The BIGGEST Mistake Counting Scale Buyers Make and How to Avoid It

The BIGGEST mistake digital counting scale buyers make is selecting a scale solely based on a scale's capacity.

Example: Jim & Jane distribute electronic components. They want to count twelve (12) separate inventory bin locations. Each bin location contains 500-1200 units.

Jim and Jane determined that each component's unit weight ranges from 0.5 - 7.0 grams (0.001 - 0.015 pounds). In addition, the "total weight" of each inventory bin for these items ranges from 23-27 kilograms (50-60 pounds).

In order to save time counting their entire inventory, Jim & Jane select a 66lb-30K capacity digital counting scale. Since the heaviest "total weight" of any of their inventory bins was 27K (60lb.), they would only need to weigh/count each inventory item once.

After receiving their scale, they counted their inventory. However, they soon discovered that the inventory count for the lighter items was not 100% accurate. They assumed that their parts counting scale was defective.

Unfortunately, the scale was NOT defective, but rather Jim & Jane selected the wrong counting scale based on their need for an accurate count.

Selecting a digital counting scale solely based on its capacity will generally result in a lower count accuracy. This is because with most digital scales, there is a DIRECT relationship between CAPACITY and ACCURACY.

"The higher the capacity - the lower the accuracy"

OR

"The higher the accuracy - the lower the capacity"

Example: A 60 pound capacity scale might be accurate to 1/100 ounce, but a 6 pound scale will be accurate to 1/1000 ounce. As you can see, the 60 pound scale has 10 TIMES the capacity of the 6 pounds scale. However, the 6 pound scale is 10 TIMES more accurate.

Of course there are a few exceptions to this rule. However, you will usually pay a substantially higher price to obtain a scale that offers both "high capacity and high accuracy".

Please note that if you are going to weigh a variety of items with different unit weights and you decide to select a counting scale based more on capacity than accuracy, then you must understand that your accuracy will be lower on the lighter items.

This is why - if possible - we highly recommend you select a counting scale based on its accuracy. The scale's accuracy should be based on the "average unit weight" of your item(s).

If you are unsure of the uniformity of each item's unit weight - then you should perform a sample test. Checking an item's unit weight for uniformity is very important to ensure the highest accuracy count possible.

To perform a sample test, simply select a random number (at least 5+) of units, weigh each unit, and record the exact weight of each sample unit. Be sure to check the unit weight of each sample by using a highly accurate digital scale - such as a 0.1 gram scale.

If you discover that the weight of each unit varies slightly, then you must determine the AVERAGE unit weight (i.e. the total weight of all items divided by the number of units weighed).

Based on your sample test results per unit, you should purchase a scale with a "minimum accuracy" that is equal to or greater than the AVERAGE unit weight of one (1) item. This will ensure you will achieve the highest counting accuracy.

Example: If your test sample was 10 widgets - which weighed between 0.9g to 1.1g and the average overall weight was 1.0g - then you would purchase a scale with a minimum accuracy of one (1) gram.

Please note that you will never achieve a 100% perfect count if your item's unit weight varies slightly from unit to unit. However, since using a counting scale will save you a substantial amount of time versus hand counting, a negligible counting error is generally acceptable.

In addition, depending on a counting scale's features such as the number of preset counting keys, AC/DC power options, accuracy, capacity, etc., you may also discover a wider range of prices.

Although certain features may offer some unique benefits, selecting the correct scale that will provide you with an accurate count should be your top priority!

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