the advice i was given was not about Topeak pumps in general - and am not speaking to their quality or anything. i am just talking about the specific Joe blow one that i got...(note: there are several different Joe Blows with differenr PSI max ratings - I got the lowest one, with 120 max PSI).

The advice about the pump cylinders being narrower or wider was good, I think. It helped me, anyway. I guess my question originally was more about the PSI on the dial vs. feel.