IceCap Test
Well I got my new Icecap digital pocket tester and so far I’ve got to say I’m pretty impressed. I couldn’t find my manual refractometer to compare so I was only able to compare my Milwaukee Digital Refractometer with the IceCap Digital Pocket Tester . I was however, able to test the two on three different tanks.
First a picture of the device itself.:
Test 1: my newly rebooted and cycling display tank:
Matching results on this one. Here’s the rest of the results from the IceCap:
The temperature reading on the IceCap is a bit concerning. Apex and a cheap thermometer are showing my tank at 77.6 right now but the IceCap is reading 76.1. I had just brought it inside and it’s about 32 degrees outside so maybe that’s related? I test temperature again later.
Test 2: Holding Tank
The IceCap is reading a little bit higher on this one. The reading is still well within the stated accuracy of both devices.
Test 3: Neglected tank about to be rebooted. No fish in it anymore. I already knew the salinity of this tank was high and figured it would be a good test of some less normal levels for one of our tanks.
A match once again.
After the three rounds of testing I tested the first tank again and got a temperature of 76.4 which is 1.3 degrees off the other values I’m seeing but within the stated 1.5 degree accuracy range.
I also tested the IceCap by inserting he probe directly into tank water instead of using the probe cup. The results were about 0.003 higher so the cup is definitely important.
Summary:
OK, let’s break things down.
Accuracy: Results are within 0.001 SG of the Milwaukee. Temperature results appear to be off a bit more than a degree. I don’t know how this could potentially affect salinity results if at all.
Size: The IceCap itself is much smaller than the Milwaukee and even the case is much smaller. For portability and storage I think this is great plus but it’s still big enough to be hard to lose.
Durability: TBD. Only time will tell how long the device will continue to function.
Ease of Use: I bought the Milwaukee in part because of its ease of use however it still needs to be zeroed out for each use (manufacturer recommendation) and there is a lot of cleaning the glass before, between, and after testing. The IceCap turns on and is ready almost instantly. There doesn’t seem to be a way to zero or calibrate the device which could be taken either way. A quick scoop of water and you have a result. Cleaning consists of a wipe down with some fresh water. I keep a spray bottle of RODI so this is a cinch.
Overall I’m pretty excited about this product. I’m not going to stop using the Milwaukee yet as I will need to use both for a while before I’m confident in the IceCap. Would I recommend buying it? Based on what I’ve seen so far, yes.
Disclaimer: I purchased both these products for personal use and have no relation to their manufacturers or distributors.
Well I got my new Icecap digital pocket tester and so far I’ve got to say I’m pretty impressed. I couldn’t find my manual refractometer to compare so I was only able to compare my Milwaukee Digital Refractometer with the IceCap Digital Pocket Tester . I was however, able to test the two on three different tanks.
First a picture of the device itself.:
Test 1: my newly rebooted and cycling display tank:
Matching results on this one. Here’s the rest of the results from the IceCap:
The temperature reading on the IceCap is a bit concerning. Apex and a cheap thermometer are showing my tank at 77.6 right now but the IceCap is reading 76.1. I had just brought it inside and it’s about 32 degrees outside so maybe that’s related? I test temperature again later.
Test 2: Holding Tank
The IceCap is reading a little bit higher on this one. The reading is still well within the stated accuracy of both devices.
Test 3: Neglected tank about to be rebooted. No fish in it anymore. I already knew the salinity of this tank was high and figured it would be a good test of some less normal levels for one of our tanks.
A match once again.
After the three rounds of testing I tested the first tank again and got a temperature of 76.4 which is 1.3 degrees off the other values I’m seeing but within the stated 1.5 degree accuracy range.
I also tested the IceCap by inserting he probe directly into tank water instead of using the probe cup. The results were about 0.003 higher so the cup is definitely important.
Summary:
OK, let’s break things down.
Accuracy: Results are within 0.001 SG of the Milwaukee. Temperature results appear to be off a bit more than a degree. I don’t know how this could potentially affect salinity results if at all.
Size: The IceCap itself is much smaller than the Milwaukee and even the case is much smaller. For portability and storage I think this is great plus but it’s still big enough to be hard to lose.
Durability: TBD. Only time will tell how long the device will continue to function.
Ease of Use: I bought the Milwaukee in part because of its ease of use however it still needs to be zeroed out for each use (manufacturer recommendation) and there is a lot of cleaning the glass before, between, and after testing. The IceCap turns on and is ready almost instantly. There doesn’t seem to be a way to zero or calibrate the device which could be taken either way. A quick scoop of water and you have a result. Cleaning consists of a wipe down with some fresh water. I keep a spray bottle of RODI so this is a cinch.
Overall I’m pretty excited about this product. I’m not going to stop using the Milwaukee yet as I will need to use both for a while before I’m confident in the IceCap. Would I recommend buying it? Based on what I’ve seen so far, yes.
Disclaimer: I purchased both these products for personal use and have no relation to their manufacturers or distributors.
