Refractometer

So I am looking into getting a refractometer. It appears that like everything there is a wide range in prices.

Is there a big difference in the different models? Is there one that's the best?

I saw this one on Ebay and it's only about $24. Is this a complete waste of money?

Fish Aquarium Salinity Refractometer 0-10% Saltwater US - eBay (item 180519949699 end time Jul-13-10 01:20:58 PDT)

All help and advice is greatly appreciated.

 

I am not sure on that one you linked to. I'll be following along. I need to get a refractometer too. - Looking at this one maybe.

Saltwater Aquarium Salinity & Specific Gravity Testing: Portable Refractometer

 

I got mine from ebay, I cant look at that one now cause work blocks ebay, but I think mine had the same range and had the newer adjustment knob instead of the tool to calibrate it. I also think it had something like internal temp compensation or something, but most of them seemed to have that. Works great for me.

 

This looks like a decient one, The biggest thing I worry about how you adjust it. The best are the ones with thumb screws. rather then using small screw driver to do the job. I need to get a new one, and this might be it, good thing the seller has more then one ;D

I had this one and it worked well, only grip was that the adjustment screw got stuck (corrosion) and I broke the screw driver that came with the set. My buddy had the same issue

 

I have one I bought from Ebay and one that was given to me as a gift which was bought from Foster and Smith... Funny thing is both do exactly the same thing and read the exact same only one cost 19.99 shipped and one cost 54.99 shipped.

 

Thanks everyone.

There are a ton of these things on Ebay. From doing a search on the forum I see where many people have purchased Ebay refractometers with great success.

I plan on keeping my two different hydrometers as well in order to have somethng to double and triple check with.

 

I got one from Foster and Smith. Regardless of what you get, get some calibration fluid and check it often. I took for granted it was accurate and after a year found out it was off. What I thought was 1.025 was 1.030. So I started checking the calibration frequently and almost everytime I go to use it, it's off and has to be calibrated.

 

I got mine from ebay. The exact same one you linked, just with a hard grey case and from a different seller. Works perfect for me. I've only adjusted it twice in a year. Once when I first got it and again a couple months ago. It drifted up 1 point. I used RODI water and not the solution.

 

The solution is best for calibrating, but you can get away with ro/di. I got one of the ebay ones, works very well. I have to calibrate it a little more than my friends, he got his from BRS, but all in all it works great.

 

I've been using the Vertex. The screw is pretty small, but it gives you one and a case to keep everything in. I have no problems with corrosion on the screw, but I did have some corrosion on the metal joints that allow the arcylic thing to move.

Vertex Salinity Refractometer with ATC - AquaCave