Thinking about getting a eletronic scale?

[Wildbillz]

Hi All
My old scale started giving me fits last night. It is sticking in spots on the balance and my backup beam wouldn't zero out. I called RCBS and they said to send them in for rebuild.

But I am thinking of picking up a electronic scale to use in the mean time. Anyone use one that would care to give me some feed back on them? Are they better or worse then the balance beam type? What make or brand would you recommend?

Thanks
WB

 

[cfullgraf]

My suggestion is to stay away from the budget priced, battery only scales. While they weigh adequately, they can be aggrevating to use.

I suggest plan on spending in the $100 and up range for a scale that can be operated on 110v. You will want some check weights in addition to the calibration weights that come with the scale.

Electronic scales have different operation needs than a beam scale. There will be a little learning curve when starting up. One difference is the need to Tare or Zero the scale frequently. Note, this not the same as calibrating the scale which is done once per session as long as the scale is not disturbed or moved.

Wind from you HVAC unit and certain electrical equipment in close priximity can effect the scale.

Hope this helps.

 

[Casefull]

You will wonder why you have not had one for years when you use the electronic scale. They save so much time. I went through a couple of cheap ones. As said spend at least 100.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

I've been using one of the Dillon digital scales for about 15 years and it still works great.

 

[Speedster00]

I went by reviews. I think mine was $35 or so....I check it against a standard lee scale and its never let me down.

 

[HexHead]

I use an RCBS 750, with the a/c adapter and it's great.

I originally cheaped out and bought the Hornady one that's around $39. Sure, it reads out to the 1/10th of a grain, but it's accuracy is only to 2/10ths. Exchanged it as soon as I read that.

 

[colonelhogan44]

I use this one:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weig...&qid=1379439556&sr=8-3&keywords=digital+scale

It works great.

 

[MustGoFaster]

I was up at my cousins and he showed me his reloading setup. He had gone through a few (2 or 3) then found this one that he recommended. Was very repeatable and gave nice stable readings. I don't reload yet so haven't tried it firsthand but watching it in person it's what I plan to buy.

http://www.amazon.com/My-Weigh-GemP...F8&qid=1379440328&sr=8-1&keywords=gem+pro+250

 

[OCD41911]

I have the Gempro 250 and RCBS 5-0-5 as backup. As MustGoFaster observed, results are very repeatable and accurate down to 0.02gn. I would highly recommend the Gempro.

 

[kimbernut]

Used a rebuilt 505

505 RCBS for the first 3 years. Went to a Pact scale and powder dispenser for rifle and never looked back. Checking 10% of my handgun case powder weights is much easier with the electronic scale too. Much handier checking bullet weights too. Now using an RCBS 1010 for backup.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

I have the Gempro 250 and RCBS 5-0-5 as backup. As MustGoFaster observed, results are very repeatable and accurate down to 0.02gn. I would highly recommend the Gempro.

+1 on the GemPro 250. They also provide a 30 year warranty which i recently used. My power cord had an issue, I emailed them and they sent a complete new scale. Awesome service. Look around for a good Price, I got mine for $124 free shipping.

 

[bob4]

I have one of the cheaper ones for it's second yr. So far no problems. I use a check weight and a balance scale to double check it each yr when I reload. I only do small amounts during hunting season. I do remove the batteries when the season is over like I do for anything with batteries.

 

[Potatohead]

I got a Lyman Micro Touch...probably 60$..anybody know much about it? Only had time to use it once so far..

I just couldn't wait for that doggone beam to zero out every time..

 

[Reloadron]

Been several pretty good threads on the subject:

This one.

and...

This one.

to name a few for starters. The second link has some good information.

While I like a quality digital I also like having a good old reliable mechanical analog scale.

Ron

 

[RealGun]

I like my PACT BBK II and have verified it repeatedly with another scale...same answer. I find it is more stable and responsive on AC power, even with a new battery. Either way it works, but I would recommend a power adapter.

 

[meterman]

I borrowed a Lyman electronic once, just to try. It was S L O W.....went back to my old green balance beam.

 

[ranger335v]

"Thinking about getting a eletronic scale?"

Why? I mean, what do you think you would gain with an electronic device? Most people LOOOVE their digital scale.... until it fails, and they WILL fail, all of them. The only predictable thing is they're totally unpredictible about how long any specific one may last; your luck of the draw is the determining factor, not the brand. The things are too cheap to bother with repair, failures sent in under warranty get tossed and new ones are sent back.

Anyone finding a significant "speed" difference between scale types is using his beam scale inefficently.

 

[primalmu]

I use this one:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh...=digital+scale

It works great.

I use that one, too, only it is Hornady branded. Extremely accurate when checked against my calibration weights. I have full confidence in the numbers it tells me.

 

[RealGun]

Anyone finding a significant "speed" difference between scale types is using his beam scale inefficiently (sic).

Chuckle....I suppose you still use a slide rule too.

 

[GaryL]

I have the Gempro 250 and RCBS 5-0-5 as backup. As MustGoFaster observed, results are very repeatable and accurate down to 0.02gn. I would highly recommend the Gempro.

I did a little looking around, not exhaustive though, and all I could find was that the GemPro's listed Resolution is 0.02gn. Resolution and accuracy are not related. An instrument's resolution could be 100X better or worse than it's accuracy. There could be a value where the accuracy matches the resolution, but nowhere else across the range. Also, an instrument may or may not be repeatable to it's resolution - that is an entirely separate matter, and repeatability can be more the important quality if trying to duplicate an exact recipe that never changes. Doesn't mean the value is accurate, just that it's the same value for the same mass (weight) every time.

Understand I'm not questioning the quality of the GemPro, just trying to clarify what the difference is between resolution and accuracy.

So out of curiosity, is the accuracy specified as 0.02gn?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I got a Pact BBK over 15 years ago and have not used my beam scale since. I think it was 100 bucks back then and is still about the same price.

 

[BYJO4]

I added the RCBS Chargemaster to reloading equipment several years ago. While it is accurate, I still prefer my Ohaus beam scale to spot check loads. There just isn't anything to possibly interfer with the reading. It is almost 40 years old and still going strong.

 

[cfullgraf]

"
Anyone finding a significant "speed" difference between scale types is using his beam scale inefficently.

Except that while the electronic scale is settling, I can be doing something else while with the beam scale, I must be actively involved with the weighing operation. That is where the time savings is.

But the time savings is small and can be easily wasted.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Chuckle....I suppose you still use a slide rule too.

I don't use one any longer, but know where it is, as well as the manual. I used it in analytic chemistry, along with new digital scales that measured to .0001 grams. They were in a room with no heating/cooling and a very low output white light. Low frequency light waves were enough to change the readings.

As for a powder scale, I got a RCBS 750 3 years ago. My only issue is cured by using the power supply and never turning it off. Otherwise it will drift, a problem with all digital scales that don't cost megabucks.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I have the cheap Hornady electronic scale. If you calibrate it every time you turn it on and don't toss it around (you wouldn't do that with a beam scale would you?) it's very accurate. It is sensitive. I hold my breathe and don't do anything to cause vibrations on my bench. When I use it properly it is every bit as accurate as my RCBS 502 scale. But it's much faster (when weighing every charge) and easier to read than the 502. Now when setting a powder measure I still use both scales. Random charges while using my LNLAP press get measured on the 502 because the electronic scale will shut off automatically and I calibrate it every time I turn it on, so the 502 is just quicker for randoms. When I started reloading it was my only scale, but while I do trust it I will probably never go back to using ONLY a digital scale, even a high quality unit.