Question - Gempro 250 Electronic Scale

[Shynloco]

Question...Does a Gempro 250 scale readout show weight two digits (or more) to the right of the decimal point when weighing in the "grain" mode? The write-up shows the scale has six (6) reading mode capability so I'm ASSUMING the "Grain" mode is one of the six modes. I'm looking for a scale that reads more than just a tenth (.1-.9) more than a grain as does my current electronic scale which has worked very well for me for a long time. I'd just like to have a more critical weighing scale with a more definitive readout capability. And I'm not interested in any "throw" setups with a scale such as an RCBS or Hornady. Any help or response would be much appreciated and thx ahead of time.

Alex

 

[DeltaBravo]

Question...Does a Gempro 250 scale readout show weight two digits (or more) to the right of the decimal point when weighing in the "grain" mode? The write-up shows the scale has six (6) reading mode capability so I'm ASSUMING the "Grain" mode is one of the six modes. I'm looking for a scale that reads more than just a tenth (.1-.9) more than a grain as does my current electronic scale which has worked very well for me for a long time. I'd just like to have a more critical weighing scale with a more definitive readout capability. And I'm not interested in any "throw" setups with a scale such as an RCBS or Hornady. Any help or response would be much appreciated and thx ahead of time.

Alex

Alex,

Check out the Bald Eagle from Bullets.com. I've got one and can reliably read to .02 grains. I'm currently loading my 6BR with 29.4 +/- .01 grains (29.39 or 29.41 grains). It's under $100 delivered.

Dennis

 

[snakepit]

Question...Does a Gempro 250 scale readout show weight two digits (or more) to the right of the decimal point when weighing in the "grain" mode? The write-up shows the scale has six (6) reading mode capability so I'm ASSUMING the "Grain" mode is one of the six modes. I'm looking for a scale that reads more than just a tenth (.1-.9) more than a grain as does my current electronic scale which has worked very well for me for a long time. I'd just like to have a more critical weighing scale with a more definitive readout capability. And I'm not interested in any "throw" setups with a scale such as an RCBS or Hornady. Any help or response would be much appreciated and thx ahead of time.

Alex

Yes, the GEMPRO 250 reads out two digits to the right of the decimal point when weighing in the "grain" mode.

 

[Sheldon N]

Yes, the Gempro 250 reads in .02 grain increments. I've found it to be very accurate, however it's susceptible to all the same issues that any inexpensive strain gauge scale will experience (drift, temperature sensitivity, electronic sensitivity). If you can live with those quirks it's a great little scale.

Here's a detailed review of the features/use of the scale.

Next real step up is the FX120i at around $430, depending on the exchange rate (buying from Cambridge Enviro in Canada seems to be the preferred option).

 

[Twoboxer]

^+1 on the Gempro and the A&D FX120i . . . adding only that IME the GemPro doesn't handle trickling very well. Add a particle or two and you will find it necessary to lift/replace the pan to get a new reading. Seems like the scale's programming fights hard to avoid "drift".

 

[Martin52]

Yes, and I find the GP250 weighing accuracy is consistent with my A&D FZ 300 (a MFR scale) - however, as others have said, the GP 250 just requires more patience when trickling. In fact before I bought the A&D, I had stopped trickling when using the GP250, instead I threw a load (with a Harrels) underweight into an old case with the fired primer intact, then poured the powder into the pan and measured it on the GP250, took the pan off and added individual kernels to get to the desired weight. Quite easy once you get into the rhythm, my Varget kernels weigh about 0.02gr so simple to add 5-10 kernels for 1-2 grains and re-weigh.

Martin

 

[TAJ45]

Very interesting method Martin. The only downside for me would be going cross eyed after a reloading session looking at grains of powder......

 

[JohnKielly]

Add a particle or two and you will find it necessary to lift/replace the pan to get a new reading.

Try depressing the pad slightly. I use the same spill of paper that I use to add one or two kernels. I don't bother trickling.

 

[Mozella]

Everybody has their own "style" when it comes to making their Gem Pro 250 work. Conventional trickling won't work very well. I produce charges on my Chargemaster and, of course, they're not good enough to use for competition ammo. I dump each charge onto my Gem Pro and correct the weight to the nearest .02gr by adding or removing a few kernels using a pair of tweeters. Usually lifting and shaking the pan gives the best results. Make certain to shake the pan so that the powder is centered when you put it back on the scale platform. If you get it significantly off center, the scale will show a different weight.

Bottom line: It's fiddly and frustrating, but it's the least expensive way to get precise charge weights as long as you develop a good technique.

 

[bulwaagh]

Very interesting method Martin. The only downside for me would be going cross eyed after a reloading session looking at grains of powder......

I do the same thing as martin52. Underthrow, then count kernels to add. Gets it on point every time. Granted, this is with Varget.

 

[majohnson]

Not to change the topic, but my Gem drifts also is there away to avoid the drift?

 

[jlc204]

Not to change the topic, but my Gem drifts also is there away to avoid the drift?

I turn mine on a while before use with the pan sitting on it. I find this helps significantly. If I turn it on and start weighing immediately it drifts pretty bad.

 

[jpx2rk]

I have a new Gempro 250 and am having troubles with it drifting off of zero after hitting the tare button before I can even get something on it to weigh. I have it setting on a computer work desk with a smooth solid surface, an old but in good condition computer mouse pad under it. The unit is level per the bulleye level on the 250. I'm not moving around, no ceiling fan in motion, etc. Even when the unit does stayed zeroed long enough for me to put something on it to weigh, it will show the weight, and then I remove the item (bullets right now as I'm trying to figure out this new toy), it will not return to zero, it will show .010 or more, and then start drifting either up or down, and continue this for several hours.

I've calibrated it per the manual numerous times, and it usually get the 20grams correct, but then it can also drift when I removed the calibration weight.

I've even noticed it "drifting" when not in use, any suggestions for setting this thing up??

 

[JohnKielly]

Usually lifting and shaking the pan gives the best results.

The reason I said I "bump" the pan, not lift it of is to obviate the possibility of it trying to recalculate the tare of the pan. Lift if off & it has to judge both the powder & the pan.

 

[JohnKielly]

I have a new Gempro 250 and am having troubles with it drifting off of zero after hitting the tare button before I can even get something on it to weigh.

Mine doesn't move from a "zero" after it settles & the red light goes out. It still might occasionally need taring but once the screen goes blank it doesn't wander. The longer I have it turned on before I start using it, the less often it changes zero.

 

[jpx2rk]

Mine doesn't move from a "zero" after it settles & the red light goes out. It still might occasionally need taring but once the screen goes blank it doesn't wander. The longer I have it turned on before I start using it, the less often it changes zero.

What does the red light, which I assume you mean the display goes dark, that the unit is ready again for the next bullet/case/powder charge to be weighed? I have left it turned on for a couple days now, and it still wanders/drifts when not in use.

 

[JohnKielly]

I mean that while that display is red, it seems to me that it is still determining what it considers to be zero. Once the display blanks, it doesn't drift for the time that it takes to dump the next charge on it. If it incorrectly selects zero, a tap on the tare button sorts out that issue. I don't care a toss what it does when it's not in use. All I want is a scale that reads with an acceptable degree of accuracy & repeats that value should I decide to dump an earlier load or my one of standard load weights * as a test.

I'm at a loss about the emphasize placed on this drift issue. As I just said, it's easily corrected & it's not all that different to the shenanigans that the average beam balance that your gun shop sells goes through.

* I trim a suitable lump of metal to the mass that I have settled on for all my repeat loads. Coincidentally, lead tipped hunting bullets can be easily trimmed to suit.

 

[gambleone]

I have had the same problem with drift. I even sent the scale back & got a new one, which was the same. One important thing I wasn't doing is letting it warm up before use. It's not the cure, but does help. I let it warm up about 1/2 an hr. I tare to zero. then place my powder pan on scale & tare to zero & wait till the red light goes out. After dumping the powder I weigh it on a beam scale to get it very close to the weight that you want. then place it on the gempro. if it is over i use a point of a knife the drag a kernel or two out. If it is under, I take the pan off the gem pro & trickle in & place pan back on gempro to get correct weight. Before I start again I place the pan back on the gempro & make sure it tares to zero. Seems after about 6-8 times you will find the scale has drifted a bit. Then tare to zero again. It is a pain, but that's the only way to get around the drift issue with this scale IMHO.

 

[Sheldon N]

I have it setting on a computer work desk with a smooth solid surface, an old but in good condition computer mouse pad under it. The unit is level per the bulleye level on the 250. I'm not moving around, no ceiling fan in motion, etc.

Any chance that you are adjacent to other computer stuff? These strain gauge scales are extremely sensitive to RF interference. A wifi router, bluetooth keyboard, cell phone in your pocket, etc can all case significant interference in the scale.

 

[JohnKielly]

After dumping the powder I weigh it on a beam scale to get it very close to the weight that you want. then place it on the gempro. if it is over i use a point of a knife the drag a kernel or two out. If it is under, I take the pan off the gem pro & trickle in & place pan back on gempro to get correct weight.

I believe from experience on all e scales of a lesser quality than Lab standard that it is advisable to manipulate the load in one direction only, either up to weight or back to weight. I've been able to demonstrate that scales do not necessarily reach the same weight outcome in both directions. Try it. Come back to an agreed weight, dump the load in another container & then return it to the tared pan. I've found up to .02 grain difference in the reading, so I always come up to the required load. If I happen to drop an overload, then I'll take it below & come up again.