Is the InkBird pH Meter a good choice?

[FrankCazabon]

I'm in the market for a pH meter for the first time and want something that will last and give me accurate results. I came across this for $18:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN5ZDDN...L3XIF0UE&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

but it says it's frequently returned and the price is so much less than what I have seen as recommended here: the Milwaukee MW102 ($123) and MW101 ($118) and the Apera AI311 ($80).

Is this a good buy or shall I put more money out once and have something that lasts years?

 

[FrankCazabon]

I guess no one has used it

 

[mac_1103]

I got one for free to test and review. Gave it five stars, but probably should revise that downward a touch because calibrating it has gotten a bit more finicky now that it's been used for a while. It's a solid product as cheap pH meters go, but it's still a cheap pH meter. It's fine if (like me) you just want to know that your water adjustments got you in the right ballpark, but if you're really anal about precise pH measurement you should spend the money for a better meter.

 

[FrankCazabon]

Thank you, very helpful!

 

[MaxStout]

A lot of people here have had good results with the Apera PH60. It's about $80 on Amazon. I like mine, and calibration is very straightforward. You'll need to replace the electrode every couple years or so, but those are <$30.

 

[FrankCazabon]

A lot of people here have had good results with the Apera PH60. It's about $80 on Amazon. I like mine, and calibration is very straightforward. You'll need to replace the electrode every couple years or so, but those are <$30.

Thanks, I've seen that and the Milwaukee ones recommended and was going to go with one of those before I came across this one.

 

[Ramjet]

I have one, and totally agree with mac_1103.

 

[hotbeer]

Gave it five stars, but probably should revise that downward a touch because calibrating it has gotten a bit more finicky now that it's been used for a while.

I too am thinking about getting a pH meter. Sometimes I go with a cheap tool just to learn what things I do and don't care for. And will happily get the better tool later.

Can you explain a little more what finicky is for calibration. Also, Is that what another might be solving when replacing the tip on the Apera?

And what period or time or number of uses is a while?

You always explain thing well. I'm just hoping for a little more detail on this.

 

[mac_1103]

Can you explain a little more what finicky is for calibration. Also, Is that what another might be solving when replacing the tip on the Apera?

And what period or time or number of uses is a while?

I got it in April of 2023. First five or so uses the calibration was just ridiculously fast and simple. Last couple of brew days it seems to get confused about the order of the calibration solutions (which I probably need to remember to replace more often anyway). Can get it right eventually but it's frustrating and a time waster. So I figured out how to do a quick and dirty two point calibration instead of the three point calibration in the instructions. I really don't need it to be accurate above 7, and like I said I'm happy just to know that my pH is within a couple of tenths of target. I always check the calibration buffers again at the end of my brew day to see if it's drifted. It rarely does.

It may very well be that replacing the tip would solve this, but I can't really say because I have no experience with the Apera or similar meters. ISTM that if you have an $80 meter, it makes sense to replace the probe for $20 when it starts getting wonky. But if you have a $20 meter you might as well just replace the meter. Just figure out what's going to be most cost effective for your own situation in the long run. Since mine was free, the cost-benefit analysis is a bit skewed.

 

[jerrylotto]

As important as the meter is the tip. I have the MW 101 Milwaukee with two tips, an AB220 liquid tip, and an MA920 food tip. Other than having to recalibrate and when I switch them, I use both regularly and would n't do it any other way.