What is the difference between RS232 and Bluetooth clamp-on tension meters?

RS232 models require a physical cable connection to transfer readings to a computer or Excel, making them well suited to fixed test setups. Bluetooth models allow tension readings to be viewed and logged wirelessly from a phone or tablet and can generate site reports in the field. RS232 may be a lower-cost option for bench or fixed-station testing.

Can clamp-on tension meters be used on synthetic or fiber rope?

These units are built and calibrated for steel wire rope. Synthetic and fiber ropes stretch and deflect differently under load, so a clamp-on meter calibrated for wire rope construction will not provide accurate readings on synthetic line. Contact DQ Plus before ordering if your application uses synthetic rope.

Clamp-On Tension Meters

Find the right Tension Meter

Save your worksite operators time and money by enabling them to wirelessly measure and report on cable tension.

Dillon Clamp-On Tension Meters and Crosby Straightpoint Clamp-On Tension Meters at a glance

	Capacities	Communications	Report Generation	Quick-Check Pre-Calibrated to most popular Cell Tower Guy Wires	Rope Calibrations	Cable Diameter Range	Display	Carry Case	Enclosure	Units of Measure	Temperature Range	Power	Battery Life	Accuracy	Pass/Fail Tensioning Mode	Weight
QuickCheck 2,000 lb Cable Tension Meter	2000 lb / 1000 kg	RS232	Excel via RS232	No (but can be custom calibrated)	Up to 20 (must be specified at time of order)	3/16” to 1” / 4.75 mm to 25.4 mm	Informative Display: Shows: Unit, Wire Type, Sheave & Battery	IP68 rugged carry case	Suitable for continuous outdoor use	Lbf, kgf and Newtons	-4° F to 158° F / -20° C to 70° C	Two AA batteries	10Hz = over 250 hrs continuous 100Hz = over 100 hrs continuous	3% full scale	Yes	11 lb	REQUEST QUOTE LEARN MORE
QuickCheck 10,000 lb Cable Tension Meter	10,000 lb / 4500 kg	RS232	Excel via RS232	No (but can be custom calibrated)	Up to 20 (must be specified at time of order)	3/16” to 1” / 4.75 mm to 25.4 mm	Informative Display: Shows: Unit, Wire Type, Sheave & Battery	IP68 rugged carry case	Suitable for continuous outdoor use	Lbf, kgf and Newtons	-4° F to 158° F / -20° C to 70° C	Two AA batteries	10Hz = over 250 hrs continuous 100Hz = over 100 hrs continuous	3% full scale	Yes	11 lb	REQUEST QUOTE LEARN MORE
QuickCheck-T Bluetooth Cable Tension Meter	10,000 lb / 4500 kg	Bluetooth®	Utilize Bluetooth App to generate custom cell tower site report	No (but can be custom calibrated)	Up to 20 (must be specified at time of order)	3/16” to 1” / 4.75 mm to 25.4 mm	Bluetooth App and built-in display on device	IP68 rugged carry case	Suitable for continuous outdoor use	Lbf, kgf and Newtons	-4° F to 158° F / -20° C to 70° C	Two C batteries	10Hz = over 250 hrs continuous 100Hz = over 100 hrs continuous	3% full scale	Yes	11 lb	REQUEST QUOTE LEARN MORE
QuickCheck-T Bluetooth Cable Tension Meter for the Cell Tower Industry	Crosby Straightpoint10,000 lb / 4500 kg	Bluetooth®	Utilize Bluetooth App to generate custom cell tower site report	Yes	Comes pre-calibrated to most popular cell tower guy wires	3/16” to 1” / 4.75mm to 25.4mm	Bluetooth App and built-in display on device	IP68 rugged carry case	Suitable for continuous outdoor use	Lbf, kgf and Newtons	-4° F to 158° F / -20° C to 70° C	Two C batteries	10Hz = over 250 hrs continuous 100Hz = over 100 hrs continuous	3% full scale	Yes	11 lb	REQUEST QUOTE LEARN MORE
Crosby Straightpoint Colt	Crosby Straightpoint10,000 lb / 4500 kg	Bluetooth®	Utilize Bluetooth App for general purpose and to generate custom cell tower site report	Yes	Comes pre-calibrated to most popular cell tower guy wires and access to a library of additional pre-calibrated cables	3/16" to 1" / 5mm to 25mm	Bluetooth App using iOS or Android device	Rugged purpose made case	IP67 NEMA 6 suitable for continuous outdoor use	Lbf, kgf tonne & kN	-13° F to 158° F / -25° C to 70° C	Two C batteries	2400 hours Bluetooth tranmission time	3% full scale if wire rope & construction known	Yes	7.7 lb	REQUEST QUOTE LEARN MORE

Dillon Clamp-On Tension Meters and Crosby Straightpoint Clamp-On Tension Meters at a glance

	QuickCheck 2,000 lb Cable Tension Meter	QuickCheck 10,000 lb Cable Tension Meter	QuickCheck-T Bluetooth Cable Tension Meter	QuickCheck-T Bluetooth Cable Tension Meter for the Cell Tower Industry	Crosby Straightpoint Colt
Capacities	2000 lb / 1000 kg	10,000 lb / 4500 kg	10,000 lb / 4500 kg	10,000 lb / 4500 kg	11000 lb / 5000 kg
Communications	RS232	RS232	Bluetooth®	Bluetooth®	Bluetooth
Report Generation	Excel via RS232	Excel via RS232	Utilize Bluetooth App to generate custom cell tower site report	Utilize Bluetooth App to generate custom cell tower site report	Utilize Bluetooth App for general purpose and to generate custom cell tower site report
Quick-Check Pre-Calibrated to most popular Cell Tower Guy Wires	No (but can be custom calibrated)	No (but can be custom calibrated)	No (but can be custom calibrated)	Yes	Yes
Rope Calibrations	Up to 20 (must be specified at time of order)	Up to 20 (must be specified at time of order)	Up to 20 (must be specified at time of order)	Comes pre-calibrated to most popular cell tower guy wires	Comes pre-calibrated to most popular cell tower guy wires and access to a library of additional pre-calibrated cables
Cable Diameter Range	3/16” to 1” / 4.75 mm to 25.4 mm	3/16” to 1” / 4.75 mm to 25.4 mm	3/16” to 1” / 4.75 mm to 25.4 mm	3/16” to 1” / 4.75mm to 25.4mm	3/16" to 1" / 5mm to 25mm
Display	Informative Display: Shows: Unit, Wire Type, Sheave & Battery	Informative Display: Shows: Unit, Wire Type, Sheave & Battery	Bluetooth App and built-in display on device	Bluetooth App and built-in display on device	Bluetooth App using iOS or Android device
Carry Case	IP68 rugged carry case	IP68 rugged carry case	IP68 rugged carry case	IP68 rugged carry case	Rugged purpose made case
Enclosure	Suitable for continuous outdoor use	Suitable for continuous outdoor use	Suitable for continuous outdoor use	Suitable for continuous outdoor use	IP67 NEMA 6 suitable for continuous outdoor use
Units of Measure	Lbf, kgf and Newtons	Lbf, kgf and Newtons	Lbf, kgf and Newtons	Lbf, kgf and Newtons	Lbf, kgf tonne & kN
Temperature Range	-4° F to 158° F / -20° C to 70° C	-4° F to 158° F / -20° C to 70° C	-4° F to 158° F / -20° C to 70° C	-4° F to 158° F / -20° C to 70° C	-13° F to 158° F / -25° C to 70° C
Power	Two AA batteries	Two AA batteries	Two C batteries	Two C batteries	Two C batteries
Battery Life	10Hz = over 250 hrs continuous 100Hz = over 100 hrs continuous	10Hz = over 250 hrs continuous 100Hz = over 100 hrs continuous	10Hz = over 250 hrs continuous 100Hz = over 100 hrs continuous	10Hz = over 250 hrs continuous 100Hz = over 100 hrs continuous	2400 hours Bluetooth tranmission time
Accuracy	3% full scale	3% full scale	3% full scale	3% full scale	3% full scale if wire rope & construction known
Pass/Fail Tensioning Mode	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Weight	11 lb	11 lb	11 lb	11 lb	7.7 lb
	REQUEST QUOTE LEARN MORE	REQUEST QUOTE LEARN MORE	REQUEST QUOTE LEARN MORE	REQUEST QUOTE LEARN MORE	REQUEST QUOTE LEARN MORE

Not sure which clamp on tension meter you need?

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Clamp-On Tension Meters 101

New to Clamp-On Tension Meters?

Learn everything you need to know about the different types of clamp-on tension meters, how they work and why they’re critical to your business.

Read the Guide

Expert support and services for Clamp-On Tension Meters

Maintain accuracy and operational readiness with calibration, repair, and rental support for tension meter products.

Calibration and Repair Services

We provide calibration and repair services for tension meters to help maintain measurement accuracy, meet internal quality requirements, and extend the life of your tension measurement equipment.

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Clamp-On Tension Meter Rental Program

Short-term tension meter rental options help support temporary measurement needs, project-based applications, and urgent equipment requirements without interrupting operations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about specifications, compatibility, or calibration requirements? Our team is ready to help. Contact us today.

800-493-2263 ext 130

How does a clamp-on tension meter measure tension without cutting into the cable?

The meter clamps onto the outside of the cable and measures the force needed to deflect it a small, fixed distance between three points. Because that deflection force is directly related to the cable’s tension, the device converts the reading into a tension value without ever disconnecting the line or interrupting the load path. This makes it possible to check tension on a cable that’s still in service.

Do I need to know my cable's construction and diameter before ordering?

Yes. Clamp-on tension meters are calibrated to a specific wire rope construction and diameter, since two cables of the same diameter but different construction (7×19 versus 7×7, for example) deflect differently under the same load. If you don’t specify the cable construction and diameter at the time of order, the unit won’t read accurately on your line, so this information needs to be locked in before the meter ships.

Can one tension meter be used across multiple cable types, or do I need a new calibration for each?

One unit can cover multiple cable types. Our QuickCheck models store up to 20 rope calibrations, so a single meter can switch between different constructions and diameters instead of needing a separate device for each. Give us your full list of cable types when you order so every one you need is built into the unit from the start.

How do I decide between the 2,000 lb and 10,000 lb capacity models?

Choose a capacity that comfortably covers your highest expected working tension, not just your average load. Running a cable near the top of a meter’s range sacrifices accuracy and reduces margin for tension spikes, so most riggers and technicians size up rather than cut it close. If your work spans both light and heavy cable runs, it’s worth discussing your full range of jobs with us before choosing a single capacity.

What's the real-world difference between the RS232 models and the Bluetooth models, and do I need Bluetooth?

The RS232 models require a physical cable connection to pull readings into Excel, which works fine for a fixed test setup but is impractical up a tower or out in the field. The Bluetooth models let you read and log tension wirelessly from a phone or tablet and generate a site report on the spot, which is the deciding factor for most field and cell tower crews. If your testing happens at a bench or fixed station rather than in the field, RS232 is a lower-cost option that does the job just as accurately.

Do clamp-on tension meters need periodic recalibration, and can DQ Plus handle it?

Yes, like any precision force measurement device, accuracy can drift with use and should be verified on a recurring schedule. DQ Plus calibrates and repairs the tension meters we sell, and our calibration and repair page covers our full process, turnaround, and NIST-traceable certification.

Can these be used on synthetic or fiber rope, or only wire rope?

These units are built and calibrated for steel wire rope. Synthetic and fiber ropes stretch and deflect differently under load, so a clamp-on meter calibrated to wire rope construction won’t give you an accurate reading on synthetic line. If your application uses synthetic rope, talk to us before ordering so we can point you toward the right measurement approach.

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Clamp-On Tension Meters

Find the right Tension Meter

Dillon Clamp-On Tension Meters and Crosby Straightpoint Clamp-On Tension Meters at a glance

Dillon Clamp-On Tension Meters and Crosby Straightpoint Clamp-On Tension Meters at a glance

Not sure which clamp on tension meter you need?

Clamp-On Tension Meters 101

New to Clamp-On Tension Meters?

Expert support and services for Clamp-On Tension Meters

Calibration and Repair Services

Clamp-On Tension Meter Rental Program

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a clamp-on tension meter measure tension without cutting into the cable?

Do I need to know my cable's construction and diameter before ordering?

Can one tension meter be used across multiple cable types, or do I need a new calibration for each?

How do I decide between the 2,000 lb and 10,000 lb capacity models?

What's the real-world difference between the RS232 models and the Bluetooth models, and do I need Bluetooth?

Do clamp-on tension meters need periodic recalibration, and can DQ Plus handle it?

Can these be used on synthetic or fiber rope, or only wire rope?

Let’s Talk

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