Let’s Dive into Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale
The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale is Rapala’s answer to the need for a portable, accurate, and easy-to-use scale for anglers of all levels. This digital scale promises to take the guesswork out of weighing your catch, offering a user-friendly interface and convenient features in a compact package. It’s designed to fit easily into your tackle box while providing reliable weight measurements.
My old spring scale was hopelessly inaccurate and difficult to read, especially in low light. I was searching for a digital scale with a clear display and reliable accuracy, all in a compact, portable design to help me stay organized on the water. The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale seemed to check all those boxes.
Upon unboxing, the Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale felt surprisingly solid. The grey plastic housing feels durable, and the touch screen is responsive. The compact size immediately appealed to me; it’s small enough to toss into my tackle bag without taking up valuable space.
I considered the Berkley Digital Fish Scale and the Dr. Meter Digital Hanging Scale, but ultimately chose the Rapala due to its compact design and touch screen interface. The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale promised a more intuitive user experience. I was cautiously optimistic about the touch screen’s performance in wet conditions.
My first impression was positive. The scale feels well-built, and the touch screen is surprisingly responsive. I am eager to test its accuracy and ease of use on my next fishing trip.
Real-World Testing: Putting Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale on a weekend fishing trip to Lake Fork, a known bass fishing hotspot. The scale was used to weigh both largemouth bass and crappie. The weather was partly cloudy, with occasional light rain showers.
The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale performed well in the varying conditions. The backlight made the screen easy to read even in the low light of early morning and under cloud cover. The touch screen, surprisingly, remained responsive even with slightly wet fingers.
The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale proved very easy to use right out of the box. The touch screen interface is intuitive, allowing me to quickly switch between weight units (lbs/oz, decimal lbs, kg) and tare the weight of my landing net. The eight storage bins feature was also easy to use, allowing for separate tracking of multiple fish.
The only initial issue I encountered was accidentally pressing the power button while handling a fish. This turned the scale off, requiring me to restart the weighing process. A recessed power button would prevent this.
Extended Use & Reliability
After three months of regular use (approximately 10 fishing trips), the Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale has held up remarkably well. It’s become an indispensable part of my fishing gear.
The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale shows minimal signs of wear and tear, despite being subjected to occasional splashes and rough handling in my tackle bag. The plastic housing is durable and resists scratches.
Maintenance is simple; I wipe the scale down with a damp cloth after each use. The battery life is impressive; I haven’t needed to replace the batteries yet, even with frequent use of the backlight.
The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale significantly outperforms my old spring scale in terms of accuracy and ease of use. I now have confidence in the weight measurements I’m recording. It provides consistently accurate readings. The convenience of the touch screen and compact size makes it a superior choice.
Breaking Down the Features of Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale
Specifications
- The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale has a 50lb weight capacity, capable of handling most freshwater catches. This is more than adequate for the type of fishing I do.
- The scale displays weight in lbs./oz., decimal lbs., or kg, offering versatility for different preferences. I personally prefer using decimal lbs for recording purposes.
- It features 8 storage bins, allowing you to track the weight of multiple fish separately. This is a very useful feature when tournament fishing, or simply wanting to track the weight of a daily limit.
- A backlight illuminates the screen for easy reading in low light conditions. This is essential for early morning or late evening fishing.
- The scale runs on standard batteries, making replacement easy and convenient. I appreciate the fact that I don’t need proprietary batteries or a charging cable.
These specifications matter because they directly impact the scale’s usability and accuracy in real-world fishing scenarios. The weight capacity, display options, and backlight functionality contribute to a positive user experience. The multiple storage bins provide an added layer of convenience.
Performance & Functionality
The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale performs its job admirably, providing accurate and reliable weight measurements. The touch screen is responsive and easy to navigate, even with wet fingers.
Its strengths include its compact size, intuitive touch screen, and accurate weight readings. A weakness is the lack of a truly waterproof design. Also, accidental power button presses could be an issue.
The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale has exceeded my expectations. It offers a level of convenience and accuracy that I didn’t expect in a scale of this size and price.
Design & Ergonomics
The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale features a durable grey plastic housing that feels solid and well-built. Its compact size makes it easy to hold and operate with one hand.
The touch screen interface is user-friendly and intuitive. There is virtually no learning curve. The prominent display is easily readable in varying light conditions.
Durability & Maintenance
The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale appears to be durable enough to withstand the rigors of regular fishing trips. The plastic housing is scratch-resistant.
The scale is easy to maintain. A quick wipe-down with a damp cloth after each use keeps it clean and functioning properly.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale comes with no included accessories beyond basic instructions. There are no readily apparent customization options.
While the scale itself doesn’t offer customization, it’s compatible with various aftermarket fish grips and lip grabbers for safely handling your catch during weighing. Using a quality fish grip is highly recommended to ensure accurate weighing and safe handling of the fish.
Pros and Cons of Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale
Pros
- Compact and Lightweight Design: Easily fits into a tackle box or fishing bag without taking up much space.
- Intuitive Touch Screen Interface: Makes operation simple and straightforward, even for beginners.
- Accurate Weight Readings: Provides reliable measurements, essential for accurate record-keeping and tournament fishing.
- Backlight for Low Light Conditions: Enables easy reading of the display in early morning, evening, or overcast conditions.
- Multiple Weight Units: Offers versatility by displaying weight in lbs/oz, decimal lbs, or kg.
Cons
- Lack of Waterproofing: Not fully waterproof, so needs to be protected from heavy rain or submersion.
- Power Button Placement: The power button is easily accidentally pressed, turning the scale off unintentionally.
Who Should Buy Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale?
The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale is perfect for anglers of all skill levels who need a portable, accurate, and easy-to-use scale for weighing their catch. It is particularly well-suited for:
- Casual anglers who want a convenient way to track the size of their fish.
- Tournament anglers who need precise weight measurements for competition.
- Kayak anglers who value compact and lightweight gear.
Those who frequently fish in extremely wet conditions or require a fully waterproof scale may want to consider a more ruggedized option. Someone looking for advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity or mobile app integration should explore other alternatives.
Essential accessories include a quality fish grip to safely handle the fish during weighing and a small, waterproof bag to protect the scale from the elements.
Conclusion on Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale
The Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale is a well-designed and functional tool that provides accurate weight measurements in a convenient, compact package. The touch screen interface is intuitive. The multiple storage bins feature is extremely useful.
The price of $49.99 is justified by the scale’s accuracy, ease of use, and durability. Its performance surpasses that of cheaper spring scales. It offers good value for the money.
I would definitely recommend the Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale to any angler looking for a reliable and user-friendly digital scale. It has become an essential part of my fishing gear.
Upgrade your fishing experience today! Grab a Rapala Compact Touch Screen Scale and start accurately tracking your catches!