- Shure Tracking Force Gauge measures force of turntable stylus
- Precise, 0.05 gram increment scale measures force of stylus on record
- Prevents mistracking, excessive record and tip wear, and poor sound reproduction
- For use with all Shure and other brands of turntable stylus
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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
46 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By R. Ballard
Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By James
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?
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?
38 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By Martin Reck
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Works okay
I bought one to see just how accurate my turntable's
tracking weight was based on the counter weight on the rear
of the tone-arm. Read more
tracking weight was based on the counter weight on the rear
of the tone-arm. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Orlandotek
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works great for the money
Easy to use and set proper tracking force. Most new turntables don't come with a force gauge so purchase one for setup of your new turntable. Read more
Published 9 days ago by MGOBLUE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Now I know
Always wondered if my tracking force was correct. Using this helped me learn that I was always a little too heavy with my tracking force. Records really do sound better now. Read more
Published 25 days ago by ScottO
5.0 out of 5 stars
no more guessing
If you like switching head shells/cartridges depending on the stuff you spin, this tool really gets your stylus to work 100%. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alejandro R. Limjap
4.0 out of 5 stars
wow
didn't realized that my tracking force was so off. This allow me to set it correctly and no more worries about damaging any of my vinyl records
Published 1 month ago by Pete
5.0 out of 5 stars
essential for turntable setup
If you are not using this (or something similar) when setting up your turntable, you are damaging your records. Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great - Every turntable should have one!!
Wow - I wish I always had one of these. Easy to use. Good to know that my stylus' tracking force has been accurately set.
Published 1 month ago by L. A. Robinson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Does the job but could be better
This does work as advertised but there are a few issues with it. The first is that the sliding weight is far too loose. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bloose
3.0 out of 5 stars
Performed as designed - just didn't realize it was limited to one...
Performed as designed - just didn't realize it was limited to one function.
Was not a practical purchase for someone just setting up their own personal LP player.
Was not a practical purchase for someone just setting up their own personal LP player.
Published 2 months ago by L. S.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Proven product!
Great product for the price. You can purchase much higher end gauges which probably work great but why? The Shure has been around for many years and is a proven product.
Published 2 months ago by Debbie Sester
