Stylus Force Gauge

Here's the Canrong gauge accurate to within .01 grams for $13. You'll need to buy a calibration weight for a couple of bucks as well because at that price it doesn't come with it.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16269

I have the Canrong reading to within .001 grams and have had it for a number of years-paid about $65 for it. Non-magnetic weigh platform. Extremely accurate.

But if you can live with reads to within .01 I don't think you'll do much better. Buy 2 on the off chance that one goes bad and you'll still be way ahead of the game.

My Canrong is also 3-4 years old. I am on the 3rd set of batteries but I do use it a fair bit.

My feeling is that the button batteries are the main problem. The ones provided with the scale are probably ultra cheap and even the 2nd set I got (from a local cheap jewellery store) were lousy.

I ended up buying the most recent batteries from "The Source", formerly Radio Shack and for a couple of bucks extra they provide either a 3 year or a lifetime warranty (haven't had to use it yet) on the batteries, which appear to be of a much higher quality.

With decent batteries, I'd wager many of the complaints about the Canrong would not be there. Some perhaps, but probably not anywhere near as many.

It's convenient and easy to use, mine is incredibly accurate; I'd buy one again in a flash. I just wouldn't pay $100-$200 for it because it's branded with an "audiophile" label.