is this scale any good?
- Thread starter SSN Vet
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I have one and cant recommend it. You have to constantly re-tare the scale to keep the measures consistent, otherwise it gets off by as much as .3 or .4 gr pretty readily. It does hold its calibration fine, I use check weights regularly. The having to reset the scale constantly is a bit annoying.
OP
OP
SSN Vet
Member
new term for me....
do you mean re-zero?
Yes, to tare a scale is to return it to zero. You place the cup on the scale, then use the tare function to set it to zero, so the weight of the cup is excluded and the measurement is only of that which you put in it.
I find that when weighing charges, I have to empty the cup, place the cup on the scale, wait for it to settle (a few seconds), hit the tare button to return it to zero (Mine is usually off by -.2 to -.4) and then weigh my next charge. I have an RCBS 505 that I used to test the consistency of the electronic scale and if I go through this routine, it does provide a very consistent measure. I guess it was just disappointing to me that the electronic one provided little or no speed advantage compared to the manual variety.
I find that when weighing charges, I have to empty the cup, place the cup on the scale, wait for it to settle (a few seconds), hit the tare button to return it to zero (Mine is usually off by -.2 to -.4) and then weigh my next charge. I have an RCBS 505 that I used to test the consistency of the electronic scale and if I go through this routine, it does provide a very consistent measure. I guess it was just disappointing to me that the electronic one provided little or no speed advantage compared to the manual variety.
OP
OP
SSN Vet
Member
interesting....
do you think it could be residual powder/dust?
do you think it could be residual powder/dust?
That doesn't seem likely as it is showing the weight as below Zero. If it were slightly positive, I'd be more suspect of trace residue in the cup. I may have gotten the lemon of the bunch too (my usual) so lets see if others have had the same luck before condemning the brand. I've had mine for about 3-4 months now and have been debating sending it back to see if it could be made better. I'll try and call them and see what they tell me.
OP
OP
SSN Vet
Member
what did you pay?
Widener's has it on special for ~$39
Looks like SmartReloader is a European clone of Midwayk, and they had this built special for them....and they advertised them for 54 Euroes!!!! (that's over $100)
So how'd Widener's come up with them so cheap?
That's a smokin' price!
Widener's has it on special for ~$39
Looks like SmartReloader is a European clone of Midwayk, and they had this built special for them....and they advertised them for 54 Euroes!!!! (that's over $100)
So how'd Widener's come up with them so cheap?
That's a smokin' price!
I did not see an AC connection if this is a concern. I have read that when batteries get low with some/all scales, accuracy suffers. No first hand experience with this, so hopefully someone can confirm/deny.
My only experience is with an old Dillon 1500 grain "D-Terminator", which I like a lot, and it has remained accurate and easy to use all along.
Let us know how you like it if you buy it. Good luck.
My only experience is with an old Dillon 1500 grain "D-Terminator", which I like a lot, and it has remained accurate and easy to use all along.
Let us know how you like it if you buy it. Good luck.
The Bushmaster
Member
SSN Vet...Spend the extra money and get a good one...The cheap ones will not do the job...I don't know which ones are the best at preasent as I have a 18 year old RCBS Powder Pro that has been an asset to my bench. I do keep a RCBS 5-0-5 balance to back up the electronic (just in case it quites). After 18 years it's still going strong and the 5-0-5 sits on a shelf with a dust cover on it...
miestro_jerry
Member
I bouga PACT scale and dispenser from Cabela. I ahve a $24.99 mini digital scale from Midway, it was on sale. Then I have a Lyman Beam type of mechanical scale.
Each has it's place in my shop, for you guys who shoot those big honkin' guns, I have a grainer scale out in the barn.
Jerry
Each has it's place in my shop, for you guys who shoot those big honkin' guns, I have a grainer scale out in the barn.
Jerry
cracked butt
Member
I bought one last year, they are priced at about $29 at Cabelas. I'd shop around and try to find a betetr price than $40.
I don't use mine for weighing powder, just for culling cast bullets which it works nicely for. I haven't had any real problems with it at all.
I am happy to report that upon contacting smartreloader regarding this scale and my issues with it, they are sending me a replacement unit. This without asking for the current one first, or funds of any kind. I was leary when I found out the company was in Italy that dealing with them might be difficult. They responded quickly, and offered a better replacement policy than I expected. I'll report on the new unit when it arrives and let ya know if the first one was just a dud.
OP
OP
SSN Vet
Member
Please keep us up to date as to how the new scale performs.....
and if you want to off load the old one....PM me (as I'm setting up to cast and my little Lee Safty Scale ony goes up to 100 gr.)
and if you want to off load the old one....PM me (as I'm setting up to cast and my little Lee Safty Scale ony goes up to 100 gr.)
I have a relatively new Hornady scale. I have noticed that it is sensitive to surrounding air currents. To reduce this as being as factor, I enclosed the scale in a plexiglass box with one open side. I have seen other scale applications that have utilized this same concept. I would also point out that this particular model seems to be somewhat sensitive to ambient temerature changes. This requires periodic recalibration. These are just two observations that are apparent to this brand and might also be concerns with other brands.
xsquidgator
Member
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- Jan 14, 2007
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I second that - I used to have one of these that you're considering. It sort of works but has "features" that are a real PIA, like auto-shutoff after 60 seconds. Mine also did not zero well/reproducibly. Even though the picture shows it with a "100.0" reading, implying 0.1 grain precision, it's not. It only reads in increments of 0.2 grains. Real pain in the neck when you're trying to get 4.5 grains into a 45 casing, the only thing I ever thought of was try to trickle til it blinked back and forth between 4.4 and 4.6.
Fortunately mine went tits up after 6 months. I sent it back, got my $ back, and bought an RCBS digital for about $100. Now I know what I was missing with the cheapo scale. This one actually zeros properly, it holds zero, calibration works the way it's supposed to, and I can plug it in to 100VAC if I want to and leave it turned on 24/7 if I want without having to turn it on and let it zero itself.
Spend the $, don't make my mistake and get the cheapest one. I know, I felt the same pull, but don't do it!
MinnMooney
Member
"New one arrived..."
Wow.
Only 7 or 8 days from problem to arrival of the replacement. Not too shabby, especially if the replacement came all the way across the sea from that country shaped like a lady's boot!
That's great customer service. I'm putting them on my list of companies to search for reloading supplies.
Wow.
Only 7 or 8 days from problem to arrival of the replacement. Not too shabby, especially if the replacement came all the way across the sea from that country shaped like a lady's boot!
That's great customer service. I'm putting them on my list of companies to search for reloading supplies.
1911NM
Member
I will be interested in knowing how it works for you. I am old, slow, and distrustful so I use a Dillon balance beam. I hear a lot of varied opinions about electronic scales.
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