Gempro 250 vs A&D FX120i
- Thread starter Poconolg
- Start date
I have both, bought the Gempro first and mine did not drift (although reportedly many others have).
Found the Gempro as accurate as the A&D for static weighing but the Gempro was not good when trickling.
So if this is a budget issue and you buy the Gempro, you may have to take the pan off to add kernels then place back on the scale, or, you may have to add kernels leaving the pan on the scale then tap the platform gently to allow it to re-weigh. Not ideal but manageable. otherwise spend the money on the A&D - and consider the FZ (as opposed to the FX) as it has auto calibration.
Ditto this above ^^^^^^
I have a DemPro 250 and the FX-120i and as stated, I find my GemPro just as accurate at the FX, but have to work at it as mentioned above. The FX is really a superior machine.
I have a DemPro 250 and the FX-120i and as stated, I find my GemPro just as accurate at the FX, but have to work at it as mentioned above. The FX is really a superior machine.
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Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
I’ve owned both.
My GP250 is every bit as accurate and does not drift. The FX120i is actually the one that drifted and required regular re-calibration during long loading sessions.
Some people don’t like the slightly slower reaction time of the GP to a single kernel of powder but it will register the weight. I actually prefer it because that small amount of delay makes the scale much more resistant to nuisance reading changes caused by small air movements and I never have to close the cover over the tray to get an accurate reading. The FX was touchy to any air movement in comparison and worked better with the cover on which made it annoying to charge the Pan and remove it each time. Plus the FX is big, bulky, and takes up a lot of real estate on the bench compared to the near-pocket size GP250.
GP250 also has a lifetime warranty so I’m not worried about anything that might go wrong in the future.
The FX120i is a great scale, but it did not provide me with any advantage on paper with any of my many rifles. So I sold the FX and now only own my GP250 and Two RCBS Chargemasters.
Other people’s experiences will vary, but for me the FX was the waste of money because I paid 4x the amount of money over my GP and did not see any gains whatsoever.
Here’s a review on this site that was done back when people first started using the GP250 for hand loading
My GP250 is every bit as accurate and does not drift. The FX120i is actually the one that drifted and required regular re-calibration during long loading sessions.
Some people don’t like the slightly slower reaction time of the GP to a single kernel of powder but it will register the weight. I actually prefer it because that small amount of delay makes the scale much more resistant to nuisance reading changes caused by small air movements and I never have to close the cover over the tray to get an accurate reading. The FX was touchy to any air movement in comparison and worked better with the cover on which made it annoying to charge the Pan and remove it each time. Plus the FX is big, bulky, and takes up a lot of real estate on the bench compared to the near-pocket size GP250.
GP250 also has a lifetime warranty so I’m not worried about anything that might go wrong in the future.
The FX120i is a great scale, but it did not provide me with any advantage on paper with any of my many rifles. So I sold the FX and now only own my GP250 and Two RCBS Chargemasters.
Other people’s experiences will vary, but for me the FX was the waste of money because I paid 4x the amount of money over my GP and did not see any gains whatsoever.
Here’s a review on this site that was done back when people first started using the GP250 for hand loading
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Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
You might check out the following review, which includes a GemPro500 and a very nice Sartorious GD503 magnetic force restoration balance, somewhat analogous to the two balances you're comparing:
Although this article is about 10 years old, the comparison between the three is still quite valid. The FX120i is a MFR balance. Comparing the FX120i balance to the GemPro250 is not really a fair comparison. Relatively inexpensive gem/jewelry balances certainly can work well for weighing powder and therefore have an established place in many reloading rooms. That is not the same as saying they are on equal par with a precision MFR balance. Not even close. I would suggest buying the best balance you can afford without breaking the bank, whichever that may be, or at least the best balance that you can afford without having to forego buying some other very important piece of reloading equipment or reloading components, is usually the best approach.
FWIW - a while back, based on a review from Boyd Allen, a fellow shooter here at A.S., I purchased a little Gem 20 scale. Here are links to a couple reviews of this scale:
I and others have put this little scale through its paces and the consensus is that it works reasonably well. The key with the Gem 20 is that it only costs about $20. And yes, it works. And it's worth repeating that it only cost about $20. I figured it was worth $20 bucks just to see what this little scale was all about, even if it turned out to be total junk, which in actuality it did not. So now I have a dirt cheap backup balance that I would most definitely use to load for a match if my MFR analytical balance ever failed for any reason. Having said that, I would not choose to have the Gem 20 as my one and only sole means of weighing powder. If I decided to go that route, I'd have at least two or three of them, in case one failed right before an important shooting match, and I'd be darn certain they all calibrated exactly the same.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all advocating that you consider the Gem 20 as an alternative. I'm merely pointing out that even a $20 little jewelry scale can do a decent and acceptable job of weighing powder under the right conditions. However, they types of scales will generally not measure up to a [much] more expensive MFR balance in terms of longevity, linearity, speed, precision, re-zeroing,...the list goes on and I think you get my meaning. If you can afford the fx120i, I doubt you will be disappointed over the long run. Will it make a noticeable difference in match scores or group sizes on day 1, as compared to the GemPro 250? Probably not. The readability of the two balances are the same (i.e. +/- 1 mg), if not their actual precision. There are certainly many competitors that have used the GemPro 250 successfully. So if the price tag of the FX120i is just too painful, it's not going to kill you to go with the lower priced balance by any means. I'm simply suggesting that you consider the opportunity cost as means of helping you make a choice. What you might have to give up (if anything) in order to buy the more expensive balance is possibly the best indicator of whether it is worth it.
Although this article is about 10 years old, the comparison between the three is still quite valid. The FX120i is a MFR balance. Comparing the FX120i balance to the GemPro250 is not really a fair comparison. Relatively inexpensive gem/jewelry balances certainly can work well for weighing powder and therefore have an established place in many reloading rooms. That is not the same as saying they are on equal par with a precision MFR balance. Not even close. I would suggest buying the best balance you can afford without breaking the bank, whichever that may be, or at least the best balance that you can afford without having to forego buying some other very important piece of reloading equipment or reloading components, is usually the best approach.
FWIW - a while back, based on a review from Boyd Allen, a fellow shooter here at A.S., I purchased a little Gem 20 scale. Here are links to a couple reviews of this scale:
Remarkable little scale
Some time back in a thread about scales, one poster mentioned a scale, almost apologetically, I think because it is so inexpensive. His post seemed to indicate that he was an intelligent and experienced person, so I took a very small chance, and ordered one. Boy, was he right. I am delighted...
forum.accurateshooter.com
Gem 20 scale
These scales have been mentioned on this forum before as being a good buy. I noticed Amazon has gotten some back In stock at a good price. Might make a good Christmas present.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESHDGOI/?tag=accuratescom-20
forum.accurateshooter.com
I and others have put this little scale through its paces and the consensus is that it works reasonably well. The key with the Gem 20 is that it only costs about $20. And yes, it works. And it's worth repeating that it only cost about $20. I figured it was worth $20 bucks just to see what this little scale was all about, even if it turned out to be total junk, which in actuality it did not. So now I have a dirt cheap backup balance that I would most definitely use to load for a match if my MFR analytical balance ever failed for any reason. Having said that, I would not choose to have the Gem 20 as my one and only sole means of weighing powder. If I decided to go that route, I'd have at least two or three of them, in case one failed right before an important shooting match, and I'd be darn certain they all calibrated exactly the same.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all advocating that you consider the Gem 20 as an alternative. I'm merely pointing out that even a $20 little jewelry scale can do a decent and acceptable job of weighing powder under the right conditions. However, they types of scales will generally not measure up to a [much] more expensive MFR balance in terms of longevity, linearity, speed, precision, re-zeroing,...the list goes on and I think you get my meaning. If you can afford the fx120i, I doubt you will be disappointed over the long run. Will it make a noticeable difference in match scores or group sizes on day 1, as compared to the GemPro 250? Probably not. The readability of the two balances are the same (i.e. +/- 1 mg), if not their actual precision. There are certainly many competitors that have used the GemPro 250 successfully. So if the price tag of the FX120i is just too painful, it's not going to kill you to go with the lower priced balance by any means. I'm simply suggesting that you consider the opportunity cost as means of helping you make a choice. What you might have to give up (if anything) in order to buy the more expensive balance is possibly the best indicator of whether it is worth it.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
As far as longevity is concerned regarding the GP250, I purchased mine over 7 years ago, maybe 8 years...It’s been a long time anyhow and I have never had any issues with it reading extremely consistently and reliably. Over the years I have had the same check weight and the GP always gives me the correct reading when checked for accuracy.
All the talk about what technology is used in a scale and which one is better than the other is all just white noise to me because I have never had any issues. I have gotten plenty of mileage out of my GP250 and as long as the scale provides me with an excellent level of consistency and accuracy, I really don’t care what it uses internally to get the job done.
All the talk about what technology is used in a scale and which one is better than the other is all just white noise to me because I have never had any issues. I have gotten plenty of mileage out of my GP250 and as long as the scale provides me with an excellent level of consistency and accuracy, I really don’t care what it uses internally to get the job done.
brokeasajoke
Silver $$ Contributor
My gempro was bad to drift an slow to respond especially when trickling but was a good scale. I sold it to fund an fx120i and don't regret it at all.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
It’s like the same debate over chargemaster scales. I got lucky there and have one that throws loads extremely consistent using the correct modifications. Others have had issues.
Many of you here have had great luck with the FX120i, mine drifted and required fairly regular recalibration when it failed on check weights.
Point being that there is always some level of QC risks with electronics, especially with devices as sensitive as the scales we use. But they can all do a very good job as well.
Many of you here have had great luck with the FX120i, mine drifted and required fairly regular recalibration when it failed on check weights.
Point being that there is always some level of QC risks with electronics, especially with devices as sensitive as the scales we use. But they can all do a very good job as well.
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Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
Take a look at my Avatar ! I had many a GP250, The first one was a dream for about two years. Then drift city and stall out. I would send the Battery door back and get another scale. Then the day came No more replacements ?? I went with a AJ-123 from Old Goldwilt . Adam sells this scale on his site ?
These have a 5 year Warranty ! Is it as good as the FX ? no idea .
I will state this , I shoot F/Class Open and T/R . This past Fall I won a Reginal .
I posted a first yesterday on what I shot today.
Load Testing a New Lot of Varget . My First five shots over the the Coney
1 2626
2 2625
3 2625
4 2625
5 2625 = SD 00.00 The Scale or Dome Luck ?
I ran 4 more test loads No SD over 8.38 !
I will state I think my scale is Slow , but at 74 where am I going .
The best of Luck and Shooting to All,
Don Sorry for Bold off switch like a GP250
These have a 5 year Warranty ! Is it as good as the FX ? no idea .
I will state this , I shoot F/Class Open and T/R . This past Fall I won a Reginal .
I posted a first yesterday on what I shot today.
Load Testing a New Lot of Varget . My First five shots over the the Coney
1 2626
2 2625
3 2625
4 2625
5 2625 = SD 00.00 The Scale or Dome Luck ?
I ran 4 more test loads No SD over 8.38 !
I will state I think my scale is Slow , but at 74 where am I going .
The best of Luck and Shooting to All,
Don Sorry for Bold off switch like a GP250
D-4297
Gold $$ Contributor
I've been using my Gem-Pro 250 for about three and a half years now with no , that's ZERO , issues of any kind . Maybe one of the last ones made ? Don't know . It works . It's accurate and consistent . I shoot TR at both MR and LR , and for those who are "hung up " on SD , I usually run between 7 and 8 . Even had a Range session where I got a 4.5 SD . Been trying to figure that out ever since . Someone said the Lab was broke . Think I'd like to have a 120i , but I'm surviving without it .
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