Electronic Scale

[BobTheTomato]

I have been using a simple balance scale for a while and would like a electronic one. I would like to stay under $200. Does anyone have any recommendations for an accurate one? Thanks

 

[mongoose33]

I just bought the Lyman 1500. Amazing, just amazing--and if you work at it, you can get it for under $50.

My brother bought one this summer; I have a Dillon D'Terminator and check weights for it. We used them to validate his 1500, which was spot on.

Even though I had an electronic scale, I decided a backup was good, so I bought a 1500 as well. Just as spot on as his--quick settling on the weight, both AC and battery--it's nice.

Since you had $200 as your limit, I suggest you also get a set of check weights. Mine are Lymon's but I don't think it matters much. Most scales include a check weight of something like 50 grams which I find amusing--I need check weights in the area of 5 GRAINS, not grams.

Some reviews will show people struggling with it a bit, but the two things that can cause an issue with an electronic scale are electrical interference such as from fluourescent lights or static electricity, or not having it on a good, solid level surface. The scale WILL be sensitive to vibration (such as running a press), so you have to either keep it on a separate surface or acknowledge that you have to not screw it up with vibrations.

I've even thought about buying another as a backup. Stunningly good scale for the price.

 

[Hangingrock]

Some reviews will show people struggling with it a bit, but the two things that can cause an issue with an electronic scale are electrical interference such as from fluorescent lights or static electricity, or not having it on a good, solid level surface. The scale WILL be sensitive to vibration (such as running a press), so you have to either keep it on a separate surface or acknowledge that you have to not screw it up with vibrations.

Add temperature sensitive to the above also.

 

[kcofohio]

Here is one for consideration. Made in the U.S. I have only had it a short time. But it has worked good so far. On sale for $70.

http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14859-c99-g8-b0-p0-ACC_2000_Digital_Scale.aspx

 

[Walkalong]

I keep toying with the idea of getting this one. I had a different electronic scale years ago, but got so aggravated with it I bounced it off of a tile floor and threw it in the trash.

http://www.amazon.com/My-Weigh-GemPro-250-50gX0-001g/dp/B004C3I3AA

 

[Blue68f100]

GemPro 250 is one of the best you can get under $140, 0.02gr resolution. This scales is very stable and accurate. I've had mine now for several years and no problems what so ever.
http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/my-weigh-gempro-250.html

They have several different models that will below 0.1gr accuracy. Browse through their scales.

As for as Fluorescent lights it's the older non-electronic ballast that causes the problems. the newer electronic ballast seams to be good. Besides a lot more efficient to operate that the old magnatron ballast.

Temp range is not normally a problem if you keep your room set at a constant temp. For max stability turn them on 1 hr before use to allow the electronics to come to a stable temp. This will eliminate all drift on good quality scales.

 

[Walkalong]

For max stability turn them on 1 hr before use to allow the electronics to come to a stable temp. This will eliminate all drift on good quality scales.

That was probably 90plus% of my problem back then. Impatience.

 

[FROGO207]

I have in the past purchased a couple different electronic scales in the $100-$150 range. I ended up giving them away soon after because they were not accurate repeatably enough for me. I have the Ohaus 10-10 original one and a second RCBS branded one as a backup. I do not need to wait for a warm up, am willing to go slower (even that is questionable) and so far gravity has yet to let me down. IMO I think the younger generation is just not used to fiddling with a mechanical setting on a device, digital/automatic is easier for them to use. This is the most common problem with the Lee safety scale I bet. I can use a slide rule almost as fast as a calculator and no worries of the batteries wearing out. That said, many have had good luck with electronic scales but they are just not the thing for my bench at the present time.

 

[Reloadron]

A simple forum search of "scales" will bring up about 100 threads on the subject of analog and digital scales with the good and bad of each. We have had several threads where things like scale resolution and scale accuracy were really picked apart in detail. Regardless of choice pay attention to those two parameters, resolution and accuracy.

Check weights are also good to have and they should be good check weights. Most digital scales afford one or two check weights for calibration. However, it is best to have a good set including some of the lighter weights.

Truth be known most digital scales are made in China in the same factory with only the OEM label being different and the paint color. Most of these companies never made a scale in their lives anymore than Sears made a shotgun, rifle or ammunition.I believe Olin is behind a large number of powder scales. My old RCBS digital has a label saying Made By Pact on the bottom.

This thread beat scales to death pretty well and is a good read. I suggest you give it a look.

Ron

 

[SwaneeSR]

Bob Tomato. I am sure you will make a good choice.

All I can say is that I am glad to have a mechanical scale, and a cheap little $30 Frankford Unit. But my RCBS Chargemaster combo improved my rifle handloading life.

I do check them against test weights and each other.

 

[atblis]

I scored a deal on an Adams HCB 123, and I love it! Get a quality electronic scale, you won't regret it. I know it's a bit over your price range, but the HCB 123 has a couple nice features. A rechargeable battery which makes it portable. Outdoor use is a bit tenuous and requires little/no wind. It also has USB connectivity and built in automatic data logging directly to your computer. You can use it to analyse your processes as collecting data is automated. For instance, how consistent is a particular powder measure with a particular powder? Does a powder baffle help? Is there a difference between the hopper being full and when it is near empty? It makes it a snap to sort brass by weight.

Here's an example plot of XBR 8208 out of a RCBS uniflow.

 

[cfullgraf]

I had a different electronic scale years ago, but got so aggravated with it I bounced it off of a tile floor and threw it in the trash.

It is never a good outcome when electronics take a swan dive.

I have an older Pact, the scale that Berry Mfg offers, and the GemPro 250. All work fine but I like the higher resolution that the GemPro offers. The display on the GemPro shows 0.01 grains while the others only show 0.1 grains.

If I am going to use the scale, I usually turn it on the first thing when i enter the reloading room. It then has time to warm up while I am getting the rest of the stuff ready. Warm up time is not an hour but i find the scale is as stable as it ever gets.

While beam scales have their advantages, I like electronic scales because I do not have to do anything to see the weight. With beam scales, you have to move the riders and wait for the beam to settle. With the electronic scale, I can be doing something else while the scale settles. Minor, I agree but...

I do have a beam scale for a back up though.

 

[Reloadron]

I keep toying with the idea of getting this one. I had a different electronic scale years ago, but got so aggravated with it I bounced it off of a tile floor and threw it in the trash.

http://www.amazon.com/My-Weigh-GemPro-250-50gX0-001g/dp/B004C3I3AA

Yours mine and dozens of others bounced off a wall. Hell, even working in the electronic measurement industry I had no reservation bouncing the thing off a wall. Back in post #9 I referenced a thread began by BDS and it is really a good thread. The early electronic scales quite simply sucked for want of a better word. They were inaccurate and also very unstable. Weigh the same charge or test weight three times and get three different numbers.

Things have evolved a good bit over the past several years and today's scales are not only accurate and repeatable but many offer a wide range of features we may or may not want. Much like today's chronograph. All Chronographs tell us the bullet velocity much as all scales tell us a charge weight. Want more math functions? Any chronograph will do it and the same is true for electronic scales. Want the chronograph to interface with a laptop right on the range? Digital scales can do the same thing. All about features and when you want to stop. Really some neat stuff if we have a use for it. You get what you pay for and overall cost today is less for a digital scale than 20 years ago.

Ron

 

[LiveLife]

We have had several threads where things like scale resolution and scale accuracy were really picked apart in detail. Regardless of choice pay attention to those two parameters, resolution and accuracy.

Check weights are also good to have and they should be good check weights. Most digital scales afford one or two check weights for calibration. However, it is best to have a good set including some of the lighter weights.

+1. What I have noticed about digital scale threads/posts was that there was a lot of claims that were contradictory with no consistent consensus to help the OP asking for definite questions as to accuracy/repeatability/durability/quality and we did our myth busting of digital scales on this thread - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=759750

What we found were:

- 1/10th of grain (.1 gr) resolution is good enough for reloading (.1 gr resolution beam scales such as Ohaus/RCBS 10-10 scales have been used by precision bench rest shooters to win matches like 1000 yard Palma for decades)

- Digital scales with .02 gr resolution is more accurate than .1 gr resolution scales but will read in .02 gr increments (.02/.04/.06 gr etc.) and .1 gr resolution scales will read in .1 gr increments (.1/.2/.3 gr etc.)

- Digital scales are more susceptible to temperature variations (most have operational range of 60-95F/essentially room temperature and will behave erratic/inconsistent outside of operational temp range), require calibration using manufacturer supplied calibration weights, more affected by shock/vibrations and less consistent/careless weighing practices and air movements for higher resolution (.02 gr) scales

- Calibration weight that comes with digital scales is too heavy to check accuracy of reloading powder charge weights and should use check weights at least OIML M2/ASTM 6 or higher class check weights in the same powder charge range (3-5 grains for pistol loads) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9593052#post9593052

You can get OIML M2 class aluminum check weight down to 1 mg/.015 gr (1 mg check weight not listed on ad but included with my sets) for $10 - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003STEJAC/ref=pdp_new_dp_review

I prefer the ASTM Class 6 stainless steel check weight set by Ohaus (down to 1 mg/.015 gr) with a nice case for $53 (free shipping over $50/Zoro is part of Grainger) - http://www.zoro.com/ohaus-calibration-weight-set-500-to-1mg-80850110/i/G0843236/

- While some posted digital scales were affected by fluorescent light balasts and require long warm up time, even cheaper Frankford Arsenal DS-750 (.1 gr resolution) and Gemini-20 (.02 gr resolution) digital scales were not affected by compact fluorescent bench lights and read consistently without long warm up time

- If the digital scale came with batteries, do not think they are fully charged out of the box. Weak batteries can also show erratic/inconsistent readings and use either fully charged rechargeable or fresh alkaline batteries. If check weight readings start to deviate or become inconsistent, try a new set of batteries.

- 1/4"x1/4" copy paper (20 lb weight) weighs around .05 gr and 2 pieces should register .1 gr to check the accuracy of digital scales. Higher resolution .02 gr digital scales will read .06 gr for 1 piece of paper (due to .02 gr resolution) and lower resolution .1 gr digital scales may not register .1 gr until 2-3 pieces. My two Ohaus 10-10 scales will detect 1 piece of paper and read slightly over .1 gr with 2 pieces consistently.

- Although Gemini-20 digital scale has higher resolution, I keep it well protected in a separate storage area and instead use FA DS-750 on the bench for quick verification of powder weights, sorting bullets by weight, etc. as it seems to be more durable and less affected by bench vibration. Check weight verification down to 1 gr is spot on with +/- .1 gr accuracy variation but good enough for 4-6 gr powder charge range I use it for but I always use Ohaus 10-10 for initial powder charge verifications.

So get yourself a set of M2/Class 6 check weights or use 1/4"x1/4" 20 lb copy paper to verify the accuracy of your scale. Regardless of brand/price, if it consistently read within .1 gr (within operating temperatures), it should be accurate enough for most reloading purposes (to remove affect of air movement, you can use a clear bowl over the scale while weighing .1-.5 gr range or 2-3 pieces of paper).

 

[BYJO4]

I bought an RCBS Chargemaster about 3 years ago and it has proven to be accurate and reliable. The funny think is that I still use my Ohaus 10/10 about 90% of the time. I bought it around 1975 and it has been dead accurate from day one. A set of check weights is a good investment and I think you use them on a regular basis to check whatever scale you use.

 

[Dudedog]

I have a Gemini-20 ($20) and a Frankford Arsenal DS-750 ($35). (and a RCBS 5-0-5)
I use the DS750 most of the time. If I want to weigh to better than .1gr I use the GEM20. On e thing anbout the GEM20 is it does have a small pan.

I don't think I would be happy with the GEM20 as my only scale but it does have its uses.

Both are battery operated.
I would say give the DS750 a try.

These are not bad check weights for the price but they are in mg/grams not grains.
The smallest is 10mg = .1543 grains
20mg = .308 grains, 50mg=.771gr, 100mg = 1.54 grains, 200mg = 3.08 grains, 500mg = 7.716 grains, 1 gram= 15.43 grains, 2 gram =30.865 grains , 10 gram=154.3 grains and a 20 and 50 gram.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003STEJAC/

 

[joem1945]

I have a dillon mechanical scale and their electronic one. Both are accurate but i find the mechanical one to be faster to read, so that's the one i use most.

 

[CajunBass]

I've got one of those little Frankford Arsenal scales, I guess it's a DS-750, it cost about $35.00 or so.

It's plenty accurate enough for what I do.

 

[Rancher5]

I have a Gemini-20 ($20) and a Frankford Arsenal DS-750 ($35). (and a RCBS 5-0-5)
I use the DS750 most of the time. If I want to weigh to better than .1gr I use the GEM20. On e thing anbout the GEM20 is it does have a small pan.

I don't think I would be happy with the GEM20 as my only scale but it does have its uses.

Both are battery operated.
I would say give the DS750 a try.

These are not bad check weights for the price but they are in mg/grams not grains.
The smallest is 10mg = .1543 grains
20mg = .308 grains, 50mg=.771gr, 100mg = 1.54 grains, 200mg = 3.08 grains, 500mg = 7.716 grains, 1 gram= 15.43 grains, 2 gram =30.865 grains , 10 gram=154.3 grains and a 20 and 50 gram.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003STEJAC/

Yes I was a big fanof Frankford scale, 30 bucks it was fast accurate As i have 2 sets of check weights it literally spot on accurate, just shy of 2 years of extreme use,it stopped turning on,so I bought another one,"frankford" unfournatly its not very consistent,yes I'm in process of returning it, If you buy one have troubles send it back quickly, there cheap so its not surprising I received a defective one. Or I was just darn lucky getting a great one.Dudedog is having great luck,thanks for your post you gave me hope on Frankford scales!

 

[taliv]

great summary bds

 

[SIG9Fan]

GemPro 250 is one of the best you can get under $140, 0.02gr resolution. This scales is very stable and accurate. I've had mine now for several years and no problems what so ever.
http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/my-weigh-gempro-250.html

They have several different models that will below 0.1gr accuracy. Browse through their scales.

As for as Fluorescent lights it's the older non-electronic ballast that causes the problems. the newer electronic ballast seams to be good. Besides a lot more efficient to operate that the old magnatron ballast.

Temp range is not normally a problem if you keep your room set at a constant temp. For max stability turn them on 1 hr before use to allow the electronics to come to a stable temp. This will eliminate all drift on good quality scales.

This scale is great. I've been using it for about a year and really love it. Let it warm up for half an hour and you're good to go. It has proven to be reliable and consistent.

Prior to the GemPro I had a cheap $25 scale and it was a complete waste of money. AA batteries just don't work for our needs and an auto shutoff after three minutes was irritating.

Get the GemPro. Best for the money.

 

[ulflyer]

I started out looking for a decent electronic scale, having only used my Hornady beam for many years. Wound up getting one of the $20 jewellery scales off ebay and found that
my Hornady was spot on. I use the electronic occasionally to double check the beam.

 

[Reloadron]

I have been using a simple balance scale for a while and would like a electronic one. I would like to stay under $200. Does anyone have any recommendations for an accurate one? Thanks

Well, as can be seen there is no shortage of good to really good digital scales out there for the buying. Pretty much comes down to what features you would like in your scale. Keep in mind there is no shortage of precision bench rest shooters out there loading on the range using Harrell's Powder Throwers and getting very accurate charges. This will always come back to the features the buyer wants or more specifically needs. Most scales are made by Ohaus and OEM branded. Just make sure you get some decent check weights and note BDM's comments on weight sets.

Ron

 

[taliv]

just my opinion, but .1g precision in powder charge for short range benchrest is not needed. i say that having never shot a benchrest match and never owned a benchrest rifle. but i have thrown about 40,000 rounds through my harrell powder measure and i can say it's the most overpriced and disappointing piece of reloading equipment i own.

here's a sample of 18 charges thrown for 2 different powders, and you can see roughly half a grain difference in the spread. i really really wish i could just throw charges instead of weighing them for long range.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have used a Pact BBK for about 20 years with no problems or complaints.