This SINGLE piece of tech that changed DIY mixing for me FAR MORE than anything else was picking up the LB-501. When I first started out, I was mixing by volume, with syringes, metered squeeze tubes, etc. Mixing like that took literally forever, and there was a lot of mess, clean up, and just general hassles. Once I learned about mixing by weight, I picked up my first AWS LB-501 scale, and NEVER looked back.
Mixing by weight (specifically grams) completely changed the mixing process for me. Quick, easy, clean, repeatable, and hassle free. It was literally NIGHT and DAY different than volume mixing.
NOW, before I get into this little Review/Quick Look we have to drop the elephant in the room. My experience, and the units in this review are the OG version. OG version ?? Wait, what ?? Yes. Some recent posts on ELR appear to show a “new” design, with some differences. Check the thread out here:
From what I can tell, the “new” version uses a different font on the display, has a typo on the CAL/MODE button where MODE is misspelled as “MOOE”, has a RED LED on the transformer (OG version LED was green), and shows a low battery icon even when plugged in to AC power. There are also reports of the scale powering down, even WHEN plugged in, which it shouldn’t do. My OG scales do not have any typos, low batt warnings, or shut down when plugged in, so be advised.
Features:
- Large plastic dishwasher safe bowl
- Counting Feature
- Runs on batteries or AC Adapter, both included
- Includes two (2) 200g Calibration Weights
- Backlight can be turned on or off
- Detachable lid protects the delicate weighing surface
Specs:
- SKU: LB-501
- UPC: 814859013360
- Availability: -
- Weight: 2.00 LBS
- Capacity: 1.1lb/500g
- Readability: 0.01g
- Calibration: 400g (2 x 200g weights included)
- Units: g, oz, ct, gn
- Accessories: weighing bowl, calibration weights, AC-Adapter
- Display: 0.9 x 2.4 in
- Platform: 5.2 x 5.2 in
- Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.5 x 1.5 in
- Power: 4 x AA or AC-Adapter (included)
- Linearity: ±2d
- Repeatability: ±2d
- Operating Temp: 50°F to °86°F (10°C to 30°C)
- Capacity-Unit: g
My firstest first ever, OG 501 finally died after maybe 11 years I think. It had a very hard life LOL.
Typically, with heavy users, the first thing to go is the membrane covering the “TARE” button.
And that’s what happened to mine. The sticker/membrane had come off over a year ago, and the scale worked fine. Today, I think the mechanical button finally wore out. It has been a WORKHORSE for it’s entire life, and as you can imagine, with the amount of use I put it through, including multiple falls, drops, and very hard usage, it lasted a very long time.
Luckily for me, once I find something that works, I back it up and get dupes. Again, be advised although new, it still appears to be the OG version.
I’ll show a bunch of box shots, and I also have one of the “new”-er ones with a different looking box, which MAY be indicative of the “new” design with the issues.
Packaged very securely and super snug…
Manual, Warranty Card, and NIC warning (this always cracks me up) …
Bowl (I throw mine out), transformer, and (2) CAL weights …
Please note on this OG version the transformer LED color is green …
This scale has “Counting”, and “Memory” modes, but for the DIY world, we just care about WEIGHING MODE. 
The display is accurate, and easy to read …
TBH, I always depress the blue button, and just leave the back lighting on …
I CAL mine before EVERY critical test series, and beyond that, maybe once every week or two just to make sure. TDE (Too Damned Easy).
Hold the CAL button until the screen shows CAL …
Hold it again until it shows 200, and place (1) of the 200g weights center scale …
Then when the display changes to 400, place the 2nd 200g weight center scale …
Then it’s ON to the MIXING !!!
There are multiple weighing modes (tap the CAL/Mode button):
(g) Grams, (oz) Ounce, (ct) Carrot, (gn) Grain. For your sanity, hehe, just keep it in grams. From then on out through the rest of the mixing session, it’s simply a matter of hitting “Tare” before adding any ingredients, and taring it again before the next. When I finish, I tare it one last time, shut it off, and close the hinged lid to protect the weighing mech.
As stated, this 501 has been a complete and total work horse, and has had a VERY hard life. Multiple drops/falls, and used FAR more than probably most typical users. I’ve never run it off of batteries, and have left it plugged in since I bought it years ago. Easy, consistent, and well, … easy to use. What more could you want.
The scale has a 500g limit, and measures at a 0.01g resolution. I own (2) LB3000’s for bigger batches, but the 501 is my daily driver. I very rarely have had any instances where adding a single drop didn’t register, and sometimes during heavy heat/AC usage I can see it fluctuate slightly when the heat/AC kicks on, but that was never an issue. I have never used the included bowl, and although it probably would keep the deck clean, I mix pretty clean, and any spills I just wipe off. The bowl isn’t wasn’t missed.
In closing, be advised again, that there are reports of a “new” redesign/design, that I believe has a RED LED on the transformer, a typo, on the CAL/MODE button (MOOE), and that it also shuts off while plugged in, which defeats the purpose of plugging it in. You don’t want your scale powering down during a long session. Even if it DID, you could just turn it back on and continue, so just a minor inconvenience.
I’ve mixed as small as 5ml testers, and used Medicine Flower flavors (very strong, very little used), with no issues.
Highly recommened even IF you get/got a “new” version.
Here’s a shot of a “newer” version box on the left, and the OG version on the right …
Get a scale, and get your mix on !!!