Refractometer vs hydrometer

[m_rawdin]

I just wondered if anyone has any experience using a refractometer as I've never used one before and was considering buying one. Are they any better than using a hydrometer?

 

[rodabod]

Because you use such a small quantity of wort for a refractometer, it doesn't require a chilling time when measuring boiling wort. This is what swings it for me as often I have to wait 20 mins to measure my pre-boil gravity with a hydrometer!