The Knave
Active Member
When it comes to ph meters, I learned the hard way you get what you pay for. Now I'm not saying you have to cough up $300 for a BlueLab Guardian (although growers who have one love it), but personally I have had nothing but crap buying the $15 yellow meters. My problems finally resolved themselves when I got a Oakton EcoTester2 (with a coupon I paid $50). Is it the best? No. Is it the worst? Far from it.
Out of habit I check calibration every couple weeks, but after 6 months other then battery switch w/calibration, I've never changed it. A buddy does have a Guardian and the couple of times I've compared it has always matched readings. Is my $50 meter as good as a $300 meter? Maybe, probably not. But so far it's been good to me. Maybe I've been lucky. I do like that the meter is waterproof.
My point though is, if you're gonna go the meter route rather then paper or test strips, pay a little more for a meter that has good reviews rather then take a chance with a no name meter. As with any electronic gadget....maintain it, check calibration, don't abuse it, store it properly.
Out of habit I check calibration every couple weeks, but after 6 months other then battery switch w/calibration, I've never changed it. A buddy does have a Guardian and the couple of times I've compared it has always matched readings. Is my $50 meter as good as a $300 meter? Maybe, probably not. But so far it's been good to me. Maybe I've been lucky. I do like that the meter is waterproof.
My point though is, if you're gonna go the meter route rather then paper or test strips, pay a little more for a meter that has good reviews rather then take a chance with a no name meter. As with any electronic gadget....maintain it, check calibration, don't abuse it, store it properly.