Do You Have To Spend Big Bucks For An Accurate Scale? 2024
clh121787 reply :
What are sone good reliable accurate, and certifiable scales that won't break the bank
desmobob reply :
I don't know about "certifiable," but I know I immediately checked the accuracy of the $19.99 Berkley digital scale I picked up at Wal-Mart. It's dead on, and has functioned perfectly for two seasons. If it died tomorrow, I'd buy another one.
Owning an accurate scale can be a sobering experience. :-)
Tight lines,
Bob
gulfcaptain reply :
I have a Rapala Digital 50lb scale. Been using it for 2 years, pretty close to dead on. You want it certified, well you're not going to find that one at a very inexpensive price.
Darren. reply :
Picked up a Field&Stream digiscale at Dick's for
about $25 (minus points I had) and it weighed
very accurately.
Until I lost it to Davey Jones' Locker.
I now use a Boga grip - 15lbs. Love it. Accurate.
But expensive.
tomustang reply :
You could ship any scale out to get it certified, or find a local or in-house service
BaitMonkey1984 reply :
No. I have many. But a mechanical scale is always in the boat, and it always is true. Can't say the same for the digitals which need calibrating more often.
ABW reply :
On 10/23/2015 at 6:39 AM, desmobob said:I don't know about "certifiable," but I know I immediately checked the accuracy of the $19.99 Berkley digital scale I picked up at Wal-Mart. It's dead on, and has functioned perfectly for two seasons. If it died tomorrow, I'd buy another one.
Owning an accurate scale can be a sobering experience. :-)
Tight lines,
Bob
I have had this one for a couple months now, and so far so good.
Fisher-O-men reply :
This one, believe it or not.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10g-50Kg-Digital-Hanging-Luggage-Fishing-Postal-Balance-Pocket-Weight-Scale-/400489438351?hash=item5d3f07dc8f:g:v1sAAOSwVL1WCQuF
WIGuide reply :
You don't have to spend that much on an accurate scale. I think I paid $20 for a lower end model at Bass Pro, and it was right on with a 5 lb weight. I've used it the last 4-5 years, and it's always been within a few oz.'s of the tourney scale.
the reel ess reply :
I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PB1RFG?keywords=RAPALA%20SCALE&qid=1445603004&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
I tested it with some weights. Seems pretty accurate. It was off a tiny bit on some weights, but these were really cheap cast iron dumbbell weights. I doubt them more than the scale. I also use it from the kayak and it gets wet with no trouble. But some reviews say that salt water can corrode it.
fishballer06 reply :
I think I paid $35 for my Rapala scale and it is very accurate. I'm not saying its certified accurate, but it's close enough for me. I've tested it with various objects that I know the weight of (bags of sugar, 5-8-10-12 pound dumbells, bottles of water, etc) and it's always spot on, or within an ounce. That's good enough for my purposes.
ww2farmer reply :
Fish weigh exactly the same on my $19 berkley hand held as they do on the $300 dollar table top "equalizer" brand scale I bought for the tournaments I run......good enough for me.
clh121787 reply :
you can't beat that for 4 bucks!On 10/23/2015 at 9:25 AM, Fisher-O-men said:This one, believe it or not.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10g-50Kg-Digital-Hanging-Luggage-Fishing-Postal-Balance-Pocket-Weight-Scale-/400489438351?hash=item5d3f07dc8f:g:v1sAAOSwVL1WCQuF
Fishes in trees reply :
My hand held scale lies. I think it is a Quarrow. It is hand held. It measures dead weights with extreme accuracy. Every fish that I put on the scale is a pound and a half to two pounds light. I can't explain it, other than maybe the scale doesn't like bouncing around in the boat very much and so it lies to me when called upon.
Comfortably Numb reply :
On 10/23/2015 at 9:25 AM, Fisher-O-men said:This one, believe it or not.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10g-50Kg-Digital-Hanging-Luggage-Fishing-Postal-Balance-Pocket-Weight-Scale-/400489438351?hash=item5d3f07dc8f:g:v1sAAOSwVL1WCQuF
I use these too and they are very good. Bought ten for our cluds annual kids fishing day and all were accurate and work well. I added a $5 lock grip to mine.
Goose52 reply :
I use several different models of Rapala scales. While they are probably not certifiable, they have proven to be accurate - usually within 1 ounce at the 10 pound range. I load test each scale that I buy with a 9.804 pound test weight - the worst has been off by 2 ounces. The test procedure, information on how the test load was prepared and weight determined, and test results of the first three scales were reported in this thread: Rapala Mini Digital Scale - Load Test Report Here's a photo of the scales in the linked thread (showing Unit 2 reading about 1/2 ounce light to the test weight):
On 10/23/2015 at 9:25 AM, Fisher-O-men said:This one, believe it or not.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10g-50Kg-Digital-Hanging-Luggage-Fishing-Postal-Balance-Pocket-Weight-Scale-/400489438351?hash=item5d3f07dc8f:g:v1sAAOSwVL1WCQuF
Fisher-O-men: I had seen you post about these "luggage" scales a number of times in our periodic 'what's a good scale' threads. Finally, I had to see for myself. I ordered two of these scales and received them within a couple days. A whopping $7.98 for TWO scales, shipped !
Here's the scales (labeled unit 1 and 2) and the test weight. The scales are very small (2" W x 3.5" L), they will weigh in either kilograms, pounds, ounces, and a Chinese measurement - the Jin (whatever the heck that is), and have separate buttons for power, unit of measure, and tare. They seem to be reasonably well-made and all the buttons/features work properly. The hooks are too small for my method of weighing (gill slit) but they could be replaced with larger hooks or used along with a fish grip.
So, how do they weigh - good, bad, or ugly? Actually, they are VERY accurate. Here's Unit 1 under load - reading 9.80 pounds - dead-on the test weight.
Here's Unit 2 under load - reading 9.81 pounds - less than .01 pound over the test weight.
Both scales were also very repeatable - powering down the units and then powering back up and re-applying the load nearly always resulted in the same weight. The biggest observed variance was .02 pound (less than 1/3 of an ounce).
Remarkable as it might seem, these scales are the equal of, if not more accurate, than the Rapala scales that I have been using. I do have 6 years of field experience with the Rapala scales and have a good idea of their continued accuracy and reasonable durability over that time. The long term serviceability of these little luggage scales is unknown.
Load cell technology has certainly reached bargain prices, even for an off-shore product. Given the results of this quick load-testing, I feel that the $7.98 was well-spent. Even if someone did not want to use this scale for daily use, it would serve well as a back-up scale to keep in the boat, tackle bag, car/truck, etc.
Assuming these things will continue to work properly (and Fisher-O-men apparently has had good luck with them), there is absolutely NO reason for anyone NOT to have a scale (except for those that don't want to know that their "6 pounders" actually weigh about 3.5 pounds... 
).
Dwight Hottle reply :
I hope everybody reads this last thread because with this info there is no monetary excuse not to have a scale.
bigbill reply :
I been using a state certified scale at a nearby local deli.
But I c&r them. Now with the new slot limit law they can't leave the waters edge. I have a mechanical scale but need a new one too. Well Christmas is coming.
Need to carry two measuring tapes.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 10/27/2015 at 8:12 AM, Dwight Hottle said:I hope everybody reads this last thread because with this info there is no monetary excuse not to have a scale.
Hey, a man can dream.
CWB reply :
On 10/24/2015 at 3:03 AM, Fishes in trees said:My hand held scale lies. I think it is a Quarrow. It is hand held. It measures dead weights with extreme accuracy. Every fish that I put on the scale is a pound and a half to two pounds light. I can't explain it, other than maybe the scale doesn't like bouncing around in the boat very much and so it lies to me when called upon.
My son has this scale. I believe it is the same thing as the Field and Stream mentioned earlier. He got it at Dicks on clearance for $12.00. Nice little grip/ scale combo. I used it last time out and had the same issue. Got one I thought was close to 4 and it read 2 something. Then my son told me how to work it. This scale has to be turned on after you have the fish in the grips. Shut it off for a few seconds, turned it back on and bam. 3-13.
Try not turning it on until you have the fish gripped and see if it makes a difference. He worked at Dicks and checked every digital scale they sell with a 5 lb. dumbell. He said every brand was within an ounce or two. Thats not to say you can't get a stinker or it won't go bad on you.
cadman reply :
Well is there anyone on here that has (1) from e-bay that they would like to sell or trade for some custom jigs? Apparently e-bay is out of stock? Thanks in advance
Goose52 reply :
On 10/28/2015 at 8:57 PM, cadman said:Well is there anyone on here that has (1) from e-bay that they would like to sell or trade for some custom jigs? Apparently e-bay is out of stock? Thanks in advance
There are MANY vendors on eBay selling the same scale. However, most are in China with insane estimated shipping times. While the link that Fisher-O-men provided went to about the cheapest USA located vendor...there is another source on eBay that is USA based but wants about $1.50 more for the scale for a total of about $4.50 shipped. Search eBay and you'll find it.
cadman reply :
On 10/28/2015 at 10:39 PM, Goose52 said:There are MANY vendors on eBay selling the same scale. However, most are in China with insane estimated shipping times. While the link that Fisher-O-men provided went to about the cheapest USA located vendor...there is another source on eBay that is USA based but wants about $1.50 more for the scale for a total of about $4.50 shipped. Search eBay and you'll find it.
Thanks. $1.50 isn't a deal breaker for me, so I will try to find it. Thank You.
Goose52 reply :
Just a follow-on to the "luggage scale" that I reported on earlier in this thread...
Starting in January, I placed one of these scales in service ("Unit 1") and will use it as my primary bank-fishing scale for all of this year. Unit 1 continues to read dead-on the 9.80 pound test weight and we'll see where it ends up at the end of the year. Also to be observed is battery life (2-AAA) on this scale as compared to the 9v battery used on the Rapala scales.
As shown in the below photo, I did have to remove the stock, small hook and replace it with 3 links of chain and a hook borrowed from one of my Rapala scales. So far, I'm liking this little scale. It disappears in the belt pack that I wear bank-fishing and powers up fast.
I ESPECIALLY like the "Lock" feature (see the photo, top-right of the LCD display). When the scale senses that the load is static, it locks the weight and retains that weight until you clear it or after a set period when it will zero the scale. A handy feature that allows me to weigh the fish, get it back in the water, then record the weight. Perhaps other digital scales have this feature, but my Rapala scales do not.
I've set a reminder in my computer for early December to report back on how the scale fared over a years service.
kcdinkerz reply :
I picked up a cheap cabelas scale looks just like the luggage one featured above. It's accurate enough and fits easily in my back pack or pocket for bank fishing. 5 bucks
Master Bait'r reply :
I bet the company that certifies all our pressure gauges for the shop could do scales too. I wonder if they would notice if I slipped one in there...
Racerx reply :
I bought one of these little "luggage scales" at DSG in the fishing department, last year. While it's pretty accurate, it DOES turn itself on, for some reason, so normally, when I go to use it, the d**n batteries are dead. I've taken to keeping it stored with one battery popped out, but now I have to fudge with a friggin' battery and compartment to USE the d**n thing, each time?
Anybody ELSE having this issue with theirs? If I had hair, I'd pull it out!
Goose52 reply :
On 2/2/2016 at 10:47 PM, Racerx said:I bought one of these little "luggage scales" at DSG in the fishing department, last year. While it's pretty accurate, it DOES turn itself on, for some reason, so normally, when I go to use it, the d**n batteries are dead. I've taken to keeping it stored with one battery popped out, but now I have to fudge with a friggin' battery and compartment to USE the d**n thing, each time?
Anybody ELSE having this issue with theirs? If I had hair, I'd pull it out!
Thanks for the report - good to know. I stuff this scale in a pouch on my belt pack and I can see how the "On" button could get pushed if the scale shifted around in the pouch. It should then auto-off but after a number of on and auto-off cycles I can see how the battery could die.
As I mentioned earlier, I was also wondering about general battery life of the 2 AAA batteries as compared to the 9v battery in the Rapala scales.
Anyway, so far, so good for me but I've only been carrying it around a few weeks and have only weighed a few fish with it...
blckshirt98 reply :
I use a 15lb BogaGrip because I use it in saltwater too (halibut have some f'ing fangs on them), and also because that style seems to harm fish less. For the people that use hook-type scales - do you just punch that thing through the fish's jaw and leave a big hole or do you hook it on the side of the jaw by the gillplate?
WRB reply :
Not all scales can be certified, the scale needs to have a means of calibration.
Digital scales tthat use battery power are only as accurate as the power source / battery used. If you keep the batteries up to date with full power, no corroded contacts, the inexpensive sport/ luggage digital scale should be accurate enough for recreational use.
Tom
On 2/3/2016 at 5:06 AM, blckshirt98 said:I use a 15lb BogaGrip because I use it in saltwater too (halibut have some f'ing fangs on them), and also because that style seems to harm fish less. For the people that use hook-type scales - do you just punch that thing through the fish's jaw and leave a big hole or do you hook it on the side of the jaw by the gillplate?
Put the fish in a plastic bag and weigh it.
Tom
Paul Roberts reply :
Dunno. But whatever you get, and whatever it costs, you should calibrate every now and then. I picked up a 2.5lb and two 5lb barbell weights at Goodwill. Popped in a plastic grocery bag they'll check 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10lbs.
Racerx reply :
On 2/3/2016 at 12:08 AM, Goose52 said:Thanks for the report - good to know. I stuff this scale in a pouch on my belt pack and I can see how the "On" button could get pushed if the scale shifted around in the pouch. It should then auto-off but after a number of on and auto-off cycles I can see how the battery could die.
As I mentioned earlier, I was also wondering about general battery life of the 2 AAA batteries as compared to the 9v battery in the Rapala scales.
Anyway, so far, so good for me but I've only been carrying it around a few weeks and have only weighed a few fish with it...
Here's the thing: It's not even the power button that's getting bumped. I've been able to replicate it, where I simply jostle the unit, sometimes just the hook, and it comes on. I've never seen anything like it. Weird.
Goose52 reply :
On 2/3/2016 at 5:33 AM, Paul Roberts said:Dunno. But whatever you get, and whatever it costs, you should calibrate every now and then. I picked up a 2.5lb and two 5lb barbell weights at Goodwill. Popped in a plastic grocery bag they'll check 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10lbs.
But Paul...how do you KNOW that they weigh 2.5 & 5 pounds? If each weight was only off by 3 or 4 ounces you could be at + / - a whopping 1/2 pound if using two weights and both weights were either light or heavy. Unless, you've taken them into a local market with a certified scale and weighed them...
On 2/3/2016 at 7:49 AM, Racerx said:Here's the thing: It's not even the power button that's getting bumped. I've been able to replicate it, where I simply jostle the unit, sometimes just the hook, and it comes on. I've never seen anything like it. Weird.
Cheap, flimsy switch that is making contact just with jarring/impact I guess!
Of the 7 digital scales I've owned in the under $20 dollar range - all have been VERY accurate. However, switch gear and battery connectors have often been dodgy - a result of the cheap price.
XzyluM reply :
I picked up an Accu-Cull and installed a fish grip instead of using the hook. Still budget friendly at around $45-50 or $35 without the fish grip. I've heard some good reviews on the ReelSonar digital scale which can be had for $20.
Racerx reply :
After the recent talk, I decided to get to the bottom of the phantom power-up issue. Doesn't matter, cause now I can't get it to repeat the issue. Now, it's behaving itself. I popped her open. Some very cheap-ass that looked like it was previously crushed a little bit, which MAY have been the issue. So far, so good. I'm gonna keep batteries in her, and see if the problem happens again.
Goose52 reply :
On 2/4/2016 at 6:22 AM, Racerx said:After the recent talk, I decided to get to the bottom of the phantom power-up issue. Doesn't matter, cause now I can't get it to repeat the issue. Now, it's behaving itself. I popped her open. Some very cheap-ass that looked like it was previously crushed a little bit, which MAY have been the issue. So far, so good. I'm gonna keep batteries in her, and see if the problem happens again.
Report back if it acts up again.
I have a whopping $4.00 each invested in my two scales - if they each last a season then I've received excellent value...
I/MBasser reply :
On 10/23/2015 at 9:25 AM, Fisher-O-men said:This one, believe it or not.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10g-50Kg-Digital-Hanging-Luggage-Fishing-Postal-Balance-Pocket-Weight-Scale-/400489438351?hash=item5d3f07dc8f:g:v1sAAOSwVL1WCQuF
If I add a fish gripper will this scale tare?
Never mind... I read this thread on my phone last night. Reread it this morning and now can see the tare button in the photos.
Edited by I/MBasserDwight Hottle reply :
If it doesn’t just weigh it and deduct the few ounces from your weights.
I/MBasser reply :
@Goose52just to confirm... the scale needs to be converted into ounces, correct? seems you have the option to weigh in ounces (which needs to be converted into pounds) or pounds (which weighs in tenths of a pound and needs to be converted into ounces), ie 4.67 on the scale is 4lbs, 10 ounces. Easy enough but want to make sure i'm not missing something. Thanks!!
Goose52 reply :
On 9/10/2019 at 1:19 AM, I/MBasser said:@Goose52just to confirm... the scale needs to be converted into ounces, correct? seems you have the option to weigh in ounces (which needs to be converted into pounds) or pounds (which weighs in tenths of a pound and needs to be converted into ounces), ie 4.67 on the scale is 4lbs, 10 ounces. Easy enough but want to make sure i'm not missing something. Thanks!!
Yep - you are correct. These scales will read in four different units: Pounds (decimal - like your example 4.67), Ounces (total ounces - NOT pounds/ounces - for instance, your example of 4lbs, 10 ounces would read 74.7 ounces), Kilograms, and Jin (whatever the heck that Chinese measurement is...). So, if you wanted the weight in pounds and ounces, you would need to convert either the pounds (decimal) or total ounces readings, into lbs/ozs. I personally use the decimal pounds reading in all my records.
There have been a number of threads about these scales since the start of this 2016 thread. Here is one of my threads where I did some load testing including using laboratory-quality calibration weights:
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