DI failed me! I owned an apx-153 for 4 years, last week it started drifting all over the place. Many hrs of frustration with the tecs availed nothing but a broken scale. DI no longer services or even has parts for a scale that cost over $500 just 4 years ago. They tried to sell me a mxx-123. I purchased a GD-503 from Satorius. Hopefully this one will last more then 4 years.
MXX-123 Test Results Page
- Thread starter Forum Boss
- Start date
I bought an AccuLab Vic-123 a few weeks ago. Love it. I also have an RCBS Chargemaster Combo. The acculab is much more precise IMHO. The tech on the phone told me to level it, turn it on and LEAVE IT ON. He also told me to dampen a paper towel with Windex and wipe down the glass ring, the pan, the hinged top cover and the total outside of the unit (when i did this the unit absolutely stopped drifting), and to watch for drafts. Another tech call me the next day to follow up and advised me to calibrate at least once a day and re-zero the balance before EACH weight. She said the Vic 123 is made to place an object on, get the weight and take it right back off. I am very happy with it.
jtm said:
I really agree with this. I don't leave mine on all the time, but I do leave it plugged in all the time. When I first got it, I was sure I was going to have to send it back. It just seemed to keep climbing and climbing. Zero, climb, zero, climb. After about 1/2 hour, it really settled down. After that, I would turn it on and calibrate it after about 10 minutes warm-up and it was fine. Then, I made the mistake of unplugging it in order to plug in something else. It was unplugged for about a day. When I plugged it back in, it was about the same as when I first received it and again, I had to let it go for over 30 minutes before it calmed back down to usefulness.
But I must say, when it's right, it's right and you can feel it. By right, I mean...
I zero the scale and it stays zero.
I do a rough throw, generally below the desired weight.
I flick Varget granules one at at time and watch it climb by .02 grains for each granule.
When I hit my exact mark I dump and then reweigh to check zero.
Gives you tons of confidence.
My MXX123 remains trouble free. As stated before my reloading room is below ground level, temperature and humidity controlled and it has all flourescent lighting. The unit sits on a VERY HEAVY bench with absolutely no movement on a concrete floor. The unit sits on top of a granite surface plate which is dead level with power running thru a line conditioner.
Before a loading session I power the unit up for about an hour, check the level, and use a test weight just to make sure everything is ok. I used to check a couple of charges with my RCBS 1010 but don't bother anymore since the MXX 123 goes to the hundreths compared to the RCBS tenth's. If it occasionly drifts I just hit zero and it's back where it should be no problem. Being accurate down to the second decimal point is good enough for any reloading need I might have so I'm happy. I weigh every charge since I just can't seem to throw Varget to any consistancy with my Harrells Premium BR measure. After all these years and I still can't throw charges worth a damn. LOL!
I'm happy with my MXX123 and would buy another without hesitation.
Danny
Before a loading session I power the unit up for about an hour, check the level, and use a test weight just to make sure everything is ok. I used to check a couple of charges with my RCBS 1010 but don't bother anymore since the MXX 123 goes to the hundreths compared to the RCBS tenth's. If it occasionly drifts I just hit zero and it's back where it should be no problem. Being accurate down to the second decimal point is good enough for any reloading need I might have so I'm happy. I weigh every charge since I just can't seem to throw Varget to any consistancy with my Harrells Premium BR measure. After all these years and I still can't throw charges worth a damn. LOL!
I'm happy with my MXX123 and would buy another without hesitation.
Danny
My experiences with a DI MXX123 mirror those of Danny's & others here who've reported positively on it. I leave mine plugged in to a UPS, but turn it on only when I'm ready to start loading. Sometimes it gets 20-30min. to warm up, sometimes I start using it within a couple of minutes after turning it on. Doesn't seem to make any difference as far as drifting goes. The one thing that has consistently caused drifting is using canned air to clear powder off the unit after a spill when I get tired & clumsy when loading late in the evening - especially if I remove the platen to blow powder kernals out from under it.
One thing's for sure - I'd sure hate to have to go back to the Lyman 1200 DPS that I was using before the MXX123 purchase.
One thing's for sure - I'd sure hate to have to go back to the Lyman 1200 DPS that I was using before the MXX123 purchase.
According to this vendor, the VIC-123 (and presumably the MXX-123) will be hard to get for a while (20 week lead time 
)... does anyone have any recommended alternatives?
)... does anyone have any recommended alternatives?I gave up on mine a couple of years ago. It drifted when powder was being weighed even after being turned on for days. Money down a hole.
Just my two cents. I made a solid base for mine out of a wooden plaque base I bought at a craft store, mounted securely to my solid workbench.
Also, I NEVER unplug the unit. It's not on all the time, but it is plugged in with power going to it all the time (you can see the little electrical plug on the display).
I let it warm up for at least 10 min before calibarating.
I calibrate every time I use it.
It works well.
Also, I NEVER unplug the unit. It's not on all the time, but it is plugged in with power going to it all the time (you can see the little electrical plug on the display).
I let it warm up for at least 10 min before calibarating.
I calibrate every time I use it.
It works well.
steve_podleski said:
This is a real shame. I've spent several minutes on the phone with the D. I. tech support people. If you could give them a clear indication that your unit was not acting correctly, they would have gladly replaced it. It's clear from almost all the other posts here that the unit is a good one... especially for the money.
I just wanted to report that my MXX-123 has turned out to be pretty much junk. I started getting underload errors on startup and now I have to place about 180 grains of weight on the scale to get it to boot up. I called Denver Instruments to try and get it fixed and they said, "Too bad, out of warranty, we'll sell you a newer version for $475.00"
Obviously I won't be buying anymore Denver Instrument scales and have instructed our labs to do the same.
Obviously I won't be buying anymore Denver Instrument scales and have instructed our labs to do the same.
My MXX-123 unit is now over 5 years old and still works very well. I have placed two line filters on the power supply, leave the power supply plugged in all the time, and installed the unit in a draft free container. The whole thing sits on a granite plate so movement is non-existant.
When getting ready to load ammo for a match, I will power the unit up in the AM when I go to work. It won't get turned off until I am finished weighing powder for the match.
Also, I calibrate it before each weighing session.
With all this done, it works very well.
I use the scale in conjunction with an Omega trickler. This is the best set-up I have found as the scale reads very accurately when small amounts of powder are added. It doesn't react well to reductions in powder wts.
If money were not an object the Promethues would be my first choice, second would be the Satouius.
Bob
When getting ready to load ammo for a match, I will power the unit up in the AM when I go to work. It won't get turned off until I am finished weighing powder for the match.
Also, I calibrate it before each weighing session.
With all this done, it works very well.
I use the scale in conjunction with an Omega trickler. This is the best set-up I have found as the scale reads very accurately when small amounts of powder are added. It doesn't react well to reductions in powder wts.
If money were not an object the Promethues would be my first choice, second would be the Satouius.
Bob
What timing......
My Acculab 123 went TU this past weekend. I was loading 9mm on my Dillon, and went to do my usual periodic check, and the scale was displaying oL. It wouldn't zero, calibrate, or do anything.
So, first thing this AM I called Satorious, and was told oL stands for over load, it's history, and can't be fixed.
I told him it should have a S in front of the oL display.......
_____________________________________________________________
Now the good news......
I called up Sinclair to ask about a replacement, and was told they would replace it at NO CHARGE, as I bought it from them originally, and it falls under their 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. I just need to box up the old unit and send it in on my dime, the will send out a new one on theirs.
A huge "Atta Boy" to the folks at Sinclair.
Something to think about when you start price shopping in the future.
My Acculab 123 went TU this past weekend. I was loading 9mm on my Dillon, and went to do my usual periodic check, and the scale was displaying oL. It wouldn't zero, calibrate, or do anything.
So, first thing this AM I called Satorious, and was told oL stands for over load, it's history, and can't be fixed.
I told him it should have a S in front of the oL display.......
_____________________________________________________________
Now the good news......
I called up Sinclair to ask about a replacement, and was told they would replace it at NO CHARGE, as I bought it from them originally, and it falls under their 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. I just need to box up the old unit and send it in on my dime, the will send out a new one on theirs.
A huge "Atta Boy" to the folks at Sinclair.
Something to think about when you start price shopping in the future.
I've had an MMX-123 for three years now & love it.
Used a 5-0-5 at first, then a Dillon electronic (awful), then a mk 1 DPS-1200 (not too bad but SLOW).
The Denver is plugged into a small UPS, has line filters on the low voltage line from the power supply, NEVER gets turned off. I calibrate before each loading session. I bought an Omega trickler early this year & recommend them highly.
For those having drift issues with Denver products (mine does once in awhile, usually about dinner time so I think it's line load from my power company) please read this:
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2012/04/good-stuff-anti-static-spray.html?m=1
If you think it may help, give it a try & then post your results here. It helped with mine & just might with yours too.
Used a 5-0-5 at first, then a Dillon electronic (awful), then a mk 1 DPS-1200 (not too bad but SLOW).
The Denver is plugged into a small UPS, has line filters on the low voltage line from the power supply, NEVER gets turned off. I calibrate before each loading session. I bought an Omega trickler early this year & recommend them highly.
For those having drift issues with Denver products (mine does once in awhile, usually about dinner time so I think it's line load from my power company) please read this:
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2012/04/good-stuff-anti-static-spray.html?m=1
If you think it may help, give it a try & then post your results here. It helped with mine & just might with yours too.
alf said:
oL signal refer to weight on the scale or overload voltage for the incoming power supply?
Seems like the latter would be a customer service issue if a P/S fails, sending high voltage on to a scale? Those are pretty cheap, commodity-type items.
I've tried to weigh stuff on my Denver that's turned out to be beyond its range & it still works fine. I guess I'll be more careful going forward....
Put me in the MyWeigh GemPro 250 column. I have a D.I. MXX-123 ($300+). I recently purchased a MyWeigh GemPro 250 ($160).
I've now done extensive testing with both and if I had to give up one of them, it would be the D.I. MXX-123.
They're both accurate to .02 grains and both, in all my tests, measure EXACTLY the same whether it's weight sorting cases, bullets or powder. So why would I go with the GemPro?
1) Cost obviously (half what the AccuLab/Sartorius/Denver Instruments 123 costs)
2) Consistency
3) Workbench footprint (about half the width and length of the MXX-123)
4) Lifetime warranty
When I'm loading 100 rounds using the D.I., invariably, there will be 5 or 6 times that it does not go back to 0 after a dump. Usually this is small, fluctuating between .02-04, but sometimes as high as .08-.10. This results in a re-zero and do over on the last case. Doing 100 rounds is tedious enough without having a lot of do overs. With the GemPro, I've loaded 100 cases on two occasions and 50 cases on another. In those 250 rounds, I only had to re-zero on two occasions. In both those occasions, it settled on .02 rather than .00.
The other downside to the MXX-123 is how long it takes to stablize if it's ever completely unplugged. If you have one you've undoubtedly experienced this. You plug it in, turn it on and over about 30-45 minutes it will climb from its initial reading by up to 3 or 4 grains (not .00 grains or .0 grains but full grains). If you leave it plugged in, though turned off, the warm up time is significantly less, but still not zero. I turn my GemPro on and let it stand for 30 minutes, but this is just for my piece of mind. I don't think 30 minutes is actually required... maybe more like 5.
The only downside to the GemPro (which I've turned into a positive) is that it's re-calculation rate seems slower than the D.I. Say your initial dump is 43.00 grains and your target is 44.00 grains. If you trickle 5 kernels of Varget, it can be a couple of seconds before the digital readout reacts. What I do now is take my initial reading, trickle what I think I need to get to my target, then pick up the pan, shake it to even out the powder distribution and set it back on the GemPro. When I do this, the little "gr" flashes for a second then is steady. This usually gets me to within a kernel either way. I make that final add/subtract and dump... with confidence.
So, there's my input on the MXX-123 forum topic. Take it for what it's worth.
I've now done extensive testing with both and if I had to give up one of them, it would be the D.I. MXX-123.
They're both accurate to .02 grains and both, in all my tests, measure EXACTLY the same whether it's weight sorting cases, bullets or powder. So why would I go with the GemPro?
1) Cost obviously (half what the AccuLab/Sartorius/Denver Instruments 123 costs)
2) Consistency
3) Workbench footprint (about half the width and length of the MXX-123)
4) Lifetime warranty
When I'm loading 100 rounds using the D.I., invariably, there will be 5 or 6 times that it does not go back to 0 after a dump. Usually this is small, fluctuating between .02-04, but sometimes as high as .08-.10. This results in a re-zero and do over on the last case. Doing 100 rounds is tedious enough without having a lot of do overs. With the GemPro, I've loaded 100 cases on two occasions and 50 cases on another. In those 250 rounds, I only had to re-zero on two occasions. In both those occasions, it settled on .02 rather than .00.
The other downside to the MXX-123 is how long it takes to stablize if it's ever completely unplugged. If you have one you've undoubtedly experienced this. You plug it in, turn it on and over about 30-45 minutes it will climb from its initial reading by up to 3 or 4 grains (not .00 grains or .0 grains but full grains). If you leave it plugged in, though turned off, the warm up time is significantly less, but still not zero. I turn my GemPro on and let it stand for 30 minutes, but this is just for my piece of mind. I don't think 30 minutes is actually required... maybe more like 5.
The only downside to the GemPro (which I've turned into a positive) is that it's re-calculation rate seems slower than the D.I. Say your initial dump is 43.00 grains and your target is 44.00 grains. If you trickle 5 kernels of Varget, it can be a couple of seconds before the digital readout reacts. What I do now is take my initial reading, trickle what I think I need to get to my target, then pick up the pan, shake it to even out the powder distribution and set it back on the GemPro. When I do this, the little "gr" flashes for a second then is steady. This usually gets me to within a kernel either way. I make that final add/subtract and dump... with confidence.
So, there's my input on the MXX-123 forum topic. Take it for what it's worth.
snakepit said:
Hmmm... going to their website:
http://www.denverinstrumentusa.com/balances/MAXX_reload.php
- I note they mention the end of some kind of 'promotional period' but have a link to Sinclair International's page on the same scale but under the Acculab logo.
I'd look on eBay before buying new at Sinclair's price....
Very interesting. I would almost buy one, except:
PLEASE NOTE: As of 2013, MAXX Balances have been discontinued by Denver Instrument Brand. All information displayed herein is for archival and support purposes only.
I wonder if they are releasing a new version?
-Mac
PLEASE NOTE: As of 2013, MAXX Balances have been discontinued by Denver Instrument Brand. All information displayed herein is for archival and support purposes only.
I wonder if they are releasing a new version?
-Mac
[
My Acculab 123 went TU this past weekend. I was loading 9mm on my Dillon, and went to do my usual periodic check, and the scale was displaying oL. It wouldn't zero, calibrate, or do anything.
So, first thing this AM I called Satorious, and was told oL stands for over load, it's history, and can't be fixed.
I told him it should have a S in front of the oL display.......
_____________________________________________________________
Now the good news......
I called up Sinclair to ask about a replacement, and was told they would replace it at NO CHARGE, as I bought it from them originally, and it falls under their 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. I just need to box up the old unit and send it in on my dime, the will send out a new one on theirs.
A huge "Atta Boy" to the folks at Sinclair.
Something to think about when you start price shopping in the future.
[/quote]
This is one reason I like to buy from Sinclair, their product support. For the person who said he would buy it on ebay cheaper than Sinclair, I hope you consider this.
My Acculab 123 went TU this past weekend. I was loading 9mm on my Dillon, and went to do my usual periodic check, and the scale was displaying oL. It wouldn't zero, calibrate, or do anything.
So, first thing this AM I called Satorious, and was told oL stands for over load, it's history, and can't be fixed.
I told him it should have a S in front of the oL display.......
_____________________________________________________________
Now the good news......
I called up Sinclair to ask about a replacement, and was told they would replace it at NO CHARGE, as I bought it from them originally, and it falls under their 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. I just need to box up the old unit and send it in on my dime, the will send out a new one on theirs.
A huge "Atta Boy" to the folks at Sinclair.
Something to think about when you start price shopping in the future.
[/quote]
This is one reason I like to buy from Sinclair, their product support. For the person who said he would buy it on ebay cheaper than Sinclair, I hope you consider this.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.