Looking for better PPM/EC meter (display)

phxazcraig · Apr 9, 2022

This shouldn't be hard... I have several PPM meters now, all of which have simple issues.

One is a TDS PPM only meter - I wanted one with an EC scale. It came with an RO system and it has a tiny display that is hard to read.
One is a 700 PPM meter - this one was close, but it isn't accurate. It has a nice big bright green display that is easy to read.
One is a 500/700 PPM - but the display sucks.

What I want seems simple. An accurate EC pen (preferably with 500ppm scale) with a bright, readable display. Of the 3 I have, only 1 has a display I can read in the dark when I lower it into the dark reservoir to get a reading. The other two have small b&w displays, which I can't read in dim lighting. My problem is that the EC reading from my nice display pen reads over 10% lower than the other two. These are all $10-15 pens.

Moe.Red · Apr 9, 2022

I don't think you will find what you want for $10. You willing to spend $?

Unless you want to make your own, this is the best price/value device on the market for reading a res:

Amazon.com

Madmax · Apr 9, 2022

Checkout Hanna growline..has temp.ph ec,and ppm 500,700 scale etc .this is what i use.

Mostlymooses · Apr 9, 2022

Bluelab is what you want. They also make a truncheon that is a little more like a pen and cheaper than the regular meter, but eventually you will want the nice full meter. Very easy to use/calibrate/clean.

Amazon.com

jguit · Apr 9, 2022

The Bluelab stuff is good, I use their combo meter (with the long leads). I'm sure the unit Moe linked is great. The only thing about the Bluelab stuff is that the EC probe isn't replaceable (at least not on the combo meter). I had a bitch of a time dealing with their support to get a faulty meter replaced.

I also use an Apera EC60 pen meter but the characters on the display are somewhat small and difficult to read. It seems pretty darn accurate.

Moe.Red · Apr 9, 2022

jguit said:
The Bluelab stuff is good, I use their combo meter (with the long leads). I'm sure the unit Moe linked is great. The only thing about the Bluelab stuff is that the EC probe isn't replaceable (at least not on the combo meter). I had a bitch of a time dealing with their support to get a faulty meter replaced.

I also use an Apera EC60 pen meter but the characters on the display are somewhat small and difficult to read. It seems pretty darn accurate.

Bluelab has their issues. But overall a solid product.

I've chosen to make my own and use Atlas Scientific probes. Overkill for our needs, but dead on balls accurate (industry term.)

phxazcraig · Apr 9, 2022

Madmax said:
Checkout Hanna growline..has temp.ph ec,and ppm 500,700 scale etc .this is what i use.View attachment 1234372

Does this one have a lighted display that can be seen in the dark?

steamroller · Apr 9, 2022

It has a hold button you can push and then you can read it in normal light .
Most have the hold button ... One of your 3 if not all probably have it ?

phxazcraig · Apr 9, 2022

steamroller said:
It has a hold button you can push and then you can read it in normal light .
Most have the hold button ... One of your 3 if not all probably have it ?

Yes, which is what is driving me batty right now. My NICE display lights up with a bright green display with big letters. I can simply dip it into the dark reservoir and be done. Unfortunately, it's not accurate.

I'm leaning toward the Bluelab at this point. I have a Bluelab pH controller and a Bluelab pH pen, and they are indeed nice.

elobrand · Apr 9, 2022

Got an Apera that I am liking. Lights up like a flashlight. It has every scale, not just 500 and 700. You can pick just about any conversion factor you like. Easy for me to read display. Only downside is the $$ for it. Mine has bluetooth, but they make one without it, that is the same otherwise. Edit: looks like this in the dark.

Dtraderbudz23 · Apr 20, 2022

Hey wanted to add a question to this thread. If I am growing 100% organic soil and do not plan and nuking my plants with all these chemical nutrients I see people use do I need anything other than just a PH measure?

MedicalHydroponics · Apr 20, 2022

Mega Meter

All Meters Come Calibrated & With Fresh Batteries

www.thegrowboss.com

For $80 I thought this was a good option, anyone have one? Temp,PH,PPM all in one.

Dtraderbudz23 · Apr 20, 2022

MedicalHydroponics said:
Mega Meter

All Meters Come Calibrated & With Fresh Batteries

www.thegrowboss.com

For $80 I thought this was a good option, anyone have one? Temp,PH,PPM all in one.

I would not trust that meter. Milwaukee has pretty good prices

MedicalHydroponics · Apr 21, 2022

Dtraderbudz23 said:
I would not trust that meter. Milwaukee has pretty good prices

I just picked one up great price, He owns a hydroponics grow store has used all the top brands. And had this one made because of the others kept coming back.
It also goes up to 10,000ppm for run off.
It will be a few months before I use it, almost finished with the project.

I checked out the

Milwaukee MW802 it’s $190

Amazon.com

Moe.Red · Apr 21, 2022

Dtraderbudz23 said:
Hey wanted to add a question to this thread. If I am growing 100% organic soil and do not plan and nuking my plants with all these chemical nutrients I see people use do I need anything other than just a PH measure?

What soil and amendments are you running?

Dtraderbudz23 · Apr 21, 2022

Moe.Red said:
What soil and amendments are you running?

I made a base and top mix from a recipe I found on here. Pro mix organic, bone meal, blood meal, muriate of potash, kelp meal, limestone, vermiculite.

Alb · Apr 22, 2022

phxazcraig said:
This shouldn't be hard... I have several PPM meters now, all of which have simple issues.

One is a TDS PPM only meter - I wanted one with an EC scale. It came with an RO system and it has a tiny display that is hard to read.
One is a 700 PPM meter - this one was close, but it isn't accurate. It has a nice big bright green display that is easy to read.
One is a 500/700 PPM - but the display sucks.

What I want seems simple. An accurate EC pen (preferably with 500ppm scale) with a bright, readable display. Of the 3 I have, only 1 has a display I can read in the dark when I lower it into the dark reservoir to get a reading. The other two have small b&w displays, which I can't read in dim lighting. My problem is that the EC reading from my nice display pen reads over 10% lower than the other two. These are all $10-15 pens.

https://milwaukeeinstruments-ca.com...oEHOMF5-UMt7fguGAGDxpG4Gn3VsDeVqHLAOgGuzDSdOI Take the plunge...

Pushrod Monkey · Apr 22, 2022

Madmax said:
Checkout Hanna growline..has temp.ph ec,and ppm 500,700 scale etc .this is what i use.View attachment 1234372

Hanna instruments are used in actual reference labs around the world. I’ve used Hanna since 2016. No problems. My present is a similar unit. DiST. Stays calibrated. Easy to keep. No need to blow a wad on Blue.

Madmax · Apr 22, 2022

My blu lab wouldnt calibrate ph 4.0 after cleaning and had ti wait a day for it to calibrate it,then when i rechecked the calibration it was out a couple .points either side so i bought the groline and no such problems.reasonably expensive but well worth it..

Madmax · Apr 22, 2022

phxazcraig said:
Does this one have a lighted display that can be seen in the dark?

Nup

Looking for better PPM/EC meter (display)

Looking for better PPM/EC meter (display)

phxazcraig

Moe.Red

Madmax

Mostlymooses

jguit

Moe.Red

phxazcraig

steamroller

phxazcraig

elobrand

Dtraderbudz23

MedicalHydroponics

Mega Meter

Dtraderbudz23

Mega Meter

MedicalHydroponics

Milwaukee MW802 it’s $190​

Moe.Red

Dtraderbudz23

Alb

Pushrod Monkey

Madmax

Madmax

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency

Milwaukee MW802 it’s $190