Blue Lab PH pens are not good

lusidghost

Well-Known Member
The title of the thread is Bluelab pH pens are no good. That's not true which is what I was saying.

I just took the cap off of my Bluelab and it's still wet. It's been sitting unused for 4-5 months.
First post:
Can someone recommend something better please? I have been through TWO Bluelab PH pens in just three months and have come to the conclusion that they are no longer a quality product. Their customer service is awful as well.

I could be wrong, but I don't recall that anyone has mentioned their issue being that the pen has dried out. Please explain how two pens in less than half a year have had leaky screens, is due to user error.
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
First post:



I could be wrong, but I don't recall that anyone has mentioned their issue being that the pen has dried out. Please explain how two pens in less than half a year have had leaky screens, is due to user error.
The OP hasn't posted since August. If you look at some of their other posts operator error is the most likely cause.


 

LeastExpectedGrower

Well-Known Member
The OP hasn't posted since August. If you look at some of their other posts operator error is the most likely cause.
I just did a quick review...with the current cost of Bluelab's pH pens and you're having to replace them in rapid succession, I guess I understand why he couldn't afford any plant food. ;)

I always blame any of my plants' issues on me. Each time I get a little better, though I've never even had to consider throwing away flowering plants, etc. Though I always have a rough spot right around 3-4th week of flower.
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
I just did a quick review...with the current cost of Bluelab's pH pens and you're having to replace them in rapid succession, I guess I understand why he couldn't afford any plant food. ;)

I always blame any of my plants' issues on me. Each time I get a little better, though I've never even had to consider throwing away flowering plants, etc. Though I always have a rough spot right around 3-4th week of flower.
That's why you'll just keep becoming a better grower. Some blame everything on this or that product. It's never their fault. There's always a scapegoat to be had. This is no good or that is no good.

Almost everything that goes wrong in a grow is caused by the grower. Those that understand that become better growers.

:weed:
 

lusidghost

Well-Known Member
Your pen will eventually die. I hope Bluelab figures out their quality control issues before that happens. 2 dead pens since the summer. User error my ass. This last pen was getting babied as much as a person can, because I was already skeptical.
 

LeastExpectedGrower

Well-Known Member
That's why you'll just keep becoming a better grower. Some blame everything on this or that product. It's never their fault. There's always a scapegoat to be had. This is no good or that is no good.

Almost everything that goes wrong in a grow is caused by the grower. Those that understand that become better growers.

:weed:
Part of my issues is that I like to rotate through different strains, so I never fully get to know the quirks and needs of a specific one before moving on. Of course, I think that is part of process. Last run I did something that was super sensitive to nutrients now I've got something that wants lots of feeding. Last run (same setup/medium) the plants were on a 3 or 4 day schedule for feed/water, this time they need feed/water every other day.

What's not part of my issue is any of the hardware I'm using. I've liked the Bluelab pH and EC pens and they've been solid. Though they always seem to know when I'm busy & don't have much time and that's when they want to be calibrated.

The other thing that is probably a good omen for new growers is that even when I've had plant troubles along the way, the end result has been better than what most people are buying out there. I've been giving it away to friends/family & consistently have gotten good feedback, so you CAN grow good stuff and still be dealing with learning.
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
Your pen will eventually die. I hope Bluelab figures out their quality control issues before that happens. 2 dead pens since the summer. User error my ass. This last pen was getting babied as much as a person can, because I was already skeptical.
I was going off of the OP's post as they had two pens they claimed had issues. I missed some of your previous posts somehow and didn't realize you had issues as well. Or maybe I just spaced out. Now that I've gone back through the thread I will agree that there is something wrong not related to user error with you experience.
 

LeastExpectedGrower

Well-Known Member
I was going off of the OP's post as they had two pens they claimed had issues. I missed some of your previous posts somehow and didn't realize you had issues as well. Or maybe I just spaced out. Now that I've gone back through the thread I will agree that there is something wrong not related to user error with you experience.
It does sound like a quality control issue. Which would explain why some of us haven't have problems with newer units and others have.
 

lusidghost

Well-Known Member
For what it's worth it still works. I just have to treat it like a cheap non-waterproof pen from now on. But as someone pointed out, there's no check mark on the screen signifying that it is calibrated, and I just calibrated it a few days ago. So it might already have one foot in the grave. I've supported Bluelab for a long time. I have no disdain towards the company or complaints about their products aside from this new recurring issue. My truncheon has never had a problem, and like I've said several times my first pen lasted 5 solid years.
 

Bud man 43

Well-Known Member
My blue lab pen has been reliable- rinse after each use and clean with light detergent once a month or so.
When I calibrate it is is always spot on.
14 months old- used everyday.
Still gets to the results pretty fast, I like it.
Always stored with the cap rinsed out keeping everything always wet as suggested.
 

1212ham

Well-Known Member
Is there a pen that the storage solution doesn’t leak out of if it tips over on its side? I should probably use a cup or something now that I think about it.
My Apera PH60 with silicone O-ring to seal the cup/cap. I park it in a small glass to keep it upright.
Any meter that uses a separate probe, like my Milwaukee MW102. About 5 years old and the original probe still works well.
Most probe failures are the result of ignorance and abuse.
 

Jjgrow420

Well-Known Member
I've had one of my pens for about 6years. It's a bit slower on the read, but it makes it there eventually. I've just been using my bluelab soil pH pen because it's lightning fast and time is money babeee
Hanna makes some really good instruments as well.
They're the only 2 companies I'd ever buy meters from. Maybe apera, but I don't know much about them nor do I know anyone personally that uses them.
CX service with bluelab has never let me down either. Had an issue with my ec meter, wouldn't calibrate. Called and they said they'd send me a new one no questions, but to first try brand new calibration solution. I did, and it worked.
 
Last edited:

Jjgrow420

Well-Known Member
I think with the push from legalization, things started to fly off the shelves and companies weren't equipped to keep up the supply, so they cut corners and pumped out alot of product to keep shelves stocked at the expense of quality. Now things have settled down, demand is dwindling. You can buy a lb for 300$ now a days round here.... People who tried, and failed just buy others crappy harvests for cheap cheap and gave up the grow game. (not as easy as they thought it would be) so I think things are beginning to level off again now
 

1212ham

Well-Known Member
I think with the push from legalization, things started to fly off the shelves and companies weren't equipped to keep up the supply, so they cut corners and pumped out alot of product to keep shelves stocked at the expense of quality. Now things have settled down, demand is dwindling. You can buy a lb for 300$ now a days round here.... People who tried, and failed just buy others crappy harvests for cheap cheap and gave up the grow game. (not as easy as they thought it would be) so I think things are beginning to level off again now
Plus massive disruption to supply chains and manufacturing from a global pandemic and the war.
 

lusidghost

Well-Known Member
Bluelab wanted me to send them the pen so they could inspect it. I didn't have a week+ to let them declare that I'm not a liar. I'm still sending it and will use the replace as a backup, but I jumped brands. This one seems fine. It's a little slower, but more accurate. I don't even care at this point, I just want a pen that will last longer than a few months.

6EF3E5B3-9B54-4901-9151-49D49CF757A4.jpeg
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Bluelab wanted me to send them the pen so they could inspect it. I didn't have a week+ to let them declare that I'm not a liar. I'm still sending it and will use the replace as a backup, but I jumped brands. This one seems fine. It's a little slower, but more accurate. I don't even care at this point, I just want a pen that will last longer than a few months.

View attachment 5238907
How do you know it's more accurate?
 
Top