Refractometer Question

[ptbmaniac]

I am looking to get a Portable refractometer and I have no idea which one to get. There are 2 on foster and smith with a big price differential. One is $48.99 the other is $113.99. They both say basically the exact same thing! It also looks like the cheaper unit has better reviews. Would I be ok with the cheaper unit or is the more expensive unit just way better to justify the higher price?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4690+9957&pcatid=9957


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4690+12132&pcatid=12132

 

[shifty51008]

you will be fine with the cheap one, get the calibration fluid also though

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18717

 

[sam3113]

I bought the cheap one and it came with calibration fluid. It works fine. The only difference I've ever heard is the cheap one takes 45 seconds for the temperature to adjust before you look through it where the expensive one is instant. No big deal to me. Get the cheap one.

 

[bdsage]

i use the cheapie i just calabrate with nsw i get at high tide since nsw is what i use any way just give it a min. to stableize temp.

 

[ptbmaniac]

I was also advised to check out one on BRS. It comes with the calibration fluid and is cheaper than both units on Foster & Smith! It also has very good reviews! http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/843/

 

[pjwperth]

why not use distilled water or rodi and calibrate it to zero

 

[edmondspl]

I have one from BRS and it works great

 

[Ron Reefman]

why not use distilled water or rodi and calibrate it to zero

Most refractometers calibrated to zero (RO/DI or distilled water), will have an error rate at 1.026. However, I have read that there is one that is designed to be calibrated to zero.

 

[downbeach]

I bought the least expensive refractometer from F&S, along with the calibration fluid, it works fine. I wouldn't doubt that the unit from BRS is OK too, but you'll get free shipping with this amount at F&S, if its all you going to purchase.

Even if your instructions say to use RO/DI/Distilled water, I'd still use the calibration fluid for this reason:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php#13

 

[ptbmaniac]

Thanks everyone! All your opinions are very helpful!

 

[ptbmaniac]

I ended up going with the BRS refractometer!