All I want is a good accurate easy to use meter that can test both soil and water, and test soil without making a mud solution like the Milwaukee meters. The only two I can find that seem worth a damn are the Cardy twin, and the hanna HI 99121. Both are a lot of money. any cheaper recommendations. I really need a decent soil probe type meter. I'd be ok with 2 different meters as well
not sure of your budget.. but this is a solid one for $20 imo. Milwaukee PH600 Digital pH Meter/Tester/Pocket/Pen/600 - eBay (item 270485335396 end time Mar-14-10 20:15:52 PDT)
under 200 would be nice. under 100 would be great for both, but I don't think that's possible I want a nice meter, but if I have to buy a 250-300 dollar meter, I could justify the price. thanks for the link. I've looked at that one before and wondered how well it works without temperature compensation.
well.. i think it'll at least give you a general idea what the PH of your nutrient mix is. I'm not saying it's the most accurate thing, but i'd pay $20 for that over one of those soil probe things anyday. in the $100 range (for a combo EC/PH meter).. i'd probably go with this one. i still use mine as a back-up and it works pretty well.
Yup EC stands for electrical conductivity, and TDS is Total Dissolved Solids. Both are a different conversion of the same measurement, basically telling you how much crap you have dissolved in your solution. And OP, why don't you just test your runoff? I've really never heard of a good, cheap probe meter. All the two digit priced models I've seen, or used, are not useful. Seems like a nifty idea to have one around, just to be able to test when you aren't watering. But they can't read accurately unless the soil is saturated anyway, and even then, you're looking at +/- a full point, easy.
So all the soil probes suck... unfortunate looks like i'll just get a fluid ph meter, and use indicator solution on the soil like I had been. ps. dripping indicator solution over the soil on a white plate is WAY more effective than testing run off Thanks for the info everybody. I was hoping to be lazy, but it looks like I can't.
Hanna Grochek pH Stick Meter - Mfg# HI 981408 i've seen it for $75 on other sites... but that works for both if you just want soil/water pH
I use the Oakton Ecotestr II and absolutely love it ($60) Don't forget to buy calibration solution!!!