Fast, light, accurate.
Pocket Snow Density Gauge 100
The Brooks-Range Pocket Snow Density Gauge™ 100 is a compact and highly accurate device modeled on the gauge currently in use by the National Weather Service. It’s a simple mass balance scale calibrated to a sample size of 100 cubic centimeters.
The sample tube is serrated at one end for cutting into firm snow. Made from high-grade aluminum it is small, feather light, and corrosion resistant; a perfect compromise between laboratory precision and rugged simplicity. A tab of plastic lets you handle the tube without transmitting any heat from your fingers to keep the temperature of the snow unaffected by the gauge. An excellent tool for adding precision to your snow observations, especially when documenting the presense of slab avalanche conditions.
For storage, the scale unhooks, then slides inside the tube. A pouch keeps it all together in a small package that you'll never notice the weight of.
Why does knowing the density of snow matter?
There are three common reasons.
1) To increase understanding of the snowpack for predicting avalanche hazard on a particular slope,
2) to estimate the amount of water in the snowpack (which contributes to forecasting knowledge), and
3) to know the density of snow as a percent, something skiers and snowboarders enjoy bragging about.
Bragging Rights Strictly speaking, percent snow is a measure of porosity – a ratio of the volume occupied by snow crystals versus the total volume of the sample. Snow density on the other hand is simply the mass per unit volume. However, since snow is frozen water, the easiest way to deduce the percentage of snow is to make a snow density measurement, then convert that value to percent. Read more on the blog
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 3.5 oz. (99g)
- Size (length x diam.): 6¾” x 1” (2.5 x 17 cm)
- Accuracy: ± 2%, 0% – 55% density range, in 5% increments.
Customer Reviews
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Author: Rich Meyer
The Pocket Snow Density Gauge is a handy little tool. I’ll readily admit I do not regularly check the snow density. But this compact/light gauge was a neat bonus to many avalanche courses I taught this winter.
What I liked: I like the small size, weight, and ease of use. And I found it effective and accurate. When carrying the whole “Avy Science Kit”, this tool makes the cut for sure. The ability to bring another source of information to the table is great. I found that students on my avalanche courses particularly liked the density gauge. Which results in more student involvement! and interest in the courses!
What I didn’t like: The narrow tube may not be as effective as a larger one when measuring very light density snow. It required a bit more time to get a good sample in the cylinder. I somehow managed to bend the very small hook that attaches to the tube, which was not a big deal but gave me pause.
All in all I like the Pocket Snow Density Gauge. It is not a fragile, expensive, precision instrument, and nor is it designed it be. I found it to be effective, useful, and I think it fits into my kit quite well. It will get further use in the coming seasons.
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Author: Craig Dostie
Even non-scientist types can appreciate the Pocket Snow Density Gauge™ for the ability to qualify their boasting back in the bar after a day of harvesting face shots. It’s an aluminum tube that you hang from a simple mass balance scale calibrated to the weight of the tube. Using the serrated leading edge, drill the tube into the stratum of snow you want to measure, taking care to only touch it on the plastic thumb handle on the end, pull it out, hook it to the scale, and note the density. For storage, the scale hides inside the tube, and a pouch keeps it all together. The entire set-up fits either in your pocket or your shovel shaft.
The Avalanche Review
Vol. 28, No. 2, Dec. 2009 (p4) -
Author: Donny Roth
Density gauge? What? If you are really tracking your snowpack then you know that in order to do a full profile you must record densities. Snowfall totals only tell part of the story. Water content tells a much bigger picture. Guides don’t talk about inches of snow, they talk about mils of water.
This gauge is fantastically small - it will even fit in the handle of most shovels! Yet, it is amazingly accurate. I used to be so reluctant to throw my old gauge in my pack. Now tossing this in is a no-brainer.
If you’re making decisions in the backcountry, this is an innovative version of a helpful tool. Certainly, it doesn’t come out everyday. But on the day’s that you think you might see a big change it is nice to know this doesn’t add a lot of weight or take up a lot of space.
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