Howdy,
I picked up one of these gadgets the other day.
These devices measure actual drumhead surface tension, rather than tension rod torque. Great idea in principle, since tuning rod tensions can vary because of dirty/buggered threads, corroded rims, etc...
The thing is built like a tank. Same fit and finish as surface measuring instruments you'd find on a machinist's bench.
This is a great tool for getting your drumheads quickly and accurately adjusted "in the ballpark", then you put the Drum Dial aside and fine tune by ear.
Snare drum:
This is where the DrumDial really shines.
I've found that, for my tuning range preferences, my "loose, fatback" batter side snare setting is about 75. For the tighter, brighter batter side situations, I'm right around 85-90. Again, I use the Dial to get all of the values at each tension rod, then fine tune by ear.
Getting the Drum Dial to register any movement on snare side heads is difficult. Once I get over 70 or so, the needle stops creeping higher as I make upward adjustments. I think this might be because I use very thin Ludwig snare side heads, and the tension reader just "sinks in" through the film.
Not a total replacement to the trained ear, but definitely a useful helper.
http://www.drumdial.com/
