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Electronic stylus force gauge question

I recently bought my first electronic stylus force gauge. It's a generic type made in China, but looks and feels a surprisingly decent quality. It was purchased from Mehran at SoraSound for those who happen to have it.

I noticed that when I try to measure the VTF, the gauge begins to display a minus reading of -0.01-03 g as I'm lowering the tonearm to place the stylus on the black dot. It then displays a steady reading once the stylus is placed on the dot, which appears to be accurate by comparing with the Shure gauge I used in the past.

I make sure that the platter is secured so I'm not quite sure why the gauge displays the minus reading before the stylus lands in the measuring spot.

Has anyone else experienced this with their electronic gauge? I realize the minus value is arguably negligible, and the issue might be of no practical significance, but I'm trying to get my Delos to track as close to 1.75 as possible so I wonder whether I need to adjust for the minus value. I'm also curious why this is happening.

actusreus
suteetat
435 posts
 
Actually, I think good scale and countertuitive are actually very helpful. Granted VTF number is just a guide but good scale and countertuitive for VPI great strenght is about reproducibility. You can do everything by ears but sometimes it is a pain. You find an exact sweetspot once. As most people are, you always have to fiddle beyond the sweetspot to make sure that you really reach the ideal spot. Coming back is so much easier if you have some kind of a target. Once you been there and mark the spot, it is nice to get back there quickly without all the listening step in the middle if you have nowhere to go but only your ears. Lyra's very tight VTF's range and their optimal VTF value also get you very close to the sweetspot very quickly. With Lyra's QC, I doubt that the ideal VTF would differ too much from what Lyra recommended.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,139 posts
 
Sbrownnw...thanks again for the link to that scale on E-Bay. I just received mine and it does indeed perform fantastic! At just $14.99 plus free shipping, it's a definite bargain. Highly recommended.
john_tracy
343 posts
 
I am sure that the minus .01g - .03g reading is caused by the magnet in your cart. pulling up on the scale. This could be confirmed by passing a magnet close to the scale to see if the same thing happens. As far as setting your cart. VTF to as close to 1.75g as possible, consider this: the absolute accuracy of your scale is probably more the +/- .05g! Maybe more if there is no provision to calibrate it with a known weight. My advise is to not sweat it.
actusreus OP
733 posts
 
Hey John,
You're absolutely right. In retrospect, I wish I had not written the passage about tracking as closely to 1.75 g as possible. The main impetus behind my original post was the concern about the accuracy and reliability of the scale and measurements, not the obsession with the magic number of 1.75. Little did I know I was about to open a big can of worms...
frogman
7,487 posts
 
I will give it a shot, even if it's very early and my first cup has not kicked in yet.

Any scale, digital or not, reacts to downward force which causes a downward mechanical action. The cartridge sits on a platform and the amount of downward force is interpreted and displayed as a number. If the platform or any part connected to it has any ferrous parts, as the cartridge's magnets approach the scale from above (as one lowers the arm) they attract these ferrous components upward causing the negative reading. Maybe?
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