Bad refractometer's

[Montu]

Who makes the most reliable refractometer?

I have gone through two an amazon, the first one would not hold a calibration to the fluid and would read differently every time.

This 2nd one which looks almost the same holds it a little better but I still need to calibrate before each use and have adopted testing the water 3 times before making any adjustments.

This is ridiculous considering you are suppose to use these things to maintain life...has anyone else had bad luck like this? Should I just go for a digital one?

*edit
I'm not talking about being off by a little, after calibration I've had these shift more than 5ppt and more importantly they have not been consistent.

 

[Blmain]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid.html

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/milwaukee-digital-seawater-refractometer.html

I have both and they are spot on with each other.

 

[Water Dog]

That's pretty much why I gave up on refractometers... that coupled with poor eyesight. Switched over to the Milwaukee digital and couldn't be happier.

 

[glweek]

Been using the same ebay$14 refractometer for years. I do calibrate it with a test solution every time and even float the calibration solution in the water i will be testing to match the temperatures. Set the refractometer to whatever you want as it doesn't need to tell you exactly what that number is it just needs to be consistent with the water your testing. If the calibration fluid read 20 then make sure the water your testing reads 20 and your good.

 

[Puffpuffpuffer]

D-D H2Ocean been using it for bout 6 years no issues and only need to calibrate with ro water no solution needed.

 

[andrew james]

Hanna digital or Milwaukie are the only way to go IMO. The initial cost is high but you definitely get what you pay for in ease of use and accuracy.

 

[Montu]

Thanks Guys, looks like I'll be going digital.

I really wouldn't care if the number's spit out were wrong..as long as I got consistent repeatable results which I have not.

 

[Montu]

I can't believe this...

Just got the Milwaukee MA887...

When I try and calibrate it I get this:

 

[bw777]

battery lo?

 

[Montu]

battery lo?

Nope, on start up it says battery is 100 percent.

This error means the fluid temp is too low...but it's obviously not since it's room temperature..and I left it sitting for quite some time to let the temperature equalize

So it looks like I got another bad refractometer? I have the worst luck apparently.

 

[Blmain]

Did you calibrate with rodi or distilled water?

 

[reefwiser]

You have O in the temperature reading section bottom lower right hand side of the display. You should have some temperature reading there like 60 or 70 degrees. You have it on celsius too are you not in the US? This is most likely why you are getting that error. Put the palm of your hand over the STAINLESS STEEL SAMPLE WELL AND PRISM you should see the temperature start to rise.

 

[Montu]

it came with distilled water and sea water..I've been using that.

Yeah the problem appears to be the temperature isn't reading...doesn't move from 0

Odd thing is if I don't calibrate and just take a reading it give me one...although it's wrong since it's not calibrated.

 

[reefwiser]

I use my Ro/Di and calibrate every time I use it. If you dont see the temp change with your hand on the sample well then you have a bum unit.I would contact Milwaukee.

 

[Blmain]

Dang, you really do have bad luck.

 

[Montu]

Thanks guys.

Luckily I bought this thing on amazon and they are sending me another one (and strangely do not want the broken one back)