Whats a good refractomoter?

[Nickcdll]

This is the one thing i've put off getting.Seriously, almost all of them look exactly the same and i think are probably made at the same factory in China. But whats a good one? The BRS one? I know theres the green 110 dollar one, but is that overkill?

 

[Xavierwally]

Hi, my first refractor was from Red Sea, What a pain to use always had to calibrate two to three times within one hour. Than I got me one from BRS best thing ever. I just calibrate once and good for two weeks no problem.

 

[jwt1603]

I use the Milwaukee unit. Haven't had any problems with it and easy to use.

 

[kanders87]

I bought this one 18 months ago. Never had an issue with it, easy to use. I bought calibration fluid from BRS and check it often, but have only had to adjust once or twice.

Ade Advanced Optics Dual Scale 1.0 to 1.070 S.G. Salinity Refractometer for Aquarium & Seawater https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ES6MOQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i-1XAbBD224RK

 

[PatW]

I use a BRS refractometer. Sometimes reading get a tad bit suspect and I recalibrate it. But it can stay stable for weeks. And the calibration solution seems to be a 10 year supply. It only takes a few drops to calibrate.

 

[CMO]

I started with just the BRS (ATC) refractometer and found it to go out of calibration pretty quickly, but it does work well if calibrated frequently. I just got the Milwaukee digital refractometer and like it quite a bit - the readings can also be off with this unit from time to time but it's pretty obvious and easy to retest when this happens - I got a reading at 1.019 for example when I know my water is 1.025. Rerunning the test (literally just click the button again) and it changed to 1.025 as expected. This is pretty infrequent but it does happen from time to time. When mixing new water I test the water with both devises to ensure accuracy.

 

[DSC reef]

Love my red sea refractometer. Always accurate and easy to read. I always calibrate it with refractometer solution before every test.

 

[Nickcdll]

I bought the BRS one for now....i like the Milwaukee one but this has been very expensive to set up, so for now i'll use that until i have a chance to get the other. Thanks for all the info guys

 

[minus9]

DD H2Ocean refractometer user here. It's really stable and I don't have to calibrate it all the time.

 

[Jeff_Toronto]

DD H2Ocean refractometer user here. It's really stable and I don't have to calibrate it all the time.

I'm using a sybon and love it. Accurate and quick. Amazing how less frustration over the old dip and try and read needle method

 

[NinnJinn]

I bought the BRS one for now....i like the Milwaukee one but this has been very expensive to set up, so for now i'll use that until i have a chance to get the other. Thanks for all the info guys

I understand where you're coming from. This is exactly the route that I'm taking. LOL

 

[reefwiser]

I have use refractometers for 25 years now. I have several different types.
I have the Milwaukee one great unit love it use it every day.
I also have the Vee Gee light refractometer the best of the hold up to light and look thru meters I have owned.
Vee Gee Scientific BX-1 Handheld Refractometer, with Brix Scale, 0-32%, +/-0.2% Accuracy, 0.2% Resolution https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WDRBZI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_x9HYAbTENKX2J
Best built unit every other of this type feels and is junky. I have used them all. [emoji3][emoji106]

 

[sundog101]

No matter which one, I always calibrate with a standard solution before testing.

 

[Mark SF]

I have use refractometers for 25 years now. I have several different types.
I have the Milwaukee one great unit love it use it every day.
I also have the Vee Gee light refractometer the best of the hold up to light and look thru meters I have owned.
Vee Gee Scientific BX-1 Handheld Refractometer, with Brix Scale, 0-32%, +/-0.2% Accuracy, 0.2% Resolution https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WDRBZI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_x9HYAbTENKX2J
Best built unit every other of this type feels and is junky. I have used them all. [emoji3][emoji106]

You want the STX-3 for salinity, not sure if that’s what you meant and copy/pasted the wrong model? Brix is a measurement of sucrose in a solution...

 

[reefwiser]

This one I have.
https://www.amazon.com/43036-Handhe...ie=UTF8&qid=1531585050&sr=1-1&keywords=veegee

 

[Gareth elliott]

I use an amazon purchased led lit salinity refractometer. was same price as the marine depot one looks exactly the same minus the md logo.

 

[reefwiser]

Many cheap refractometers. Look alike the Vee Gee is a big difference you notice it when you hold it in your hands along with a cheap one. An can see all the cheap ones flauts.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Get schwifty!

 

[robmiller2]

I got one from marine depot a few years ago and check the calibration before use but no real issues with it.

 

[Orm Embar]

I spent the extra money for the Milwaukee electronic one as well (compared to a seawater refractometer with automatic temperature correction, it wasn't a lot more). My understanding is that it's both reliable and accurate, and it's very easy to use/read.