Is there a best cartridge track force gauge?

What brand is it?

Elizabeth, some tracking force scales make much out of testing tracking weight at record surface height. These scales seem to be .6 and .75 inches thick. Do you make any effort to somehow test tracking force at record height? Do you have the 50 gram to .01 gram scale or the 100-.01 gram scale?

I am tracking my Ortofon SPU presently at 4 grams. None of my gauges goes beyond 3.5. Yes, I do remember 5 and 6 grams as well as tonearm that were quite substantial.

They recommend 3.5 grams,but Shindo Labs recommends 4 grams. When I get the modified cartridge, the tracking weight is to be 2.8 grams.

Eldartford, my arm is spring loaded, the Ortofon, in this case the spring load would be off by more than you suggest. Generally, I agree that your ears are the better gauge, but there are interactions with VTA to consider also. The Ortofon cartridge at least in this arm likes a positive VTA (up in back). I have no idea why this is true.

4yanx, you concerned me as my Shure is too shinny to be aluminum. It is not magnetic, however.

My Shure gauge may be plated stainless steel, if there is such a thing, but it not unplated stainless steel. I too have never seen magnetic or even marginally magnetic stainless steel, but I guess if you reduce the percentage of chromium it could happen. I am only mildly interested in what the metal is. I am dismayed that anyone would make a cartridge gauge that uses normal steel.