Electronic tracking weight scale

AC, I've removed the link - please don't post commercial links in the Hifi Corner, thanks.  The scale may be OK, may be not.  If it's using magnetic material then it may not be very accurate.  

I tend to prefer scales specifically designed to weigh stylus VTF, and like to use the old Technics scale with a dial.  You calibrate it as part of the setup and it just looks really cool.  However, now I am running with the RP10 I am more than a little tempted by Rega's own digital stylus scales.   

I use this electronic scale. At $7.00 delivered the price had me questioning its veracity. Then I found my TT dealer using the very same scale, saying he'd done calibration checks versus his reliable scales and found this one valid while more simple to use. 

With a 5-g calibration weight. Easy to find on Ebay; search "new version stylus force scale"

The question for me is at what vertical height relative to the actual playing surface do you use the scale to measure the weight? You're measuring a long lever and it's sensitive. The thickness of the scale's measurement platform relative to the LP's surface should be taken into account. Should the scale be placed on the record mat? Should the record mat be removed? How "thick" is the scale? Point being, you should be measuring the stylus weight at the same level your LPs are being played. We're dealing with tenths or hundredths of grams. Then there's the horizontal aspect. Measure weight at the outer edge versus the matrix. Differences here could indicate TT leveling issues.

So how important is the scale itself? Maybe more important is how you make measurements with it.

An interesting point from Joerand and one reason I like the old Technics so much.  It's designed to effectively measure at the same height as a typical LP and placement on the platter is a given too as there's a recess at the other end where you fit it over the spindle.

Oh, and did I say already that it looks great...?

Linked image from Zstereo.

That’s appreciated in value really nicely, remembered having one many years ago which was about £30. That was a lot of money then, just looked on the bay.......£250 ish.

People paying that or just asking...?

in which case, the Rega may be a better option.

Not sure....it was only a quick look, but quite a few postings....

Looks like the going rate, not many available used, though on the U.S bay site there was a new one for $185. They were good, but not that good IMO.

I have one from Ortofon - very well made. I think it was arounf £90.

joerand posted:

I use this electronic scale. At $7.00 delivered the price had me questioning its veracity. Then I found my TT dealer using the very same scale, saying he'd done calibration checks versus his reliable scales and found this one valid while more simple to use. 

With a 5-g calibration weight. Easy to find on Ebay; search "new version stylus force scale"

The question for me is at what vertical height relative to the actual playing surface do you use the scale to measure the weight? You're measuring a long lever and it's sensitive. The thickness of the scale's measurement platform relative to the LP's surface should be taken into account. Should the scale be placed on the record mat? Should the record mat be removed? How "thick" is the scale? Point being, you should be measuring the stylus weight at the same level your LPs are being played. We're dealing with tenths or hundredths of grams. Then there's the horizontal aspect. Measure weight at the outer edge versus the matrix. Differences here could indicate TT leveling issues.

So how important is the scale itself? Maybe more important is how you make measurements with it.

I use the exact same one

It's very sensitive and appears quite accurate when checking against my other scales ...but

I will only use it on a platform besides the turntable deck as it sites too high if I put it on the table ..even with the mat removed ..makes about 0.15gms difference on my aro ... which is very sensitive to hight when weighing

Richard Dane posted:

An interesting point from Joerand and one reason I like the old Technics so much.  It's designed to effectively measure at the same height as a typical LP and placement on the platter is a given too as there's a recess at the other end where you fit it over the spindle.

Oh, and did I say already that it looks great...?

I have just used mine to set up a new cartridge and agree with both of Richard Danes points.