Low Cost Rain Gauge

This is the best rain gauge I have found.I have 1 that is maybe 15 years old.It is holding up well to the Arizona desert sun.It is made of heavy clear plastic, with raised marks -- mm on the left, & inches on the right [at 0.01 increments].In a dry climate, these minute differences matter!And it measures quite accurately [I think?] even 0.01 or 0.02 inches of rain.That's becuz it tapers to a fine point at the bottom.Recently I needed to replace a different older & inferior gauge.So -- I reordered this 1 -- for $17.99.That seems a lot for a piece of plastic -- but it seems to be the best thing available.But they soak you for $10.32 for OUTRAGEOUS SHIPPING!Another complaint is that they send you these 2 screws to mount it.It is an el-cheapo method of mounting the gauge.There is this plastic wing or expansion on each side of the barrel of the gauge, with a key-slot type hole on each wing.You are spozed to line the holes up with the screws -- which duz work.But it is easy to screw up the placing of the screws in the mounting surface.Also, that limits the kind of thing you can mount it on, & the screws have to be placed just so in the mounting material.And it takes some extra time & fiddling & frustration to get the barrel flanges to fit over the dang screws.So, every time you empty it, you gotta fuss with the fitting of the holes in the gauge onto the heads of the screws.Screw that.So, I cut me a piece of metal sheeting & bent it to hold the barrel.No screwing around with them durn screws.

Durable and quite accurate. It has lasted for several years and is still clear and easy to read. My one complaint is that a small amount of water remains in the bottom even after you empty it. So, dirt collects at the bottom and tends to grow mold or algae. It is very difficult to clean the dirt out of the bottom because the two plastic pieces are so close together. You can't get anything down there to scrape out any residue, and it won't flush out by itself. But, overall a good product.

We have bought several of this same rainguage through the past years. I ama retired grain farmer fron MT. We farmers always want to know the amountof rain that falls during a storm. (Even after we retire) This is a nice accuratequage that shows even the smallest amounts of moisture. I'll continue to purchasethis same model each time I have a need for a new one. They really do last quiteawhile but when I forget to retreive them before winter freezes, they have been knownto split when they freeze with moisture in them. Not a problem with the guage. It's aproblem with the farmer's memory. :-)

This is my second rain gauge of this exact type. The other one just wore out; chips on the top of the opening. However, the picture shown depicts the old one with a metal sleeve for fastening, then you just insert gauge in the sleeve. Ah, but yes, times of changed and the new one just purchased has a built in plastic plate attachment area. Fortunately, the new one will slip down into the old metal sleeve. No biggie really. I beleive the rain gauge is the best one for the price available today! You just need to change the picture so the new style is shown.

This is the most accurate gauge I've seen, especially for smaller amounts of rainfall. Yes, the numbers and marks are small and molded on, so they're a little hard to see unless you're standing right next to it. I painted thin black lines at the 1/2" mark, as well as at every inch mark, to make it easier to see from across the patio.

I have a lot of confidence in the accuracy of this gauge. The difficulty in reading the numbers cost it a star. The numbers are small and clear plastic like the rest of the gauge but at least they are raised so I was able to highlight them with a black sharpie.

I have been using the Tru Check guage for 6 years now. It has been in freezing weather without cracking or leaks due to its wedge shape. I am ordering a new one because after 6 years of weather as the plastic is starting to get a little hazy, but it is still very usable. Very easy to read down to 1/100th of an inch. The metal mounting bracket has also served well, holding the guage securly and yet is easy to remove and insert the guage for reading/emptying.

What is pictured is the old style, which I wanted, as a direct replacement for my old one. What I got is the new style, which has half round plastic tabs with holes for attachment. With some reworking, it'll do.Apparently, seller as amended the listing, now. What is pictured , now, is the new style gauge.