An alternate gauge arrangement for PowerDrive, known as Dual Action Gauge, has been designed. This incorporates a full diameter gauge pad for surface contact with the wellbore when non-biasing. However, at the top of the pad, the gauge pad is stepped down to provide exposure to a full round cutter placed aggressively to aid directional response when biasing.

For example, when building the bias unit tilt the drill bit. This causes the Dual Action Gauge to contact the formation, allowing the bit to cut sideways and build angle.. Highly directional wells, including sidetracks, where biasing is high, should in most cases use an Active Gauge bit. When non-biasing, the Dual Action Gauge cutter is positioned below the gauge diameter and thus contact between bit and wellbore is made by a solid, full diameter, gauge pad. This reduces the tendency to drop due to the gravitational effects of the assembly.