Anyone using this Refractometer?

[RaymondL]

Amazon product ASIN B018LRO1SU
Too risky to try? Any recommendations for a reliable one otherwise?

 

[w8lifts]

I have that one, use it when my electronic one is spitting out the wrong # to double check it, then I recalibrate it. It is a tad hard to read but that’s my only complaint with the Amazon one

 

[Gtinnel]

I have one that looks identical, but I bought it 25ish years ago so I can’t say it’s the exact same one. I just use it to double check my digital refractometer periodically but I’ve never had an issue with it. Just make sure you have a bright light above you when you read it and it should be fine.
Also, make sure to buy/make some calibration solution to verify it’s readings.

 

[RaymondL]

Thanks - do you find the reading between the electronic reader vs this particular refractometer give the same result otherwise?

 

[RaymondL]

I have one that looks identical, but I bought it 25ish years ago so I can’t say it’s the exact same one. I just use it to double check my digital refractometer periodically but I’ve never had an issue with it. Just make sure you have a bright light above you when you read it and it should be fine.
Also, make sure to buy/make some calibration solution to verify it’s readings.

Thanks - I should be able just to use distilled water to calibrate no?

 

[w8lifts]

Thanks - do you find the reading between the electronic reader vs this particular refractometer give the same result otherwise?

They are pretty much the same 99% of the time. That cheap one on Amazon holds it calibration better than my Hana electronic one. I just have a hard time reading the manual one.

 

[Gtinnel]

Thanks - I should be able just to use distilled water to calibrate no?

Within reason I get the same reading with my Milwaukee digital refractometer and my old school optical refractometer. I won’t say there isn’t the occasion where one will be 1.026 and the other will be 1.025.

No you want to calibrate an optical refractometer at close to the value that you’ll be testing for. You can buy some solution, or with some cheap kitchen scales, some rodi water, and table salt you can just make your own.

 

[Reefer Matt]

That's the one I have been using for five years now. Works good, easy to calibrate.

 

[doubleshot00]

I had that same one. Absolute trash. Constant swings. Constantly needed calibration and you have to calibrate to a certain room temp.

I got a Milwaukee and have never looked back.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Had one, the line is a bit blurry no matter what you do but it can be used an I never had an issue with it.