Bluelab PH Pen Review

[Keeno]

Bluelab PH Pen Review

Wassup GR420. I had a PH in early flower on my latest grow, this was caused by me not PH'ing my feed as I had had enough of the PH pens I was using breaking or showing errors after limited use. The brand I used up to recently was essentials. I started to get some issues with the current grow and PH was the last thing it could be. Having worked with the same water for years I made the lazy mistake of assuming I knew the amounts of PH down Id needed, the PH must have changed mid-way through this grow as it was drastically out when I got my new PH pen.

I was in a dilemma, Id been through an essentials ph pen every 3ish months, at around £40 they are a mid-range pen. If I went cheaper I was expecting more issues, if I went more expensive and had similar issues then is be wasting more money. That being said through the process of elimination I worked out PH was the issue and had to address the issue.

I went for a higher-priced pen in the Bluelab, and im very happy I did so. After having used essentials for sp long this pen is a different level straight out of the box. You can feel its better made, its easy to set up, fast and accurate readings. Im very happy with the pen and will stick with Bluelab meters in the future.

[seymore_budz]

Bluelab equipment is awesome and the aftercare is just as good. Been using their truncheon for as long as I can remember. I bought their newish combo last year and its rock solid reliable aswell. That PH meter is a great tool. Waterproof too, something I require as I'm a clumsy fucker

[biosynthetic]

Weird mate, I've been using the same essentials pen for over 3 years and not had a single problem with it I wonder why we had such different experiences with the same product I expect the blue lab one is better tho, when this essentials one eventually dies I will upgrade to a bluelab.

[seymore_budz]

Weird mate, I've been using the same essentials pen for over 3 years and not had a single problem with it I wonder why we had such different experiences with the same product I expect the blue lab one is better tho, when this essentials one eventually dies I will upgrade to a bluelab.

Those essential meters are a bit of a mixed bag. I had a sample one before they brought them out from a company called horticare or something and that little thing was awesome. Went for years and was reliable. Then all of a sudden Hydrogarden started selling them in bulk. I would say it's a lack of QA at the factory or slack manufacturing tolerances that leads to them being a little unpredictable. It seems like if you get a good one then you're lucky.

[biosynthetic]

Weird mate, I've been using the same essentials pen for over 3 years and not had a single problem with it I wonder why we had such different experiences with the same product I expect the blue lab one is better tho, when this essentials one eventually dies I will upgrade to a bluelab.

Those essential meters are a bit of a mixed bag. I had a sample one before they brought them out from a company called horticare or something and that little thing was awesome. Went for years and was reliable. Then all of a sudden Hydrogarden started selling them in bulk. I would say it's a lack of QA at the factory or slack manufacturing tolerances that leads to them being a little unpredictable. It seems like if you get a good one then you're lucky.

Yeh I guess I was lucky to get a functional one

[Vador]

I can’t fault the blue lab stuff at all, like yourself I spent loads of money on cheap pens and got 6 months out of them if I’m lucky.
Pay a little bit more for blue labs but as long as you look after them they last ages, I’m on my second blue lab ph pen though, first one lasted a good few years, even used to use it to stir nutrients which they tell you not to do.
One day it just started turning itself off and on again so got another one, I have a theory it got water in it, probably a leaky seal from years of abuse. got a plastic spoon now for stiring so hopefully this one might even last longer.
They say not to let the end dry out and that your supposed to put storage solution in the cap before long term storage but mine was left for about two years unused and worked fine when picked up again, it needed calibrating but after that perfect till it broke.
The ec pen I’ve had for probably not far off ten years now I’d guess and still works just as well today as the day I got it, I don’t think I’ve ever calibrated it either to be fair, tbh I only use it to note the ec down on my charts after I’ve mixed up the nutes, don’t even need it but the ph pen is essential in my eyes

[Greenfingers]

Nice write up mate, Ive just bought an essential ph pen so far so good.

[Wayne36]

I have always wanted ome of these pens as either I have cheaper ones or have used strips or just the solution with die one day I'll get one of these bad boys and not have to always secound guess the readings on the pens I have now lol

[MrNice]

how offen do you calibrate your pens keeno ?

Or every one once a week once a month ? was wondering

[Cave Hill Cole]

I have a Blue Lab EC pen and its been fantastic. The thing reminds me of nokia brick phone or an old 1988 toyota corolla I had. Always works, keeps it simple and does the job without drama.

PH pens regardless of brand are a pain in the ass...or maybe thats just me who finds this. But they need to continually re-calibrate, the need to keep the sensor in the proper storage solution etc...but when you need PH pen...you bloody well need it right.

These days I don't even use my PH pen. I mix all the nutes and then do my 2 quirts of PH down from a pipette dropper....& to quote Captain...job done.