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manual vs digital gauge

J

Jos Collin

Member
Hi Everyone,

My earlier thread got deleted for some reason that I'm not aware of (Trying to Buy/Sell things?). So creating a new one.

The manual gauge "Stylus Tracking Force Gauge - Shure - SFG-2" is available in my country. I could see some digital gauges in Amazon too. By comparison, I understand that the Digital Gauges weigh more than the manual ones. For example, this one's range is 20g. I was more inclined to buy the manual one. But seeing the range of 20g, I was thinking would I need it anytime in the future? My current cartridge's tracking force range is 2 to 4 grams. So I need to measure 3 grams ideally. But when I change the cartridge in the future, would I require more grams to measure?

So my question is: What are the tracking forces used for the available cartridges on the market in general ? I have less experience with cartridges, so I haven't seen anything beyond 3grams.
 
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I found myself being attracted to cartridges circa 1960 that track heavy. Consequently I got a digital scale. Since having one, I have used it to weigh other things, not just tracking force.
 
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I go for things that don't require a battery because it seems to always be dead when I need it. My solution to heavy trackers is a Garrard SPG-3 for things 12 grams, and if I need something that is truly record-brutalizing I have an older SPG-2 that will do to 15 grams.
 
@caffe latte: Sorry Chris. That thread got deleted before I read the replies properly. But I just skimmed through it.

The 20g one is named "Proster Proster 20g/0.001g Record Level Turntable Stylus Tracking Scale High Precision Stylus Force Pressure Gauge 1 Tray 2 AAA Batteries" in Amazon. (I think posting URL is against the forum rules). I don't understand for what purpose that 20g is used for. :-) I think most cartridges are between 1.5 to 3 grams of tracking force. In my past two to three months of research about Turntables, I have seen only up-to 3 grams (2 to 4 tracking range).

62vauxhall said:
3g is the most you will track, 3.5 is a lot 4 is huge.
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Yeah, I got it. Thanks.
 
I bought a Shure SFG-2 back in the early 1980's. I still have it but rarely use it. Currently Amazon has used ones for ~$80 (not from my pocket!). IIRC mine cost ~$23.

I much prefer the digital scale with calibration weight. I got it from Amazon for $13.
 
Jos Collin said:
Ordered Shure SFG-2. Thanks everyone for sharing the knowledge.
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Do yourself a favor, spend the additional $10 for a digital scale, you'll be glad you did. As for the batteries, I have two digital scales, both more than 5yrs old still on the original batteries lol. These things are so inexpensive if the batteries ever die it might be cheaper just to get a new one lol.

Don't get me wrong, I like the Shure SFG-2 as stated in the other thread, have one and used it for decades. Here's the thing, I'm an analog guy, even down to my watches, but in this case the simplicity of the digital just makes sense. Most likely this is why I see the sense in this, I've owned and used both, you'll learn lol.
 
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Grenadeslio said:
Do yourself a favor, spend the additional $10 for a digital scale, you'll be glad you did. As for the batteries, I have two digital scales, both more than 5yrs old still on the original batteries lol. These things are so inexpensive if the batteries ever die it might be cheaper just to get a new one lol.

Don't get me wrong, I like the Shure SFG-2 as stated in the other thread, have one and used it for decades. Here's the thing, I'm an analog guy, even down to my watches, but in this case the simplicity of the digital just makes sense. Most likely this is why I see the sense in this, I've owned and used both, you'll learn lol.
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I am part of Australian FTR team rifle team. I have digital scales for making my bullets, but scales cost 2k as cheap ones are seriously inaccurate and drift and garbage. The 10 dollar stylus scales are junk which is why we pay 2k for scales to weight powder.
Chris
 
Grenadeslio said:
Do yourself a favor, spend the additional $10 for a digital scale, you'll be glad you did. As for the batteries, I have two digital scales, both more than 5yrs old still on the original batteries lol. These things are so inexpensive if the batteries ever die it might be cheaper just to get a new one lol.

Don't get me wrong, I like the Shure SFG-2 as stated in the other thread, have one and used it for decades. Here's the thing, I'm an analog guy, even down to my watches, but in this case the simplicity of the digital just makes sense. Most likely this is why I see the sense in this, I've owned and used both, you'll learn lol.
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+1:thumbsup:I have a couple of analog scales and I use them only as display-curio units. My digital scale is the one I actually use when it's time to accurately set tracking force.
 
motorstereo said:
+1:thumbsup:I have a couple of analog scales and I use them only as display-curio units. My digital scale is the one I actually use when it's time to accurately set tracking force.
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I would just about weight brass cases with a 10 dollar scale (shooting). The cheap pizo scales are crap they drift big time which is why we dont use them for powder weighing. The shooting ones are about 80 bucks and junk the one I use cost 2k. Shooting balance beam scales are very accurate but very slow especially when you need to make 300 rounds for a comp. Digital here is your friend, but accurate digital. Just because digital gives you a number right away it does not mean it is correct. 10 dollar scales are not even close to accurate. Balance beams are correct but much slower but who cares when you are setting up a stylus? I would rather it was correct than a false immediate number that is wrong.
Chris
 
Yeah, same as Mike above. I've been using the Shure for years and it's always been a bit of a pain in the ass. So I ordered a cheap digital one from Amazon, $9 all in, delivered, and it's been great. I've tested it with known weights, and it's spot-on accurate. And like Grenadeslio said, the battery thing just isn't an issue. They last for frickin' ever. And you can't even accidentally leave them turned on, they have an auto shut-off. So get the digital one as well, and it'll probably be the one that you use.

Dave
 
I have checked out a few digital ones before I ordered the Shure. Most of them seem crappy and having bad reviews. There are a few good quality ones too but I doubt is it designed for weighing the stylus? I think they all are designed for weighing something else. May be Gold or something - that's what I could think of. :D

There is no doubt about accuracy. I think both types are accurate. But I felt the digital is not just the right one for this purpose. Additionally, I liked the thin scale of Shure SFG-2 - That's exactly what I need to see on a gauge.
 
My SFG-2, cheap digital scale (that looks just like the ones that sell for $50-$100 by online audiophile retailers), and the counterweight scale on my SL1210, all agree within about .03 gram. Close enough for me.
 
Riverstone Audio has a great digital scale that has served me well. Can be found on Amazon. I have others but this my go to scale. Also have a collection of mechanical scales as well. Those I use for display.
 
cafe latte said:
Digital here is your friend, but accurate digital. Just because digital gives you a number right away it does not mean it is correct. 10 dollar scales are not even close to accurate. Balance beams are correct but much slower but who cares when you are setting up a stylus? I would rather it was correct than a false immediate number that is wrong.
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That's the exact thought I had when I ordered the Manual Shure SFG-2, in addition to my above reply. Thanks Chris for the great suggestions. If I'm upgrading it, I think I would go for another manual one, which would weigh more like Garrard SPGs.
 
I have the SFG-2 and a digital scale. For most carts the SFG-2 is fine. With respect to my digital, I test/calibrate it every time I use it.
 
gadget73 said:
I go for things that don't require a battery because it seems to always be dead when I need it. My solution to heavy trackers is a Garrard SPG-3 for things 12 grams, and if I need something that is truly record-brutalizing I have an older SPG-2 that will do to 15 grams.
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I sold a very nice Vicktrola years ago when they were selling for high prices.
I wonder what those nails tracked at?
 
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