Vee gee stx-3

[HBoojie]

How accurate is the veegee stx-3? I just purchased one for 115$ shipped and was wondering if a made the wrong choice? I read on a forum on here for a good refractometer, and the Vee Gee cam up more than any other as their go to.

 

[ksed]

How accurate is the veegee stx-3? I just purchased one for 115$ shipped and was wondering if a made the wrong choice? I read on a forum on here for a good refractometer, and the Vee Gee cam up more than any other as their go to.

One of the best and most accurate refractometer.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

They are horrible I will give you 15 dollars shipped for it, but like ksed stated that they are one of the best if not the best out there, Congrats on buying a keeper. If not my offer still stands.

 

[jdiefenbaugh]

As noted, they are probably the best refract

 

[ScottB]

I own two of them. I've had to calibrate my first VeeGee twice -- in 6 years! My second was on point out of the box. An excellent piece of equipment.

My only issue is that the hinge pin gets balky after about 4-5 years.

Don't forget though: unlike many refractometers, you calibrate it with RODI and NOT calibration fluid.

 

[HBoojie]

They are horrible I will give you 15 dollars shipped for it, but like ksed stated that they are one of the best if not the best out there, Congrats on buying a keeper. If not my offer still stands.

Lol preciate it I may just keep it

 

[HBoojie]

I own two of them. I've had to calibrate my first VeeGee twice -- in 6 years! My second was on point out of the box. An excellent piece of equipment.

My only issue is that the hinge pin gets balky after about 4-5 years.

Don't forget though: unlike many refractometers, you calibrate it with RODI and NOT calibration fluid.

Is there any video on how to properly calibrate? If you wouldn’t have said anything I would’ve used the fluid and not rodi

 

[ScottB]

Is there any video on how to properly calibrate? If you wouldn’t have said anything I would’ve used the fluid and not rodi

Double check the instructions but I am certain it read to use RODI. Nothing to calibrating really. Rinse/wipe the viewing plate, put a drop of RODI on it and close. Make sure no bubble. Point at a light source. It will likely read 0 right out of the box. If not, it comes with a little screwdriver you use to loosen the set screw. Twist the head frame relative to the green handle part one way or the other to get it resting on 1.0 / 0. (It is machined for a fairly tight fit, FYI.) Tighten set screw.

 

[HBoojie]

Double check the instructions but I am certain it read to use RODI. Nothing to calibrating really. Rinse/wipe the viewing plate, put a drop of RODI on it and close. Make sure no bubble. Point at a light source. It will likely read 0 right out of the box. If not, it comes with a little screwdriver you use to loosen the set screw. Twist the head frame relative to the green handle part one way or the other to get it resting on 1.0 / 0. (It is machine for a fairly tight fit, FYI.) Tighten set screw.

Thank you!

 

[Reef.]

My refractometer said to use rodi, only when I started to use salt water did I get a correct reading.

If using a calibration fluid just be aware they can be off, better to make Randy's diy solution, do a search on here for it.

 

[dadnjesse]

Don't forget though: unlike many refractometers, you calibrate it with RODI and NOT calibration fluid.

I never knew that, you are correct I just checked their Website. Been calibrating mine for years using calibration fluid

 

[Pistondog]

Vee gee the best.
Only issue I've had is when tightening the set screw after rodi calibrate, the reading changes slightly, so loosen, cheat the ring, and retighten.

 

[HBoojie]

Vee gee the best.
Only issue I've had is when tightening the set screw after rodi calibrate, the reading changes slightly, so loosen, cheat the ring, and retighten.

I’ve heard this and the adjustment ring where a little tricky, but I can work with that, all I need is accuracy!

 

[Timich]

I own two of them. I've had to calibrate my first VeeGee twice -- in 6 years! My second was on point out of the box. An excellent piece of equipment.

My only issue is that the hinge pin gets balky after about 4-5 years.

Don't forget though: unlike many refractometers, you calibrate it with RODI and NOT calibration fluid.

Really? I've been calibrating with rodi only but never knew calibration fluid wasn't aloud for it. Wasn't planning on anyways just interesting

 

[ScottB]

Really? I've been calibrating with rodi only but never knew calibration fluid wasn't aloud for it. Wasn't planning on anyways just interesting

Yup. I once tried using calibration fluid and it was off. Reread the instructions and tested with RODI and all was fine.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0050/6907/8621/files/VEE_GEE_Model_STX-3_Manual.pdf?v=1583444019

 

[codenfx]

I'm glad this thread existed. I had not calibrated in a long time and decided to check the calibration, it was off slightly so I used RODI and yep it was off. I've adjusted it to 0 then decided to try with the calibration fluid and the reading was way off. I was confused which one is correct. Back to RODI only.

 

[Reef.]

I'm glad this thread existed. I had not calibrated in a long time and decided to check the calibration, it was off slightly so I used RODI and yep it was off. I've adjusted it to 0 then decided to try with the calibration fluid and the reading was way off. I was confused which one is correct. Back to RODI only.

You wouldn’t calibrate a car at zero, best to calibrate to the figure nearest to what you are aiming for.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Cal fluid. Rodi. Sw. Nobody knows! Lol
D

 

[trmiv]

Yup. I once tried using calibration fluid and it was off. Reread the instructions and tested with RODI and all was fine.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0050/6907/8621/files/VEE_GEE_Model_STX-3_Manual.pdf?v=1583444019

Curious if you calibrate yours at 68 degrees? I just got an open box STX-3 from an Amazon warehouse deal. I went to calibrate it and noticed it said the calibration must be done in a controlled environment at 68 degrees. It’s pretty much an impossibility for me most of the year in Florida to get my house to 68 degrees. Currently the house is 76, so I’m wondering how much that messes with the calibration.

 

[ScottB]

I must have missed that part. No just room temp RODI roughly 72.