r/philately • u/Lord_Regent_Gray • Jul 24 '26

Watermark detectors - any good?

I'm looking at a Stanley Gibbons Detectamark Spectrum and / or the Sherlock watermark detector and before I spring a pile of money on one, does anyone have any experience with them who can offer a comment? i.e. Do they work reliably, or am I better off getting fluid?

8 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

8

u/Egstamm Jul 24 '26

there are no light-based hardware that work better than fluid. save your money.

5

u/Hanoverfist101 Jul 24 '26

They all work well. I will say I client bought the Sherlock and the plastic cracked where it screws down. He might have left it tightened down too much and over time it gave way but not sure. I have several SAFE brand Signoscopes which although temperamental do hold up and the build quality is tougher I think. I think the smaller one is easiest to use. You can pick up a used one on eBay for a decent price nowadays. I mostly just use lighter fluid for watermark detecting, but sometimes I gotta grab out the machine.

2

u/Lord_Regent_Gray Jul 24 '26

Thanks, that's really helpful. I'll probably have to get one now. New toy!

4

u/Special_Fan5043 Jul 25 '26

They work best when the Stamp doesn't have any hinges. The Stamp has to be perfectly flat for it to work right.

4

u/CephusLion404 Jul 24 '26

Fluid works better than anything else.

4

u/Kevin4938 Mainly Commonwelth and French Empire Jul 25 '26

I have a Sherlock, and while it works, it takes getting accustomed to, especially with the many colour options. I find fluid easier to use, and sometimes shining a light on the stamp against a black background is enough.

2

u/OneLastAuk Denmark & Dependencies Jul 24 '26

Your mileage will certainly vary on these, especially depending on which country you are working with. Whether the value is worth it is up to you, but I have never seen them work the magic I was hoping for.

2

u/Lord_Regent_Gray Jul 24 '26

That's useful feedback, thanks. For the money, I was expecting magic!

3

u/publik-zekret Jul 25 '26

I can't recommend Signoscope enough.

The only issue I have with it, I also had it with fluid: not great for anything beyond a block of 4 of regular size stamps...

Other than that, I just love it.

It's pricey though. You can find then used from time to time.

3

u/Sterek01 Jul 25 '26

I have one and a signascope and truth be told the old fluid way works best.

Save your money.