Customer Reviews

Sainstore Refractometer for Measuring Sugar Content for Beer or Wine

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Overall this is a great deal. It was the cheapest I could find. I homebrew, had a gift card, and figured I would give the gadget a try. Shipping was insanely fast. I received it within two days of placing my order. The overall quality is good. Comes with a plastic case to store it, a small screwdriver, and a small plastic dropper.

I have a hydrometer and take readings frequently. I used the refactometer and hydrometer on a couple of different brews and the Opening gravity is usually dead on, but when you read the Final gravity that is a different story.

For example I took reading using both the hydrometer and the refactometer for OG. They came out the same or with a .001 difference. Although when I took the FG reading the refactometer gave me a FG of 1.001. I used several different calculators and spreadsheets online and they gave me approximately the same readings.

I knew it wasn't right so I took a reading with my hydrometer and it gave a reading of 1.018 which is close to what it was supposed to be. For some reason the reading isn't accurate once alcohol is introduced.

When your beer starts to ferment and alcohol becomes present, the refractometer's accuracy diminishes. There are online calculators that say they compensate for it. I just haven't found any that work consistently. Bottom line...it doesn't work on FG and you should always use a hydrometer to ensure accuracy.

I read this online prior to purchasing so it wasn't a big deal to me. I got it as a extra gadget and really enjoy how easy it is to take OG readings. Plus you only need one small drop, which means more beer for drinking!

Also, it didn't come with the "complimentary copy of Learn To Brew: Recipe Formulation Made Easy computer program" like they say.

And why are there pictures of horses on this item???

Quality piece of equipment but, like Mike W. said no disc or conversion table was included and the "complimentary copy of Learn To Brew: Recipe Formulation Made Easy computer program" was also absent.

1. Tools are included for calibration.
2. An instruction manual is included with an image that shows a refractometer with a split measuring gravity on one side and brix on the other which would have been handy since I didn't receive the disc that LTB claims they ship alongside. You can find conversions online in a pinch.
3. The case is nice and durable.
4. I don't have a point of reference to tell whether the item is accurate since my calibration went fine and my brix consistently shows up lower than my specific gravity listing on my hydrometer.

The refractometer was pretty much what I expected to receive, though it has Brix scale twice, instead of Brix and specific gravity. Conversion is easy so this is not an issue.

My main complaint is that the refractometer did not come with a complimentary book as promised in the description. Promising something in the price of a good and then not actually including the item is a seriously bad business practice.

This refractometer was the least expensive of any refractometer I could find, and it works flawlessly. Only a few drops to test yields more finished beer to drink! The automatic temperature conversion and crystal clear display makes for easy work at getting your gravity readings. The readout is given in brix, so a very quick conversion to SG (found all over the 'net) makes your life easier.

I will state one thing first before I write my review. You will not recieve the CD they promise you. However the product they sell is cheaper compared to other online brewing sites and is of high quality.
Now to the refractometer itself. I just finished my first wort tonight and tested the gravity with the refractometer and a hydrometer they gave the exact same reading! Anyways I've noticed that people reviewing this item stated that the refractometer is off when their wort has finished fermention. This should be expected, alcohol messes with the refraction of the light leading to higher than normal readings. You can fix this by downloading a FREE excel program that incorporates an algorithms that compensates for this inaccuracy. The algorithm I'm currently using is found by googling "morebeer refractometer". A little into on how this work is you put your original gravity reading in cell A7, after the fermentation is complete you will put the refractor reading in cell A11. This should automatically prompt excel to use the algorithm written in the program to correct the final reading. I hope this helps and your now happy not wasting eight ounces now when you test your worts gravity!! =) If you have any questions on how this works reply to this review.
Have a great day!
Gumburglar

I must've gotten a bum unit. The second time I used it, the readings were off by 15 points even after I calibrated, recalibrated, and re-recalibrated the unit several times. The first time I used it, it needed to be calibrated nearly every time I took a reading, even if it was just recalibrated a half hour prior. The little hinge pin for the cover plate isn't secured, either (I'm assuming this is to make cleaning easier), but if you're not careful, it will slide right out and disappear on you. I don't know if they're all like this, but for the money, I think I'll just go back to my hydrometer. Anyway, I contacted the folks at Agriculture Solutions, and returning it is no problem so I'll be sending it back.

Best price any where and with ATC. I homebrew and hated dealing with a hydrometer. I use a PC based Homebrewing software for my conversions.
Agreat easy to use tool!

It was a quality product at a great price, but the description has apparently, for many months, been promising a copy of "Learn to Brew" and a conversion table. I say "apparently" because the absence of these items was mentioned by many people. I knew not to expect these because I read the comments. However they were promised. If they weren't sending them, they should have changed the description. It's very easy to get a conversion table on the internet and "Learn to Brew" probably wouldn't tell me anything new. I'd give 5 stars if the item was as described. Not receiving those insignificant items with it, caused me to wonder if it really had automatic temperature correction or was a different model than promised. A little research on the internet was needed to reassure me I had what I wanted. I'm pretty sure it is the correct model.

Excelent refractometer and great service. Delivery was within two weeks of the order. Easy to use, solid feel. There is a focus adjustment at the eye piece. Right out of the box the zero needed no adjustment. I haven't tested the high end with a properly made standard solution, but with what can be accompolished at home, the high end is also right on. This product is an outstanding value.