View Full Version : What scale for weighing gear?
Not sure if this is the right place, but I could use some advice...
I finally decided that I need a digital scale for weighing the gear that I make and buy... just finding it difficult to decide what to get.
I want the cheapest thing that will work reliably.
I want to weigh really light things like alcohol stoves, as well as bigger things like hammocks, tarps, TQs, UQs, etc.
Maybe even some DIY backpacks.
Would be nice if it could handle weighing boxes for postage also, maybe up to 10 or 15 lb.
Is there a scale that will do up to 10 or 15 LB and still be accurate to small-ish fractions of a gram... and still be relatively inexpensive (as in, less than $35)?
If you have a digital scale that you use and like, please share what it is and why you like it.
Or if you have/had one you didn't like, warn me about it please.
Thanks!
I got the cheapest digital scale I could find at walmart and it has helped more than anything to get my pack weight down. It goes up to 5kg ~11lbs below is a link to a photo of it. I can't remember the manufacturer, probably the walmart home brand mainstays.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8XhyUJ5VlE8/TUlh42HlwSI/AAAAAAAACMA/zKQqpnzbNMc/s1600/P2020612.jpg
Delta-Dawn
03-08-2011, 15:49
I know this sounds crazy, but if you have a Wii and the Fit board, you can use it to weight all sorts of stuff. My daughter uses it all the time to weigh things (including the cat, lol). It is very accurate. :)
Wise Old Owl
03-08-2011, 15:59
Walmart has a digital fish scale for cheap then you load the pack and put it on the hook. Or walk into EMS most will weigh it for you.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Berkley-50-lbs.-Digital-Fish-Scale/4328456?sourceid=1500000000000025851520&srccode=cii_18492716&cpncode=21-101169020-2
Feral Bill
03-08-2011, 16:03
WOO: What is the smallest unit on that scale? (precision)
Just buy a fishing scale. They work fine and only cost around $30. Post offices also sell a scale for around $35.
XCskiNYC
03-08-2011, 16:26
Earlylite the author of sectionhiker.com likes this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ONO1SE?ie=UTF8&tag=ultrarevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001ONO1SE
From a similar thread I started at hf.net...
After reading all I could about a pocket scale I decided to follow these guys on BPL
Here is a link to a thread on BPL
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=40953&disable_pagination=1
And a link to the scale, sacle cost less than $3.00 but shipping was over $5.00.
http://cgi.ebay.com/0-1-2000g-2kg-Digital-Electronic-Balance-Weight-Scale_W0QQitemZ200468418882QQcategoryZ11814QQcmdZV iewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m8QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DMW%26i ts%3DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6 237107835060523557.
...
Thanks everyone for the feedback. The money miser in my jumped on this pocket scale that TZBrown mentioned. I thought about it some more and figure 98% of what I want to weigh will be at or under the 4.4LB limit on this scale. Anything bigger I can take to the post office after hours. :)
My challenge now is to wait patiently until the scale arrives from Hong Kong.:scared:
I think I'll just make up weights for stuff until the scale gets here. :)
SassyWindsor
03-08-2011, 20:41
Digital Fish scales, complete with hook.
I bought the American Weigh AMW-13 Digital Postal/Kitchen Scale (http://www.americanweigh.com/product_info.php?products_id=99) since I needed to quit bringing all my gear to work with me just so I could weigh it. After asking around, this scale seemed to be favored. It is small enough to store away easily, yet offers an adequately sized 6″ x 6″ platform for weighing all my gear. It will measure up to 13 lbs and provides weights in: pounds, ounces, (pounds & ounces), kilograms & grams. It comes with a 9-Volt battery, however it does not come with an AC adapter.
I think I paid $20 for it off Amazon. It has been great. I use it for everything except total weight after my pack is filled (it only goes to 13 lbs and I haven't got that low yet...) For this I just step on the scale in the bathroom with and without the pack.
Anyway, here is a review I did on it:
http://sticksblog.com/clothes/american-weigh-amw-13-digital-postalkitchen-scale/
I bought the American Weigh AMW-13 Digital Postal/Kitchen Scale (http://www.americanweigh.com/product_info.php?products_id=99) since I needed to quit bringing all my gear to work with me just so I could weigh it. After asking around, this scale seemed to be favored. It is small enough to store away easily, yet offers an adequately sized 6″ x 6″ platform for weighing all my gear. It will measure up to 13 lbs and provides weights in: pounds, ounces, (pounds & ounces), kilograms & grams. It comes with a 9-Volt battery, however it does not come with an AC adapter.
I think I paid $20 for it off Amazon. It has been great. I use it for everything except total weight after my pack is filled (it only goes to 13 lbs and I haven't got that low yet...) For this I just step on the scale in the bathroom with and without the pack.
Anyway, here is a review I did on it:
http://sticksblog.com/clothes/american-weigh-amw-13-digital-postalkitchen-scale/
Nice review.
I think I'll look for a calibration weight also... although I'm not sure why, I want to know that it is correct. In reality, I'm really only concerned with relative weight of items to each other, but it will be good to know that my readings are correct. :)
Nice review.
I think I'll look for a calibration weight also... although I'm not sure why, I want to know that it is correct. In reality, I'm really only concerned with relative weight of items to each other, but it will be good to know that my readings are correct. :)
There is a way to use nickels for a calibration weight. They may vary .1 grams each, according to year made, but they are pretty close
Each nickel weighs 5 grams
http://www.ehow.com/how_5009224_calibrate-pocket-scale-weights.html
fredmugs
03-09-2011, 13:26
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001N07KUE
I recently bought this and am very happy with it.
atraildreamer
03-09-2011, 15:00
I want to weigh really light things like alcohol stoves, as well as bigger things like hammocks, tarps, TQs, UQs, etc.
Maybe even some DIY backpacks.
Would be nice if it could handle weighing boxes for postage also, maybe up to 10 or 15 lb.
Is there a scale that will do up to 10 or 15 LB and still be accurate to small-ish fractions of a gram... and still be relatively inexpensive (as in, less than $35)?
Harbor Freight Tools have several scales listed in their flyer for under $20. I don't think that the capacity is more than 1-2 pounds, but they do also measure in grams. A hand-held fish scale is probably your best bet for the larger stuff, or you can try a baby scale.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001N07KUE
I recently bought this and am very happy with it.
+1 for this scale.
Do NOT buy the cheap $5 scale. It's a piece of junk, pretty much shows just random numbers.
KillerKowalski
03-11-2011, 04:07
This is the one (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UEZ2FC/ref=wms_ohs_product_T2)I own from Amazon.