Tested - PCL AFG1H08 tyre inflator

12th September 2008

As fuel prices soar, it has never been so important to keep your tyres correctly inflated. A tiny loss of pressure can send your consumption spiralling – but combine this new PCL inflator with a small mains compressor, and you’ll have no excuse, as it makes the job so easy.

Using a mains compressor means inflating takes seconds – it can be minutes if you hook up to a 12V version – while
the long 175mm hose ensures you won’t have to crouch down by the valve. What sets this product apart is the excellent, independently calibrated gauge, which has easy-to-read scales in psi and Bar across a 70mm display. A lever inflates and a button releases, so setting pressures accurately couldn’t be more simple. The only trouble is, all this comes at a price – the device is definitely aimed at the professional end of the market. But with compressors now under £100, a bit extra for a quality tool like this makes sense – it will pay for itself in reduced fuel costs over time.