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Review on Extech PH90 Waterproof PH Meter: Accurate Readings in Any Environment by Jeff Alradwan

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Very easy to use, obviously excellent quality, easy calibration. No backlight, thin display cover, and hard-to-find parts.

We have about 3/4 acre of land surrounding the house with lots of planting areas and an artificial carp pond. We check the water in the pond weekly and check the soil when planting new plants. For the pond it was one of the cheap sensors with bulb and soil test strips. This meter works with liquids, semi-solids and solids - meaning I can test pond and soil with one meter - no more test strips. The display is easy to read and calibration is quick and easy. I have a couple of complaints - the display isn't backlit. Since the display is offset about 1/4 inch from the body, it can be difficult to read outdoors or in bright light - not because the display is dark, but because of the shadow cast by the body. You have to change the angle several times to be able to read the numbers in bright sunlight. It's easy to see if you change the gauge's angle a bit, but it's worth noting. Also, the sensor can be replaced - great idea - but after 30 minutes of searching the internet and found nothing on the manufacturer's site, it says so in their catalog (part PH95) but nowhere else. There are other replacement modules for other pH meters costing $50 to $65. If that's the price of the PH95, it seems expensive. The instructions mention that the module will need to be replaced over time. The meter uses two 2032 coin cells. These are probably the most common coin cell batteries and cost about $5 a pair. You can't just throw it in your t-shirt, there's a kit or tool box. The display lenses and button covers are made from a single piece of flexible plastic. My fingernail could create a permanent crease on the lens with little effort - I could pierce it with a fair amount of pressure. The whole meter is really durable - except for the lens and the buttons. Lower the meter from a few feet away and it will brush it off. If part of the face hits a rock, the edge of a pond, etc., you're likely to break the counter. It's like a tank's windshield. Accuracy and ease of use, solid 5 stars. Overall build quality, 4 stars. Display: No backlight, deep setback and very thin lens, three stars.

Pros
  • Hands free
Cons
  • Very expensive