Thoughts on my New Ph Pen

FarmerHatBeard

FarmerHatBeard

Well-Known Member
Hey all!

I just got this pen (Oakton Ph2)
http://www.4oakton.com/proddetail.asp?parent=2&prod=354&seq=1&Totrec=21

Calibrated it according to the instructions, and its reading the Cal solution values perfectly. 7.0 and 4.0

However...

When I use the old drop method the color seems off compared to the reading the pen is giving...

Look at the pics and tell me what you think.. According to the pen my ph is 5.9 but I think the color is too red on the drops... more like 5.0 - 5.5

one pic is with the flash the other is without.

Testing water right out of the tap (well water, no nutrients) so the color drop should be accurate, no??

Any input is appreciated :)1.jpg 1 (1).jpg 1 (2).jpg
 
justugh

justugh

Well-Known Member
FarmerHatBeard said:
Hey all!

I just got this pen (Oakton Ph2)
http://www.4oakton.com/proddetail.asp?parent=2&prod=354&seq=1&Totrec=21

Calibrated it according to the instructions, and its reading the Cal solution values perfectly. 7.0 and 4.0

However...

When I use the old drop method the color seems off compared to the reading the pen is giving...

Look at the pics and tell me what you think.. According to the pen my ph is 5.9 but I think the color is too red on the drops... more like 5.0 - 5.5

one pic is with the flash the other is without.

Testing water right out of the tap (well water, no nutrients) so the color drop should be accurate, no??

Any input is appreciated :)View attachment 3558983 View attachment 3558984 View attachment 3558985
Click to expand...
owed the very same pen

in 6/8 months u will throw the pen out as it will not hold a true reading any more

it is better to buy the ones with the screw driver used to tune it .......20 bucks compared to 50 buck
 
Resinhound

Resinhound

Well-Known Member
Those ph drops give an ~ of your PH.Its enough to "get you in the ballpark" but its definitely not exact.When/if you get serious about this hobby look at blulab ph/ec meters.Your current pen will work ok,just keep it calibrated and keep the bulb end moist with the storage solution,when not in use.
 
FarmerHatBeard

FarmerHatBeard

Well-Known Member
justugh said:
owed the very same pen

in 6/8 months u will throw the pen out as it will not hold a true reading any more

it is better to buy the ones with the screw driver used to tune it .......20 bucks compared to 50 buck
Click to expand...
Haha, I do hope you're wrong. I've gone through 3 of the $20 ones in the last year and a half, so I decided to try something higher up on the scale. A trusted growing friend has been using one of these for a year without issue. I got the storage solution as well.
 
FarmerHatBeard

FarmerHatBeard

Well-Known Member
Resinhound said:
Those ph drops give an ~ of your PH.Its enough to "get you in the ballpark" but its definitely not exact.When/if you get serious about this hobby look at blulab ph/ec meters.Your current pen will work ok,just keep it calibrated and keep the bulb end moist with the storage solution,when not in use.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info about the drops!
I did look at Blue lab, very expensive, and a lot of terrible feedback. Though there's bad reviews of every product they seemed to have the most. Since a reliable source recommend this one I went for it. I think the storage solution may be the real key to keeping any unit in good shape.
I'm so serious about my plants it's not even funny
 
justugh

justugh

Well-Known Member
FarmerHatBeard said:
Haha, I do hope you're wrong. I've gone through 3 of the $20 ones in the last year and a half, so I decided to try something higher up on the scale. A trusted growing friend has been using one of these for a year without issue. I got the storage solution as well.
Click to expand...
i am not .....it is the probes them self .......they only last so long ...6 months is about the right amount of time

even with the 200 buck ph tester/500 buck auto pher ........the probes have to be replaced do to the same issue the pens have

note i used distilled water to clean the pens and the solution to store it away (sitting upright)stored away did not touch broke out for next winter round pen was crap i would set it work for the day with in 48 hours it drift upwards or downwards
 
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Resinhound

Resinhound

Well-Known Member
FarmerHatBeard said:
Thanks for the info about the drops!
I did look at Blue lab, very expensive, and a lot of terrible feedback. Though there's bad reviews of every product they seemed to have the most. Since a reliable source recommend this one I went for it. I think the storage solution may be the real key to keeping any unit in good shape.
I'm so serious about my plants it's not even funny
Click to expand...

Lol ok if you say so.
 
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