Thanks to technological advances and mass manufacturing, so-called electronic digital scales based on "strain gauge" technology have become considerably cheaper and more affordable than they were 40 years ago. Today, you can go to the store and buy many pocket-sized to slightly larger scales for cheap. These scales are easy to set up and use and are generally considered accurate when compared to mechanical scales of comparable capacity and resolution. Yes Bigger, heavier, slower, and harder to use.

Some examples: You can get a 0.001-gram resolution, the 50-gram capacity scale for less than $20. About 95% of the time it will indicate any actual weight within ±0.003 grams. You can buy scales with a capacity of 1,000 grams and a resolution of 0.1 grams for less than $15. About 95% of the time, no matter how much you actually weigh on the pan, it's within ±0.2g.

Electronic strain gauge scales have many imperfections that can lead to costly mistakes if not well understood and compensated for. Their calibration will drift over time, so they must be tested and recalibrated frequently using weights with a tolerance of approximately 20% ± of the scale's minimum resolution. This scale doesn't handle extremes of room temperature well, nor does it hold heavy objects on a plate for more than a few seconds. Both of the above can have a significant impact on accuracy.

Mechanical scales have fewer flaws than electronic scales and are less likely to lead to costly mistakes as long as they are properly maintained and undamaged. However, they are usually larger, heavier, and slower to use. Few are manufactured today because they are expensive to manufacture compared to electronic scales of comparable resolution and capacity.

Xiangshan Zhengtai Electrical Appliance Co., Ltd. is a mechanical scale manufacturer from China. The company designs, processes and sells personal care scale, bathroom electronic scales, and other electronic scale products.