Harken makes a digital version of the loose gague that works very well (
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...&ci_sku=331218 ) I didn't recommend it too you because it won't work on 1/4" wire. You can do a google search for digital tension meters which will give you a list of some non-sailor in mind gagues out there, though they are likely to be more expensive. I have never thought the loos gagues were very good, but they are common. The trick seems to just use them as a relative scale but other than that I haven't had much luck with them.