Reading adjustment
Reading adjustment: how a gauge looks more precise than it is
Some gauges quietly “smooth” the result to appear more stable. Let’s see how it works, how to spot it in a couple of minutes — and why CARSYS gauges don’t do it.
See it yourself
Interactive adjustment detector
Paint on a body is uneven — the thickness drifts a little from point to point. Pick a nominal and measure points: CARSYS always shows the real thickness, while an adjusted gauge sticks to its first value as long as the spread stays within ±2 %. The two gauges are deliberately matched on error so you see only the adjustment effect.
Real thickness · CARSYS
—µm
Adjusted gauge
—µm
Nominal paint thickness
Press “Measure a point”: CARSYS shows the real thickness, the adjusted gauge sticks to its first value.
| CARSYS |
|---|
| Adjusted |
Example: uneven paint, nominal 250 µm
| Point | CARSYS (real) | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 245 | 245 |
| 2 | 248 | 245 |
| 3 | 253 | 245 |
| 4 | 255 | 245 |
| 5 | 258 | 258 |
| 6 | 255 | 258 |
| 7 | 253 | 258 |
| 8 | 248 | 258 |
| 9 | 245 | 258 |
| 10 | 243 | 243 |
CARSYS repeats the real spread, the adjusted gauge sticks while the point stays within ±2 %.
How it works
The first reading is honest, the rest are “like last time”
The first measurement is taken properly. On every reading after that the gauge compares the new result with the previous one: if they’re close, it shows the previous value instead of the new one. Some brands are gentler and display the average of the previous and current result — either way, what’s on screen is not what was just measured.
The “similarity” threshold depends on thickness
| Thickness | Similarity threshold |
|---|---|
| 100 µm | ±4–8 µm |
| 250 µm | ±6–13 µm |
| 500 µm | ±8–20 µm |
| 1000 µm | ±13–35 µm |
A rough guide: about 1–3 % of the thickness plus 3–5 µm. As long as the new reading falls inside that window around the previous one, an adjusted gauge repeats the previous result.
Why brands do it
For the illusion of stability
An adjusted gauge seems more precise: on the same plate it returns the same figure over and over, even though the real values drift slightly with the contact point and the gauge’s own error. A steady number on screen is reassuring — but it isn’t real data, it’s a repeat of the first reading.
How to test it yourself
A two-minute test
01
Measure a reference several times
Take a plate of known thickness — say 250 µm — and make 5–6 readings in a row, shifting the gauge a little each time.
02
Compare the behaviour
An honest gauge shows a small natural spread (245, 248, 243, 250…). An adjusted gauge freezes on the first value — 245, for example.
03
Break the adjustment by alternating
Measure 250 → 1000 → 250 µm in turn. An honest gauge always shows the real value. An adjusted one “lets go” when the plate changes — and the trick becomes visible.
The rule of thumb: if the readings on a reference repeat “too perfectly” and only come alive when the thickness changes sharply, the gauge is adjusting.
CARSYS gauges don’t adjust
Every measurement is new
CARSYS gauges always show what is measured right now, with no regard for the previous result. It’s a deliberate engineering choice: an honest spread is more useful than pretty but invented stability — it reflects the real state of the coating. We earn stability through sensor and algorithm quality, not by substituting the data.
Which sensors CARSYS usesKnowledge base
Read next
Material that carries the topic on: how to check a body, what the gauge does and which one to choose.
Choose a gauge you can visibly trust
CARSYS shows real data on every reading. Pick a model for your work, or learn how to check a body correctly.