" error code, rendering it unusable. This problem seemed to occur randomly, and no amount of resetting or battery replacement could permanently fix it.

Speaking of batteries, the gauge uses a combination of a CR2032 battery for the pressure and display functions and three smaller LR44H batteries for the LED lights. Replacing these batteries was not as straightforward as I had hoped. The gauge lacks a dedicated battery compartment, meaning I had to disassemble the device to access the batteries. This process was cumbersome and could potentially damage the tool if not done carefully.

When the gauge worked, it performed its primary function well. However, the intermittent functionality and the hassle of dealing with the blinking error code overshadowed its positive aspects. The LED light, while useful in theory, often washed out the LCD display, making it difficult to read the pressure readings. I found myself having to angle the gauge just right to see the numbers clearly, which was an unnecessary inconvenience.

One of the most disappointing aspects was the gauge's durability. Despite being stored in a controlled environment and handled with care, the device frequently malfunctioned. This lack of reliability is particularly concerning for a tool that one might rely on during long trips or in emergency situations.

Craftsman has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality, reliable tools, so the performance of this tire gauge was surprising and disappointing. It's clear that there are some design and manufacturing issues that need to be addressed. The lifetime warranty is a nice touch, but it doesn't compensate for the frustration of dealing with a tool that doesn't consistently work as intended.

In conclusion, while the Craftsman Digital Tire Gauge has some appealing features, such as the backlit display, illuminated nozzle, and compact design, its inconsistent performance and durability issues make it hard to recommend. The gauge's tendency to malfunction and the hassle of changing batteries detract from its overall usability. For those who need a reliable and accurate tire gauge, it might be worth exploring other options on the market that offer better reliability and user experience. Until Craftsman addresses these issues, this particular model falls short of the brand's usual standards.