How accurate is Leslie's?

[mystie3k]

I am in the process of SLAMing my pool, using the TF-100 test kit. I brought my water sample into Leslies to compare my results.

I was surprised how different my measures were than Leslie's - and I'm wondering folk's opinion of the accuracy of Leslie's testing?
Should I use Leslie's results to tune my TF-100 steps to get closer to their result?
Or should I trust the TF-100 steps over Leslie's digital sensor?

Here are my results below:

Test	Leslie's	TF-100	Notes
FC	11.29	11.5	I measured twice and got 12.5 the first time. Not sure why.
CC	0	0
PH	7.9	8.2	Using yellow digital ATC PH meter
TA	105* (Adjusted due to CYA)	130	How can you adjust for CYA in Pool Math?
CYA	60	50	I have really good eyes, so maybe see the black dot for longer?
CH	191	425	Dramatic blue change - why so far off?

 

[Donldson]

I'm wondering folk's opinion of the accuracy of Leslie's testing?

My opinion on the accuracy of Leslie's testing is not fit for polite forums.

We ask people to do their own testing specifically because we have so little trust in the accuracy of pool store testing. The only reason they do testing is to get people in the door and buying products, and the only reason they use digital testing is to make it look more trustworthy than it is. You'd be hard pressed to find them performing the careful calibration required to keep those things even marginally accurate.

Trust your results. We push the TF-100 and k-2006 because they are the most accurate equipment available to consumers at a reasonable price. They are more than precise enough for pool maintenance and nobody has the same vested interest in making sure your pool is properly cared for as you do. We trust your data (though do understand the occasional mistake happens) and encourage you to trust yourself too.

 

[drsipe]

My brother-in-law thought I was crazy for spending money on a test kit, when Leslie's does testing for free. Then two weeks ago, he stopped by with three different test sheets from three consecutive days, some of the tests were like calcium hardness, day 1 - 350, day 2 -150, day 3 - 400,,,,,, he didn't do anything to the pool in the three day period. There is no way the calcium level changed.

Needless to say, my brother-in-law has gotten his own test kit (K2006).