Deepwater Aquatics ATC Refractometer for Reading Salinity

This is my first refractometer, so I can't compare it to other options. However, it seems reasonable and usable for its low price. I gave it three stars because the instructions come only in a language which I think is Chinese. Of course, it isn't a difficult or unique device to operate, but I'm missing out on any warranty or maintenance information, and I could be using it subtly incorrectly.EDIT: I I should add that, after buying calibration solution, I found that this was shipped with a calibration 3.0-3.5 fractions too high. That is, water that was actually 1.024 would read as 1.027 or higher. If you're going to buy this, you *must* get calibration solution with it. It seems unnecessary and unfortunate to me that they didn't calibrate it during manufacture.

Perfect for the home aquarium. I love manual refractometers vs any other tools sold for testing salinity. These are easy to use, cost effective and you have the ability to recalibrate when necessary. Cheaper devices sold usually get bunked up with salt and give false readings after a few uses. Digital testers are too expensive for my taste as I only have 1 saltwater tank. This is a quality product that will give you years of dependable service. Just make sure to follow the directions and allow the test sample's temp to meet that of the refractometers. I have seen these go for high dollar at both chain pet stores and my LFS and they look to be of the same quality so save yourself some money and buy on Amazon

Not sure about this product. Came calibrated to zero. I thought. Seems well made. Good balance. But I always seem to get a 1.027 to 1.028 reading on saltwater. I have now changed as much as a 3rd of the water with RO/DI and still reads about the same. All three aquariums. Meanwhile my plastic Instant Ocean Hydro resters are dropping like a rock. I live in nowhere land with no LFS to go to to compare. So I bought distilled water to calibrate. Couldn't. Will calibrate up but screw all way in it shows 0 (zero). Can't go below. Came screwed all way in at zero and will stay there I guess. May be working but confidence is low. Afraid to use it.

Is a decent, well made tool and reads with clarity. How accurate, not sure but good enough for my aquarium. Only shortcoming is lack of room to leave the eye piece to where I had to screw it for my eyesight. It won't fit the box unless i screw it back all the way in. Always something to spoil your fun.

It is simple to use and should give a good reading. However, it is very tedious to use. Looking directly at a light bulb, it still seems like there is not enough light getting through. It is hard to line up the instrument with the light to get a clear image, because if it is just a fraction off center, the image is blurry. The focus ring is stiff, and turning it moves the instrument and the image blurs (however, you should not have to refocus after initial set up). The good part is that it is small and inexpensive, and once you get a reading, it agreed with the reading from my local aquarium company.However, I think I am going to pay the extra bucks and get a Milwaukee Digital Refractometer. Nothing is too good for my reef tank.

WARNING FOR HOMEBREWERS: Do NOT buy this refractometer! You need a brix refractometer which can be used to convert to specific gravity. This refractometer supposedly measures specific gravity (labelled d "20 over 20" in the viewport), but if you try to measure the specific gravity of wort, even for relatively small beers, it will be off the charts and, therefore, cannot be be converted or useful in any way. Learn from my mistake :) Cheers!

It's a good refractometer but it came WAY out of wack. It read 1.034 or something by default, it was really really miscalibrated. You'd be a fool to buy one of these and not get some calibration solution on the side to double check it.

I prefer a hydrometer but this is a great refractometer good value for the money accurate reading I've only used it a few times but it is always been accurate