Ph Tester.. These are crap, right?

I read somewhere to get a quality PH and PPM tester... I picked this up at Home Depot. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ferry-Morse-Electronic-Soil-Tester-944/202244957

It's crap, right? I have a chemical ph up/down test kit. THis meter did not concur with the chemical tester.. I trust the chemical method better. The meter also said that my soil was low in nutes even after adding 3/4 strength GH Floranova..

Should I return this and what would be a better purchase?

Thx so much..

Yeah that is crap....
I use a hanna combo meter ...but it's like $100...but I have used it for 4 years now...

My mom had a meter like that when I was a kid. That was 40 years ago.

I've said this in numerous post:
I've owned LOTS of pH meters...nothing pisses you off more than to see your $100 Pinpoint or Milwaukee or Hanna takes a shit when you slip and you let the probe dry out....

and another thing; yes the probes are better/more reliable on name brand meters but none last forever...
my advise, buy one decent one, buy 1-2 10$ yellow cheapos... check them against each other, NTM the cheapos are nice backups

I almost NEVER trust the reading of a single meter over an entire grow or whenever pH is critical, that whether I calibrate or not...

Is this the yellow cheapie? http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/milwaukee-ph600-ph-meter-pen.html?gclid=CM_364W2qr0CFa1j7AodTCAABA

I use that one (Milwaukee pH600) - no complaints. Just make sure you get storage solution for it. To save you some money though, get it here:

http://www.eseasongear.com/ph20stph4ph7.html

...same price as the one you linked but includes storage solution and two packets of calibration solutions. Also, free shipping.

Edit to add, I keep a pH drop kit around to double-check things when done fine-tuning pH levels in the reservoirs, or when finished mixing up a fresh batch of nutrients. Or you could get at least 2 meters as JohnnySocko suggested. Either way works.

Thx Dudes..

Ditch that silly probe thing and get a cheap pen, as stated above.

Read up on pH meters and testing here:
https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/701733-lets-talk-about-ph-testing.html?highlight=lets+talk+about+pH+testing

sunny747 said:

Is this the yellow cheapie? http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/milwaukee-ph600-ph-meter-pen.html?gclid=CM_364W2qr0CFa1j7AodTCAABA
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Click to expand...

yeah, basically...there are subtle variations incl a red one thats slightly better...
the main thing is you can't get them wet...basically fries the display ...when they start to fck up I simply toss em, buy another..

I use drops personally. never have to calibrate. Always right on the money. Doesnt matter if you carefully store or not its ready to go whenever... oh and ive used the same 6$ bottle for two years or better now

How would I test runoff with a chemical test kit? I tried this yesterday, but my runoff is brown and dirty. Probably because I have fresh soil and am using airpots. I thought about running the runoff through a coffee filter, but this would likely change the ph.

Thx again for all of the tips..

I guess ive never had a reason to test my runoff. I put in 5.8 at 5-10% runoff and have never had anything not go great for me. What exactly are you hoping to get from your runoff ph

Mehhh.. I just heard to test the run off to make sure the soil is creating a well PH'd environment.. Probably not that important in soil as long as I PH my Water ad Nutes..

Thx for the help..