[plastico]

Just got my tach to-day. Stuck a piece of tape that came with it to the side of my P3 platter, and the reading was 33.6 RPM. That is with a white belt. I have two white belts, so I put the other one on, and whatta you know; the speed now reads, 33.3 RPM. Now I can sleep at night! Nice little addition in my turntable toolshed! AND it comes with a 9v battery! For 15 bucks you can't go wrong!

Cheers, Plastico

[watercourse]

Mine arrived Friday, and I agree, it's a cheap and cheerful tool.

[neobop]

Seems like a great buy.  Did either of you guys try the memory feature? 

Anybody notice a difference in speed with the needle in-groove?

When I think about it, over the years at times I've spent a whole lot more money on stuff that turned out to be useless.  Glad this is working out.
neo
 

[plastico]

Hey neobop. I tried it with and without a record spinning. I got consistant readings every time. I even went back throughout the listening session and took readings. This was with the platter stopping and starting as well. And to answer your question about the memory feature, I did not try it.

Cheers, Plastico

[tomytoons]

I could never get my P5 to run any closer than 34.5.
How did you get the P3 to run correct? AND why don't they run correct in the first place?
Never noticed it that much until I got rid of the P5.
Now I notice it for the better.

Where is it listed for $15?

[watercourse]

I haven't noticed any difference either with a record on vs off. That said, you have to have a way to hold the tachometer completely still and at the correct angle, otherwise any motions from your hand will give false readings.
The memory feature is always on, as far as I can tell. Basically, it holds in memory the highest and lowest readings from your last speed test, as well as the very last reading. You just hit the memory button to toggle thru.
I just went to my buddy's place last night, who has a more expensive tachometer, which has the same issue with keeping the instrument steady. Until I solve this problem permanently, a strobe disk is just as good, except that I have to have a light source with correct frequency which in my setup is less handy than the tachometer (potentially), and not helpful in strong daylight, which makes the strobe hard or impossible to read.

[neobop]

Watercourse,
If you have a tripod, that would be perfect.  If not, maybe you could rig up something heavy/stable like a couple of cinder blocks or a heavy piece of furniture.
neo

[plastico]

You guys! Just put the laser on the table under the arm and it will read the tape on the side of the platter! The laser is perfectly still, arm on the record, or in the rest. Of course, this is with a Rega table! Tomytoons, these readings are with the standard pulley and 24v motor. I got rid of the Lim's double pulley because  the diameter was too big! I measured it with a digital caliper. And the white belts gave me different readings! So I understand your disastisfaction with Rega. By the way, my buddy has the same table you have, and I set his table up for him. He has a SAE 1000e on it -I bought and put it on for him. Here is where I got the tach- ttp://dx.com/p/2-2-lcd-laser-photo-digital-tachometer-dark-gray-orange-41842


Cheers, Plastico

[watercourse]

Well I didn't want to put the reflective strip on the platter... but plastico forced me to!

So, no diff in speed playing or not.

[watercourse]

Still no difference. We've had some changes in temperature here what with summer coming on, the gals in their best warm weather nothings, so thought I'd report back: still the same readings. Except the women are hotter now.   
Channeling Mick Jagger...

[plastico]

I must concur with your readings watercourse. Table running hot since the purchase of my Golden Ear Triton Two's.
Never heard this table sound so good, and with the constant stable table speed of 33.3, this purchase has made me appreciate my table so much more!

Cheers, Plastico

[watercourse]

Neobop - since you asked, today I set up the Simplex so that the speed was just a hair above 33.3, so that it read 33.4, and held steady with the record I wanted to play. When I put the needle on, lo and behold, the speed dropped to 33.3.
So I guess stylus drag is measureable with this thing, assuming that's what you wanted to know...?

[dlaloum]

Sounds like.empirical evidence of stylus drag to me...

[neobop]

Neobop - since you asked, today I set up the Simplex so that the speed was just a hair above 33.3, so that it read 33.4, and held steady with the record I wanted to play. When I put the needle on, lo and behold, the speed dropped to 33.3.
So I guess stylus drag is measureable with this thing, assuming that's what you wanted to know...?

Yes, that's it.  Thanks Watercourse.
neo

[plastico]

I performed this test as well , and my findings are the same as watercourse. All I can say is WOW! I got this on a Rega P3, with upgraded motor,white belt, and NO TTPSU! Nice!
Plastico

[dlaloum]

And if this happens on a lead in groove the effect should be measurably greater on major populations.... Which strongly supports the de school of thought...