Digital Stylus Force Gauge: Which One??


OK, so now I'm in the market for a digital stylus force gauge The Music Direct catalog lists several choices in the $ 250 to $ 350 range from Clearaudio, Wally Tools and The Cartridge Man...as well as the ultra expensive Winds. Leaving the latter aside for now, would appreciate any input from users of the other brands. Particularly interested in the Wally Tools versions, since MD claims that these are the "only ones" that measure force at exactly LP record level....
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Hi, Alex:

At the risk of being overly blunt, let me urge you not to spend the kind of money you are proposing for a digital stylus force gauge, UNLESS you already own a megabuck moving coil cartridge (say, $2k or more) that is requires EXTREMELY precise tracking force adjustment. The reality is that most cartridges have a range of tracking force (say, 1.5 - 2.0 grams), and it is not necessary to be precise within hundredths of a gram.

I have successfully used the Shure SFG-2 stylus force gauge for many years, and continue to do so. My current analog setup, which hardly state-of-the-art, is still pretty good (click on link to my system), and the Shure SFG-2 provides as much accuracy as necessary. The SFG-2 is accurate to within about one-tenth of a gram, which is more than accurate enough for 98% of the cartridges on the market.

You may well get alternative advice from other A-gon regulars, but my personal opinion is that digital stylus force gauges are grossly over-priced and largely unnecessary. The Shure SGF-2 works great, and sells for about $25. Unless you have an absolutely superb analog front end, and/or suffer from "audiophilia nervosa", my gentle urging is to save your money, get the SFG-2 (or something comparable), and spend the money you save on some good LP's.
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I got the $150. digital Wally Scale about six months ago, and it's really great. Will measure (with extra, supplied 0.05 gram weight) to nearest 1/20th gram. It's consisent and very accurate. I found it very useful in setting up my Naim Aro/Ortofon Jubilee. Easy to use - works great with any cart.

I also have an old Shure SFG-2 gauge that Sdcampbell mentioned. It is fairly accurate - probably within 2/10th gram - and entirely adequate for most purposes. But due to the "skirts" on the bottom of the Ortofon, I found it difficult to get an accurate VTF reading with the Shure.