Car Weighing Scales - Weighing In

Buying a scale can be a pretty...        read full caption Buying a scale can be a pretty daunting task, but this story should help you make a decision you can be comfortable with.

The pads from each company...        read full caption The pads from each company measure 15 inches square. The Series K by Longacre (middle) is 21/2 inches tall, while the SW-1 by Intercomp (top) and 1-Weigh by Rebco are 21/4 inches tall. All three have plugs that are recessed to prevent damage. The 1-Weigh is the only scale with a textured surface, so it may collect dirt and mud. This shouldn’t be enough to affect performance of the scale, but it could be a pain to clean.

Intercomp’s SW1 (PN 100331)...        read full caption Intercomp’s SW1 (PN 100331) entry-level scale system features handles to make the pads easier to carry.

Rebco’s 1-Weigh (PN 110-1111)...        read full caption Rebco’s 1-Weigh (PN 110-1111) is the least expensive of the group at $1,095.

The SW1 has a 360-degree viewing...        read full caption The SW1 has a 360-degree viewing LCD display with contrast adjustment, making it easy to read from any angle, day or night. The computer also has a built-in wire cradle to hold all the pad’s cables, reducing tangles.

Longacre’s Series K (PN...        read full caption Longacre’s Series K (PN 72586) comes with the processing unit mounted into its plastic carrying case.

The Series K control computer’s...        read full caption The Series K control computer’s buttons are designed with a button next to each tire on the race car, which reduces the potential for error.

The 1-Weigh’s LCD display...        read full caption The 1-Weigh’s LCD display has a backlight feature making nighttime viewing an ease. There is also a zeroing and percent button.

Like most of us, when buying something new you’ve asked yourself, which one should I get? With the quantity of different scales available, it can become a little confusing to figure out which is best for your needs.

But don’t let this decision weigh you down. Circle Track spoke with Intercomp, Longacre, and Rebco, three of the industry’s most respected scale manufacturers, about their scales and compiled need-to-know information to help you make the correct choice for your requirements.

As we kept in mind that full- featured scales can be pricey and out of reach to many racers, we limited ourselves to entry-level scales that are available for less than $1,500. When we began our search, we didn’t want a scale that would only tell us a race car’s weight, but also wheel weight and averages.

All three entry-level scales—Longacre’s Series K, Intercomp’s SW1, and Rebco’s 1-Weigh—weigh items on a single pad or multiple ones, have zeroing capabilities, run on AC or battery power for portability, and the processing units come in plastic carrying cases.

The chart below lists the typical features you will find on most entry-level scales and shows which features are available on the three scales we researched. This information should alleve any confusion the next time you have to find the proper scale for your racing needs.