I disagree...(someone has to...
)
I know a refract is good for OG and you have to use software to recompute your reading to get an FG, but I do not mind the "relatively large" sample taken from the primary/secondary because I sample/drink my brews along the way. That's hard to do with only 1 drop.
I pre-plan for the end volume by topping off to 5.25 and 5.5 gals so I don't worry about any loss.
As far as breaking hydrometers that's your own fault for handling it wrong or too roughly.
One tip I would offer is to never try to hold it horizontally by the smaller tip. All the weight is on the other end. That's a recipe for breaking if I ever saw one. Always hold it vertically.
Tip two is never handle anything else while washing/cleaning it. All you need to do is pay a little attention to what you are doing at the time. You don't want to bump it into the side of the sink/pot/whatever. You don't drive your car that way...or do you??
I'm not saying I have never broken one either. I've broken 2 so far, but it's over a 14 year period.
Of the two I have now, one is well over 4 years old and the other over 12.
I also store them in the plastic tubes they came in.
I say two because I try to have two on hand in case one breaks. See...pre-planning is all it takes.
All of us waste a bit of money all the time. You may as well invest it in your equipment.