If you don't have a pressurized portafilter basket, the scale is virtually necessary to ensure you're getting the same amount of coffee each shot. This doesn't

If you don't have a pressurized portafilter basket, the scale is virtually necessary to ensure you're getting the same amount of coffee each shot. This doesn't sound like a big deal, except with a normal portafilter basket the only thing holding back the pressure is just the puck of grounds. Increasing or decreasing the dose by even mild amounts can wildly affect the shot pull time just like changing the grind size can.