----- Original Message ----- From: Merla Barberie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: BD Now <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2002 6:10 AM Subject: Help on buying a Refractometer
Hi Merla > I have questions. Do I want ATC or not? Yes - it saves having to calibrate the thing repeatedly > > What is the significance of .02 and .05 accuracy? Most of us (unless you are an eagle eyed teenager) won't be able to read it accurately enough in the field to tell the difference > > What is the significance of the great cost difference among > refractometers? a: retailer margin b: instrument quality (brand name) > How good a one do I need? a decent middle of the road one will do fine - our meter man sells for $225 aussie - shoud be about US$110 to $140 for a ATC > What are people's experiences with their refractometers and which ones > do you recommend and why? There must be more brands than I have named. the real cheapest (of anything) has always got to be suspect for quality and lifespan. I bet if Herb was buying a rifle scope he would go without rather than buy the absolute cheapest one? If you get going with this take time to re read Hugh Lovel's post that you refer to here. You need to be aware that plant brix is a very mobile thing. The most value is in the comparison measurements that you make in the same place and at the same time . Even in half an hour the brix readings will change so that if you are measuring the effect of a test treatment you need to again measure the untreated at the same time. Your state of mind and thought patterns as you do it can effect the readings !! Cheers Lloyd Charles > I went over my old BD Now emails on the subject and came up with the > following below > Thank you, > > Merla > > Rex Harrill P.O. Box 6, Keedysville, MD 21756 (301) 432-2979 > Westover RHB-32ATC (automatic temperature control) > $135 + $4.00 shipping by priority mail [probably out of date] > > Pike Instruments, Agri-Lab Supplies Inc., RR2, Box 710 Strong, ME 04983 > (207) 684-5131 $125 (Acres USA) > > Gemplers, www.gemplers.com 1-800-382-8437 > Economy Vista $164 +-.05 accuracy > Atago N-la $189 +-.02 accuracy > Atago ATC-1E $330 > > Char Downer, National Industrial Supply, 392 S. Miraleste Drive, #492, > San Pedro, CA 90732 > RHB-32 $59.99 > RHB-32 ATC 65.99 >
