Which Budget Refractometer?

[TempTest]

Hello!

Can anybody recommend a budget refractometer? I've found lots online (typical eBay/Amazon/etc) that all look very similar and no doubt made in the same facility. None the less, there are variations (typically the actual scale that the measurement can be taken in). Given the similarity (but significant difference) between them all I'd like to try and order from a 'known-good' supplier...

Some of the 'wants' I've accrued having searched numerous listings:

-Brix scale mandatory
-Other (brewing) scales optional
-No 'useless' scales such as salinity
-Ideally one designed for wort (I've seen others for salinity, honey, etc)
-Prefer one with a hard case (rather than soft case) so that it does not get too battered between uses!

I've read that the relationship between Brix and SG is not linear despite many scales on these budget devices assuming as such. Hence, I'd ideally like a Brix only and do the conversion myself or one with a SG scale that is known to be pretty good (not just the Brix multiplied by 4 all the way up...).

I'd *prefer* to order from a UK seller so that I can get the item faster but I'd be willing to order elsewhere if it came recommended. It'd be great if it were sold by a 'Fulfilled by Amazon' seller as then I really *would* be able to get it quickly and with the advantage of Amazon's awesome refund policy but I appreciate that might not be possible.

So, can you link to any particular items/listings that come with recommendations at the budget end of the refractometer market?

Thank you!

[Grumpydev]

This is the one I have, I think several other people on here have the same one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A ... detailpage

Not had any issues with it, easy to read and seems accurate and doesn't care about the temperature of the sample. I use the BrewMate calculator for during/post fermentation, but during fermentation I mainly just care about whether the Brix is changing or not to see if fermentation has finished - the SG scale is great for monitoring the boil or mash though.

[alexlark]

This is the one I've got: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brix-Wort-SG- ... 20f7ba6298

At the time I had it for £16, "Make an offer".

I compared it twice using the SG scale and my hydrometer and the readings were the same. That's close enough for me as a home brewer.

Delivery was pretty fast too, and fully tracked.