Use the table below to compare the scales. Once you have formed your opinion vote for each one!
| Brand | Arlyn | A&D | Mettler | Ohaus | Sartorius |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | SAW-L | GP-20K | SB24001 | EP22001 | CPA1600IS |
| Capacity | 23,000 g | 20,000 g | 4,800 / 24,100 g | 22,000 g | 16,000 |
| Readability | 0.2 g | 0.1 g | .1 g / 1 g | 0.1 g | 0.1 g |
| Linearity | 0.4 g | 0.2 g | .3 g / .5 g | 0.4 g | 0.2 g |
| Sensitivity Drift | 2 ppm | 3 ppm | 12 ppm | no spec | 2 ppm |
| Operating Temp | 0 – 50 | 5 – 40 | 5 – 40 | 10 – 40 | 0 – 40 |
| Pan Size | 12″ x 16″ | 13.5″ x 15″ | 9.1″ x 13.7″ | 11″ x 13″ | 11.7″ x 15.6″ |
| Safe Overload | 120 kg | 36 kg | 36 kg | 36 kg | 24 kg |
| Price | $1,099 | $3,235 | $2,861 | $3,492 | $3,520 |
| Purchase | Purchase | Purchase | Purchase | Purchase | |
Industrial Scales have traditionally been available using two different types of technology. The standard units use strain gage load sensors. These have been around for fifty years or more. Accuracy has slowly improved over this time as micro-computer based electronics have improved the digital conversion of the analog signals coming from the sensors, and have enabled better temperature and linearity compensation. None the less, accuracy for good quality industrial scales is generally considered to be 1/10 of 1%.
Many applications require higher precision. This can be the case for high precision formulation and mixing, or many other high accuracy applications. The second technology type, usually called “Force Motor” or “Force Restoration”, has been able to provide accuracy levels that are ten to twenty times better. All of the ScaleCompare choices shown here, except Arlyn Scales, use this technology. While accuracy is so much better, the cost is 3 times higher or even more.
The Arlyn Scales unit seen here offers a technology that they call “Ultra Precision Surface Acoustic Wave Scales”, or SAW scales. They are currently the only company we have found that can provide this technology. For the 50 lb capacity high precision scales, the specifications are the same, or slightly better than the others. The operating temperature covers a wider range, and the pan size is somewhat larger. The “Safe Overload” specification is much higher than the other scales, indicating that it is much better suited for survival in difficult industrial environments, where there may be repeated cases of shock load or overload on the scale platform. Typically, that is the type of situation where the other, “Force Motor” precision scales will experience failure. It is also important to note that the price of the SAW scale is considerably lower than the other units shown. In fact, it is in the same range as many of the lower accuracy standard Bench Scales shown on the ScaleCompare site.
All of the brands shown here are well known, and have had a long term presence in the industry. Mettler and Sartorius are headquartered in Europe, and A&D is based in Japan, with all three having substantial presence here. Both Arlyn and Ohaus are based in the United States.