Milwaukee refractometer question

[reef tank 2.0]

Just got my Milwaukee refractometer today. Model number MA887.

Pulling it out of the package, I noticed there is something inside the unit that looks to be blocking half the lens.

Is this how it should be?

 

[OrionN]

You must have water on the refractometer before you can see the scale and read it properly.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

i understand that, but looking into the lens and seeing that black line as if its blocked, is my concern.

 

[Patx]

To reflect the light i suppose.

 

[OrionN]

Put water into the lens and the line will be gone.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

just tried it, but it definitely didn't disappear. half the viewing window is still blacked out

 

[OrionN]

1/2 of the field is clear and 1/2 of it is blue or grey. Where this level is on the scale is the salinity

 

[Patx]

Maybe i don't understand your question or you don't understand the way it work.

There is a reflector inside that's the metal part you see...

 

[Patx]

1/2 of the field is clear and 1/2 of it blueprints grey. Where this level is on the scale is the salinity

Its a miliwakee not a handle refracometer

 

[Patx]

Just got my Milwaukee refractometer today. Model number MA886.

Pulling it out of the package, I noticed there is something inside the unit that looks to be blocking half the lens.

Is this how it should be?

Totaly normal

 

[reef tank 2.0]

it could be I'm explaining it wrong.
maybe I expected the viewing glass to be perfectly clear from any obstructions.
spouse I could try it and see what my results are. tried to avoid that, from them saying it's "used" so there is no returning.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I fixed the OP, but it is model #MA887 (for seawater)

I originally had it at MA886.

 

[Patx]

 

[reef tank 2.0]

Thank you for that image!

 

[OrionN]

Or something broke loose on the inside during shipping.

 

[OrionN]

OK.
I have a Milwaukee refractometer too. It is hand held

 

[Patx]

OK.
I have a Milwaukee refractometer too. It is hand held

Oh

 

[gbroadbridge]

Just got my Milwaukee refractometer today. Model number MA887.

Pulling it out of the package, I noticed there is something inside the unit that looks to be blocking half the lens.

Is this how it should be?

That is what it is supposed to look like.

It is normal, not damaged.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

Alright, now that that's settled.

Next question.
I have tried testing the validation solution 5 times. Turning off the unit and starting fresh each time. The distilled water reads 1.000. When I place the validation liquid on the lens, it reads 1.028 every time. Haven't even made it to my tanks saltwater yet

Is it possibly I need to now mentally subtract .003 to get the true reading?

 

[reef tank 2.0]

BUTTTTTTT, when I set the meter to 0, and I bypass the validation solution and go straight to my saltwater.....it reads exactly what my manual tefractometers read.

Answer that!!! Whyyyyyy?