Review on SMARTSMITH Alcohol Refractometer - High Accuracy Spirit Alcohol 🍹 Volume Percent Measurement with automatic temperature compensation (ATC), 0-80% v/v Range by John Rivera

The most important feature of this instrument is its ability to accurately measure strength. It must be calibrated before a measurement can be taken. This is easily done by putting a few drops of distilled water on the lens and then turning the adjustment screw until "0" appears in the viewfinder. What worries me is that you have to trust the accuracy of the calibration. To be fair, this concern can apply to any refractometer. Other aspects of the device are its design and durability. Its design is similar to others on the market. All I can say about durability is that time will tell. I brew 3-4 times a year so mine isn't heavily used. I found the viewfinder function unacceptable. To get a good reading I had to hold it in bright light. Finally, it comes in a protective plastic sleeve, which is a plus. Overall, I'd say this is a good price for an entry-level device. Serious brewers expect to pay five times as much for a top-of-the-line model.