How To Find The Right Digital Scale

When shopping for a digital scale, you're sure to see all kinds of similar looking scales with different names. Scales can be used in so many different ways, it's kinda tricky naming and categorizing them. For example, a "baby scale" is perfect for weighing your little ones, as well as, your beloved pets. Not only that, it can also be used to get the exact shipping weight for that package you've been planning on sending your aunt Martha.

Remember: Just because it's called a "postal scale" doesn't mean it won't weigh out the ingredients for your all-time favorite recipe or your super secret lotion potion.

Like every other niche, the digital scale industry has their own set of words used to describe what their product can do. Here are a few words you're sure to see, and what they mean to you.

Capacity: This is how much weight the scale can handle without going kaput.
- Typically, the larger the scale the more it can handle. So, if you need to weigh lots of heavy stuff, keep an eye peeled for larger scales when browsing.

Resolution: This is how "off" the scale can be while weighing your things.
- If you get a scale with a 0.1 ounce resolution, don't be suprised if your 5 ounce salmon fillet shows up as 5.1 or 4.9 ounces on the scale.

Tare: Allows you to remove the weight of an item on the scale, so you can get the weights you actually want.
- This is a must if you want to use a bowl, tray, scoop or whatever to weigh your items in.

Mode or Unit: The unit of measurement the scale measures in.
- A few common units are: pounds, ounces, grams, kilograms, troy ounces and pennyweights.

RS232: Lets you send data to an external source like a computer or printer.
- A great feature to have if you need to keep record of weights.

Platform: The area of the scale that will register weight.
- Make sure you get the right size...It's hard weighing a cat on a scale with a 3 inch platform.

NTEP and Legal for Trade: Scales that have been tested and can be used to legally sell your items by weight.
- If you're selling your items by weight, it's a really good idea to pick up a Legal for Trade or NTEP certified scale.

Washdown: This means it's safe to get the scale wet.
- Easy to clean! Great for weighing foods

You're not going to need a scale with a 100 pound capacity for weighing gunpowder, but it will need to be accurate enough to keep you from fouling up your bullets and blowing yourself up. Before you can buy a scale, you must know what capacity and what resolution you need.

Old Will has a great tool for finding scales based on capacity and resolution. Once you know what you need, find your scale with the "Capacity, Resolution Scale Finder Tool" at OldWillKnottScales.com

Like I mentioned before, you won't need a scale with a 100 pound capacity for weighing gunpowder and you probably won't need it to talk either.
Here are some things to think about:

How much capacity and resolution do I need?
What's the point in buying a really cool feature packed scale if you can't use it?

Where am I going to use it?
If you need it to be portable, make sure it's battery powered. If it's going to be used in a cold environment, make sure it's temperature compensated. If you're using it in a drafty area, make sure it has a windscreen.

How big are the items I'm going to be weighing?
Make sure you get a scale with a large enough platform for your items.

Is the scale for personal or commercial use?
If you're selling items by weight, you're going to need an NTEP approved scale.

Does it need to count? Compare weights? Determine density?
Make sure you look over all a scales features and ask yourself, "Do I really need it to do that?"

Try not to get caught up in a scale's cool features. Sure they can come in real handy for certain applications, but if all you want to do is weigh your Cherios, you don't really need a scale that counts.

Now that you know what you need your scale to do, finding the right digital scale for the job is going to be a piece of cake. If you're shopping online, use product images to help you judge the size and capacity of the scale. Read through product descriptions, warranties and policies. Most of all, make sure you do business with a company you trust!