Pool testing kits

[jim.thornton]

I was just curious if anyone has tried the following tester: eXact iDip® Photometer

I live and Canada and the recommended test kits don't seem to be available very easily up here. I have a drop test kit but it is just has 5 solutions and tests chlorine, bromine, TA, CYA and PH. However, the chlorine test is look at the reading after 2-3 seconds and get the colour scale. Then wait 1-2 minutes and do it again and if there is more than .2 difference then it needs to be shocked. however, it's kind of stupid because the scale goes, 2, 3, 4, etc. There is no 0.2 increments!

I was looking at some digital options like the pool store uses. They have a machine they put the disc into and it prints out the readings. I figured there must be some open source software or something for a USB attachment for the computer.

 

[mknauss]

You live really close to the US border. Order a TF100 and have shipped to a mail drop in Niagara Fall, NY. Drive over and pick it up.

 

[Donldson]

We have yet to see a consumer level digital tester that is reliable or accurate enough to recommend. Even the ones the pool stores use aren't all that great even when properly calibrated (which they rarely are). There are commercial testers that have proven to work well, but we are talking thousands of dollars for the tester and then several dollars for each test strip.

Trust me, it is not a special love for liquid reagent tests that keep us recommending the kits we do. If I could get a cheap and effective digital solution I would. Until that day comes though I will stick with my trusty TF-100.

 

[jim.thornton]

@mknauss: I don't know if a 1h 45m drive would be considered "really close" (plus border wait times).

I am going to Chicago though on July 13. Are there any pool stores that I can stop at to pick one up? Or, are these only available through mail order?

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Has anyone specifically tested this one though for reliability?

 

[kimkats]

OUCH! That is pricey out the door THEN the extra tests??? NOPE! Now if they want to give one to me for free AND would accept a TRUE review I am willing to give it a go! Just saying!

 

[jim.thornton]

I didn't see the extra tests until after I posted the message. I thought it was digital, but it makes sense that there needs to be reagents.

 

[tomfrh]

My pool store uses digital tester with the disc.

lamotte spindisc.

They measured my TA as 50 (it’s actually ~80) and the pool shop franchisee told me I needed to add a 10kg bag of bicarbonate.

i didn’t buy it and he seemed a bit annoyed. I guess those spin discs can’t be cheap. I looked at one and it was pretty fancy.

regarding their accuracy, the pool shop guy told me because it’s “hundreds of times” more accurate than dropper tests.

 

[mknauss]

@mknauss: I don't know if a 1h 45m drive would be considered "really close" (plus border wait times).

I am going to Chicago though on July 13. Are there any pool stores that I can stop at to pick one up? Or, are these only available through mail order?

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Has anyone specifically tested this one though for reliability?

The test kits we recommend are only available online.

I can understand about the border wait times. Nexus is great when you cross border often but if you do not do that I understand. I am in Canada right now but we flew up this trip.

I assume you are flying to/from Chicago and transport of the kit is problematic. If driving, then decide what border town you will be driving to and order a kit for pickup when you are making the trip.

Take care.