Triple Beam vs Digital Scale??

[LuckyDuck103]

Pros & cons? I'm leaning towards a triple beam but can't quite articulate why. We'll be using this for bio, chem & physics. I think part of my concern with digital scale is fragility. Digital scales are cheaper & easier to use so you'd think that's what I'd want to get. Am I just too old to embrace modern conveniences other than the internet?

[Ailaena]

I have always found triple beams to need less maintenance in the long run. Of course, they are not so great for serious chemical analysis.

 

However, for high school purposes, there should not be a bit difference between digital or 3b. You could probably use baggies and a handheld gram scale. My personal preference is for the triple beam because it's just... Cooler:D

[Teachin'Mine]

I love the triple beam balances! Actually, I think that using them gives a more concrete idea of what the weight measurements actually mean. I'm not sure how to say what I mean, but you can feel and see the weights and you can see how much you need to move them to balance out what you're weighing. To me it's like seeing the time pass on an analog clock vs seeing the time pass on a digital. They both give the time and show that it's later, but it's easier to understand how long it has taken for that time to pass with an analog.

 

Or maybe I just like them for the nostalgia of weighing my rat each day in 7th grade. :lol:

[Susan C.]

We decided on the smaller digital, it was about $50. Then you can do the smaller measurements in chemistry, and use it for physics (you have to keep things lighter, though, for the smaller scale).

[Ailaena]

Thinking of chemistry... For measurements of 0.01g you could even get a 4-Beam! They run @$100 or so, though :(

[Julie of KY]

I get the $50 digital balance from Home Science Tools.

I agree with the nostalgia factor of a triple beam balance, but if you are weighing multiple things, then the digital balance is worlds faster. I love mine and they have held up through the abuse of many chemistry students since I teach chem lab at my home.

[Cinder]

I get the $50 digital balance from Home Science Tools.

I agree with the nostalgia factor of a triple beam balance, but if you are weighing multiple things, then the digital balance is worlds faster. I love mine and they have held up through the abuse of many chemistry students since I teach chem lab at my home.

 

This is the one I got, too. I really wanted the triple-beam for the cool factor and the nostalgia, but I think the digital is just more practical for us.

 

Cinder

[Mom22ns]

Has anyone tried the digital pocket scale from Nature's Workshop? http://www.workshopplus.com/productcart/pc/showsearchresults.asp?idcategory=134&customfield=0&SearchValues=&priceFrom=0&priceUntil=999999999&withstock=&sku=&IDBrand=0&keyWord=digital+pocket+scale&exact=&resultCnt=10&order=&iPageCurrent=1&pageStyle=H

It is only $28.50 and I have been sorely tempted. I need to make a choice this week as I order my lab supplies for the year.

[Julie of KY]

I don't know about the scale from Nature Workshop, but some things I like about my HST balances are that the weighing pan is bigger than many cheaper balances and the cover opens all the way. A bigger weighing surface is easier to weigh chemicals without them falling off and having the cover open flat makes it easy to weigh large items that hang off the balance.

[LuckyDuck103]

This was a really tough choice for me. Yes, triple beam has a cool factor (that's the word I was looking for) but may not be as practical. Thanks the POVs.

 

Now I'm done with general equipment (for now, anyway). Next is safety equipment - fire extinguisher, first aid kit etc