Reliable stylus force gauge

[Ordinaryman]

Having purchased two digital in the last 18 months , both of which ran the battery's down used or not, which eventually cost more than the gauge itself, what do you use?
I often swop between 2x mm cartridges and would like something reliable.

[Ordinaryman]

I use a Tonar Trackurate or just a manual Ortofon gadget. The former 'should' be more accurate. About £20. I take the batteries out when not in use. They are just button batteries (AG12), though. You can probably buy a sheet of them for a couple of quid.

[Ordinaryman]

Been buying lithium battery's, £3/4 pack of 2, as recommended. stupid is as stupid does. Never thought about taking batteries out, thought once it was switched off , it was OFF.
Thanks.

[Daniel Quinn]

I use the £5 one, mcru sells for circa £50. It uses a AAA battery. Yours from ebay.

As to your current predicament. Take the battery out till needed. Simples.

[Ordinaryman]

Which one is this using AAA battery for £5?. would prefer not to keep taking battery's out. In the meantime I will look on ebay
thank you.
Have taken current batteries out as "dead". Don't think I want to buy anymore

[Geoff.R.G]

I have a simple beam type gauge with the beam balanced on a knife edge bearing. Position the stylus on the long side at the force you need and adjust the arm until the beam is level. No batteries to go flat and about as simple as it is possible to get.

[guydarryl]

Possibly a daft question, but once you have used an electronic stylus gauge to set preferred tracking force can't you make a note of the position of the arm counterweight/dial (effectively calibrating it it for future reference)? Or doesn't your arm have approximate markings ?

[Daniel Quinn]

For me that would rely on my memory, not a good idea.

I can't find one with aa batteries, I'm going to have a check now as I don't trust my memory. I'll report back.

[Geoff.R.G]

Possibly a daft question, but once you have used an electronic stylus gauge to set preferred tracking force can't you make a note of the position of the arm counterweight/dial (effectively calibrating it it for future reference)? Or doesn't your arm have approximate markings ?

Unless you change cartridges routinely you only need it once. I suppose there will be those who check every time they play a record but my experience is that there hasn't been any change over many years.

[Daniel Quinn]

Nope, I was wrong. It was my tachometer that takes AAA.