What PH meter would you guys recommend?

[jonnynobody]

I'm looking for a more reliable PH meter and am considering a Blue Lab Combo Meter Plus. It's a little spendy but I'm tired of $50 meters failing after 3-6 months with proper care and need something more reliable. I just had a bad experience with Hanna Instruments and wound up returning 2 PH meters in a row @ $98 each due to drifting readings and slow response time. I no longer have faith in Hanna making a solid product and am leaning strongly toward the Blue Lab.

A shop near me sells them and will personally warranty a replacement in the store if the unit fails within 5 years. The probe is only warrantied for 6 months, but that seems fair. $226 out the door. Is it really worth the cheddar or is Blue Lab just over hyped and over priced?

What do you guys think? I'm buying on Friday...

Thanks!

 

[BigHornBuds]

I am very happy that I switched from Hanna to Blue lab
I bought the kit with the EC & PH pens
Even bought the soil probe .

 

[dandyrandy]

Went from low budget to bluelab. I've used it a couple years now. Original probe. I rinse with ro water then use storage fluid when needed. I check it every couple of months for cal. I have not cal'ed it since the first time. I have zero complaints. I actually expected to have to replace the probe at least once a year so I bought an extra.

 

[nurrgle]

Blue lab is my favorite although you can get a pen for like $30 that will work fine.

 

[jonnynobody]

Thanks all! Buying a Blue Lab Plus on Friday

 

[NeWcS]

Bluelabs are crap. Expect to get a new one every year. And don't expect ANY customer service.
Whatever you get be sure to store it in 4.01 solution.

 

[hotrodharley]

I'm looking for a more reliable PH meter and am considering a Blue Lab Combo Meter Plus. It's a little spendy but I'm tired of $50 meters failing after 3-6 months with proper care and need something more reliable. I just had a bad experience with Hanna Instruments and wound up returning 2 PH meters in a row @ $98 each due to drifting readings and slow response time. I no longer have faith in Hanna making a solid product and am leaning strongly toward the Blue Lab.

A shop near me sells them and will personally warranty a replacement in the store if the unit fails within 5 years. The probe is only warrantied for 6 months, but that seems fair. $226 out the door. Is it really worth the cheddar or is Blue Lab just over hyped and over priced?

What do you guys think? I'm buying on Friday...

Thanks!

Cheap litmus paper is more than precise enough for cannabis even in hydro.

 

[Hugo Phurst]

Cheap litmus paper is more than precise enough for cannabis even in hydro.

I agree.
I use this stuff, a roll last for months.

 

[fartoblue]

I use an Apera and it is simply the best I have ever owned. Not sure if I can post a link to Amazon UK but if I am allowed I will as the do loads of different ones. Mine cost 51 pounds.

 

[hotrodharley]

I agree.
I use this stuff, a roll last for months.

Never needs calibration or batteries.

 

[A.K.A. Overgrowem]

I didn't know pens were any problem? 8 years ago I bought the cheapest Chinese PH and PPM meters listed on Ebay. They are still going. Have changed batteries, compared with a friend's pens a few years ago and give them little thought. If your grow is small, buy yourself a couple of cheapies at a time. I found after a bit I knew what my PH was without testing.

 

[Joe.Grow]

I use a cheap pen and ppm meter, sure they don’t stay perfect but a small swing of .3 +/-ph isn’t going to kill your plants by not making nutrients available. Most of the cheap pens are hard to keep calibrated. But after a month of use it’s much more accurate, I store mine in some tap water so the sensor doesn’t dry out and I haven’t had to re calibrate either as it tests spot on now.