Shure SFG-2 Stylus Tracking Force Gauge

by Shure

Product Details

Product Manual [123kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006I5SD
• Item model number: SFG-2
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #1 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Audio & Video Accessories > Turntable Cartridges & Needles
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 8, 2004

Product Description

For deejays and others dedicated to the sound of vinyl. The Shure SFG-2 Stylus Tracking Force Gauge is the industry standard for turntables. This simple-to-use measuring device was developed to give listeners a way to insure against the problems caused by improper tracking force settings, which include mistracking, excessive record and tip wear, and poor sound reproduction. This gauge is a highly accurate beam balance instrument designed to measure the actual downward force exerted by a stylus on a record over the range of 0.5 to 3.0 grams. Each gauge is individually calibrated, and displays readings in 0.05 gram increments in order to provide a precise measurement of stylus tracking force.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have accessory for the vinylphile, September 29, 2005

By 

R. Ballard "Radio DJ" (Iowa, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shure SFG-2 Stylus Tracking Force Gauge (Electronics)

The Shure SFG-2 Tracking Force Gauge is a well-made precision device that gives you an accurate reading (within a 10th of a gram) of your tracking force. Even if you have a tonearm with a tracking force scale on the counterweight, this provides a much more accurate way of knowing exactly how much force is being exerted on your precious records.

The range of this gauge is any weight up to 3 grams. Unless you have a prehistoric phono cartridge (which you need to stop using!), or are using a specialty cartridge made for listening to 78s, it should fit the bill nicely.

The black body of the unit is made from a precision heavy plastic material that is extremely durable. The weight scale is metal. There is also a mirror with two white pointers. When the two pointers are aligned, the tracking force is indicated by the position of the sliding weight on the scale. It's packaged nicely with easy to follow instructions on it's use.

Some pricier digital scales are probably a bit more accurate, but when you get down to accuracy of 1/10th gram, that's splitting hairs. A highly recommended accessory for any vinyl lover.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inexpensive way to save cartridges and records, March 17, 2009

By 

James (I go where the Air Force sends me) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shure SFG-2 Stylus Tracking Force Gauge (Electronics)

I wanted a tracking force gauge for some time, but never got around to buying one. I figured, hey, the counterweight on the tonearm is good enough, right? Boy, was I ever wrong. I discovered my tonearm was about three grams overweight! This tracking force gauge is pretty cheap insurance in my view. If I had any idea how far off the tonearm counterweight was, I would have bought one with my turntable. Please note, this is not a digital model and will not give you ultra-precise measurements. Shure has a gauge for that too, if you're willing to spend the money.

Description and Use: Balance scale just like at the gym. The unit is placed on the turnable mat extending from center to edge. The weight is adjusted from 1-3 grams. Tonearm is lowered and needle placed in the gauge groove. measurement taken. Tonearm lifted, tonearm weight adjusted. Repeat.

The stated tolerance on this gauge is +-0.1 grams. For the tech, that's pretty darn good, and for the price is outstanding. I can easily say this gauge has saved me from buying a new cartridge that much sooner. And heaven knows how much it has helped extend the life of my records.

Pros:
1. Value for dollar unsurpassed. Consumer reports best buy or Stereophile three dollar signs, take your pick.
2. Reasonable accuracy, especially for moving magnet cartridges, which seem (at least to me) less sensitive to weight differences than Moving coil. Your ears may vary.

Cons:
1. Balance point is a metal pin on a plastic platform. When I used it, because of such low weights (1-3g.), I sometimes questioned the accuracy of the device, as it seemed to get stuck at either end of the scale. A metal platform would reduce friction and (I think) have more accurate results. However, it easily showed my tonearm was waaaaay overweighted.
2. Balance indicator can be difficult to read. The balance indicator is merely a small (approx. 1/8" wide by 1/2" deep) black platform. The other end of the balance scale floats up or down in accordance with your desired weight and the tonearm weight. When viewing the balance indicator front on, this 1/8" wide nub can be difficult to tell how far off you are. If you have vision issues, you may want to look elsewhere.

Overall a very nice addition to my setup. Way overdue as a matter of fact. My recommendation is a tracking gauge is a REQUIRED piece of equipment. This will work with acceptable accuracy. Better options are available (digital) but only you can say if you want to spend way more to get a more precise result. Also remember you are going to have to adjust your counterweight on the tonearm, which was hassle enough. More precise scale will require smaller adjustments to your tonearm. The real question is: Is your tonearm good enough for a digital tracking force gauge?

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Don't use with moving coils, December 27, 2009

By 

Martin Reck - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shure SFG-2 Stylus Tracking Force Gauge (Electronics)

As mentioned in (surprisingly) only one review, this device is magnetic. I've had one for many years and only noticed this when I tried it with a moving coil cartridge. Perhaps this is why Shure sells this - they do not make moving coil cartridges. With a moving coil cartridge, not only would the results be extremely inaccurate, but there is a strong risk of damaging the cartridge irreparably.