Best Portable Digital Scale <$100

NorthernPF

NorthernPF

Regular
Rating - 100%
9   0   1
Location
Ramore, Ontario
Hey Guys,

Just wondering if you guys know of a good digital scale that's below $100.

I saw the Cabela's kit on their website for $89.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
 
I bought the cabela's one and it has been good. Although it is portable I do not think it would put up with a lot of rough handling. It's bang on with my beam scale and my buddy's dillon exterminator electronic. small and compact. comes with it own hard case and runs on adaptor or 9v battery.
Andy
 
on this same topic - is there any reason why a guy can't just pickup an electronic scale on ebay or your local "hemp" shop with 0.1gram accuracy and use that? I think you can get them for about $20-30 or so. Just need to convert grains to grams and you are set, right? I'd like to know what the drawbacks of this might be. One thing might be to take the time to be sure it's accurate in case he blows his gun up.
 
You need a scale that reads grains.
I wouldn't trust the one's at the smoke shop. That's just me.
Most of them i have seen read grams only.
 
If you want your scale that is calibrated in grams to be accurate to 0.1 grains, the scale needs to have a precision of ±0.006 grams. (1 pound = 7000 grains / 454.5 grams = 15.4 grains/1 gram.)

For a handgun load of 4.5 grains the normal assumption is that your load is 4.5 ±.1 grains. This would be equivalent to 0.29 ± 0.013 grams.

Be aware of the precision required when using a scale not designed for reloading ammunition. The few dollars saved are not worth it over the long haul.
 
aletheuo said:
on this same topic - is there any reason why a guy can't just pickup an electronic scale on ebay or your local "hemp" shop with 0.1gram accuracy and use that?
Click to expand...

I tried that route.. I bought a digital scale for broadheads.. it's accurate to .1 grains. BUT only displays in .5 increments.. I took it back..
 
When I do conversions google is my friend - just type in "54.5 grains to grams" without the quotes and I am set.

If you want your scale that is calibrated in grams to be accurate to 0.1 grains, the scale needs to have a precision of ±0.006 grams.
Click to expand...
Good point, btw, on the 0.006 accuracy. My BSc. almost failed me at the trigger.
 
ckc123 said:
I tried that route.. I bought a digital scale for broadheads.. it's accurate to .1 grains. BUT only displays in .5 increments.. I took it back..
Click to expand...

Let me preface this with: If someone buys a cheapo scale from Hong Kong, he had better be sure it's right by checking it against something of known accuracy first because one bad reading may cause one bad day :bangHead:

So, right now, on ebay for 19.95 shipped from Hong Kong I can get a digital scale with 0.01 grams accuracy that actually reads to the 0.01 point (that's about +- 0.15 grains). Given the product will actually perform this sounds feasible.

Let's talk Joe Hunter (not Joe Benchrest, nor Joe the Plumber) here. Joe has used his tables and powder measure scoops for years to load up his 50 rounds per year. Do you think he's been getting +- 0.15 grains with his scoops? Don't think so. In fact, if Joe used a scoop to get the powder onto the scale and then trickled to weight he would have a pretty decent 2moa or better hunting setup. Sure, the scale is in grams - but all Joe has to do is convert starting and max loads to grams using the handy-dandy google built-in calculator and :ar15:!
 
aletheuo said:
When I do conversions google is my friend - just type in "54.5 grains to grams" without the quotes and I am set.


Good point, btw, on the 0.006 accuracy. My BSc. almost failed me at the trigger.
Click to expand...

If the reloading manual calls for 4.5 grains, show me how you use the "54.4" to convert to grams. I don't think google is your friend.
 
I have the mtm (or mtn?) reloading scale. Cost about $50. It works OK and should be sufficient for reloading to hunting accuracy. While loading 100 rounds it would ocasionally change zero, so every 10 I would check/re zero if necessary. I'll get a better scale later, but for plinking/hunting it'll do and I'm not out a whole lot of money.
 
I have read somewhere on this site that the best of the cheapest sales to buy for handloading would be from this place

h ttp://canadianweigh.com/scales/jennings-mack-20-amp-100-precision

apparently these mack 20 and mack 100 scales are pretty good. I was all set to buy one because of what a guy said in a previous thread. That was a few months ago now so i'm not too sure where that thread is.
 
I have a SmartReloader SR750 and got it for under $100 and it`s not a bad scale (bought it from another CNG`er). I have zeroed it and it always .001 under weight. So knowing that, I have no problem useing it for my handgun but not to sure about if I will use it for my tack rifle. I would chech it agianst my buddy`s scale from RCBS and go from there.

Here is a web addy for a review.
h t t p://maine3gun.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=105&Itemid=1
 
If you buy a digital scale be prepared to also buy or make a set of calibration weights to check accuracy. I've found that the digital scales drift and lose accuracy over time. A beam scale shouldn't do that.

Also be aware of the hysterisis effect - you may need to "exercise" or "flex" the measurement system prior to using to obtain repeatable accuracy.
 
For rifle ammo and for setting up a powder feeder, a *slightly* cheaper scale may work (+/- 0.5 grains display). At least your ammo will be consistent, although you won't be able to match it with any previous loads.

For pistol ammo - don't even try it! Smaller cases sometimes vary 0.5 grains between starting loads and max safe loads. Just my opinion.

Also, stay away from knife balance scales since they wear out easily and can vastly under or over-report smaller loads.
 
aletheuo said:
Let me preface this with: If someone buys a cheapo scale from Hong Kong, he had better be sure it's right by checking it against something of known accuracy first because one bad reading may cause one bad day :bangHead:

So, right now, on ebay for 19.95 shipped from Hong Kong I can get a digital scale with 0.01 grams accuracy that actually reads to the 0.01 point (that's about +- 0.15 grains). Given the product will actually perform this sounds feasible.

Let's talk Joe Hunter (not Joe Benchrest, nor Joe the Plumber) here. Joe has used his tables and powder measure scoops for years to load up his 50 rounds per year. Do you think he's been getting +- 0.15 grains with his scoops? Don't think so. In fact, if Joe used a scoop to get the powder onto the scale and then trickled to weight he would have a pretty decent 2moa or better hunting setup. Sure, the scale is in grams - but all Joe has to do is convert starting and max loads to grams using the handy-dandy google built-in calculator and :ar15:!
Click to expand...


Why make Joe use an online calculator? One more step in the process and one more chance to make a mistake.

I've seen and used the cheap ebay scales - you definitely get what you pay for but they will work for a while.

A decent beam scale would be more accurate, more dependable, just as fast, and maintain accuracy for a longer period. But if a digital makes you happy, go for it.
 
It's not under $100 but this scale should be very good (I haven't tried it) It reads to 0.005g which will give a true 0.1 gr accuracy.

i101b.jpg


This is from the same website as posted above, cost is $190 CDN

canadianweigh.com/scales/my-weigh-ibalance-101

Another thing to keep in mind is that some of the cheap scales don't "settle" or stabilize a reading very quickly. This particular scale stabilizes in less than 1 second.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom