Dual Refractometer reads SG

[Runningwolf]

I am not sure if this is new or not but its the first refractometer I saw that reads sg along with brix. Look here. The price is decent also

 

[Tom]

Yes I seen them around for a while. It's great for homebrewers and winemakers. Wish I had that one. I just have the brix one.

 

[Runningwolf]

FYI...

Getting Geeky about Specific Gravity Vrs. Brix
The inaccuracy in the Specific Gravity(SG) scale on this model is rooted in the non-linear conversion of Brix to SG. Take a Brix reading of 10, multiply by 4, and you get a SG reading of 1.040 - the accurate SG reading is 1.041. Take a Brix reading of 20, multiply by 4, and you get 1.080 - the accurate conversion is 1.084. When multiplying by 4 the conversion is worse as sugar levels rise. When this (and other recent)refractometers were made they used the same linear, multiply by 4, approach to create the Specific Gravity scale. Can they fix this - absolutely. We have initiated this change and we expect models with accurate Specific Gravity scales to be available by 2011 and you can be assured ------! will be the first to carry them.

 

[JohnT]

Not sure if this refractometer has ATC.

 

[Runningwolf]

It features a 0 to 32% Brix scale and from 1.000 to 1.120 on the Specific Gravity Scale with .2% resolution and ATC (Automatic Temperature Compensation).

With this said though why wouldn't you still wait untill next year when they get the sg scale perfected.

 

[JohnT]

All for $59? I may consider this one!

 

[Runningwolf]

Lots of good info on that site for refractometers. I paid $29.00 last year from a site that has awesome sales on Tuesdays only starting right after Thanksgiving.

 

[Lurker]

I got mine on E Bay for $25+. I think it came right from China since it took about at least 3 or 4 weeks to get it. It corrects for temp. which I think is really not nec. since the correction is so small. I might look for one that does it all tho.

 

[jwalker1140]

I also saw good deals on ebay - usually around $30 for a 0-32% refractometer with ATC.

One question though, since the scale only goes down to 0%, how can I tell when the wine is actually dry? From what I understand, since alcohol is lighter than water, I would need a reading of -1.5 to -2 for true 0% Brix determination.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Tom]

Very hard once alcohol is present. Used mostly for Original Gravity and mostly in wine industry.
You still need a hydrometer, also cheaper.

 

[Runningwolf]

I am going to respectfully disagree with Tom this time. I am using my refractometer more and more in the wine room with awesome accuracy. You do need to use the spread sheet from Valley Vinter where you will also find more information on using refractometers.

I also agree with Lurker that the difference the AFT makes is really insignificant. This is the Refractometer I use in my lab. I find this more accurate then a hydrometer, a lot quicker and easier to use/read.

My only draw back, I am still checking it against the hydrometer and it is right on.

 

[Tom]

Sure you can IF you want to do all those caculations. Math was never my strong point. So I dont use it nut in the begining if at all.

I use mine mostly when doing beer. Thats why the ATC is so important. In wine it isnt important (ATC). With ATC it can measure boiling wort with a exact reading.

 

[Runningwolf]

Sure you can IF you want to do all those caculations.
Thats my point. With the spread sheet from Valley Vinter you just put in your brix reading and it does all the calculations for you. Not only that, there is a place for your notes also. When you are done you have a complete electronic log of everything you did. Plus you could print it out on one sheet if you want in put it into a binder.

Math was never my strong point. So I dont use it nut in the begining if at all.

I am not sure what you're saying about math and nuts in the beginning. Are you still counting with peanuts?

 

[ffemt128]

Well given that it's 2011, I wonder if the new version is available. Looks like a deal.