Review on X0 001G Analytical Precision Electronic 200X0 001G by Gary Zielinski

We need to understand some caveats to be realistic about this. This is an electronic scale based on the same technology as the $20 scale. These aren't $2,000 lab scales. One of the problems will always be the drift - of the zero point and of every measurement. If you need to measure within 1mg, you need to allow 0.1mg. You have to spend more money. And it will be very difficult as it will be affected by the slightest change in the environment, such as temperature, magnetic fields, surface stability, etc. The same issues apply to this scale. If you are very careful, you can measure to within a milligram or two by taking multiple measurements, zeroing multiple times, sitting in the same position, etc. You must learn to compensate for the inevitable error. I use them to weigh medication, say 50mg portions where a milligram or two error is acceptable and I like these scales. For example, if you need to weigh out a few 2-milligram portions, you'll have to whip out your credit card and work a lot harder. One of the big advantages over, say, the GEM-20 is that it doesn't turn off automatically. It uses mains power supply. I run my 24x7. Another advantage is the intelligent automatic zero setting. It keeps resetting. He's always ready. The thing is not chic, very Chinese functional, fortunately not too greenish. The buttons are large and the display is very clear. I use this in my home lab and it is very functional. It's big and heavy enough to be a real instrument. Just don't look at sidebars that seem quirky, wonky, and ridiculous. Once they're in place you can pretend they're not there but leave the 3 sides installed as they help keep them out of drafts. The 200g range is useful but also important because you don't have to maintain the device and you can move objects around the slab without damage. It's good to have a cheap set of weights to understand how the scale behaves and how inaccurate "calibrated" weights can be. reality check. Never try to weigh anything close to zero, always put it in a beaker or something to preload the scale and work outside of the autozero range. The tare function works well. But use it wisely. Suppose we weigh the container several times. This is a container. Write it down. Reset to default. Reinstall the container and check it. Press tare button, add substance, note estimated net weight. Remove the container with the substance, zero again, weigh the amount. Now subtract and see how close you are. If it's important, start over. Otherwise average or take the difference, but if you've done it carefully it's usually within a milligram, sometimes two. This will give you a fairly accurate weight. With practice, you'll be able to do all the steps quickly. The scale calms down quickly and that helps too. Of course, the automatic shutdown would have made this very difficult. If you don't take multiple readings a day and stay within 20g, you can use the little GEM-20 and improve on similar methods. It will be more painful, but the accuracy will not be significantly worse. If you weigh repeatedly, save your wits and spend that extra $60 or so. You will come to improve your technique and you will love this scale.