I might need a good PH Meter. I have seen a few hand held ones but they seem to not be very accurate. Now i do now a lot of people get these things and just go to it without calibrating them. So this could be a reason they are not worth the money. I have been looking at this one. Amazon.com: PH-200 WATERPROOF pH METER: Kitchen & Dining But only 4 peeps have reviewed it and well thats not enough for me to really want to get it. Any input?
This is what I use. For less than $30 hard to beat, plus the read out is 2 digits and the accuracy is ±.1 $29 - HANNA HI 98103 pH Tester + Free Buffer + Free S/H! Don't forget to get 4.01 and 7.01 calibration solution. Actually, I have 2 ph pens....Good to double check to make sure. Also, don't bring your ph pen within 6 feet of a digital ballast.
I have the PH-200 and like it. When you first start using it, it can take up to 2 minutes for the reading to settle down and remain stable. Ive been using mine for about 2 weeks and it gets a good reading after about 20 seconds. For the price the accuracy is unmatched. Most cheap meters are in the .2-3 accuracy range even though their resolution is .01. Dont be fooled by that, extra numbers on the screen dont mean its more accurate. The HM-200 is accurate to .01, far more accurate than you will ever need it to be, but its nice to know that your tenths digit is reading true. I also have their PPM meter and like it as well, I bought both for about 120 total on amazon. While it may be more expensive, in the long run its an investment. Avoid the potential headaches of a cheap meter from hong kong, you wont be sorry.
Definitly stick to the Hanna name brand meter. I've been having the Hanna combo meter for two yrs and it's awesome. I've only had to change the electrode once. It's reads PH, TDS, EC, and temp. A lil pricey at $160 range, but well worth it to have it all in one package. Very accurate and the batteries last forever. Just which ever one u choose be sure to get all the solutions needed, Ph like stated above but also cleaning solution and storage solution. This will make your electrodes last longer and it will stay calibrated longer. Just think no more guess work, u'll know exactly what you're feeding them and what the runoff contains. I don't c how growers do it without'em. GL hope this helps
Hello, I purchased the PH-200 and the EC meter combo off amazon, and I must say... Ive only have had troubles with the Ph meter. Out of the 10 times to get it to work, i have only had it work about 6.. First pic: meter in 7.0 solution Seems to be fine... BUT... I place it in the bubble buckets and THIS!! That isn't even a number.. It is a horizontal line and a vertical line, NOT a 7.. It was doing this from the beginning, but i would just leave it for about a minute and it would finally show my 5.8.. BUT TODAY... Not going... It just WONT work.. SO FRUSTRATING! So far i think this pH meter is complete trash.. I have tried running rubbing alcohol which showed a good reading, and the 7.0 solution shows fine, it just wont take my actual solution.. Anybody have any experience with this.. I would appreciate it tons... But most likely ill order the one listed above for 30 because i need something that works EVERYTIME i turn it on. Thanks
all of the above are nice, esp since theyre digital. but ibought mine on a strict bdget at the time, and while its not digital it requires no batteries and its widely used. the rapitest mini ph tester. it tests the moisture and the ph. Amazon.com: Luster Leaf Rapitest Mini Soil pH/Moisture Tester #1817: Patio, Lawn & Garden
Long story short, Send it back. are you saying that the horizontal and vertical line dont act like a seven? As in if that reading went up .04 it wouldnt change to an 8? Im thinking its just a faulty LCD... but who knows. I have the same meter combo and have never once had a problem with them. Love that they auto calibrate to whatever type of cal solution you have and are also auto temp compensating. The PH meter will take a couple of minutes to settle for the first week or two but after that the reading get much faster. A tip is to shake the meter in the solution to get the reading to settle faster. You will notice it dip and then come back up to the actual reading. Make sure you keep the tip cover that the ph meter comes with saturated with the buffering solution as well. Im sure who ever you bought that from on amazon will take it back. Peoples reputations are important on that site.
I've had a few meters in my time, Hanna, Nutradrip & Control wizard just to name a few.Not everyone can afford this meter, but I like it the best. You do have to be careful with the pH wand, it is made out of glass and not cheap plastic.To clean, just rub it with your thumb, it's smooth and has the temperature probe built in.