I compared these 5 tuners:
* Peterson StroboStomp Mini
* TC Electronic Polytune 3
* TC Electronic Polytune 3 mini / noir
* Korg Pitchblack X
* Korg Pitchblack X Mini
My goal is to judge rationally and in a practical manner to see which tuner works overall best in all situations. I am not sensitive, prices, myths and online sale stories...
# Peterson StroboStomp MINI #
++ The brushed aluminum case is beautiful
++ The display color selection is nice.
++ Always on mode.
--- It has an LCD display and a design feature of that is a slow response time... and the blurry moving lines while tuning confuse me.
--- The Jacks and USB C is on the top, but 9V is on the side. Why? I do not understand why the 9V connector is not on the top.
--- The viewing angle of the LCD display is just terrible, you really have to look almost straight above the pedal to see the screen well..
--- Display is OKAY to read in full sunlight, not great.
-- Overall: because of the piece and heavenly online sale pitches, i expected a flawless tuner. But it has a few design flaws.
# Korg Pitchblack + Pitchblack MINI #
++ Nice screens, good viewing angle, fast response time,
++ Easy to use, no option paralysis. (only options are: 2 brightness levels, strobo or needle tuning and reference pitch selection)
++ Mini version experience is the same as the big one. (one difference: mini is always Buffered and big version has a true-bypass / buffer switch, but buffering is almost always better.. )
--- Korg Pitchblack(s) have glossy paint, they are probably sensitive to scratches
--- Always on mode not possible
--- The tuning letters can be a bit blurry, the screen is bleeding light from other sections.
--- Display is hard to read in full sunlight.
# PolyTune 3 + PolyTune 3 MINI / Noir #
++ Automatic brightness control, The PolyTUNE's are the ones in this review that are easily readable in full sunlight.
++ Superb viewing angle.
++ The using experience is very similar to the Korg Pitchblacks, besides the Automatic Brightness control.
++ Always on Mode possible
++ Matte finish on the body, no reflections in the paint.
// Difference between PolyTUNE 3 big and mini size is:
/ With the mini you can not choose between guitar and bass mode, (it works fine on bass.. )
/ You can not change the 440hz reference pitch
/ The Mini has 9V connector on the side, the Big one has 9V on the top AND an 9V out.
--- The display is always readable, but the LEDS are a bit small / thin.
--- The MINI / Noir version has the 9V connector on the side, Little bit annoying. I looked inside: It is really packed, the 9V connector does not fit on the top.
Conclusion:
* I have to pop the bubble: The Peterson is ok for home use, not a stage, the screen is glaring too much and a bad viewing angle.
* Korg Pitchblacks are nice to use on stage, but not easy to read if you will play outdoors in full sunlight. (possibly a rare situation; not everyone does that)
* PolyTUNE 3 is best overall.
My dream would be PolyTune 3, Korg Pitchblack and Peterson MINI having a baby:
* long and thick lines in the display and tuning letter also a bit bigger and thicker.
* Display color selection in 2 ways separately, the needle lines AND the off-needle lines.
TC ELECTRONIC, if you read this, please make the PolyTUNE 4 version like this ;-)
