Got this off of Ebay about a month ago...

[Terry Allan Hall]

Looks to a Chinese knock-off of the Snark (or similar, at least), but it has held up nicely and, for $5, w/ free shipping, is a pretty good deal.

Ordered several more...one for each instrument case and as Xmas gifts for picking friends and family.

Has anyone here ever gotten one of these and, if so, how well has it held up?

[Jim Garber]

Looks to a Chinese knock-off of the Snark

I think the Snarks are made in China.

[John L]

Really liked my Snark - worked better for mandoin and mandola than others I have owned - but broke mine in half. That little ball joint is way too easy to break. Picked up a Planet Waves tuner that seems to work as well as the Snark, and is incredibly small.

[Barry Wilson]

good deal, I decided to go hunting and found almost the same tuner for $5 shipped. can't beat that price if they work

[michaelpthompson]

I have a couple of those Planet Waves NS mini headstock tuners as well, and I really like them. I did lose one while my mando was in the luthier's shop once. I left it clipped onto the headstock and when I got it back, the clip was still there, but the tuner had apparently fallen off. Other than that, it has been a great tuner. Picks up the vibrations better than some others I have used and background noise doesn't seem to bother it much.

[JeffD]

for $5, w/ free shipping, is a pretty good deal.

Ordered several more...

Sorry, struck me as funny.

[JH Murray]

The clip part of the ball joint on my Snark broke after a few days. I just put a bit of duct tape on it and it has been fine ever since.

[lmartnla]

I decided to stick with my made in USA intellitouch tuner. Good people who back the product.

[Wayne Bagley]

Snark has a much improved model. Check it out.
http://www.snarktuners.com/cliponst.html

[mandobassman]

Snark has a much improved model. Check it out.
http://www.snarktuners.com/cliponst.html

I looked at this page and, honestly, I don't see where the improvement would be. The area where the arm attaches looks the same to me. I agree with others that the arm attachment is way too easy to break. I put mine in my pocket the first time I used it a t a gig and it broke in half. I used to put my old tuner in my pocket all of the time. I actually went back to my Intelli IMT-500. It's a shame because I think the Snark is a good tuner. I super glued the broken one and put it on my bass and I don't take it off.

[mandobassman]

BTW, the free delivery is achieved by a system the Postal Service uses called "ePacket Delivery". This service essentially allows you to have free shipping of small items.

From the USPS website: "ePacket™ provides online buyers in the U.S. with an affordable shipping option from the overseas origin in certain countries to delivery in the U.S. ePacket™ is currently available to shippers in China and Hong Kong, with additional countries planned."

So basically they are making it even easier and cheaper to buy something from China than from the US. If I buy a tuner from one of the Cafe sponsors, chances are that it will involve shipping costs. If I buy a tuner online from China, it can be delivered FREE.

[Jim]

I've purchesed several of the same tuners mentioned by the OP. Mine have all worked fine.

[Barry Wilson]

The clip part of the ball joint on my Snark broke after a few days. I just put a bit of duct tape on it and it has been fine ever since.

love it, the Red Green approach

[Andy Morton]

Yep--my Snark broke the same way...used a zip-tie....and noticed at guitar center they had one or two behind the counter laying around that had been repaired the same way.

Andy

[TheMandoKit]

Hmm, one of my Snarks broke at the clip, the little flanges that attach to the hinge for the spring. One email to Snark, and they sent me a replacement clip, no questions asked. No other problems. I think that's pretty good customer service.

Yeah, sure, it would be better if it had not broken, but getting a replacement with no hassle was pretty good.

I have a few of the Planet Waver NS mini tuners as well. They do not seem to be as accurate as the Snark, and they don't have the microphone. I have no idea how long the clip will last, particularly since I do not leave it on the headstock all the time.

YMMV.

[allenhopkins]

Does the "improved" model have the microphone option of the red Snark? I find this tres useful in tuning instruments like Autoharps, where there's no place to easily clip a tuner.