I need a reliable digital scale

[Nature Boy]

I've been using the FA 750 pocket scale for a couple of years with good success but last night it started drifting badly. It would calibrate OK, hold a zero, but would drift +/- 0.3-4g when measuring charges

Started looking at options in the $20-$150 range and every one of them at has negative feedback from users frustrated with drifting issues

Folks over at the Accurate Shooter forum are big on the A&D FX-120i but that thing is $675!

Another one that I've seen mentioned is the Gempro 250, but again, not well rated on Amazon.

Other options: Lyman Accu-Touch 2000 and the FA Platinum Series

I don't mind a resolution of +/- 0.1g. I just want consistency.

The FA 750 is only $17. Should I just get another one, consider it a disposable item and toss it when it becomes unreliable?

 

[Reeferman]

Are you using it to check powder throws or weighing every charge?

 

[Orcon]

Why not an RCBS Chargemaster? It's no Sartorius but it does build it's curve by using two weight points rather than one, three if you count zero.

 

[Nature Boy]

Are you using it to check powder throws or weighing every charge?

Check throws

 

[25-5]

When I was looking I started to come to the conclusion that getting a good digital was luck of the draw for the less expensive models. Bad luck mostly.
I opted for the Dillon years ago, and I am still happy with it. Went further and bought the RCBS 1500 Combo digital scale and powder dispenser. I am pleased with that too. The scale can be purchased separately with the dispenser added later.
I waited and saved for this stuff and glad that I did.
I use the Dillon to check the powder dump for pistol. The chargemaster to measure each charge for rifle.

 

[Reeferman]

Well I have a Hornady GS-1500, a Hornady electronic bench scale, Ohaus 10-10 and a RCBS 505. I have set them all up and checked charges with them. They are all within .1 grain of each other but more importantly they are all consistent.
I've had that GS1500 going on 3 years now and it works as well as it did when I bought it. sometimes when I set up a new load I will check the charge on all of them as they are set up anyways. And they are all consistent. The GS 1500 has always weighed .1 more than than the others but it is consistent.
I always calibrate the electronic ones before using the same way I always calibrate the beam scales with check weights.
I found that when the 1500 does start to not return to zero or is a little off the check weights then its time to replace the batteries and its all good again.
I may have gotten a good one as I'm sure that all of the others that are in the same price range will be the same. Just have to check the calibration with the cheaper ones but I'm sure the expensive ones do as well.

 

[drband]

Batteries! As noted above.

 

[lauderdale]

What ORCON said but just check out the 1500 charge master scale itself. Mine spends allot of time apart from a whole. My Gem Pro is collecting dust as its in the 80's down south already. I have air going now and out of 5/6 scales that little booger has to have a big brain! Me toooo! Im sure a lot of folks will weight in.

 

[Reeferman]

Batteries! As noted above.

Yup I went through all of 6!!!

 

[LiveLife]

I use two Ohaus 10-10 beam scales along with FA DS-750 with .1 gr resolution on the bench. Gemini-20 with .02 gr resolution is stored separately when I need more precision. Both 10-10 and Gemini-20 will consistently verify exactly with check weights and FA DS-750 will verify 99% of time with check weights exactly and only be off by .1 grain when not.

FA DS-750 is battery powered with specified temperature operating range (I believe around 59F - 95F). If it drifts from check weights of powder charge range (like 4 - 5 gr) after calibration, try changing batteries and if used outside of temperature range, use inside the recommended operating temperature range.

 

[someguy2800]

Lyman gen 6 has a real nice scale attached to the front of it

 

[Blue68f100]

I have the GemPro 250, have had it for many years now. When it started drifting, I called and sent it into for Warranty. They replaced the whole unit. It's my understanding is that there is a lot of fake units out there, which may be the reason for bad review. My new one has been dead on, and does not drift. If it did I would send it in. There warranty requires that you send in the warranty card along with your purchase receipt when requesting repair.

I also have the RCBS Chargemaster which I use most of the time when I'm loading rifle rounds. I use the GP to verify the CM. I actually tare with the same tray so all I have to do is move it over to the other scale. The CM has been very accurate. One thing I do not like is the auto zero drift that the CM does. The GP does not do this is the reason I use it to check the CM.

The A&D FX-120i is probably what you want if your shooting long range and/or competition. Some say they can see an improvement, others say not. All I would say if 0.01gr can make a difference on a 40+ gr charge you need to be using a different powder.

 

[Walkalong]

Another one that I've seen mentioned is the Gempro 250, but again, not well rated on Amazon.

Interesting, sure like mine. You do need to leave it plugged in, then, when you need it, turn it on and let it warm up first. Keep it away from even tiny breezes, it will "see" your breathing. I have checked it a lot against my Redding R2 scale and they always jive. Balance beams have their own little idiosyncrasies. You just have to learn the ones for digital scales. IMHO of course, but I like the GemPro 250.

Prices kind of vary and even jump up and down a little.

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/my-weigh-gempro-250.html

http://www.thedigitalscale.com/my-weigh-gempro-250.html

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...gclid=CKzV9aWE5NMCFYY8gQodREgCcQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Doublehelix]

I hate to just jump on the bandwagon, but I think the RCBS Chargemaster 1500 scale is a great scale. I check and double check with my certified (scientific grade) check weights, and I am constantly amazed at just how accurate my unit actually is.

As mentioned already, the cool thing about buying that scale is that you can upgrade by adding the dispenser later. I think there is still an RCBS rebate program as well.

 

[Tcruse]

The issue with digital scales is the environment. Cell phones, florescent lights, and other equipment in the area cause lots of issues. Get one that uses AC power and start it up an hour before use. Take you cell phone and blue tooth devices out of your pockets,

 

[Axis II]

I have lyman micro touch that is spot on once she gets warmed up. when I first turn it on it will measure withing a 10th of a grain high or low but after about 45min of being on its dead on the money each time with weights and charges. I'm very pleased with it for the money and its small size. Its AC powered so no batteries to mess with it. I had a small Hornady pocket scale and it was the biggest POS I ever seen. 55gr bullets weighing out at 56gr and some change. check weight was always high a full grain or low a full grain. not good IMO.

 

[Load Master]

Coming from someone who has a fascination with scales and have far more than I would like to admit, for digital, one of my favorites is the GemPro 250. It matters where it comes from. I would NOT purchase it through Amazon. The only place I trust for scales is Old Will Knott Scales. They have great customer service and stand behind what they sell. This said, I still would not be without my balance beam and my check weight set.

 

[Duvel]

I've had a AWS Gemini-20 for about two years, compatible with trickling and does not drift. About $25 on Amazon.

I regularly check it with weights, and against a Gempro 250 (the AWS reads 8 hundredths different than the Gempro).

 

[JO JO]

I have two scales a RCBS digital and a RCBS 505 beam I am happy with this set up, I once had a Hornady GS 1500 sold it I think the digital scales that plug in are far better than the battery powered ones in my opinion, If I was looking to get a new digital it would need to have a power cord,

 

[GW Staar]

I use a Gempro 250 from Old Will Knott, and an RCBS 10-10. Both are super....the 10-10 is more than 40 years old and still perfect. the Gempro is sensitive to everything but accurate when you follow the advice in posts above on using one, concerning electronics, fluorescent lighting and moving air. I have to turn off the furnace when I use mine, because the register is above my bench behind me. When the air comes on there is problems. Have to use common sense.

The first mistake I made with my Gempro was to not realize that it was measuring another decimal point.....and couldn't seem to measure the same twice........well yeah....worrying about 1/100ths of a grain? Boy did I feel dumb.

 

[Beach Bum]

Nature Boy .......... Lyman Micro touch .......It's more consistent than I am .......and I'm pretty consistent especially when it comes to Adult Beverages.......................

 

[mstreddy]

The Dillon D-terminator has been really consistent and good IMO.

 

[Zendude]

I have stuck with the FA scale even though it goes through batteries fairly quickly. I've tested it with light check weights and it is accurate. The drifting is just an annoyance that I live with, since I am only using it to randomly check powder throw weight and don't use it to measure every cartridge or make high quality competition ammo.

 

[someguy2800]

The scale on my Lyman gen 6 does not seem to be affected by my florescent lighting or my phone which is often sitting next to it on my reloading bench. I think lyman did there homework on interference. I also often reload with the window open during the summer and the moving air does not seem to affect it. I check it with a known check weight every time I turn it on. My quick check I use during reloading is that my scale pan with built in funnel weighs 76.6 grains so everytime I lift the scale pan it reads -76.6. If it ever reads 76.5 or 76.7 I just zero it out, check with my check weight and keep going. Its the only electronic scale I have so I can't offer objective advice about it being better than something else.

 

[LiveLife]

I also often reload with the window open during the summer and the moving air does not seem to affect it.

If moving air in the room does not affect the scale, it is likely not sensitive enough to detect the air movement.

My two Ohaus 10-10 and Gemini-20 scales will move with air from vents or open window but FA DS-750 won't move unless I breath on the scale. Gemini-20 with .02 gr resolution is so sensitive, I need to use the cover to weigh powder charge if the window is open.

Its the only electronic scale I have so I can't offer objective advice about it being better than something else.

That's why we use check weights.

With scales, I am concerned about resolution, sensitivity and repeatability and in the THR myth busting digital scale thread, we tested various beam and digital scales to see how each scale performed in terms of sensitivity and repeatability with surprising results - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...tal-scale-accuracy.759750/page-4#post-9591790

While there are many levels of check weight standards that can cost up to hundreds of dollars, ASTM Class 6 or OIML M2 class check weights are good enough for reloading as .1 gr resolution Ohaus/RCBS 10-10 beam scales have been used to win 1000 yard Palma match for decades - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...tal-scale-accuracy.759750/page-5#post-9593052