Customer Reviews

Shure SFG-2 Stylus Tracking Force Gauge

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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?

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.

Accurate! Compared it with an electronic force gauge for callibration. Difference is negligible. No need to spend more on those electronic gadgets.

This gauge is exelent for setting stylus force. Especially if you have a tonearm that does not have a tracking force weight scale like the Rega RB 250 on my Goldring gr 1.2. Although this gauge is not as acurite as digital gauges which cost $200+ it is still far more acurite than any scale on a tonearm weight.

I was concerned about the accuracy of the stylus force of the cartridge in my new turntable that I planned to use for converting LPs to CDs. I didn't know if there was a scale to "weigh" the cartridge and stylus that would rest of my records, so I went online to ask. Very quickly I found such an item and was very happy to find one manufactured by Shure because I had usd Shure cartridges successfully in the heyday of long playing records. I purchased one from Amazon and when it arrived it took me about 10 minutes to read the instructions and find the accurate force for my cartridge and stylus. I was so pleased that I then ordered a Shure cartridge to replace the one in my new turntable so that I knew that my turntable would turn out for me the very best quality I could afford.

This is a must for all phono-lovers. Does the job. Accurate and easy to use. Highly recommended.

The Shure SFG-2 Tracking force gauge is a must have for anybody who wants to get not only the most out vinyl listening experience but also the life of their records and styli. Cheap, non-adjustable tonearms can have a tracking force of over 7 grams, which will degrade your vinyl faster than you think. With a tracking force gauge and a decent adjustable tonearms along the the recommended tracking force as given by the manufacturer of your stylus, you can get optimal tracking force without degrading your records. The 20 some dollars is worth the investment for the sake of your vinyl records and record styli.

This is a great tool if you plan to change the cartridge of a turntable. It's very precise and makes cartridge adjustment a breeze. It has a small mirrow that allows to make the tracking force adjustment easy even under difficult conditions.

This is a replacment for one I lost in a move.This is easy to setup and use and it works just about perfect every time.I would reconmend this gauge.