OHAUS Scout SPX123 Manual, Explained: Setup, Keys, Modes, Menus and Calibration

This OHAUS Scout SPX123 manual guide covers setup, keys, modes and calibration for the OHAUS Scout SPX123 (120 g x 0.001 g), on sale for $543.99 (regular $1,036.00), in stock.

The OHAUS Scout SPX123 (OHAUS item 30253017) is the 120 g x 0.001 g model of the Scout SPX portable balance line, a 1 mg balance with an ABS draftshield, a 93 mm round stainless steel pan and a backlit display. OHAUS writes one manual for the whole Scout SPX family, from the 120 g SPX123 to the 8,200 g SPX8200, so every table mixes in values for models you do not own. This guide keeps only what applies to the SPX123, in the order you will need it, with the codes as they appear on the display. The 220 g x 0.001 g SPX223 uses the same steps with a 200 g span weight. MNM Scales is an authorized OHAUS dealer.

OHAUS Scout SPX123 manual: specifications

Item	SPX123
Capacity x readability	120 g x 0.001 g
Repeatability (standard deviation)	0.002 g
Linearity	±0.003 g
Stabilization time	1.5 seconds
Span calibration mass	100 g (OHAUS includes the span mass on Scout SPX models up to 620 g)
Linearity calibration masses	50 g and 100 g
Other units (capacity x readability)	ct 600 x 0.005 · oz 4.23290 x 0.00005 · ozt 3.85810 x 0.00005 · dwt 77.162 x 0.001 · grn 1,851.88 x 0.02 · N 1.17679 x 0.00001 · custom unit
Application modes	Weighing, parts counting, percent weighing, check weighing, totalization, display hold
Pan and draftshield	93 mm (3.7 in) round 304 stainless steel pan inside an ABS draftshield
Display	Backlit LCD, 6 digits, 20 mm (0.78 in) characters
Power	AC adapter (included; 100 to 240 V in, 5 V DC 1 A out) or 4 AA batteries (not included) for about 80 hours
Specified temperature	10 to 40 °C (50 to 104 °F), 10 to 80 percent relative humidity, non-condensing
Size and weight	202 x 222 x 103 mm (8 x 8.7 x 4.1 in) with the draftshield; 1 kg (2.2 lb)
Communication	RS232, USB Host, USB Device, Ethernet or Bluetooth interface kits (not included)

Setting up the SPX123

1. Release the transportation lock. Turn the red pointer on the sub-platform 90 degrees counter-clockwise to the unlocked position. Lock it again before you turn the balance over or pack it for shipping.
2. Fit the pan. The SPX123 uses a round pan: place it straight down on the sub-platform, inside the draftshield.
3. Choose the spot. A clean, stable bench away from drafts, fast temperature changes, vibration and magnetic fields. At 0.001 g, a breath or an air vent shows on the last digit, which is why the 1 mg Scouts come with the draftshield.
4. Level it. Turn the feet at each corner until the bubble in the round window on the front is centered. The level indicator lights up as a reminder; re-level every time you move the balance.
5. Power it. Plug the supplied AC adapter into the jack on the back, or fit 4 AA batteries (not included) in the compartment underneath, watching the polarity. On AC power the backlight stays on. A spare OHAUS 30330714 power adapter is sold separately.
6. Warm it up. OHAUS recommends at least 5 minutes after power-on before you weigh.
7. Calibrate on first install and after every move, as described below.

The back of the balance also has the security switch, the interface connection, the weigh-below hole and a security slot for a security cable (not included).

The four keys and what each press does

Each key does one job on a short press (under 1 second), another on a long press (over 2 seconds), and inside the menu it becomes Yes, No, Back or Exit.

Key	Short press	Long press	Inside the menu
Zero/On	Turns the balance on; sets zero	Off: turns the balance off	Yes: accept the setting shown
Print	Sends the reading to the interface when auto-print is off	Units: changes the weighing unit	No: next item or next choice
Function	Runs the current application (store a weight, view the APW, start hold)	Mode: changes the application mode	Back: previous item
Tare	Sets or clears a tare	Menu: opens the user menu	Exit: leave the menu or stop a calibration

To turn the balance on, hold Zero/On for about a second; it runs a display test, shows the software version and goes to weighing. To turn it off, hold the key until OFF appears.

Application modes on the SPX123

Hold Mode to step through the modes that are switched on in the Mode menu. Turn off the ones you do not use.

• Weigh [wEIGH]: the factory default. Tare an empty container, then add the sample.
• Counting [Count]: tare a container, hold Mode to Count and answer Yes at [CLr.PwW] to set a new average piece weight (APW). Pick a sample of 5, 10, 20, 50 or 100 pieces with No or Back, load them and press Yes. Press Function to view the stored APW.
• Percent [Percnt]: answer Yes at [Clr.ref], place the reference and press Yes; it reads 100 percent. Each sample then reads as a percentage of that reference.
• Check weighing [CHECk]: set a low limit [Set. Lo] and a high limit [Set. Hi]; the under, accept and over symbols light as you add or remove material. Positive, negative and zero checking are all supported.
• Totalization [total]: press Function to add each weight to a running total shown with the sigma symbol. Only positive weights are added.
• Hold [HoLd]: Display Hold (the default) keeps the first stable reading and Peak Hold the highest; press Function to arm it ([rEAdY]) and again with the pan empty to clear it.

With the SPX123, a counting sample must weigh more than one division (0.001 g) in total, or the balance shows ref.err. For bigger counting jobs see our counting scale buying guide.

Scout SPX menus: Calibration, Setup, Mode and Unit

Hold Tare/Menu until [mMeNU] appears, then step with No and accept with Yes. The SPX123 has four sub-menus: C.A.L, SEtUP, mModE and Unit. Each has its own Reset item, so you can restore one menu without touching the others.

Setup menu settings worth knowing

Setting (display)	Choices	What it does
Reset [rESEt]	No, Yes	Restores the Setup menu to factory defaults
Filter [FILtEr]	Low, Med, High	Low settles faster; High is steadier on a busy bench
Auto zero tracking [AZt]	Off, 0.5d, 1d, 3d	Holds zero against slow drift
Stable range [StAbLE]	0.5d, 1d, 2d, 5d	How much the reading can move with the stable symbol still on
Backlight [LIGHt]	Off, On, Auto	Auto lights on a key press or weight change
Auto tare [A.tArE]	Off, On, On-Acc	Tares the first stable load, or loads inside the check limits
Auto off [A.OFF]	Off, 1, 5, 10 minutes	Saves batteries when the balance sits idle

The Mode menu switches each application on or off and sets Hold to Display, Peak or Off. The Unit menu switches units on or off; only units turned on here appear when you hold Units. For a full return to factory settings, see the reset steps in our Valor vs Ranger vs Scout guide.

Custom unit

The custom unit (C) shows weight in any unit you define as a factor (0.1 to 1.99) times a power of ten per gram, with a last-digit step of 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 or 100. In the Unit menu press No until [Unit c] shows, press Yes, turn it on, then set [Factor], [EPt] and [LSd].

OHAUS Scout calibration: the SPX123 step by step

The SPX123 calibrates with an external weight. Span calibration uses 100 g; OHAUS includes the span calibration mass with Scout SPX models up to 620 g, which covers the SPX123. Linearity calibration uses 50 g and 100 g, so you need a 50 g weight as well (not included). Use weights of the right class for a 0.001 g balance (see calibration weight classes and calibration weights). Our internal vs external calibration guide explains why a balance like this is calibrated with a weight.

1. Make sure the security switch on the back is in the unlocked position. When it is locked, the calibration menu is hidden.
2. Warm the balance up for at least 5 minutes with the pan empty and the draftshield in place.
3. Hold Menu until [mMeNU] shows. Release; [C.A.L] appears. Press Yes.
4. [SpaN] appears. Press Yes. [–C–] shows while the balance stores zero.
5. The display shows the calibration weight value; press No to change it if needed. Place the 100 g weight on the pan.
6. [–C–] shows again while the reading is stored, then [done]. The balance returns to the mode you were in.

Choose [LIN] instead of [SpaN] for a linearity calibration: zero, mid-point (50 g) and full scale (100 g). If the balance shows CAL E, the calibration did not complete; check the weight value and the pan. If the reading drifts after calibration, see scale will not zero or keeps drifting.

Security switch

With the security switch locked, the SPX123 hides the calibration menu, locks the weighing unit to the current setting and turns the custom unit off. Use it to keep settings from being changed. If you cannot calibrate, check this switch first.

Interface kits, weigh-below hook and accessories

The SPX123 has an interface connection on the back for one interface kit: RS232, USB Host, USB Device, Ethernet or Bluetooth. Kits are not included. We carry the OHAUS Scout Ethernet interface kit; call for the others. An installed kit adds its own print and communication sub-menus, set out in the kit’s manual. For cables and PC software, see how to connect a scale to a computer.

• Weigh-below hook: it sits on the reverse side of the battery cover. Remove the pan, lock the transportation lock before you turn the balance over, remove the red cover from the weigh-below opening, then support the balance level on a lab jack or stand, release the lock and hang the sample on a string or wire.
• Other accessories listed by OHAUS (not included): in-use cover, carrying case, auxiliary display kit, anti-theft security device and printers.

If the display shows a code

Err 8.4 means the pan is off or not seated, Err 8.3 means more than 120 g is on the pan, and Err 8.1 or 8.2 means the zero reading at power-on was out of range. Lo.ref means the counting sample or percent reference is too light. Our scale error codes guide lists every Scout code with the fix, and our repair bench can help if a code will not clear.

Where the SPX123 fits

The SPX123 is built for labs, classrooms, field work, sample prep, QC spot checks and hobby work where 1 mg matters and the balance has to travel. For buying or selling by weight, choose an NTEP-approved model such as the Scout SJX1502N/E; our SJX1502N/E manual guide covers it.

Texas note: TDA does not require an NTEP certificate for every device, but the scale must meet NIST Handbook 44 and suit its use; some scales do need one, so we recommend NTEP models and can check yours. See TDA’s scales used in trade guidance (PDF) and our TDA scale certification guide, or call us or TDA to confirm your use.

Care and storage

Unplug the adapter, then clean the housing with a cloth dampened with a mild detergent. OHAUS warns against solvents, chemicals, alcohol, ammonia and abrasives on the housing or keypad. Lock the transportation lock before you turn the balance over or pack it for shipping. Our balance preventive maintenance checklist gives a simple log.

Calibration, repair and rentals from MNM Scales

• Calibrated before it ships: the 120 g SPX123 is in our small scale and balance tier: in-house calibration with a certificate is $95 and NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate is $395. See balance calibration in Houston, all tiers on the scale calibration service page, and NIST vs in-house certificates.
• Mail-in calibration: remove the pan, lock the transportation lock, pack the balance well and ship it to our shop with the mail-in calibration service.
• Cypress pickup by appointment: drop off or pick up at our Cypress, TX shop (21249 FM 529 Rd, Cypress, TX 77433).
• On-site service: on-site calibration is $295 plus $2 per mile, round trip, once per visit, plus the calibration fee for each scale. Our TDA-registered technicians calibrate balances at labs, schools and shops across the Houston area.
• Repair: load cell, adapter, interface and keypad problems go to our scale repair bench.
• Rentals: we rent all types of scales; ask about a scale rental while yours is in for service.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the OHAUS Scout SPX123 manual?

OHAUS publishes it as the Scout SPX instruction manual (Manual_SPX) on the Documents tab of its Scout SPX page, with the data sheet and quick start guide. One manual covers every Scout SPX model, including the SPX123.

How do I calibrate the OHAUS Scout SPX123?

Unlock the security switch, hold Menu until MENU shows, press Yes at C.A.L and again at SPAN, let it store zero, place the 100 g weight and wait for done.

What calibration weight does the SPX123 use?

Span calibration uses 100 g, and OHAUS includes the span mass with Scout SPX models up to 620 g. Linearity calibration uses 50 g and 100 g; the 50 g weight is not included.

Why can I not find the calibration menu on my Scout?

The security switch on the back is locked. Locking it hides calibration and locks the unit; set it to unlocked and the C.A.L menu returns.

Does the OHAUS SPX123 have a draftshield?

Yes. The 1 mg Scout SPX models, including the SPX123, come with an ABS draftshield around the 93 mm round pan.

Does the SPX123 run on batteries?

Yes. It runs on 4 AA batteries (not included) for about 80 hours, or on the AC adapter that comes with it.

Which weighing units does the SPX123 have?

Grams, carats, ounces, troy ounces, pennyweights, grains, newtons and a custom unit. Units turned off in the Unit menu do not appear.

Can the SPX123 connect to a computer?

Yes, with one interface kit in the connection on the back: RS232, USB Host, USB Device, Ethernet or Bluetooth. Kits are not included.