refractometers?
 

The price of refractometers varies from $50-$100+, is there a significant difference in accuracy and reliability between the lower cost and higher end refractometers?

The most important thing IMO is that it has automatic temperature compensation, after that from what I've seen they are all about the same.

Dave

I have to agree with Dave, make sure it has ATC and your good to go.

I got mine from Ivan at Aquaria Canada for 65.00 + shipping, and I am very pleased. Accurate and easy to use. Model RHS-10ATC

www.aquaria.ca

HTH

Are you looking on ebay? There seems to be a number of places selling them on there.

I ordered mine from Premium Aquatics a couple weeks ago.. Still no show but I ordered right before Remembrance day, ground post at that... I'm sure it'll be here any day. Cost me $60 CDN shipped... I just checked the J&L site under 'new stuff' a couple days ago and see they now have a portable refractometer for $65... *grumble*

usualy the accuracy is what determines the price.. IME

I've seen some cheap ones but with lousy accuracy. 0.01 instead of 0.001 (as a example) also some come with a light inside.

As long as you have auto temp compensation (ATC) and a glass prism you should be good to go.

I just received my oder of a Pinpoint Salinity Monitor 114.95US it is a bit more money but is supposed to be 100 accurate. So there is another choice for you.
Now I also have a refractor that I could sell, works great but does not have auto temp. comp. but that is easily solved by a chart for various temps, if anyone is interested let me know, like new.
Dave

I got one of the 65$ ones from aquaria.ca - I'm liking it. Sure beats the good ol swing arm hydrometer. Yes its probably not the most accurate - it isn't graduated to the point where 1.024 and 1.0245 are very obviously different - but do we REALLY need that level of accuracy? As long as I can spot the difference between 1.024, 1.025, 1.026 I'm happy.