Best ph pen >$200

What I like most about the Apera is the extra decimal of precision. Not for the sake of the precision itself but it lets me see when the meter reading has stabilized. With a single point you just have to wait to see if it changes another whole point so taking readings with my bluelab takes longer.

Renfro said:

The spear probe (PH60S) will allow you to test your soil / coco pH as well as measure liquids. That is the one I have but it's much more costly than the regular probe that is liquids only. Didn't even know they have a flat probe, wonder what the purpose of that is.

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I don't have any first hand experience with Apera, but if it reliably performs and survives the test of time in a garden as massive as yours it has to be a solid piece of equipment. The 2 year warranty inspires confidence and the price is reasonable. About $25 cheaper than Blue Lab's pen with a better warranty by 1 year and .00 resolution. I see their higher end models offer replaceable probes. It seems Apera is a cut above the rest.

Renfro said:

What I like most about the Apera is the extra decimal of precision. Not for the sake of the precision itself but it lets me see when the meter reading has stabilized. With a single point you just have to wait to see if it changes another whole point so taking readings with my bluelab takes longer.

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I'll second that on the .00 resolution. With the Milwaukee I can see which way the PH is drifting or if it's drifting at all. The Blue Lab I just drop the probe in the water and walk away for a few minutes while the reading settles. That's pretty snazzy for a PH pen.

jonnynobody said:

It seems Apera is a cut above the rest.

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They really do make a good meter. Every time I check my PH60S to see if it is calibrated it reads within 0.01 but is usually spot on. Pretty much blew my mind. I did have a little issue with their customer service at one point but in the end I still recommend the meter and it's the one I usually use and it's quite often in my pocket when I come upstairs from my grow. I go down there and into my pocket it goes, even though I have a couple blue labs I will go to another room to get the apera. I just trust the heck out of it.

One thing I noted about the PH60S is that if you have highly oxygenated solution it will tend to read high. So if you are testing from a tank thats got airstones or whatnot you need to pull a sample and read it.

For example: If I have a bucket of nutes and use a whisk to mix in some pH buffer or other product, when I stop whisking the solution it is very oxygenated and the pH meter reads high drifting down over about 10 - 15 seconds.

It's definitely sensitive and I believe the extra point of precision is not just a joke.

I also have an Apera PH 60 and like it a lot. Ive only had it 6 months or so but it has not need calibration yet, and I use it almost every day. Replacement probes are reasonable at $35. Plus, you can get an ORP probe if you want.

I had the cheaper PH 20 without a replaceable probe, and it lasted 18 months before needing replacement. This should work out to be cheaper over time.

My only complaint is it takes quite a while to finish adjusting to temp changes. I keep my rez in the 45-55F range, and it takes a good 2 or 3 minutes for the meter to read the correct temp when its starting out at 68F or so. All during that time, the PH reading will be climbing.

I've gone through a few Bluelab PH pens over the years. I think they are a decent product but I never trust them. I calibrate once a week and sometime double check with PH drops. Most times it's within calibration but sometimes its off... off enough to cause serious issues. The Bluelab truncheon is bulletproof IMO, been using the same one for 6 years no issues.

I've been using the Hanna HI-9814 and very happy with it. I love that it reads to the second decimal and that you can buy replacement probes . Still calibrate it weekly and double check with drops. I've only been running this a few months but its always spot on.

jonnynobody said:

I'm saying the probe on a PH pen is not replaceable. For $103.99 it's a poor value when the MW102 is $122.99 with a replaceable remote probe. One is a throw away device. The other is a serviceable device that will last through many years of probe replacements. Something that cannot be achieved with a PH pen that isn't equipped with a replaceable probe. For $19 more the MW102 is infinitely a better value to the consumer.

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My Milwaukee MW102 has been flawless, except the 2 times I screwed up and let the probe dry out causing minor inaccuracy and very slow response. I did my research and rejuvenated the probe back to like new performance.

Before that I spent well over $100 on two cheap meters and ridiculous amounts of calibration fluid, a total PITA. I'll try to get back here and share more tomorrow.

I've had a Blue lab combo i really liked but it crapped out. Ph replacement was pretty high also. I've been using Apera for the last couple of years. I buy a new one once a year.

Renfro said:

The spear probe (PH60S) will allow you to test your soil / coco pH as well as measure liquids. That is the one I have but it's much more costly than the regular probe that is liquids only. Didn't even know they have a flat probe, wonder what the purpose of that is.

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I think the flat one is for skin

I love blue lab still have never had to calibrate it.

Kdoggy said:

I love blue lab still have never had to calibrate it.

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Calibration procedure should be like wiping your ass. You just do it regularly for fuck's sake. God forbid you should have to cut one of your many daily jerk off sessions short to properly maintain your fucking equipment. Love you!

jonnynobody said:

Calibration procedure should be like wiping your ass. You just do it regularly for fuck's sake. God forbid you should have to cut one of your many daily jerk off sessions short to properly maintain your fucking equipment. Love you!

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I guess but why calibrate when it doesnt need to be calibrated you can buy junk or buy blue lab and not worry. I do check it but ive never had to calibrate it lol. As far as free time i have more than retired people lol.

Kdoggy said:

I guess but why calibrate when it doesnt need to be calibrated you can buy junk or buy blue lab and not worry. I do check it but ive never had to calibrate it lol. As far as free time i have more than retired people lol.

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You laugh a lot at your own statements. How long has this been going on?

jonnynobody said:

You laugh a lot at your own statements. How long has this been going on?

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Lol i dunno lol

Larry3215 said:

I also have an Apera PH 60 and like it a lot. Ive only had it 6 months or so but it has not need calibration yet, and I use it almost every day. Replacement probes are reasonable at $35. Plus, you can get an ORP probe if you want.

I had the cheaper PH 20 without a replaceable probe, and it lasted 18 months before needing replacement. This should work out to be cheaper over time.

My only complaint is it takes quite a while to finish adjusting to temp changes. I keep my rez in the 45-55F range, and it takes a good 2 or 3 minutes for the meter to read the correct temp when its starting out at 68F or so. All during that time, the PH reading will be climbing.

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Just keep it in the fridge. Stirring speeds up the temp response. With my Milwaukee MW102 I normally don't use the seperate temp probe.

I'm quite satisfied with my Milwaukee, but the Apera PH60 is only around $80 and has good features.
1. A replaceable probe for around $35 or the ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) probe for $48. ORP is standard for the Millwaukee MW102
2. .00 resolution
3. Digital calibration stored in memory rather than a potentiometer in an analog circuit that will drift.
4. Carrying case.

Looking for opinions on the Hanna HI98129. It has replaceable probe and and it's reasonably priced where I live (EU).

IMO all of the bigger name brand pens work great... just have to maintain them and make sure you are consistent with cleaning and calibrating. Having another backup pen is a good idea too. Replacing the unit or probe annually is also a good idea lol.

luxonator said:

Looking for opinions on the Hanna HI98129. It has replaceable probe and and it's reasonably priced where I live (EU).

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Hanna makes decent stuff if they still have the same standards they used to. I still use a Hanna ppm pen I bought for $70Can in 1982 but rarely need it now. When I do use it I check teh calibration first and it's can be out 100ppm so just dial it back in and that's good enough. Little screw in teh back for that and I'm amazed I never dropped it the nutes after years of doing DWC. Half-pissed a lot of the times too.

The pH pen I have is at least 10 years old and tho slower to reach a steady state it's right on when calibrated properly with 4 and 7. I take good care of all my stuff so it lasts a hell of a lot longer than most peoples. Quick rinse of the probe with RO or distilled water and into storage sol'n until next used. Last time was 6 months ago but got some new nutes and will have to see how they are when mixed in RO water. Also want to start adding silica and that pushes the pH way up so will need to be able to knock that back to 7 before adding nutes or 6 - 6.5 if just watering the plants with it.

It's an EcoTestr pH1 made by Eutech/Oakton and was $69 when I got it. The clear cap holds the storage sol'n and when about half evaporates I clean it all and put in fresh sol'n. Every 6 months or so.

had Apera ph20....3 months after buying....seal went between the bottom of the pen with the probe and the rest of the unit.....water was even in the screen....Dropped Apera, got Bluelabs ph pen. been good pen.