These little device aren't miniature robots -- they won't pack your lunch or clean your house. However, the Snark SN-2 Chromatic Clip-On Tuner may help you learn to play with improved intonation on the violin, and at a very attractive price. Available in blue and red, it clips to the scroll, and, using a fresh, readable interface, lets you know if you are sharp or flat by use of a dial that looks a little like a speedometer. By the way, if you are a violinist, buy the red one (SN-2), not the blue one (SN-1) -- more on that later.
Features: This little tuner has a convenient swivel mount that allows you to clip it to your scroll and adjust the angle. It has pitch calibration, and a very bright digital readout that can be seen even in bright sunlight. It also comes with a (silent) metronome, with a tap tempo entry function. Snark Red has an extended frequency range and a mic/vib switch that allows it to be used either as a clip-on unit or as a free-standing tuner. Snark Blue, on the other hand, is equipped for vibration tuning only and, with its more limited frequency range, is intended for guitar and bass. Therefore, violinists should purchase the slightly more expensive red unit (SN-2). The Snark runs on small lithium button battery.
Accuracy: The unit was very accurate in both clip-on (vibration) mode and when used with its internal mic. For me, response time is actually more important in modern tuners than accuracy, as, given enough time to assess a note, most tuners on the market are reasonably accurate. This tuner's response time was extremely quick, allowing me to play through passages at a reasonable tempo rather than having to wait seconds for the tuner to register a change in pitch.
Fit and Finish: Made of sturdy plastic and extremely light, this unit survived a couple of test drops onto a hard surface without a scratch. In addition, its contact points with the violin are secure yet gentle, and I did not worry that the finish would be scratched.
Usability: Because the Snark uses an LED display (rather than LCD, like most other tuners) it has an extremely bright, unusually readable display. This is a very nice feature, terrific for outdoors, bright lights, and tired eyes. Another great function is the "hold," where the tuner dial stays stable once it detects a stable pitch. The switches are large and easy to use. It's transpose feature is nice, but is geared toward guitar players playing with a capo (which changes the guitar's tuning). It is clear to me that the makers of the unit had the "working musician" in mind when they designed this unit.
Summary: At amazon, this little tuner is only about $10, which is an outstanding price for a tuner of this quality. A handful of unique features (swivel mount, LED display, very quick response time, and great "hold" make it an attractive buy. Its modern, colorful look that reminded me a bit of Wall-ee the robot, is attractive to young students, who tend to lose patience with other tuners. I wish the metronome wasn't silent -- but rumor has it that the company is soon to release a new model with an audible metronome. However, it often takes a rather large metronome with a big speaker to be audible to a violinist, whose ear is positioned directly over the instrument. Thus, I usually recommend that students purchase a separate metronome rather than expecting their tuner to serve both purposes.
