TriMeter PH/Temp/TDS meters

[Igignokt]

Anybody use these? See some on ebay for like $125, nice price for the total. They are continuous and looks like they plug into an outlet.

If you have these, how quick are readings?

I already have a PH meter, and need to buy a TDS meter. I'm super broke right now, but am wanting to venture into hydro and feel that I should at least have all the numbers down first. My PH pen sucks and takes too long to give me a good reading (probably a few minutes for PH to stabilize).

Are tri-meters quick? Too cheap? I know hydro stores sell equivalent meters for $250, so half the price seems nice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tri-Meter-pH-PP...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca6134baa

letme know what you think. Too broke to pay $250 for a meter, too broke to pay $130 for a crappy onel.

 

[FreezerBoy]

pH test drops $5, lasts for years.

Thermometer 89¢, lasts forever.

BlueLab EC Truncheon $130, the most trusted EC meter around. 5 year warranty. No adjusting, no calibrating. Maintenance limited to batteries and occasional cleaning of tips.

 

[Ridemx129]

how much can the meter monitor up to? sorry if its a stupid question, im new to this but i figure the only way to learn is ask questions.

 

[Dr Dog]

I have one of those

They work well, you just have to calibrate them properly, and it is a good idea to have a back up plan if you plan on using them constantly. I also keep ph drops around

mine does
ph 4 to 14
ppm 0 -9999
temp, like 50 to 100

 

[Lazyman]

I've had a couple of them, my local store stopped carrying them after their quality recently shit the bed. I had bought one of the new ones and it wouldn't even calibrate, nor would the other one in their case. They told me they had every one returned for the last 6 weeks and so they switched to Hanna. I have always kinda liked Hanna but they're pricey and only last a couple years. Freezerboy has good advice with the Bluelab stick, I know several guys who swear by them.

 

[Lazyman]

.

 

[caljim]

I've had my "Nutradip" Tri-meter for about 6 years, replaced the ph probe once--a year ago.

That meter stays calibrated for months at a time, one of the best gardening investments I've made.