Just got my new refractometer in the mail. Are they all like this?

[redspot321]

I decided to go HIGH tech and purchase a $20.00 refrac off of ebay. The problem is that I cant read the dog on thing!
The scale is so small, I cant tell if its 1.023, .024, or .025.

Are they all hard to read?

[redspot321]

The scale is from 1.000 - 1.070

[aquarius77]

Cheaper ones are alot harder to read.

[drummereef]

Be sure to calibrate it according to this standard. ;)

Reef Aquarium Salinity: Homemade Calibration Standards
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.htm

[ttomkat1]

I had a hard time reading mine under artificial lighting. Try reading it standing next to a window in daylight. This made a huge difference for me.

Good luck,

---ttomkat1

[Travis L. Stevens]

If the line is blurry, then you'll need to angle it just right under some brighter lighting. If you are having trouble trying to read the numbers and marks, then adjust the eye piece to focus it. If you STILL can't read it, visit your local optometrist :D And yes, you'll do a lot better if you calibrate it properly like drummerreef linked to.

[jokerjp]

Possibly stupid question....did you focus the eye pieice to make the scale more clear?

[Kayadad]

I use a flashlight and it helped me a ton. Focusing it works well too!

[ambaratur]

Also - this I did not know when I started - mine works best when I point it directly at the light source.

In the beginning I was trying to have the light hit the glass plate at a perpendicular angle. This did not work right and I thought it was broken. Then I happened to hold it and look straight at a light and it was much better.

[Roy G. Biv]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10325920#post10325920 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jokerjp
Possibly stupid question....did you focus the eye pieice to make the scale more clear?

Mine focuses like binoculars do.