Gempro tips sought

[BaconFat]

BaconFat – Have you done your calibration with the pan off? That may be your problem with drifting.

Yes, but not for every session. I'll go through the calibration steps about every third or fourth load sessions.

Wait a minute, which pan are you talking about? The powder pan or the bigger removable plate the powder pan sits on?

When I do calibrate, it's without the powder pan in place.

Looks like I need to add a few procedures to my loading session setup. Hopefully this will clear up some of the uncertainties

I have and speed up the loading process.

 

[jlow]

I would calibrate the machine in the configuration you are using i.e. if you use a specific pan, calibrate with that pan. Also calibrate using both sensativity and linear methods - I presume you have the 50 gram weight for the linear calibration?

 

[savageshooter86]

interesting. I remove the powder pan(one that came with scale) and calibrate sensitivity calibration. I use the 20g weight. Then I check with my loaded round that I know should be exactly xxx.xxxx grains. If it is off 0.02 gr on my scale I take everything off and do linear calibration and sensitivity and recheck the loaded round. And it is always dead on after that calibration. I do this prior to each session.

If you have it mite as well use it

 

[snakepit]

Not trying to hurt feelings by stating that I am happy with results of my $122 scale vs your $390 scale that both weigh to the 0.02 gr

It is kind of like being at the mall, you can take the stairs or the escalator to the second floor. They will both get you there but the escalator will do it with a lot less effort on your part.

 

[snakepit]

jlow, here is a video which compares a Strain Gauge Scale like a GemPro against a Force Restoration Scale like a FX-120i.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxMzbAt4bj0

 

[jlow]

Snakepit – thanks for the video, I have looked at it and here are some feedback.

First, the demonstrator says he is comparing two scales based on strain gauge vs. Force Restoration Scale technology. This is true but the problem here is he is comparing to balances with a one order of magnitude difference in sensitivity. The HCD123 has a readability of 0.015 grain whereas the GD503 has a readability of 0.0015 grains. So one should not be surprise that the GD503 would respond faster.

This is not the real problem with the video. The real problem is if you come away thinking the GemPro 250 will work like the HCD123, then you will be completely wrong. I would really caution you as to believing this type of marketing video. Having used the GemPro 250 for more than 3 years, I can tell you that if he did exactly the same study with the GemPro 250 side-by-side against the GD503, the GD503 would not come out ahead but more like a scale that can do the same but costing 10x more. In that video, he is shaking quite a bit of salt into the HCD123 and you can see that it is not changing, this will never happen with the GemPro 250 as it will be just as responsive as the GD503. I work with this scale day in and day out and I know the type of response it has and it is no HCD123. If you have used a GemPro 250 as many of the members of this board, you will instantly recognize that he is selling you a bunch of baloney. FWIW, It might have been true 10 years ago but it does not represent the technology in the GemPro 250.

As I have already mentioned, I worked in a scientific lab for more than 30 years and have use analytical scales costing multiple thousands of dollars and I know my scale better than most people on this board and certainly have more experience weighing and I can tell you the GemPro 250 compares well with those machines that I have used in sensativity.

 

[Nomad47]

After reading everything that you guys are going through to use your GemPro 250 in weighing powder makes be realize more than ever that buying a FX-120i was the correct thing to do.

The OP asked for tips on the GemPro. He didn't ask for any info on other scales.

 

[snakepit]

[[/quote] From Nomad47

The OP asked for tips on the GemPro. He didn't ask for any info on other scales.

[/quote)

OK, well here is a tip on the GemPro, do not depend on their customer service. When I tried to contact GemPro multiple times by both telephone and email about problems with my scale I never received one response from them. Originally I just wanted help from them with the operation of the scale. After about a month of trying to contact them I called Customer Service at Old Will Knott Scales where I had purchased the scale. The Knott Customer Service person told me that was a constant complaint from customers, failure to be able to contact GemPro. She said I was past the time frame to return it to Knott and when this happens she advises the customers to return the scale to GemPro for repair, replacement or a refund even without any prior contact from them. I did as she said and after a very long wait I finally received a replacement but by then I was tired of waiting and with no contact from them and so I had already purchased the FX-120i. So for me the GemPro experience has been frustrating in more than one way. I hope they have improved their Customer Service, I just know they will never have me as a customer again even if it was a good scale. I would tell you about how great the operation and customer service has been with the FX120i but as NOMAD has requested I will stick to tips on the GemPro.

 

[stubbicatt]

Thanks again to all who posted helpful hints. jlow I will follow your suggestions on the weighing of the cases. That never occurred to me. Also the dryer sheets... I bought one of those RCBS powder pans that has the little spout or funnel on it, and it is ok, but I don't think it is as easy to use as a traditional powder funnel. I'll try the dryer sheet... you recommend a used one rather than a new one?

I like the scale better than the $25 portable Hornady scale I have been using for some time. I may not like any scales due to the time consuming nature of that form of reloading, come springtime and competition season, as I hope to shoot at least 2 F class tournaments this year, and I still have to find a load, once I get my rifle back from the stock maker. He now says maybe mid December.

Regards,
Stubb

 

[thumper4fun]

I use a used dryer sheet just because a new sheet can be a little too tacky and leave too much residue for my taste. Also the strong scent from a new sheet can be a little overwhelming. As for my pan I use a metal RCBS pan instead of the plastic pan that can with the GemPro. In my experience the constant handling of the plastic pan created a lot more static compared to the metal one.