Allen 5500 Fish Scale Review
Our verdict
The Allen 5500 fish scale costs $29.46, just $0.96 more than the cheapest scale in this comparison, the $28.50 Rapala RMDS-50, but its 4.3 star rating across 162 reviews trails every other scale here. It works as a budget option if price matters more than top tier ratings.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Budget minded anglers who want a basic scale near the bottom of the price range, at $29.46, and who are not chasing the highest possible star rating, since the Allen 5500's 4.3 stars is the lowest among the scales compared here.
Skip if
Skip it if rating matters more than price, since the Rapala RGSDS-50 at $48.55 holds a 4.6 star average and the Boga 130 at $185.98 holds 4.9 stars, both well above the Allen 5500's 4.3 stars on 162 reviews.
- Material Blend
- Weight 3.58 Pounds
- Color Multi
- Pieces 1.0 Count
- Feature Hunting Knives Butchering Tools
- Priced 35% above the category median ($21.79 across 48 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.3/5
4.3 average across 162 owner ratings
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Popularity1.9/5
162 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other fishing gear and tackle we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
Grabbing a quick weight reading at the cleaning table without spending much money is the scenario the Allen 5500 fish scale is built around. At $29.46, it lands near the bottom of the price range in this comparison, just $0.96 above the cheapest scale here, the Rapala RMDS-50 at $28.50. For anglers who just need a number and are not chasing top marks, that entry price point is the main draw.
It is built from a blend material and weighs 3.58 pounds, noticeably heavier than the sub-one-pound weights listed for the Rapala scales. The listing tags it with a Hunting Knives Butchering Tools feature label, which points to Allen positioning this scale alongside game processing gear rather than as a dedicated angling accessory, even though it is sold and reviewed as a fish scale.
That crossover positioning may explain its comparatively modest 4.3 star rating across 162 reviews, the lowest average in this four scale set, trailing the RMDS-50's 4.4 stars, the RGSDS-50's 4.6 stars, and the Eastaboga's 4.8 stars. It still carries a review count higher than the Eastaboga's 61, so the lower average is not simply a small sample effect.
Pros
- Priced at $29.46, near the bottom of this comparison's price range.
- 162 reviews gives a solid sample size to judge the 4.3 star average by.
- In stock and ready to ship.
- Blend material construction matches the build approach used in the Rapala scales.
- Weighs 3.58 pounds, which may suit anglers who want a scale with some heft rather than something feather light.
Cons
- 4.3 star rating is the lowest among the four scales compared in this set.
- 3.58 pounds is notably heavier than the sub-one-pound Rapala scales.
- Feature tag reads Hunting Knives Butchering Tools rather than a fishing specific label, an odd fit for a scale marketed to anglers.
- Bought last month is listed at 0+, so current demand is not confirmed.
Specifications
| Material | Blend |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.58 Pounds |
| Color | Multi |
| Pieces | 1.0 Count |
| Feature | Hunting Knives Butchering Tools |
Performance notes
At 3.58 pounds, the Allen 5500 is considerably heavier than the Rapala scales in this comparison, which list weights under one pound. That extra weight likely comes from a sturdier housing or added components, though the listing does not break out a display type or capacity figure to confirm what accounts for the difference. The blend material construction matches the approach used across the Rapala lineup, so the build material itself is not a point of differentiation. The multi color finish is a cosmetic detail. The Hunting Knives Butchering Tools feature tag is worth noting for buyers browsing by category, since it suggests Amazon's catalog groups this scale with game processing gear rather than purely fishing accessories, even though the product itself is marketed and reviewed as a fish scale at $29.46.
What buyers say
A 4.3 star average across 162 reviews is the lowest rating in this comparison, though the review count itself, 162, is solid enough that the number reflects a real pattern rather than a small sample fluke. It trails the RMDS-50's 4.4 stars on 126 reviews, the RGSDS-50's 4.6 stars on 172 reviews, and the Eastaboga's 4.8 stars on 61 reviews. That gap suggests the Allen 5500 satisfies most buyers but leaves more of them less than fully happy compared to the other options here. Bought last month is listed at 0+ across this entire set, so current purchase momentum cannot be confirmed from the available data.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does the Allen 5500 have a Hunting Knives Butchering Tools feature tag?
That is the feature label listed for this product, which suggests it is catalogued alongside game processing gear on Amazon rather than under a purely fishing specific tag. The product itself is named and reviewed as a fish scale, so the label appears to be a categorization quirk rather than a description of a different item.
Is the Allen 5500 the cheapest fish scale in this comparison?
Not quite. At $29.46 it is close to the bottom of the price range but sits just $0.96 above the Rapala RMDS-50 at $28.50, which is the cheapest scale among the four options compared here. The Allen 5500 also carries a lower 4.3 star rating than the RMDS-50's 4.4 stars.
How does the Allen 5500's rating compare to pricier scales?
Its 4.3 star average across 162 reviews is the lowest in this comparison, behind the RGSDS-50's 4.6 stars at $48.55 and the Boga 130's 4.9 stars at $185.98. Price and rating move together somewhat in this set, though the Allen 5500's review count is still substantial enough to trust the pattern.