your manifold gauge review

I was recently helped on the AF site in adding 134A to my car ac. Someone posted negatively about the quality of cheaper single gauge sets. I have several cars in our family all of which have 134a systems. I am thinking about buying a manifold set for testing and adding refrigerant. I would like accurate readings so I don't damage ac systems. There are quite a number of them for sale on line. I am hoping for some input from some of you. Again, use initially would be to test and add refrig. to cars. Maybe later I would try more sophisticated procedures if required. Thinking i could spend 75 to 150 dollars
1. are some brands preferred
2. pros - cons of aluminum vs brass manifold
3. What is sight glass and is it a desirable feature
4 By the way, I assume that with the manifold type, you can monitor psi while filling??
5 any other advice or reference to reviews or tutorials would be appreciated.
6. I like most people have central air in my home. I assume there is no point is getting gauge that tests R12 or R22 or whatever they use since only hvac technician can obtain such refrigerant???
Thanks, melvinsmellvin

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-994-cps-products-vp2s-kit.aspx

A little more than what you want to spend, but you will be glad you did later on.

Any gauge that does R12 can do R22 and 502. Aluminum usually has the site glass so you can watch the flow. I found some great pricing on this site http://www.tooldesk.com/automotive/subcategories/Service-KitsAC-Manifold.aspx

outside of how to start a new thread of which i just can't find on this site.


is the r22/r134a/r12 small can taps the same as the 35 oz r22 can tap? i have a used can of r134a and a tap that fits that can. i have to recharge some r22 into a home unit. i have a tap that fits the hose to the home unit and the r134a can tap but need to find out if that can tap will fit onto a 35 oz can of r22? it seems all r 22 cans should use the same tap but you never know. the guy on ebay sent a picture of the tap but no numbers for the can tap side size. i'm thinking the outlet side of that tap will fit my hose just as it fits the r134q can tap. so can anyone here help with the answer? thanks

Its really not that hard to start a new thread if you simply look. ;) Go the the section you want to start the thread in and

https://i.imgur.com/S0HjwF2.jpg

thanks but that does not show in my page

ok after much searching i found on topic that let me do a new thread under tools so i will start a new topic and see how it goes. that topic had a check mark so that may be why the rest did not have the same option to me. thanks