Seeking new electronic scale

[m657]

my old one is having some kind of psychic breakdown....

it measures/remeasures same loads with different amounts, weighs the test-weight set at different amounts (.4g~.9g in the 10g range) and is fluctuating as much as 100% in a previously weight load passed by the faithful Dillon powder check die system.

I can't complain much, it's past the 1 year warranty.

I've been using it quite heavily since 1998....

Till now it's been very reliable....

So who uses what, what do you recommend?

I like the looks/price of the Frankford Arsenal <$40 model; I don't know about the green thing or the other makers.

Maybe I'll just pony up for another Dterminator if I can't find something better, eh?

 

[bnitch]

I like my Pact very much like the RCBS.

 

[Crazy K38]

I suggest staying away from digi's a manual scale will last longer and more reliable

 

[socal s&w]

I have an older Pact, it has NEVER functioned quite right and I have never really trusted it. Not a good situation for reloading I know.

The Pact will function okay sometimes, other times I would love to throw it as far as I could, or flush it!

I contacted Pact awhile back regarding these issues and was told that it will act up if there is flourescent lighting near, (there is) or if a wireless phone is near, (there sometimes is) and in general was treated like the plague. I had a problem and they had no answers.

So, and this no BS, I do my measuring using a flashlight so as not to disrupt whatever it is that gets disrupted. I also put my phone on the other side of the garage for the same reasons. I am a slave to this scale without really knowing it! It cost a lot so I am determined to get my money out of it.

I did get another beam scale to check the digi, pretty stupid I know, but since I have been using the beam again I'm thinking that I would love to ship the Pact back to the factory with the nastiest of notes to let them know what a POS I think their scale is.

I WOULD NEVER, EVER, EVER RECOMMEND A PACT SCALE TO ANYONE.......PERIOD!

This is my unbiased opinion!

 

[Paul5388]

I hate to say it, but you usually get what you pay for. If you're interested in a D'Terminator, I have one I'd be willing to sell. Send me a PM if you're interested.

The reloading scale I'm using now is a few steps above most reloading scales (.001 g), but it cost $175.00.

My wife calls me a scale freak, since I have about 12 of them. Of course, they have different functions, but she doesn't count that. They are certified grocer's scales, for up to 30 pounds, all the way down to .0001 g scales.

 

[Mr. O]

I suggest staying away from digi's a manual scale will last longer and more reliable

On the other hand........after 35 years of a manual scale, I have found a digital electronic to be quite reliable and accurate. I have an RCBS with calibration weights. I have 'check' weights to confirm the weight, and it is spot on. I can highly recommend using a digi scale. So here's another point of view.

 

[VonFatman]

Paul5388,
Your wife is right!! You ARE a scale "freak"

I have a Dillon electronic and it works pretty good, just remember to reset/zero it it each time before you weigh....it can drift up or down a tenth or two while is sits there waiting on you.

Bob

 

[Dale53]

I have had an RCBS digital scale for several years with MUCH satisfaction. I shot BPCR Silhouette for many years. To get the kind of accuracy I needed it was necessary to weigh my heavy cast bullets. Trying to do that (weigh several hundred bullets ) with a manual scale will try the patience of a saint (and I "ain't no saint").

I have learned that it is best to leave a Digital scale running all of the time. It takes fifteen minutes or so to stabilize. Running mine all of the time (it has an A/C cord) keeps it stabilized.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[Littledragon777]

I have the RCBS 750 and really like it. It shows .1 of a grain heavier than my Lyman DPS1200 scale does on everything I weigh but either way it is a great littel scale for around a $100 bucks.

 

[VonFatman]

Hey Dale...

Thanks for the suggestion regarding "leaving the scale on"...

My Dillon is also set up with AC power so I have left it on all day and found ZERO variation. This is a good tip.

I appreciate it.

Bob

 

[K.38]

I have 2 PACTS now but I was about to throw the first one in the trash before I figured out the problem.

I called PACT a couple of times trying to get it fixed and sent it in to them for a checkout. Worked fine for them. I sealed up all the windows in the basement, changed light bulbs and still no joy. Got to talking to a couple of shooting buddies and they both went through hell with their electronic scales. Long story short one of the guys moved and all the sudden his scale worked perfect. Turns out the problem was bad power. I called the power company and talked to CE on base and they both said the power coming on to base was just barely in tolerance.

I've moved since and now even though I live out in the boonies we have a transformer station a mile up the road and a household transformer outside the house. The scale works perfect, no flucuations, no problems what so ever.

I wouldn't go back to a balance beam if someone payed me.

 

[socal s&w]

A continuation of the previous regarding leaving the scale on...........

I tried that too, but all my Pact does is vary from one weight, with nothing on it, to another and then some sort of 'tnrE' code.

Tried batteries and plug in power, neither works.

Calibrating works, but intermittantly, then it's back to the above....weight, code, weight, code.

I'm gonna send this POS back I tell you. It is very frustrating!

 

[Paul5388]

I wouldn't go back to a balance beam if someone payed me.

There certainly isn't anything wrong with a good beam scale, since it's just about as fast as an electronic if you're trickling the weight to where you want it. My Ohaus 505 is 36 years old and performs just like it always has.

Within the limits of the 505's accuracy, it checks with the .001 g scale and a set of M2 calibration weights.

If you really want to see how accurate your scale is, check it with a certified 1 gram weight (15.43 gr) and then use a 2 gram weight (30.86 gr). Of course, you have to realize even certified weights have tolerances, but an M2 is more accurate than your scale(s).

 

[socal s&w]

So, I guess the answer to my Pact issues would be to have a dedicated power source and that would fix it.

My point is that if the Pact scales are so tempermental, why own one like I do?

I have yet to hear of anyone with another brand have the same woes as what I have with the Pact.

I have turned to the beam and will be very leary of another electronic in the future unless it's verified that it has no quirks.

 

[fredj338]

You certainly do get what you pay for when it comes to scales, digital or beam. The Dillon is the best one I have used. THe cheap FA is crap, not worth buying IMO. The Lyman is ok, but a PITA to use, small display & needs constant rezero. I've heard good things about the new RCBS but my Dillon always zeros & stays there. If it does take a dump after one year, they will replace it for 1/2.

 

[M16]

I have a pact and an RCBS. They have been plugged in for the last ten years or so. I never cut them off and they are always dead on. Moisture is what kills electronics. If you leave them on the generate enough heat to keep the moisture outs.

 

[johngalt]

I have a RCBS Chargemaster 1500, combo scale/powder dispenser. Very handy device when I am experimenting with small batches of various loads. It has been very stable for me, I haven't noticed that it requires any warmup time to stabilize.

It is sensitive to drafts. When my AC kicks on, it gets a little unstable. I usually turn my AC off while I am using it.

 

[johnjohn]

I have a Pact.

I've got one like you describe and it sits in a cabinet up high a reminder of about $90 badly spent. It has made a trip back to Pact and acts about like it did before. Chalk it up as a bad investment,not worth the heartburn.

 

[Marksman]

I've owned RCBS electronic scales twice now, first in conjunction with RCBS electronic powder measure. The early powder was slower than molasses in January if you were loading more than a box of ammo it seemed like it took all day. Sold that set up and later bought just the electronic scale, wound up finding the weight bouncing around and the frequent need to calibrate to be more trouble than it was worth. I now use an Ohaus 10/10 and am very pleased with it's performance. I also have a Lyman D-5 that I purchased prior to the Ohaus, it too is a good little scale.