JACO FlowPro Digital Tire Inflator Gauge Review (with video)

[WingAdmin]

That's it. I've had it.

I will never again buy an Accutire tire pressure gauge.

Accutire Pressure Gauge

I have bought and used these little Accutire gauges for YEARS. They're dirt simple to use. Push it on the valve, it turns itself on, the pressure shows up in glowing red on the display. Push it on quickly and release, and it calibrates itself to ambient pressure. They are extremely accurate, and very easy to use on motorcycle tires, bike tires, car tires, pretty much anything with a Schraeder valve. They're cheap, around $10 each.

So why am I abandoning them?

They are as delicate as a fine china vase. Drop one on the concrete garage floor, and it dies instantly - it will never turn on again. I've taken them apart to do an autopsy, and there is nothing obvious broken inside, the battery (non-replaceable) is still good as new, I can't figure out why they die. I've had three or four of them die this way over many years, so it's no coincidence - it's obviously a design failure.

After dropping yet another one last week and having it (of course) die, I swore, threw it in the garbage, and proclaimed I would never buy another one.

My wife told me, "just go get a good one that won't die!"

Really? Go buy tools? Well, OK, if you insist...

I did some research, I read a LOT of reviews. And I picked the JACO FlowPro gauge/inflator:

JACO FlowPro Digital Tire Inflator Gauge

All I can say is, WHY didn't I buy one of these years ago? It has a pressure gauge with an illuminated display. You turn it on, plug the chuck (more on that in a moment) on the tire valve, and it shows the pressure. But wait, there's more...

I can snap the quick-disconnect fitting into the air hose (I have an inertial reel on my garage ceiling) and use it to FILL the tires, too. Goodbye old tire chuck!

In operation

And it makes this operation dirt simple and quick. You put the chuck on the valve, read the pressure. If the pressure is low, you press the little valve, and air flows into the tire. Let go of the valve, and it shows the new pressure. Bringing the tire up to pressure takes seconds, and it's so easy. If you put too much air in, press the little button on the side, and it lets air out. All without disconnecting it from the tire.

But wait, that' s not all!

Quick chuck

The chuck on this thing is a wonder. You shove it onto the tire valve, and that's it. No buttons to press, no locking lever, just shove it on. It seals perfectly and instantly, effortlessly. And it locks itself in place.

When you're done, you press the little button on the side of the chuck, and it release from the valve, with no air lost from the tire.

The gauge comes with two AAA batteries, and has a button that lets you switch between PSI, KPa, BAR and Kgf/cm3.

My video review of the JACO FlowPro:



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Is it perfect? Not quite. I wish:

- That it would stay on longer before turning itself off

Other than that, I love the thing. It's rugged (yes, I've already dropped it), it's accurate, and it's super easy to use.

And...as of this writing, it's been discontinued.

So why am I writing a review? Because they have replaced it with a 2.0 version, that improves on the comfort of the grip, and combines the inflate and deflate functionality into the single grip control, so it can be easily operated with one hand. Early reviews are that everybody likes it even better than the 1.0 version. Check it out for yourself:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C25C4CQ/?tag=goldwingdocs-20

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C25C4CQ?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[Coop19742]

I had to reply because I also have the same Accutire and Jaco FlowPro gauges. Both have been working for over a year now but I only keep the Accutire Gauge for overnight trips and the Jaco is for my air compressor. The one additional thing I have on my tires that has made checking pressure 100% easier is Fobo Bike Bluetooth sensors that connect to it's app on my phone. No more kneeling down and getting my hands dirty just to find the pressure is already fine. Only have to use the Jaco when I am filling my tires cold to hit 36/41. You can buy Fobo Bike at multiple places but the manufacture site is https://my-fobo.com/product/fobobike .

Last but not least when you are on the road for a week or more and have to travel to a gas station for air, the tires have already heated up so accurate tire pressure is a challenge. I usually gas up at the end of a day and if I see that my Fobo pressure is only 1 or 2 #s over the normal cold pressure of 36/41 I will put a few pounds of pressure in the tires and then ride over to the hotel. In the morning I check the pressure cold on my Fobo and if needed adjust it using the accutire guage which I adjust because of the 1 pound difference between the Jaco and Accutire.

[WingAdmin]

I've been using the Tire SafeGuard TPMS for years on my bike. It gives me instant notice if I'm losing pressure, and I can too check my tire pressure at a glance without getting on my knees. Plus it doesn't need my phone for a display, it has its own display panel on the bike. And plus plus - it also can be configured to show the pressure in my trailer tires as well! Or a trike, for that matter.

[dtrider]

I had the Tire SafeGuard system on my bike. When I first ordered the system through Amazon it showed up with a cracked display. Dealing with his "customer support" was a pain, but I finally got a new system after several weeks. Then when I took the display off while I was washing the bike a while back I dropped it a couple inches onto my workbench and the display shattered and it's now completely unusable. Now I know why the original one showed up with a cracked display. In general it can be a nice system, but it's just too brittle to use on the bike.

It irritates me that I now have two sensors that I can't use. I'll probably be going with the Fobo system in the spring.

/dwight

[WingAdmin]

I have to make a quick addendum to my review. One of the things I disliked most about it, as I mentioned, was that you had to press the ON button before using it.

I was wrong. Tonight I went to use it, and discovered that when you put the tire chuck on the tire, as soon as it detects pressure, it turns ITSELF on, without you having to press the button. Nice!

[Rednaxs60]

Always like reading your reviews. Good little unit; however, checked amazon.com and the unit is there at a whopping $137.79 with free shipping. eBay.ca is $73.93 plus $16.60 shipping - all prices in CDN dollars. Talk about turning the other cheek. Like the way this unit works, will have to do a little more research to find a suitable alternative at a lower price. Cheers

[C-dub]

I have this one that I got from Grainger.

A digital one that lights up might be nice for those low light times, but my biggest complaint about the one I have is the clip attachment. It always seems to take me at least 2-3-4 tries to get it on correctly so that it doesn't bleed air. A screw on attachment might be nice to ensure it is on securely.

[MikeB]

With the JACO, the only time you need to touch the holding clip is when you remove the chuck from the valve. To install the chuck, you just press it in place and it seals.

[C-dub]

That might work well then.

Plus, I hadn’t thought about just replacing my chuck before, but have found screw on chucks and one that has three “clips” instead of just the one like mine has. So, I have a few choices. The JACO unit might be good for additional reasons.

[WingAdmin]

That might work well then.

Plus, I hadn’t thought about just replacing my chuck before, but have found screw on chucks and one that has three “clips” instead of just the one like mine has. So, I have a few choices. The JACO unit might be good for additional reasons.

The clip on the JACO is the best I have ever used, over MANY years of using tire chucks. You literally just shove it on (you can even push it on by pushing the hose 6 inches away from the chuck) and it instantly seals, perfectly, no air leaking. You don't even have to push it on that hard! To remove, you press the button on the side, and it easily and instantly releases without any air escaping. I love it!

[tomcat50]

I just looked at the JACO website and Amazon. Both say it is unavailable. Anyone know the reason?

[WingAdmin]

I just looked at the JACO website and Amazon. Both say it is unavailable. Anyone know the reason?

Well that's great! Apparently we've managed to buy every single one of them that's available!

Amazon should have more in stock soon.

[tomcat50]

After posting above, I used Contact Us on the JACO website. Already received a reply that they will again be available December 3. Plan to make an order.

[MikeB]

The clip on the JACO is the best I have ever used, over MANY years of using tire chucks. You literally just shove it on (you can even push it on by pushing the hose 6 inches away from the chuck) and it instantly seals, perfectly, no air leaking. You don't even have to push it on that hard! To remove, you press the button on the side, and it easily and instantly releases without any air escaping. I love it!

Some of you may already know this but the JACO chucks are available separately through Amazon as well. They are listed as JACO Advanced Auto Lock-on Tire Air Chuck - 1/4" NPT (2 Pack) for less than $10.

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DFTDK3L?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[WingAdmin]

They're now back in stock!

https://www.amazon.com/JACO-FlowPro-Dig ... B07C25C4CQ

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C25C4CQ?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[hardknox]

I finally got mine yesterday (not quite in time for Christmas). It's just as great as Wingadmin said it was, the chuck alone makes it worth it. Love it!

[Metal Mangler]

Well I ordered one because of your review. Very nice addition to my garage. My old one will still be out for the family. But the Jaco will be put up for me to use. Not that other people dont take care of my tools but what's to chance.

[Antonsen]

this is not a review about the product but a review about the company Jayco and the people that work there. I ordered the Jayco 2.0 tire pressure gauge a few weeks before Christmas the post office text me saying they had delivered it, apparently it was stolen from my mailbox. Jayco checked on there end, we have been in contact via e-mail. Without me asking they have decided to send me a new pressure gauge, what a great company. I wish them all the greatness in the New year to come and appreciate their commitment to their customers.

[Metal Mangler]

Now thats a company I like to do business with.

[dtcad]

After reading this review back in November I promptly ordered one from Amazon.com, it showed up in a few days. Love it! Great tool for the bike and the cars.

[seabeechief]

Bought one for the garage....LOVE it. Bought another for the RV.

Chief

[redbug]

Just purchased some tire gauges (analog style) from Jaco and put in a plug under comments for GWD's and Jaco is having a really good sale going on at there site if you are interested.

[seabeechief]

I also purchased some of these. I think I like them a lot. They work WELL with the Jayco FlowPro gauge.

Alligator V2B Inflate Through Valve Stem Cap Gator Auto RV Semi (10 Pack)

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014VCY3S2?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[Big Blue UK]

Great review.

But this was brilliant

My wife told me, "just go get a good one that won't die!"

Really? Go buy tools? Well, OK, if you insist...

[C-dub]

Well, I gave in and ordered mine Thursday, 2 days ago. I had to order a couple of other things and since the price for this was about half what I paid the Haltec inflator from Grainger I decided to go for it.

I ordered the Jaco FlowPro 2 digital. It arrived this morning about 1100. I read the sheet and visited the website to watch the video just to make sure I wasn't missing out on any cool not so obvious features. Then I installed the 1/4" fitting that was included with the pft tape and put it to use. I applied the chuck to the front tire with my right hand and then with my left hand to the rear tire. I want to see how easy or difficult this chuck was with either hand.

The whole thing works really well! Left or right handed applying the chuck and removing it. No problem. One of the things I disliked about the Haltec from Grainger was the bleed valve placement. It is in an easy to reach place underneath where your hand grips the unit, but that is also it's weakness. I found myself too often touching it unintentionally when just gripping the thing. On the Jaco, to bleed off air just squeeze the lever partially instead of fully to inflate. I like that better.

My only gripe on the Jaco is the length of the hose. That is the one thing I liked the most about the Haltec and a big reason why I got it in the first place. It is 72" long. Long enough that once I have it placed I don't have to remain lying on the ground to take care of the rear tire. The Jaco hose is only 21". That's plenty long enough to get the job done, but that longer hose is really nice. Maybe at some point I'll switch the hoses or attach a longer hose to the Jaco. Eh, we'll see.

The digital readout is nice and clear. Definitely worth the money for the whole package. Heck, the majority of the price on the Haltec might have been that 72" hose.