Any Experience with Sutro?

chadly08 said:

Anyone try this device? Pool Maintenance - Complete maintenance system for Pools, Hot tubs & Spas - Sutro Smart Water Monitor

Automatic and continuous water testing seems like something that could make TFP even easier. I would love to get hear about any personal experiences.

-Chad

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I ran sutro and waterguru under their evaluation programs.....it actually worked(the eval/guarantee)....both were underwhelming and sent them back within the eval period for full refunds.

Sutro ran cassette tapes with like litmus paper and chromatic sensing, it was rarely accurate if ever(baselined against my big Taylor panels). I loved the floating unit, form factors, and finish; it just did not work good.

Waterguru was ok, it was just massively clunky, it was a unit meant to hang under the skimmer cover by a wire[It was messing with my vortex action, and I can't be having that bourgeois].

But I did stay with PHin their ORP and PH meter were exactly what I was looking for(I wouldn't touch their chemicals with a 10' pole)(I just ran the unit and subscription for the hardware).
But Phin announced they are discontinuing at the end of 2021.

Apparently, keto-AI and/or iCare(US)/OndiloICO(Fr) are coming up. I really do not want to build a flow cell and run my own sensors. I just really can't see myself processing Taylor titration panels all the GDTime.

Keto-AI is a rigid unit that protrudes out of their skimmer cover[fewer sensors I think, just ORP and PH, not sure][Solar powered from a photovoltaic array on their skimmer cover, nice flex, But I am not about that rainy day offline life].

iCare/Ondilo is a floating wifi/bluetooth unit like phin but with a USB rechargeable battery and fully replaceable 2 year warranty sensors[more sensors + those][I think I am going to try this one], but it is a rough price point like the Sutro ~500$.

I have a Sutro only to supplement my ColorQ 2x and Taylor K-2006. While the Sutro does seem to be fairly accurate with ph and free chlorine, the alkalinity sometimes is sky high when the cartridge is changed (uses lamotte liquid reagents). The first time support says it was air in the unit and it purged after a few days, I changed the cartridge the other day and emailed support yesterday waiting to hear back. I've only used the unit about a month so still on the fence. I test twice daily, sometimes using collor q and the Taylor kit at the same time and looking back at Sutro. I really like the Sutro but don't trust it and there is no way I'd use it as my only testing system but for those of us who have busy schedules the hope for me at least is that it'll be accurate enough to reference during the week so I can only test the water manually on the weekend. My pool was filled a month ago.

Jerz said:

I have a Sutro only to supplement my ColorQ 2x and Taylor K-2006. While the Sutro does seem to be fairly accurate with ph and free chlorine, the alkalinity sometimes is sky high when the cartridge is changed (uses lamotte liquid reagents). The first time support says it was air in the unit and it purged after a few days, I changed the cartridge the other day and emailed support yesterday waiting to hear back. I've only used the unit about a month so still on the fence. I test twice daily, sometimes using collor q and the Taylor kit at the same time and looking back at Sutro. I really like the Sutro but don't trust it and there is no way I'd use it as my only testing system but for those of us who have busy schedules the hope for me at least is that it'll be accurate enough to reference during the week so I can only test the water manually on the weekend. My pool was filled a month ago.

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Good luck with it, but don’t hold your breath. Once you get going in the summer and things are balanced, you can probably go down to once a week testing. I’m able to just check FC and pH once a week (or more often if things aren’t stable) With a new pool though your pH may have a tendency to rise fast if it’s plaster.

... as a followup... I am underwelmed with Sutro and have come to the conclusion that although the Color Q 2x is nice and convenient, it doesn't compare to the consistancy of my K2006 Taylor kit... The Sutro really freaked out when I added the salt to the pool this past Saturday and is still giving me readings that are not consistant and trustworthy. I'll keep using it though; maybe one day it'll be truly beneficial but I won't hold my breath.

...additional followup.... Now that I've tethered my Sutro to the polaris hose to keep it out of the spillway of the raised spa I can say that the Sutro is VERY accurate.... yes it'll have a glitch now and then but since I've kept it out of the spillway I'm trusting it more and more.

I used Sutro for several months. For me it worked well, when it worked, the measurements were consistent and accurate.

However, my device had serious problems with connectivity. Their process of changing cartridges is a huge PITA -- press a button in the app, wait for 15 minutes, then it fails, press again and so on. Support is unhelpful with questions like 'is there anything in the way between the base station and the sensor?" yeah, there is the house and the pool....

dpetrov4 said:

I used Sutro for several months. For me it worked well, when it worked, the measurements were consistent and accurate.

However, my device had serious problems with connectivity. Their process of changing cartridges is a huge PITA -- press a button in the app, wait for 15 minutes, then it fails, press again and so on. Support is unhelpful with questions like 'is there anything in the way between the base station and the sensor?" yeah, there is the house and the pool....

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Huh... Never had to wait for 15 minutes when changing a cartridge. It takes less than 15 minutes for the entire process and that includes going in the house to get the freshly charged battery and new cartridge and throwing the old one in the trash.

chadly08 said:

Anyone try this device? Pool Maintenance - Complete maintenance system for Pools, Hot tubs & Spas - Sutro Smart Water Monitor

Automatic and continuous water testing seems like something that could make TFP even easier. I would love to get hear about any personal experiences.

-Chad

Click to expand...

Sutro customer service is terrible! I have reached out via phone and left multiple messages that they will not return. The only way to reach them is to email them through the app. It took me sending a nasty email to get them to respond to me. They only send me one email per day in regards to my issue regardless of how many times I email them. Needless to say I have not been able to use My Sutro yet this season. I have reached out via facebook, phone, email with no resolution. I wish someone would just pick up the phone and call me. I am begging them to call me to fix the problem!

J.R. Fitch said:

Sutro customer service is terrible! I have reached out via phone and left multiple messages that they will not return. The only way to reach them is to email them through the app. It took me sending a nasty email to get them to respond to me. They only send me one email per day in regards to my issue regardless of how many times I email them. Needless to say I have not been able to use My Sutro yet this season. I have reached out via facebook, phone, email with no resolution. I wish someone would just pick up the phone and call me. I am begging them to call me to fix the problem!

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If you can still return it, that’s your best bet.

J.R. Fitch said:

Sutro customer service is terrible! I have reached out via phone and left multiple messages that they will not return. The only way to reach them is to email them through the app. It took me sending a nasty email to get them to respond to me. They only send me one email per day in regards to my issue regardless of how many times I email them. Needless to say I have not been able to use My Sutro yet this season. I have reached out via facebook, phone, email with no resolution. I wish someone would just pick up the phone and call me. I am begging them to call me to fix the problem!

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Yes good luck with that. I just got booted from Sutro Believer fb group for complaining about not being able to use / trust my Sutro this year. CEO is the admin, so he does not like criticism, but sure likes to collect $$$. I think there was a major change in the company; probably a team that was knowledgeable is no longer there.

Igor NJ said:

Yes good luck with that. I just got booted from Sutro Believer fb group for complaining about not being able to use / trust my Sutro this year. CEO is the admin, so he does not like criticism, but sure likes to collect $$$. I think there was a major change in the company; probably a team that was knowledgeable is no longer there.

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No way... they booted you? I'm still a member there.... although I like the Sutro, before I get too crazy with adjustments I always test with my Taylor Kit... No I need to go back to see which user you were.... lol...

I purchased this product at the beginning of our swimming season. I thought it was ok at first. The app was buggy and slow, the test results were incomplete and didn't match what the dealership results were at all. I also, paid for the monthly plan the day I got the unit, never got the new cartridges and they kept billing me for them. I went months without a cartridge so it was pretty useless. I returned it and they are not refunding me for my purchase. I would stay far far away from this brand. I hope this helps, thanks!