The scales question

spasypaddy

I have some timemore blackmirror scales which are fine

However, I’m in lockdown and i keep wanting to buy unnecessary stuff to make myself feel like stuff is happening. So I keep eying up scales with flow rate and bluetooth etc so that i can get more accurate and consistent results.

Is flow rate on a scale nonsense?
Does anyone have the felicita arc scale with bluetooth? Can it be used for pourover etc?

Basically, i like shiny pretty things and hate not having the best i can so am i going to inevitably end up with 2 new scales from acaia

I also have some proper budget £10 scales which are also fine but not waterproof so dont like using them on my drip tray, but i’ll just relegate them to my travel kit

Rob1

I have a flow profiling machine and never use the flow rate function on the scales, if that helps.

spasypaddy

thanks Rob, i also have a flow profiling machine (bianca) so might use it for that, but more likely for when i make pourover which i do a fair bit of but i want the ability to use it everywhere so want a scale thats small enough to fit cleanly on my drip tray

little_tipple

I’ve got the felicita arc scales, got them a couple of weeks ago - as for weighing, they’re bloody marvellous - I was using amazon specials before that had a massive lag. I love that you can vary between 0.1 and 0.01g resolution, and the auto start on the timer thing is cool, but not something I’m going to use a lot. However, I have not been able to get the app to work at all - the QR code included to scan says “not available in your region” and i can’t find another app by them. Thankfully I didn’t buy them for the bluetooth side of things, but mainly because they’re beautiful, slim and cheaper than the pearl… so I’m not sure if that helps, but it’s been my experiece so far (i also have a bianca - they fit wonderfully on the espresso riser even with a cup on them…)

spasypaddy

little_tipple I’ve got the felicita arc scales, got them a couple of weeks ago - as for weighing, they’re ****** marvellous - I was using amazon specials before that had a massive lag. I love that you can vary between 0.1 and 0.01g resolution, and the auto start on the timer thing is cool, but not something I’m going to use a lot. However, I have not been able to get the app to work at all - the QR code included to scan says “not available in your region” and i can’t find another app by them. Thankfully I didn’t buy them for the bluetooth side of things, but mainly because they’re beautiful, slim and cheaper than the pearl… so I’m not sure if that helps, but it’s been my experiece so far (i also have a bianca - they fit wonderfully on the espresso riser even with a cup on them…)

Have you tried the smart espresso profiler app or searching for the apk on the internet? are you uk based?

Stevebee I’ve got 2 Acaia Lunar, a Cinco and a Felicia Arc. The Lunar’s are ridiculously expensive but are a joy to use. The Bluetooth works seamlessly with the app and with the Smart Espresso Profiler software which shows it in a graph with comparisons etc.. Had niggling issues with the Arc, changing modes and a real pain to calibrate. Also have the Decent scale. If one of the Lunars stopped working I would get another - this despite the annoying fact that the internal battery is not user replaceable - Acaia expect you to send unit back to Portland. I tried to get an aftermarket one and fit myself as it’s not difficult but could not find one with the right connectors to fit. Was giving a link to one but it was the wrong fitting.

this is the kind of feedback i wasnt hoping to read as its so much money 🤣 do you use your lunar scales for pourover? as if im spending this much id quite like them to be useable for both. The arc was the other one in my headlights. I had forgotten about the decent scale but it just looks cheap

Stevebee

I’ve got 2 Acaia Lunar, a Cinco and a Felicia Arc. The Lunar’s are ridiculously expensive but are a joy to use. The Bluetooth works seamlessly with the app and with the Smart Espresso Profiler software which shows it in a graph with comparisons etc.. Had niggling issues with the Arc, changing modes and a real pain to calibrate. Also have the Decent scale. If one of the Lunars stopped working I would get another - this despite the annoying fact that the internal battery is not user replaceable - Acaia expect you to send unit back to Portland. I tried to get an aftermarket one and fit myself as it’s not difficult but could not find one with the right connectors to fit. Was giving a link to one but it was the wrong fitting.

LMSC

Cheap £10 scale from Amazon; it has a 0.1g accuracy. We use it for weighing the beans and general cooking. We don’t weigh the shot on Evo. Shots at 8, 7 and 6 bars give about 30g, 36g and 43-45g respectively on 18g dosage. 😊

Cuprajake

Yuaga for me £17 lasted 2yrs so far

PortafilterProcrastinator

Cuprajake Do these lag much Jake?

Now I’ve got a machine I’m realising my scales are far from quick. Fine for pourover, but I’d like something more responsive for espresso.

Cheers

Ernie1

I’ve got the Felicita Arc and a £10 Amazon spesh.

Functionality wise there’s not much in it and I use the Amazon ones for brew.

However they’re too big to fit under an E61 group without getting soaked when a shot flushes so I use the Arc which fits nicely under the portafilter and away from any drainage outlets!

Pompeyexile

Brewista Smart Scale for me that I’ve had since starting this ‘hobby’ weighs and times at the same time and fits perfectly on my Sage DB with a cup on it and even my ROK.

spasypaddy

has anyone bought a lunar from acaia direct to the uk? did you get stung for import charges etc?

Sham

My shitty scales sometimes go off while I’m using them…which idiot decided to code such a short auto-sleep function -_-

PortafilterProcrastinator

Sham I couldn’t deal with that. They’d be out the window on the first bad morning!

Cuprajake

Yep yuaga are very fast reacting scales.

HVL87

Cuprajake he’s alive!

Cuprajake

Sorry folks, was having some time away from the forums,

PortafilterProcrastinator

Cuprajake Quite sensible!

tompoland

Tried a few different scales but my favourite has to be the Acaia models. Frustrating to learn the different modes but so fast and so accurate and they look cool (most important)

Frothbewithyou

tompoland So we seem to be at a consensus that the Ferrari/Porsche <insert favourite premium brand> is the Acaia scales.

What about the workhorse? The sub £100/100 euro scale that can get close to the Acaia.
There are luxury purchases and then above that there are Acaia scales haha and I would love to know if any of the rivals and considerably cheaper scales can compete.

I have heard the Yuaga scales are your go to budget option. What’s the midrange go to choice? Is there a midrange choice or is it budget or go big?

HVL87

Frothbewithyou I have heard the Yuaga scales are your go to budget option. What’s the midrange go to choice? Is there a midrange choice or is it budget or go big?

I believe some use the Felicita Arc which is essentially a lunar copycat. Seems to be more expensive now, not under £100 unfortunately.

Doram

Frothbewithyou I have heard the Yuaga scales are your go to budget option. What’s the midrange go to choice? Is there a midrange choice or is it budget or go big?

You can get a cheap scale (~£10) that will weigh accurately to 0.1 of a gram. Pay a little more and it will also have a timer built in. Above that you can buy other features, design, brand name, build quality status symbols etc. You need to ask yourself what of these things you want and how much you are willing to pay for them.

Personally, after trying a few cheap scales (one of them Joe Frex, which looks exactly like the Yagua), I decided that a feature I want is that it won’t be prone to spills going inside where the electronics are. I got that by spending around £30 (Timemore Black Mirror from AliExpress). I am happy with them, though they are on the big-ish side. There is now a smaller (and more expensive) version: Timemore Nano.

It’s up to you to decide how much you want to spend and on what, but thinking you can’t weigh coffee accurately without a +£200 scales is like thinking you can’t tell the time without a Patek Philippe or do the school run unless you get a Maserati.