Combo ppm/ph/temp monitors - reviews please?
- Thread starter ItsGrowTime
- Start date
BPJR
Member
I have the Bluelab Guardian monitor and I love this thing. So easy to use and calibrate etc... Not the cheapest option out there but for the quality I am not regretting spending the extra money on it.
Main features:
Adjustable display brightness
Large easy to read displays
'Plant Safe' green LED display
Selectable values for conductivity and temperature
Simple push button pH calibration
No calibration required for conductivity and temperature
Silent alarm for both high and low settings
Settings retained when power lost (non-volatile memory)
Automatic temperature compensation
International power supply
Water resistant design
Main features:
Adjustable display brightness
Large easy to read displays
'Plant Safe' green LED display
Selectable values for conductivity and temperature
Simple push button pH calibration
No calibration required for conductivity and temperature
Silent alarm for both high and low settings
Settings retained when power lost (non-volatile memory)
Automatic temperature compensation
International power supply
Water resistant design
R
RedRain
Bluelab Guardian hands down the best,,,stays in range well and is super simple to use.
tri meter sucks big time,.they are not good at all.... I have used em and they go out of wack every day or so, not reliable or accurate at all, now I just go for bluelab...go bluelab guardian or go home
why even bother with a cheap meter, if you have to calibrate everytime you use it, or its out of wack, it will severely effect your plants!!
tri meter sucks big time,.they are not good at all.... I have used em and they go out of wack every day or so, not reliable or accurate at all, now I just go for bluelab...go bluelab guardian or go home
why even bother with a cheap meter, if you have to calibrate everytime you use it, or its out of wack, it will severely effect your plants!!
I have used tri-meter's and had problems too something with digital balast's fuckin the reading better off with 2 pens , one ph one ppm thats what I use now without any confusion from the trimeter.
peace TS
peace TS
Sorry to hear IGT.
Which model did you get? the PPM or EC and F or C for temps? Is the A/C power detachable?
Did the packaging look like this?
Wondering if the newest releases are all buggered or not.
I think that's the box but it's been a while. It was the PPM and F model. I returned it and got the Bluelab Guardian monitor and it's great! It stays calibrated and has been perfect. I definitely recommend the Bluelab even for the extra $100. Great piece of equipment.
T
Tonka
I'm looking to upgrade too... been having calibration issues with the Hannah 981504 for a few months now.
does anyone dislike anything about the bluelab monitor? (other than price)
does anyone dislike anything about the bluelab monitor? (other than price)
brownstormy
Member
One of my buddies was talking up the guardian about two months ago. It looks sweet and the features are unbeatable. He had some problem with it last month and the store had to send it back to NEW frikken ZEALAND. I don't think it's back yet 'cause I asked him to call me when it's back. That's one of the major reasons I didn't want to drop that much more cash until I did waaay more research.
Don't think I could live without a monitor for that long.. Specially without a backup like my dumbass buddy
brownstormy
Member
My buddy's bluelab guardian monitor started acting up a few months after he got it. It would shut itself off and had to be unplugged and plugged back in. The EC apparently slowly drifted off as he didn't notice it at first but there was a pretty large discrepancy when it was tested at the store. I guess he didn't check it himself 'cus it says EC doesn't need to be calibrated.
As I mentioned above, if you're going to get one, check with the store on how they handle problems with it.. If they'll just replace it for you at the store it should not be an issue.. However, if they just send it off to NZ, you better have a backup handy.
I checked with my buddy and he's *IS* still waiting for his to return.
I'm still probably going to get one eventually.. But I'm waiting for more owners to chime in. I will also only get one if the store will replace it if there are any problems with it.
I have backups, but for that kinda cash I'm not waiting around for months as a matter of simple principle.
R
RedRain
i guess your buddy didnt read the manual that came with the guardian. you can test and recalibrate the EC.
When you purchase the unit it comes with ph 4.0 and 7.0 and EC fluid to test and calibrate as well.
You should be testing your device on a weekly basis anyhow, I test once a week and re-calibrate when I have to. You are just silly any other way. My blue lab only has to be redone every month and it reminds you as well. THose trimeters go out of wack every day at least. Blue lab guardian is hands down the most reliable and dependable on the market.
Any hydro store in BC will do a direct swap with a brand new unit . I have never heard of problems with bluelab, I only hear good things about that company. I guess your retailers are just plain stickly. Just like if a digital ballast goes down, I get a new one right away.
brownstormy
Member
Uhhh.. With due respect - Do you know which monitor we're talking about here?
You go on about the Bluelab Guardian Monitor being awesome, but do you even have the Guardian?
Because I looked at his manual and there was no mention of EC calibration.. only some shit about "if it's off, it's probably only just dirty".. no instructions on EC calibration or what to do if it's off aside from "clean it". So I don't know which manual YOU've been reading...
I guess it was silly of my buddy who dished out almost 400 bones to believe the manufacturer's manual which states "No calibration required for conductivity or temperature" in the features list and "The conductivity/temperature probe does not need to be calibrated, but must be cleaned to remove any build up of nutrient salts." in the calibration section. That's all there was in the calibration instructions.. Pray tell, how do YOU calibrate the EC on your Guardian?
I'm wondering how you can be so sure about how reliable it is when I doubt you even have the one we're talking about.
R
RedRain
see the pic??
my bad the unit comes with the fluid to CHECK the EC, but you dont need to adjust it, just clean it.
Dont get your panties in a knot.
I always rinse and clean out my res.
Since you seem to hate blue lab so much, stick with your tri meter. Have fun! I have experience with both mentioned meters and I am chiming in. You dont even own a blue lab! Your buddy does!
Blue lab rocks. period
brownstormy
Member
Those weren't my panties
You were the one suggesting my buddy was a dumbass for not reading instructions on calibrating EC on a device that doesn't support such calibration
I actually don't hate bluelab..
But Tonka and others may want to hear and be aware of some of the problems people have had with the guardian. In fact, I believe a few asked for that input specifically.
Not being a silly fanboy and being objective doesn't make you a hater
So... Yea.. The guardian is awesome.. Unless the EC and/or Temp goes out of whack.. Cus you can't recalibrate it. It's a down side people should consider at the very least and be prepared for (by making sure the place they buy it at will replace immediately).
