--- title: "Scratch-Dig Comparison Sets and Paddles: Buyers Guide | Redlux" description: A summary of all available (and discontinued) scratch-dig comparison products for supporting visibility based optical surface quality assessment. image: https://blog.redlux.net/hubfs/IMG_0272%20with%20Scratches.png --- [![](https://blog.redlux.net/hubfs/website/logo.svg)](https://www.redlux.net/) - [Industry Solutions](https://blog.redlux.net/?hsLang=en) - [Optics](https://www.redlux.net/optics/) - [Orthopaedics](https://www.redlux.net/orthopaedics/) - [Bearings](https://www.redlux.net/bearings/) - [Small Bore Measurement](https://redlux.net/small-bore-measurement) - [Products](https://blog.redlux.net/?hsLang=en) - [OptiLux SD](https://www.redlux.net/optilux-sd/) - [Scratch-Dig Standards](https://redlux.net/comparison-reference-set-mil-prf-13830b) - [OmniLux CMM](https://www.redlux.net/omnilux-cmm/) - [Resource Centre](https://redlux.net/resource-centre) - [Blog](https://blog.redlux.net/) - [White Papers](https://redlux.net/resource-centre#white-papers) - [Knowledge Base](https://redlux.net/resource-centre#knowledge-base) - [Case Studies](https://redlux.net/resource-centre#case-studies) [Contact](https://www.redlux.net/contact) # Scratch-Dig Comparison Sets and Paddles: Buyers Guide First Published: 18/03/2024  |  Optics ![IMG_0272 with Scratches](https://blog.redlux.net/hubfs/IMG_0272%20with%20Scratches.png) ### Introduction Having found this article, I will assume that you've been on a quest to source [scratch-dig comparison sets](https://redlux.net/optics/optical-surface-imperfection-scratch-dig-comparison-standards) or paddles, only to discover that the options available are limited at best. Whether you’re looking to find a better solution, or simply seeking to replace a worn, damaged or lost set, this article has been written to help. In the next section we summarise all of the available (and discontinued) scratch-dig comparison products that are suitable for supporting visibility based [optical surface quality](https://redlux.net/optics/optical-surface-quality-scratch-dig-inspection) assessment; providing you with key information on the options and where you can procure them.   --- ### Summary of Scratch-Dig Comparison Sets and Paddles Notes: *- The options listed are those intended for use when inspecting to the following standards: MIL-PRF-13830B, MIL-C-675C, ANSI/OEOSC OP1.002:2009 (Visibility), or ISO 10110-7 / ISO 14997 (Visibility).* *- Red text indicates an inconsistency with the MIL-PRF-13830B standard.*   | ***Available* -** **RedLux - Comparison Reference Set (Cosmetic and Visibility)** | | | --- | --- | | Cost estimate (per set) | £1600 ($2000) | | Description | Single glass panel containing 5 scratches and 5 digs. | | Imperfection type | Real glass surface imperfections. | | Scratch grades | #10 #20 #40 #60 #80 | | Dig grades | #5 #10 #20 #40 #50 | | Availability/Source | [RedLux](https://redlux.net/comparison-reference-set-mil-prf-13830b) |   | ***Discontinued - Davidson Optronics D668 Comparison Set*** | | | --- | --- | | Cost estimate (per set) | £4000+ ($5000+) | | Description | 10 separate samples representing 5 scratches and digs. | | Imperfection type | Real glass surface imperfections. | | Scratch grades | #10 #20 #40 #60 #80 | | Dig grades | #5 #10 #20 #40 #50 | | Availability/Source | Discontinued |   | ***Available* -** **ThorLabs - Optic Surface Imperfection Scratch-Dig Paddle** | | | --- | --- | | Cost estimate (per set) | £120 ($150) | | Description | Single plastic paddle containing 7 scratches and 7 digs. | | Imperfection type | Moulded plastic surface imperfections. | | Scratch grades | #10 #20 #40 #60 #80 #120 #160 | | Dig grades | #5 #10 #20 #40 #50 #70 #100 | | Availability/Source | ThorLabs |   | ***Discontinued* - ThorLabs (Jenoptik) - SDPK - Scratch-Dig Paddle** | | | --- | --- | | Cost estimate (per set) | £100+ ($125+) | | Description | Single plastic paddle containing 7 scratches and  7 digs. | | Imperfection type | Moulded plastic surface imperfections. | | Scratch grades | #10 #20 #40 #60 #80 #120 #160 | | Dig grades | #5 #10 #20 #40 #50 #70 #100 | | Availability/Source | *Discontinued* |   | ***Discontinued* - Edmund Optics - #53-197 - Scratch-Dig Paddle** | | | --- | --- | | Cost estimate (per set) | £100+ ($125+) | | Description | Single plastic paddle containing 7 scratches and  7 digs. | | Imperfection type | Moulded plastic surface imperfections. | | Scratch grades | #10 #20 #40 #60 #80 #120 #160 | | Dig grades | #5 #10 #20 #40 #50 #70 #100 | | Availability/Source | *Discontinued* |   | ***Available - ThorLabs (Micros Optics) - Scratch-Dig Panel*** | | | --- | --- | | Cost estimate (per set) | £400+ ($500+) | | Description | Single glass panel containing 7 scratches and 8 digs. | | Imperfection type | Photolithographically marked patterns. | | Scratch grades | #5 #10 #20 #40 #60 #80 #120 | | Dig grades | #5 #10 #20 #30 #40 #50 #70 #100 | | Availability/Source | *ThorLabs (Micros Optics)* |   | ***Discontinued* - Bryson Optical Corp - Comparison Standard** | | | --- | --- | | Cost estimate (per set) | No data available. | | Description | Single assembly containing 5 scratches and  5 digs. | | Imperfection type | Real glass surface imperfections. | | Scratch grades | #10 #20 #40 #60 #80 | | Dig grades | #5 #10 #20 #40 #50 | | Availability/Source | *Discontinued* |     --- ### Conclusions If you are inspecting scratches and digs in accordance with MIL-PRF-13830B, MIL-C-675C, ANSI/OEOSC OP1.002:2009 (Visibility), or ISO 10110-7 / ISO 14997 (Visibility), then there is currently only one set available for consideration that is manufactured in glass and meets the needs of the above standards: [RedLux's Comparison Reference Set.](https://redlux.net/comparison-reference-set-mil-prf-13830b/)   --- **RedLux Scratch-Dig Comparison Reference Set** [![Download Brochure Scratch-Dig Comparison Reference Set Download Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9319094/a02324d2-9e18-406c-bc42-6650412701c5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9319094/a02324d2-9e18-406c-bc42-6650412701c5) ### Latest Resources ### [![](https://blog.redlux.net/hubfs/Standards%20image.jpg) First Published: 21/05/2025 Scratch Standards - Repeatability Optics](https://blog.redlux.net/scratch-standards-repeatability?hsLang=en) ### [![](https://blog.redlux.net/hubfs/Image%20showing%20scratch%20and%20dig%20identified%20on%201inch%20optic.png) First Published: 21/05/2025 Understanding MIL-PRF-13830B - Dig Grading Optics](https://blog.redlux.net/understanding-mil-prf-13830b-dig-grading?hsLang=en) ### [![](https://blog.redlux.net/hubfs/Edge%20chip%20inspection-1.jpg) First Published: 09/04/2025 OptiLux SD - Edge Chip Detection and Evaluation Optics](https://blog.redlux.net/optilux-sd-edge-chip-detection-and-evaluation?hsLang=en) [See all](https://blog.redlux.net/all) ## Metrology for You. 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