Author: clidzbarski@fieldpiece.com

When it comes to measuring gas pressure, static pressure, or pressure differential, every HVAC technician needs a reliable manometer. But not every technician works the same way.

Some technicians want a rugged, dependable tool for everyday service calls. Others need advanced pressure switch testing capabilities or the flexibility of wireless measurements. That’s why Fieldpiece offers multiple manometer options designed to fit different workflows.

In this guide, we’ll compare three popular Fieldpiece manometers:

• SDMN5 Dual Port Manometer
• SDMN6 Dual Port Manometer with Pressure Switch Tester
• JL3KM2 Job Link® System Dual Port Manometer Probe Kit

By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the best HVAC manometer for the work you do every day.

 

What Should You Look for in a Manometer?

Not all manometers are built for the same applications. Before choosing one, consider the types of systems you service and the diagnostics you perform most often.

Here are a few key factors to keep in mind:

• Static pressure measurement for airflow diagnostics
• Gas pressure measurement for furnace installation and service
• Differential pressure to compare pressure between two points
• Ease of use for everyday service calls
• Portability to move efficiently between jobs
• Workflow efficiency to help complete diagnostics faster
• Wireless connectivity for remote measurements and digital reporting
• Advanced features for specialized testing

The right manometer isn’t necessarily the one with the most features, it’s the one that fits your workflow.

 

SDMN5 Dual Port Manometer
Best for:

HVAC professionals who want a dependable, straightforward dual-port manometer.

The SDMN5 is built for technicians who need simple, accurate pressure measurements. Whether you’re checking gas pressure during a furnace startup or measuring static pressure as part of an airflow diagnosis, it delivers the performance you need in a rugged, easy-to-use package.

Key Features

• Dual-port measurements
• Gas pressure measurement
• Static pressure measurement
• Pressure differential (P1-P2)
• Resolution down to 0.01” WC for static pressure measurement
• Magnetic hanger
• Rugged rubber boot
• Simple zero adjustment button
• Wide pressure range (-60.0” to 60.0” WC)

Why You’ll Like It

The SDMN5 is designed for everyday use. Its simple operation and durable construction make it a reliable addition to any technician’s tool bag.

If you primarily check gas pressure, static pressure, and airflow diagnostics, the SDMN5 gives you everything you need without extra complexity.

 

SDMN6 Dual Port Manometer with Pressure Switch Tester
Best for:

Technicians who regularly diagnose furnaces and replace pressure switches.

The SDMN6 includes everything technicians appreciate about the SDMN5 while adding one feature that sets it apart: an integrated Pressure Switch Tester.

What Makes It Different?

Replacing an adjustable universal pressure switch often requires setting the switch to match the manufacturer’s specifications. Traditionally, that meant using multiple tools or extra steps during installation.

With the SDMN6’s built-in Pressure Switch Tester, technicians can quickly verify pressure switch operation and easily set adjustable universal pressure switches with one instrument.

Key Benefits

• Everything the SDMN5 offers
• Integrated Pressure Switch Tester
• Quickly set adjustable universal pressure switches
• Verify pressure switch operation
• Simplify furnace diagnostics

Why It Saves Time

For technicians who service residential furnaces every day, the SDMN6 helps eliminate guesswork during pressure switch replacement. Instead of switching between multiple tools, you can diagnose, test, and set pressure switches more efficiently, helping reduce installation time while improving confidence in your repairs.

If furnace diagnostics are a regular part of your day, the SDMN6 is built for you.

 

JL3KM2 Job Link® System Dual Port Manometer Probe Kit
Best for:

Technicians who want maximum efficiency and advanced diagnostics.

The JL3KM2 takes a different approach than a traditional handheld manometer. Instead of carrying one instrument connected by hoses, the kit uses two wireless manometer probes that transmit pressure readings directly to the Job Link® System App.

By placing each probe exactly where measurements are needed, technicians can capture more accurate readings while working more efficiently.

Key Features

• Wireless range up to 1,000 feet
• Independent wireless probes
• Measure static, gas, and draft pressure
• View multiple pressure readings simultaneously
• Compatible with the Job Link® System App
• Precise probe placement for optimal measurements

Workflow Advantages

Wireless probes eliminate the hassle of dragging long hoses around the jobsite.

With the JL3KM2, you can:

• Monitor readings remotely
• Measure return, supply, and total external static pressure simultaneously
• Capture readings from optimal locations throughout the system
• Easily document results within the Job Link® System App

If you’re focused on improving efficiency, streamlining airflow diagnostics, or creating digital reports for customers, the JL3KM2 gives you the flexibility to work untethered.

 

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	SDMN5	SDMN6	JL3KM2
Gas Pressure	✓	✓	✓
Static Pressure	✓	✓	✓
Differential Pressure	✓	✓	✓
Pressure Switch Tester	—	✓	—
Wireless	—	—	✓
Job Link® App	—	—	✓
Best For	Everyday service	Furnace diagnostics	Advanced diagnostics & workflow

 

What’s the Best HVAC Manometer for You?
Choose the SDMN5 if…

• You want a dependable everyday manometer.
• You primarily perform standard pressure measurements.
• Simplicity and durability are your priorities.

Choose the SDMN6 if…

• You regularly service residential furnaces.
• You want to easily test adjustable pressure switches.
• You frequently replace or adjust universal pressure switches.
• You want one tool that combines pressure measurements with pressure switch testing.

Choose the JL3KM2 if…

• You want to work wirelessly.
• You already use the Job Link® System.
• You perform comprehensive airflow and pressure diagnostics.
• Efficiency, documentation, and remote measurements are important to your workflow.

Every technician works differently, which is why Fieldpiece offers multiple manometer options instead of a one-size-fits-all solution.

The SDMN5 delivers dependable performance for everyday pressure measurements. The SDMN6 builds on that foundation with a unique integrated Pressure Switch Tester that simplifies furnace diagnostics. And the JL3KM2 brings pressure testing into a wireless workflow with Job Link® connectivity for faster diagnostics and easy reporting.

No matter which one you choose, you’ll have a tool designed to help you diagnose with confidence, work more efficiently, and deliver accurate results on every call.

 

HVACR technicians already know the basic recovery process. Recover refrigerant. Pull a vacuum. Charge the system. Repeat.

What separates a high-performance tech is how fast you can move through that process without sacrificing quality of work.

That’s where the combination of the Fieldpiece MR45 Digital Refrigerant Recovery Machine, Fieldpiece SR47 Wireless Refrigerant Scale, and Fieldpiece vacuum pumps like the VPX7 really matter.

Individually, they’re powerful tools. Together, they help create a smoother workflow from recovery to charge – helping technicians save time, reduce guesswork, and avoid the small slowdowns that add up over the course of a long day.

 

Refrigerant Recovery is Faster When Your Tools Work with You

Every technician has dealt with recovery jobs that can slow your day down to a crawl.

Heavy machines. Constant babysitting. Slugging issues. Recovery cylinders that need constant checking. Walking back and forth across the jobsite just to monitor progress.

The MR45 was designed to remove a lot of that friction from the process.

Its smart variable-speed DC motor automatically adjusts throughout recovery – slowing down during liquid recovery to help minimize slugging and ramping up during vapor recovery to keep things running smoothly. Instead of constantly adjusting your process around the machine, the machine adjusts itself to the job.

Then there’s Zero Stop.

It’s one of those features technicians quickly get used to because it removes one more thing to think about. Instead of standing around waiting for the machine to hit zero pressure, the MR45 automatically shuts itself off to help protect refrigerant purity by reducing the pull of contaminants into the tank.

Small feature. Big impact.

 

The SR47 Does More Than Just Measure Weight

A refrigerant scale might not be the flashiest tool on the truck, but it plays a significant role in almost every major refrigerant-related task.

During recovery, the Fieldpiece SR47 Wireless Refrigerant Scale helps technicians keep an eye on tank weight without hovering over the recovery cylinder the entire time.

And on bigger jobs, that matters more than people think.

Instead of walking back and forth to check tank levels, technicians can monitor measurements remotely through the Job Link® System App – and easily document recovered and charged refrigerant.

It also helps avoid a recovery danger: overfilling a recovery tank.

During charging, the SR47 becomes just as valuable again by helping technicians dial in accurate refrigerant charges with confidence.

 

Vacuum Speed Isn’t Just About CFM

A lot of evacuation conversations focus only on pump size or CFM ratings.

But experienced technicians know evacuation speed often comes down to the entire setup:

• Clean oil
• Larger diameter hoses
• Proper core removal for fewer restrictions

That’s why Fieldpiece vacuum pumps are designed around workflow improvements instead of just raw specs.

Take RunQuick® oil changes, for example.

Changing vacuum pump oil is important, but it’s also one of those tasks technicians sometimes put off because it interrupts the job. The longer oil stays contaminated with moisture, the slower evacuation performance becomes.

RunQuick helps remove that barrier by allowing technicians to change oil quickly without shutting the pump down or losing vacuum.

That means technicians are more likely to keep fresh oil in the pump – and that directly impacts evacuation speed.

It’s a simple example of how shaving small amounts of downtime from each step can make a noticeable difference across multiple jobs in a day.

 

The Real Advantage Is Workflow

What makes these tools work well together isn’t just wireless connectivity or matching product lines. It’s that each one removes a different bottleneck from the refrigerant service process.

The MR45 helps speed up recovery while reducing babysitting. The SR47 simplifies refrigerant tracking during both recovery and charging. Fieldpiece vacuum pumps help technicians evacuate systems faster while making maintenance easier and less disruptive.

Individually, each saves a little time. Together, those improvements compound across every service call. And that’s what technicians notice most in the field. Not just that the tools work – but that the workflow feels smoother.

 

In the HVACR world, no job is complete until you’re sure the system is leak-free. Whether you’re chasing down leaks in a pre-charged line set, servicing a rooftop unit, or working on a complex refrigeration system, your leak detector needs to be fast, accurate, and built for real-world conditions. That’s exactly what the new Fieldpiece DRX3 All-in-One Leak Detector delivers.

The DRX3 simplifies leak detection like never before. It combines heated diode technology, wide refrigerant and combustible gas compatibility, and rugged portability into one powerful tool, helping HVACR pros save time, travel lighter, and stay safe—no matter what kind of refrigerant or gas they’re working with.

Let’s take a closer look at why DRX3 is a must-have for service calls, installs, and everything in between.

 

Built for Today’s Refrigerants — And Tomorrow’s 

With refrigerant regulations evolving and new blends entering the market, technicians face a growing list of refrigerants and gases they need to detect. The DRX3 is built to handle the full range:

• HC, HC, HCFC, CFC, HFO, H2/N2 tracer gas, and blend refrigerants, as well as
• Natural gas, propane, butane, and methane combustible gases.

This means one sensor handles virtually every leak scenario you encounter, there’s no need to swap detectors depending on the job.

Whether you’re working with common A3, A2L, A1 refrigerants or heating fuels, the DRX3’s heated diode sensor delivers fast, reliable detection across the board. The sensor is easy to replace in the field after its typical 300-hour life, keeping your downtime to a minimum.

 

Speed + Accuracy = Less Time on the Job

The DRX3 was designed with real-world HVACR work in mind: tight spaces, hard-to-reach joints, and time-sensitive calls. That’s where its advanced feedback system shines. The DRX3 gives you multiple ways to spot leaks quickly and confidently:

• Flashing LED tip for immediate visual cues
• Loud audible beeps that change with leak intensity
• Graphical and numerical display showing relative leak levels at a glance
• Live leak data in the Job Link® System App for remote monitoring and easy documentation

With high, medium, and low sensitivity settings plus both auto and manual zeroing, you can fine-tune the detector depending on your environment—whether you’re in a drafty mechanical room or a tight equipment closet.

 

One Tool That Travels Light 

Every technician knows: lighter is better. The DRX3 was built to consolidate your toolbag. Instead of carrying multiple detectors for different refrigerants or gases, one DRX3 does it all. Its rugged, compact design holds up to daily wear and tear.

The flexible wand helps you reach tough spots around evaporator coils, compressor cabinets, and complex line sets. Meanwhile, field-replaceable, long-life batteries ensure the DRX3 stays powered up when you need it most—without constant recharging or replacing.

 

Safety Compliance 

Working with A2L and A3 refrigerants introduces new safety requirements due to flammability risks. The DRX3 is compatible for use in hazardous environments, complying with the requirements of:

• ATEX Zone 2
• Class I, Division 2

These safety standards give you confidence that your leak detector has been tested for use around mildly flammable and flammable refrigerants and gases, meeting industry safety standards while helping you stay compliant.

 

Connected with Job Link® for Easy Reporting 

Leak detection doesn’t end when you find the problem—you still need to document it. That’s where the DRX3’s Job Link® System App compatibility takes things to the next level.

By pairing your DRX3 with the Job Link® app, you can:

• Monitor leaks in real time on your phone or tablet
• Capture leak data for customer reports
• Create clear documentation for compliance and recordkeeping
• Share results instantly with your team or customers

This connected workflow helps reduce callbacks, streamline service calls, and provide a professional level of transparency to your customers.

 

The Bottom Line

The DRX3 is more than just another leak detector, it’s your all-in-one solution for handling today’s wide variety of refrigerants and gases; while delivering the speed, safety, and accuracy you expect from Fieldpiece.

With its heated diode sensor, multiple feedback indicators, hazardous location compliance, and Job Link® connectivity, the DRX3 helps HVACR professionals tackle service calls and installs with confidence. Whether you’re upgrading your current tool or building your ultimate leak detection kit, the DRX3 belongs in your bag.

At Fieldpiece, we know HVACR pros go above and beyond on every job – and now, it’s time to reward that hard work. We’re excited to introduce Fieldpiece TECH REWARDS, where you can turn your commitment to learning and using Fieldpiece tools into exclusive swag and apparel. 

No gimmicks. No strings. Just real rewards for real work. 

Here’s How It Works. 

Whether you’re a longtime Fieldpiece loyalist or just getting started with our tools, joining the program is easy. Head to fpmerchstore.com and create your Fieldpiece Rewards account. You’ll even receive your first point just for signing up. 

From there, it’s all about doing what you already do: Working smart and sharpening your skills. 

Earn Points Doing What You Do Best. 

Earning points is easy. You’ll earn points every time you:  

• Complete A Fieldpiece University Course
  Dig into HVACR education modules that help level up your knowledge and your points.
  (Important: Be sure your FPU email matches your Rewards email. Otherwise, your points won’t register! Also, note that previously taken courses will not apply.) 

• Register your Fieldpiece Tools
  Every time you register a tool you get closer to that next reward. Fresh out of the box or battle-worn from years in the field, get them logged and rack up the points. (Important: Be sure your Fieldpiece Support Portal email used for tool registration matches your Rewards email. Otherwise, your points won’t register! You must include the proof of purchase or a photo of the serial number to earn a point for each tool.)

• Attend Fieldpiece Trainings and Counter Days
  Meet our team, test out the latest tools and walk away with more points in your pocket. Check in and scan the QR code held by the Fieldpiece sales rep or training specialist.

Hit the Shop. 

Points in, swag out. Once you’ve banked enough, visit the Fieldpiece Merch Shop to grab official swag. Whether you’re looking for work-ready caps or new seasonal apparel drops, this isn’t your average branded swag… Our merch is designed tough with techs in mind, just like our tools. 

Expect a rotating selection of Fieldpiece items with new rewards added throughout the year, so there’s always something fresh to look forward to. 

Why We Built It.  

The Fieldpiece Tech Rewards Program is more than a giveaway. It’s about recognizing the effort you put in every day to deliver quality work in tough conditions. You’re the reason we design tools that work harder, last longer and connect smarter. 

To the techs who use Fieldpiece on the job, this program is just another way to say thanks and to help you rep Fieldpiece with pride. 

Ready to Earn? 

Watch the video, sign up at fpmerchstore.com, grab your first point and start stacking rewards today.