Digital scale , $250 budget...recommendations please .

[Dale Alan]

I am setting up another bench and lack a scale . Mostly stick powder will be used so I plan to throw powder with a Intellidropper and then trickle up . I was wondering if there was a digital scale in the
$ 250 or less range that you can recommend ? I have a beam scale for this bench , I would just like a digital also .Thanks for any info .

 

[JFrank]

www.oldwillknotscales.com

 

[AK Hunter]

This is what I use when I'm not going through the Chargemaster. It stays within .1gr of my RCBS Chargemaster.
I also use it for checking the weight on my arrows.
https://www.amazon.com/MTM-DS-750-Mini-Digital-Scale/dp/B003TNZ37U

 

[Rule3]

Buy 10, $25 scales.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pocket+s...et+scales+grains,aps,193&ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_1_20

https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-...&sprefix=pocket+scales+grains,aps,193&sr=8-10

 

[Nature Boy]

My opinion is if you’re going to spend $250 you may as well wait, save up another $350 and get an A&D FX120 mechanical balance

https://www.oldwillknottscales.com/...MIjcTB3b2N8QIVBG1vBB3ctwHkEAAYASAAEgJfyfD_BwE

A $250 scale is still a load cell type scale, and just like a cheap $25 scale it’s susceptible to the same limitations like drift, accuracy and slow responsiveness.

 

[BBarn]

Rated accuracy for most digital scales priced less than $250 is +/- 0.1gr. Most scales with better accuracy cost more or have very low capacity.

The 1600gr. National Metallic is a very nice scale for under $50, but they seem to be out of stock everywhere, and may even be discontinued.

I have no experience with the more expensive scales.

 

[EricBu]

Get a chargemaster and be done with it.

 

[Dale Alan]

My opinion is if you’re going to spend $250 you may as well wait, save up another $350 and get an A&D FX120 mechanical balance

https://www.oldwillknottscales.com/...MIjcTB3b2N8QIVBG1vBB3ctwHkEAAYASAAEgJfyfD_BwE

A $250 scale is still a load cell type scale, and just like a cheap $25 scale it’s susceptible to the same limitations like drift, accuracy and slow responsiveness.

Thanks, that is exactly what I was concerned with . From my research it looked like the 250 range was no better than the fifty dollar units . My chargemaster lite broke and I had thought of spending on a scale instead of buying another chargemaster lite . Thanks for the help folks .

 

[Nature Boy]

The good(bad) thing about the FX120 is the additional stuff that you can plug into it, which will keep you spending more money. For instance, the Auto Trickler

 

[Lennyjoe]

I had a Hornady electronic scale and sold it. Was inconsistent with lighter loads. I’m currently running a Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper and am very happy with it.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019601974?pid=685263

 

[Dale Alan]

The good(bad) thing about the FX120 is the additional stuff that you can plug into it, which will keep you spending more money. For instance, the Auto Trickler

View attachment 1003922

That is a nice combo . Funny, I was just looking at that trickler and thought it would require a nice scale which lead to my search for a digital scale/trickler combo .

 

[bluejay75]

Buy 10, $25 scales.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pocket+scale+grains&crid=3DR6P3T29Y1L3&sprefix=pocket+scales+grains,aps,193&ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_1_20

https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-GEM20-Precision-Milligram/dp/B00ESHDGOI/ref=sr_1_10?crid=3DR6P3T29Y1L3&dchild=1&keywords=pocket+scale+grains&qid=1623332879&sprefix=pocket+scales+grains,aps,193&sr=8-10

I can vouch for the top scale here. It walks much less than scales costing 5-10 times more. If it ever walks on you just change the batteries and it’s good to go again. Measures to .00. Now you can target your trickle to .05 as max variance.

 

[Nature Boy]

That is a nice combo . Funny, I was just looking at that trickler and thought it would require a nice scale which lead to my search for a digital scale/trickler combo .

If that’s what you’re looking for then that’s the one to get.

https://autotrickler.com/pages/autotrickler

There’s a V4 that’s coming out that looks really slick

 

[Viking2]

I've been using a GEMPRO 250 for a few years. I paid about $150.00 for it. It's very consistent.

 

[THEWELSHM]

I have the Hornady scale, works like a charm.

Thewelshm

 

[vsteel]

Am I the only one using the old tech? This isn't mine but looks identical to mine. It says $14 on the box but I think the price has gone up over the years.

Seriously though, this is what I use.

 

[Dale Alan]

Am I the only one using the old tech? This isn't mine but looks identical to mine. It says $14 on the box but I think the price has gone up over the years.

Seriously though, this is what I use.

View attachment 1004037

Nothing wrong with a beam scale, I have one just like that one, and I also use a couple RCBS beam scales .

 

[lordpaxman]

My opinion is if you’re going to spend $250 you may as well wait, save up another $350 and get an A&D FX120 mechanical balance

I currently have the Gempro 250 which I understand is no longer marketed and am always looking for a replacement. For 350$ I’d consider a better digital, but when I looked at the link, this FX 120 they show a FX 120i that lists for 759.50$ but is discounted to 607.60$. Did you have a super coupon?

 

[Nature Boy]

I currently have the Gempro 250 which I understand is no longer marketed and am always looking for a replacement. For 350$ I’d consider a better digital, but when I looked at the link, this FX 120 they show a FX 120i that lists for 759.50$ but is discounted to 607.60$. Did you have a super coupon?

My reference above was an incremental $350 over the $250 the OP was looking to spend, so $600 total

I also have a Gempro 250 and keep it as a backup. It’s a good scale but it’s no A&D fx120. The speed and accuracy are in another league

 

[Dale Alan]

I noticed the A & D gets high praise ,that one really has my attention . I have plenty of mediocre scales, that was my whole concern with a 250 dollar budget I would be getting more mediocre . I have some very accurate beam scales, but I really want to get into a good digital . My Chargemaster lite broke and I am now using a Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper . It's good at throwing stick powder , but the scale is lacking .

 

[Nature Boy]

Dale,

The fx120 is your entry point for a mechanical balance. There really aren’t any half-steps

 

[Dale Alan]

Dale,

The fx120 is your entry point for a mechanical balance. There really aren’t any half-steps

Thanks for all of the info . You describe exactly what I am finding with my research . I had feeling that would be the case but started the thread in hopes there was a hidden gem I was missing . I was going to get a power trickler and scale but I think it would be wiser to spend that on the scale alone.

Thanks to all you fine folks ,your time is appreciated .

 

[THEWELSHM]

Am I the only one using the old tech? This isn't mine but looks identical to mine. It says $14 on the box but I think the price has gone up over the years.

Seriously though, this is what I use.

View attachment 1004037[/QUOTE

I have an old Pacific beam also, no battery or power back necessary...

Thewelshm

 

[Dale Alan]

I think most of us have beam scales ,nothing wrong with them . I happen to use two scales when I load . I use my beam to verify my digital as I go , especially when changing throws on a unit like a Chargemaster .

 

[AJC1]

I have one scale on my chargemaster and a set of rcbs check weights. Scale to scale verification is not really a quality check. A standard is used in science and industrial purposes.