Product Review: Atago PAL 1 Digital Hand-held Pocket Refractometer

The Instrument Choice Team of Scientists regularly reviews new and popular products, so when searching for the perfect scientific instrument for your application, you can make more informed decisions.

This edition reviews the Atago PAL 1, a highly sought-after and versatile pock-sized refractometer.

About Atago

Since 1940, Atago has grown to become a respected world leader in the research and development of optical and digital refractometers. A contributing factor to Atago’s success is the company’s dedication to the continuous development and refinement of refractometer technology.

The practical and functional refractometers manufactured by Atago are widely used across various industries - such as:

• Food and beverage
• Agriculture
• Pharmaceutical
• Medical research
• Printing, and
• Metalworking.

Introducing the Atago PAL 1 Digital Hand-held Pocket Refractometer

The Atago PAL 1 Digital Hand-Held Pocket Refractometer is a portable, handheld instrument designed to facilitate straightforward Brix measurement in laboratory and field-based Brix measurement applications. The Atago PAL 1 is well-suited for measuring almost any fruit juice, food, or drink - like soup, sauce, ketchup, tomato sauce, low-sugar jam, or marmalade.

The Atago PAL 1 measures a wide Brix measurement range of 0.0 to 53%. Whatsmore, the meter features automatic temperature compensation from 10 to 100°C, so you know your PAL 1 is displaying measurements to the highest level of accuracy (without the need to compensate for temperature manually!).

Key Features and Benefits of the Atago PAL 1 Digital Hand-held Pocket Refractometer

• Wide Range: The Brix range of 0.0 to 53.0% makes the Atago PAL 1 suitable for most low and intermediate Brix range measurements.
• Accurate: The ±0.2% accuracy of the PAL 1 ensures you are making efficient and conclusive product quality decisions based on highly accurate measurements.
• Temperature Display: Brix and temperature measurements are displayed simultaneously – there’s no need for an additional temperature meter.
• Temperature Compensation: Temperature compensation allows for straightforward measurement without manually adjusting results. This feature ensures accurate results while also reducing the risk of associated calculation errors.
• Sample Volume: Brix measurements can be obtained from sample sizes as small as 0.3mL - so there’s less wastage of your valuable product.
• Waterproof: The Atago PAL 1 is rated to IP65 – this rating indicates the device is dust-tight and washable.
• Data Transmission: The NFC data function enables your data history to be accessed by any Android device or PC-linked USB NFC Reader. You transfer data by tapping the PAL 1 unit against a smartphone or NFC reader. Watch “How to use the Data Transmission Function on Atago Pocket Refractometers” (Appendix One), and you will discover how straightforward this can be.
• 3-Step Measurement: When your meter is calibrated, apply your sample to the prism sensor, press start, and the Brix value and temperature will display in 2-seconds – simple!
• Ergonomic: The Atago PAL 1’s design minimises discomfort during use. The palm-fitting shape fits perfectly into your hand.
• Hygenic: Maintaining good hygiene is crucial throughout food production. The Atago PAL 1 features an all-in-one sealed design with no moving parts, making it incredibly easy to wash.
• External Light Interference feature: Digital refractometers emit an internal light source to obtain a reading. Under intense lighting, many refractometers can struggle to obtain accurate measurements. Where light levels are too high, risking the accuracy of your measurements, the Atago PAL 1 will display “nnn”—informing you to shade the prism with their hands.

Atago PAL 1 – Specifications

Atago PAL 1 – Applications

The Atago PAL 1 Digital Hand-held Pocket Refractometer is ideal for measuring samples in the following environments:

• Fruit and vegetable farming
• Food Production, e.g. sauces, syrups, jelly, seasoning and soups
• Beverage Production, e.g. fruit juice, coffee and soft drinks
• Supermarkets
• Restaurants; and
• Schools and Universities.

Conclusion

Our scientists’ verdict of the Atago PAL 1 Digital Hand-held Pocket Refractometer?

“Part of Atago’s highly sought-after PAL series, the PAL 1 is a flexible refractometer suitable for a wide range of Brix measurement processes.”

After more information on the Atago PAL 1? speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist. Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].

Appendix 1: Atago PAL 1 Videos

Unboxing the IC-PAL-1 Digital Handheld Refractometer by Atago

How to use the Data Transmission Function on Atago Pocket Refractometers

How to Measure Brix in Juice Samples using the IC-PAL-1

Measuring Fruit with the IC-PAL-1 Digital Handheld Brix Refractometer