Tracking Force Gauges

Update:

I just ordered one of these based on the comments here. I will let you know how it measures against my 1/100ths gram Winds after it arrives.

Even if it's not perfect, once the "correct" weight is determined, the user can repeat that perfect setting anytime.

That's the real value of any stylus force gauge, repeatability in very fine increments.

Per comments mentioned above. Agreed, it is proper to measure VTF when the arm height is the same as when the stylus is in the groove.

The Clearaudio Exact gauge does have this coveted ability as the measuring platform is quite thin! As such, placing the the Clearaudio gauge on top of a platter and dialing in exact VTF is a simple task. It is a very functional stylus force gauge.

Well the best one to go for is The Cartridge Man Digital Stylus Force Gauge, accurate to 0.01g and regarded as the best, but it is pricey. However once you have used one you will never use another.

I had the Cartridge Man guage.The problem with it was that it needed to be recharged often.Not a good thing if you suddenly need to check downforce.Also,I was sceptical of the accuracy after about ten minutes of going back and forth to the table.There was, often,a differing readout.Sorry!Maybe mine was out of wack.

As to you,Albert.Though the 95 dollar guage seems to be a really nice unit,I'd be happy to trade you mine,for your Winds. -:)

We have compared this guage to my friend's Winds guage and found a difference of 6/100's difference.Not really a big thing,and who knows for sure which is most accurate.
The nice thing about the 95 dollar guage(btw-Acoustic Sounds sells it for 185 bucks)is that it immediately tares to zero,so checking downforce is really fast.It seems to be quite consistent too.

I do wish it was a little more robust looking though.The Winds looks like a "Mosler Safe",and I like the heavy duty look,and feel.Yet it can be a pain in the tush to "fotz" around with that little zeroing out dial,to achieve that "blinking zero" reading,which must be had for supposed accuracy.
Still,if I already had the Winds I'd never think of another guage again,unless I was the kind of 'phile who had a really complex,tube laden,and (word on the street,from what I've been told)slightly dark sounding system,that lacked a bit of inner detail. -:)Just kidding!!!

Best!

There are times when friends in my group want to borrow a stylus force gauge. The last time I loaned out my WInds, it was gone for a week and a half.

If this $95.00 unit is good, and I have no reason to believe it will not be, it is the gauge I will loan out.

It's also the gauge I will carry, along with my LP's and tools when I go help friends with TT set up.

Here where I live, there is an unlimited supply of clowns that love to stop in the middle of the freeway for no apparent reason. To avoid a collision, that bag of necessary goods is thrown across the vehicle, stopping against whatever is hard enough to break the fall.

The good news? The WInds will be home in the cabinet where it belongs.