Comparison Test: Digital Scales

Digital means more precision from a small unit. A few years back the availability of digital scales was limited—but in today’s market it’s seemingly overflowing with them (if any models aren’t featured here, it’s because the manufacturer either didn’t want to take part or didn’t send them in on time). But just how precise is this relatively new band of weighing device? 

To prove each scale’s accuracy, and to remove any element of human error, we ordered a 10kg calibrated cast iron weight from Norfolk Calibration Services—the very company who tested and certified the digital scales of current British record holder, Dean Fletcher.

Each of the scales was hung and zeroed on a Nash Weighing Tripod, and then tested three times to see if there was any variation in the results achieved. There’s no human element in this test—just pure scientific fact. Here’s how each of the scales got on… 

Reuben Heaton 7000 Digital Scales 

OVERVIEW: Electric car: Tesla. Vacuum cleaner: Dyson. Fishing scales: Reuben. They are your go-to brand for reliability and heritage. In fact, these were the very model of scales that weighed Dean Fletcher’s 2016 British record—and were 100% bang on when they were tested at Weights and Measures. 

EASE OF USE: About as user-friendly as it gets. A simple On/Zero button (which you hold for 3 seconds to turn off) tares the scales and then you can either ‘Save’ or ‘Clear’. Hit the former and you can record up to 50 weights. 

RANGE: There are the three models available in the range: 33lb x 0.25oz; 66lb x 1oz; and 132lb x 1oz. 

POWERED BY: 1 x PP3 9v battery (the square ones), which isn’t supplied.

PRICE: £70.06 and £90.06.

WEIGHT READING: 10kg - BANG ON! 

Korda Digital Scales

OVERVIEW: These are pretty much identical to the Reuben’s featured—and that’s because they’ve been designed and manufactured in conjunction with them. You get the same bulletproof reliability and functionality as the 7000s, but with added Korda fluorescent green on the buttons and backlit. 

EASE OF USE: Very little we can say differently here, as they’re exactly the same as the Reubens. The large LCD display (blue for the Reuben and of course, fluoro green for Korda!) makes reading weights etc. nice and easy. 

RANGE: Just one model in the range and that’s 132lb (60kg) which go up in 1oz (25g) divisions.  

POWERED BY: 1 x PP3 9v battery (the square ones), which isn’t supplied.

PRICE: £89.99.

WEIGHT READING: 10kg - BANG ON!

Korum Digital Scales 

OVERVIEW: A lot of scale for a very competitive price tag. They come supplied with a neoprene pouch and a foldaway weighing hook so they are compact. The soft-touch buttons are simple and clear to operate. Along with a ‘zero’ function, you can also read the air temperature in fahrenheit or celsius!

EASE OF USE: Very easy. On/Off button in the middle of the scales and then you simply push the ‘Reset/Zero’ button once you’ve attached your sling. Switching between pounds and kilos is extremely easy too.

RANGE: 85lb in 1oz divisions. You can also switch and weigh in kilos if you so wish.

POWERED BY: 1 x PP3 9v battery (the square ones), which is supplied.

PRICE: £35.99. 

WEIGHT READING: 9.93kg

Wychwood T-Bar Dual Sided Scales 

OVERVIEW: Unlike the other scales on test, these feature a proper set of arms (‘True Grip’ Wychwood calls them) to help achieve a better reading. The ‘Dual Screen’ model allows you to see the weight reading regardless of what way round you’re holding the scales. A ‘Memory’ function and in-built night display are neat extras.

EASE OF USE: Operating—like all of the models featured—is done from three push buttons. ‘On/Off’ is enabled by pushing the ‘Power’ button for 2 (On) or 3 (Off) seconds, and you zero the scales by pushing the same button. 

RANGE: There are two models available: 60lb (27kg) and 120lb (54kg).

POWERED BY: Supplied with 2 x AAA batteries.

PRICE: £34.99.

WEIGHT READING: 10kg - BANG ON! 

Avid Digital Scales 

OVERVIEW: These certainly feel hardwearing. The built-in fold-out arms are made from super strong stainless steel, but should you prefer to use a weighing tripod, there’s an inbuilt loop. The backlit screen is protected so you won’t get any water ingress, and there’s a simple ‘zero’ button. These also come supplied with a tough neoprene case which is a nice addition and protects the scales very well. 

EASE OF USE: Toggling between pounds and kilos is easy—just one push of a button. Taring is equally as simple, with its own function button. 

RANGE: Capable of weighing fish up to 132lb (60kg) in 1oz increments. 

POWERED BY: 1 x PP3 9v battery (the square ones), which isn’t supplied.

PRICE: £79.99.

WEIGHT READING: 10.1kg

Prologic Avenger Digital Scales

OVERVIEW: Similar in design to the Avid Digital Scales, with the fold-out arms and top hook, but not quite as compact and these don’t come supplied with a neoprene case. The power-saving feature that automatically turns off after 60 seconds of inactivity and battery life indicator are neat features.  

EASE OF USE: Three buttons to carry out three processes: On/Off; Tare (to zero your sling); and ‘Unit’, which allows you to switch between pounds and kilos. Just like the Avid scales, very simple to operate.  

RANGE: These can weigh fish of up to 110lb (50kg) in increments of 10g (0.35oz).

POWERED BY: Operated on two AAA batteries (which aren’t supplied).

PRICE: £39.99.

WEIGHT READING: 10.08kg 

CJT Digital Scales

OVERVIEW: These are both the smallest and cheapest digital scales on test and are sold through The Tackle Box in Kent. Whilst compact and extremely lightweight, they still come with plenty of decent features, such as the auto turn-off facility, a ‘Hold’ feature and are backlit for easy reading at night. 

EASE OF USE: These scales follow exactly the same layout as the Prologics. The only issue we had with these was the taring, which happened just once: it kept starting at 0.20kg. And then it did go to zero for seemingly no reason!

RANGE: Choose between pounds or kilos, and they weigh up to 88lb (0.1lb increments) or 40kg (10g increments).

POWERED BY: Operated on two AAA batteries (which are supplied).

PRICE: £19.99.

WEIGHT READING: 10.02kg

Overall thoughts? That all digital scales are pretty much bang on! Even the cheapest and most compact model in the test—the CJT Digital Scales which The Tackle Box sells—were within 0.02kg of a kilo! It would seem the margin of inaccuracy is extremely small, so the only conclusion you can draw from this comparison test is that you could buy any of the models featured and be 99.9% confident that what the scales say the weight is, the weight is just that. It’s also worth noting that during each of the three weigh-ins, all the scales showed the same weight each time.

It then really comes down to what your budget is and how brand loyal you are, as most of the scales carry the same features. The cheaper models don’t have the ‘Memory’ feature, so if that’s something that is important to you, then the Reubens, Kordas, and Wychwoods with their 100% accuracy reading could be a good choice. However, do remember that those first two models are the most expensive on test.

Whichever takes your fancy, one thing’s for sure: the accuracy of digital scales can’t be questioned.