Best refractometer to purchase

[gmpolan]

Any suggestions as i am comparing the general 50.00 vertex, sybon to the 74.00 milwaukee to the 129.00 milwaukee. I just dont understand what the possible difference could be between them besides the digital display ?

 

[mapleredta]

I just have the cheap one from Marinedepot.

 

[bdesper311]

mapleredta;497623 wrote: I just have the cheap one from Marinedepot.

me too, works well for me!

 

[sharkbait]

I have the jbj and love it. IMO a refractometer doesn't differ much from one another.

 

[ralph atl]

vital sine, imho.

 

[acroholic]

Personally, I don't see much difference in the different monocular types. I think the most important thing is to calibrate them regularly.

 

[eliphant]

I have an ebay one new, I paid $31.50 shipped from california. seems to work fine, also bought calibration fluid with it. I also dont see how much different refractometers can be, except for having digital display and extra accessories. I guess the quality of the material, but the cheap one I bought is still made of aluminum and rubber grip/eyepiece.

 

[tgray3]

I've used the cheap Marine Depot one, I switched to the Milwaukee and am much happier. The big difference i noticed was that the MD one needed to be calibrated almost every time i used it. Every time i checked the calibration on it, it was off. I've only had to adjust the calibration on the Milwaukee once in the past 6 months. IMO the Milwaukee is much more accurate and holds it's calibration better than the cheap ones.

 

[ralph atl]

tgray3;497794 wrote: The big difference i noticed was that the MD one needed to be calibrated almost every time i used it. Every time i checked the calibration on it, it was off.

exactly!

I bought the cheaper one at Liveaquaria, terrible. I bought the vital sine, I've never had to change the calibration (and I check it).

 

[xzypholo]

Tropic Marin is VERY accurate

 

[tony_caliente]

Bought a nive one from Jenn of I/O

 

[acroholic]

I got a cheap one and I have to calibrate it every time. I've been thinking of buying the Milwaukee instruments digital one for $110.

 

[rbredding]

I've got the "$75" one.. bought it at marine designs but paid closer to $60..

 

[tony_caliente]

Dave, I don't doubt you, but how did you know that you had to calibrate so often? Were you get crazy numbers? Did you test it against a hydrometer?

Thanks!

 

[acroholic]

Tony_Caliente;505000 wrote: Dave, I don't doubt you, but how did you know that you had to calibrate so often? Were you get crazy numbers? Did you test it against a hydrometer?

Thanks!

Hi Tony,
I calibrate it to 1.026 with reference solution, wipe it off, then measure SG in one reef, wipe it off, then calibrate again with the same reference solution, and it reads 1.024.

Probably not off enough to kill anything, but a PIA nonetheless!

I also have a lab grade Tropic Marin hydrometer, but that is even more time consuming than the refractometer I have.

The common thread withthese cheaper Refractometers in frequent calibration vs much less recalibration with the more expensive ones.

The MI digital seawater refractometer is a lot easier to use, and looks exactly like the $265 Hanna Seawater refractometer in a green case.

 

[tony_caliente]

Well...you certainly did your homework. Thanks!

 

[acroholic]

I just ordered the MI digital refractometer. I'll have it next week and post a Product Review on it.

I've been checking SG a lot lately because of the 300 gallon tank I jsut set up and all the water changes needed with switching the reefs out.......been mixing up a lot of new water. That's what has brought this cheap refractometer issue to mind for me.