I Am Lost - Help Me Choose An EC/PPM Pen

theroadwarrior · Mar 23, 2009

Hi I am looking for a quality ec, ppm pen. It is a toss up between the two below.

http://www.4hydroponics.com/grow_room/truncheon.asp

http://www.ecogrow.com/index.cfm/product/1065/mid/24/nid/87/home.html

Any suggestion from users of either would be greatly appreciated

Edit-

I also need a PH meter. Should I go for a PH/EC in one like this? It is only $25 more than the Bluelab EC pen and would let me measure PH also.

http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=TEMCOHAP&eq=&Tp=

Observer Tom · Mar 23, 2009

You should consider one of these: http://www.gchydro.com/HANNA+GroCheck+Combo+Meter+-+pH+&+TDS+Meter.html $117 for a PH/PPM combo meter with replaceable probes? Hard to beat!

Are you sure you need a pen? They are more expensive, easier to break and more expensive to repair if they do break. The replacement probes for those hanna meters are like $45 here: http://www.easymeters.com/cart/product.php?productid=382&cat=0&page=1

JamieShoes · Mar 23, 2009

NB:
I have milwuakee pens - they SUCK! 4/10
my mate has the floating Eutech ones, they ROCK! 7/10

good luck mate

SUCKS!

ROCKS!

theroadwarrior · Mar 23, 2009

Observer Tom said:
It seems like those Bluelab truncheons are very popular, several friends own them and seem to like them. Then again, the Dip Stick is 2/3rds the price so.. that's a plus.

Personally I would get the Bluelab just because I've seen several in person, and I own one of their PH meters which has served me well. In all likelihood either one would be a fine choice.

Yes I had a member recommend the Bluelab truncheons but just trying to get more feedback. Thanks for the info. Also which ph meter of theirs do you have?

Observer Tom · Mar 23, 2009

Right now I'm using a Hanna HI 981505 like this - http://www.easymeters.com/cart/product.php?productid=2848&cat=0&page=1

It does ph/ppm/temperature, but a cheap thermometer in the res can do temp. I have 2 of the PH pens Jamie posted, the bottom white one and another model from the same company. They both worked fine, but I like my Hanna better.

BobbleheadJed · Mar 23, 2009

Damn Jamie, I just got the same Milwaukee ph pen, and it sucks, you are right. But for the price, I figured I'd try it out when I had to get a new ppm/EC meter and the cheapest Hanna ph pen I have isn't too great either.

If in the US, eSeasonGear.com has good prices, and it isn't a hydro store, its more for pools and spas and stuff. I got it two days sooner than I thought I would too, by USPS. They have Hanna, Milwaukee, HM, and one other one, with a wide range of models.

Wish I had good experience with one to give you a suggestion, sorry, but good luck.

JamieShoes · Mar 23, 2009

its the price that sold me too Jed. 30 bucks and I needed it fast... it works, but its not quality and needs calibrating all the time... dont let it get wet inside either, takes 3 days to work again

theroadwarrior · Mar 23, 2009

Observer Tom said:
You should consider one of these: http://www.gchydro.com/HANNA+GroCheck+Combo+Meter+-+pH+&+TDS+Meter.html $117 for a PH/PPM combo meter with replaceable probes? Hard to beat!

Are you sure you need a pen? They are more expensive, easier to break and more expensive to repair if they do break. The replacement probes for those hanna meters are like $45 here: http://www.easymeters.com/cart/product.php?productid=382&cat=0&page=1

Yeah the replacement parts are crazy on those however for $150 I can get a pen that covers everything. If I was working with hydro I would definitely get a continuous meter but for my setup I think the pen would be best. Nice meter you got there though.

Hella Fella · Mar 23, 2009

You dont need a pen!

its allll marketing hype!

Been growing for like 10 years.... I have a truncheon, never use it.....

raygun · Mar 23, 2009

I've used the Oakton pH and EC pens shown in the 2nd pict from James and have had them for longer than I have been a member here at IC. I have had to replace the pH tip now twice but that was because I was not careful and broke the glass bulb in the sensor tip. [TIP: do not use glass containers to test your solutions pH. If you drop the pen to the bottom of the glass you risk breaking the bulb and needing to replace it like I have twice now] Replacement tips are about 1/2 of the cost of a new pen. Cheepest I have found was $36 for the replacement http://www.novatech-usa.com/WD-35624-09

I always wanted a continuous tri-meter with temp, ec & pH but my hand helds work great and are portable which allows me to use them for my veg and flower rez. As well as my fish tank and pond ect.

Oakton does now have EC + pH pens available as well. Cost is almost the same as buying separately and the replacement tip is still about 1/2 the cost of a new unit.

Actually just looking through the above website for other meters and i found an oakton pen that does pH, EC/TDS, & temp for just over $100

http://www.novatech-usa.com/Products/pH-ORP-Testers/WD-35425-00
http://www.novatech-usa.com/Products/pH-ORP-Testers/WD-35425-05

FreezerBoy · Mar 24, 2009

There's no such thing as a PPM meter. PPM meters measure EC and nothing else! They then lie to you by multiplying EC by 500, 640, 650, 700, 768, or some number so stupid I can't remember it anymore. Are we confused yet? Well you won't be with EC. EC is EC no matter where you are. Get the BlueLab.

For pH, nothing beats a $3 test kit from the aquarium store.

Squeeky · Mar 24, 2009

I just purchased the HM TDS-4 with temp. I ordered from a site online for under $20 shipped. Now from everything Ive read the meter is the better low quality. I agree about ph meter, test strips are cheap and work well.

dj.scotfree · Mar 24, 2009

I dunno... but the Hannah Pen works for me... I think it was like 50 bucks... its light blue in color.

theroadwarrior · Mar 24, 2009

Squeeky said:
I just purchased the HM TDS-4 with temp. I ordered from a site online for under $20 shipped. Now from everything Ive read the meter is the better low quality. I agree about ph meter, test strips are cheap and work well.

Well I decided to go with the BlueLab pen and forgo the PH Pen for some test strips. Do the test strips still give a pretty accurate measurement.

Cruzin · Mar 24, 2009

The hanna combo is a great product but not the only good one out there. I do recommend it.

samba · Mar 24, 2009

I have a hanna pen,had it for years. I love it

Philosophelon · Mar 25, 2009

I'd get a pH/EC combo. If you are getting a pen or truncheon, get a waterproof one in case you drop it in your tank. If you want to shell out the cash, I've tried alot of meters, and my fav is Bluelabs Combo Meter. They're like $300, but it is accurate, doesn't need recalibration very often, it's durable as hell, has remote probes, and the pH probe is replaceable. Remote probes are nice for lazy asses like myself who don't like to bend over to chech their EC

.

chubbynugs · Mar 25, 2009

That hanna combo meter has worked forever for me.

tokinsmokin · Mar 25, 2009

I have a Hanna EC meter and it has been working great for 5 years, never had problems. I was told back then to buy PH and EC meters separately but I'm assuming Hanna wouldn't combine the two PH and EC if it didn't work.

TychoMonolyth · Nov 17, 2020

It's 2020 so maybe there are better/cheaper products by now?

I Am Lost - Help Me Choose An EC/PPM Pen

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