486201-K Pool eXact EZ Photometer Starter Kit

Very well packaged in a durable case, so easy to use. The quality appears to be made to last. Readings are accurate, the function from the the menu is easily read. For the money, I would have like to see more test strips in the bottles but highly recommend especially for first time Spa or pool owners.

I have calibrated this tester several times. Sometimes the readings are pretty close to the taylor drop tests, and that's good enough. But many times I have to do 3,4 or even 5 tests to get readings that come close to each other. Then have to re-check with drop tests to make sure they are right. If I have to do drop tests to verify readings, why do I need this? I have used most of the test strips already having to test, re test and test again. I really want this to work, but feel like there may be something wrong with this particular unit. I am returning for a replacement and will update when I get a new one.

My undergraduate is Chemical Engineering so I was excited to find and use a certified unit versus trying to use my old eyes to match color strips. The first set of tests went well with the usual initial "user-errors" but was very happy with the ease of use. Better to read the manual all the way through first because some tests are sequential. The unit's quantitative results confirmed the test strips' qualitative guidance. The problem came when, trying to follow the user manual, I attempted to connect the unit via Bluetooth to the phone tracking app. No connection. Removed/replaced the batteries, started the app first, started the unit first, nothing worked. Called customer service and dealt with a very courteous and knowledgeable person who politely asked "Does your unit have a Bluetooth symbol on the front?" Shazam! No it doesn't which explained why the unit couldn't connect with the app. The issue is Amazon doesn't sell their Bluetooth model 486201-BT-K. More kudos to the company's customer service because they will upgrade your unit to the Bluetooth model for about $120 if it's still under warranty. Bottom lines: - the unit provides accurate results but you'll need to create an Excel spreadsheet to track them - or upgrade to the Bluetooth model for automated tracking.

I checked the accuracy against the pool stores - this is the real deal. I already learned more about the chemicals and consumption in my pool in the last 30 days than I have in the previous 12 seasons. I'm using less Chemicals and seeing more stable results. The 5 panel test strips for me at least is very difficult to tell the difference between 3 and 5 PPM Free chlorine, it would have saved me a lot of money had I invested in the first season. I'll take it now though. Glad I bought this. It does take a bit of time and each test is individual. I check CL/PH regularly - and branch into others if something seems amiss.

This pool water tester seems to work well. I just recently purchased this so I could compare it to the readings I get from my pool store. The readings are very close if not the same. I would recommend this product.

pH reading is always lower than Taylor by 1.0. Alkalinity readings also lower than Taylor. Chlorine readings seem to be more accurate. Would not buy again.

Update 5/23/2024 Customer service at ITS got me a new unit out in just a couple days. Very impressed at their customer follow up phone calls to ensure everything was good. Accuracy once again matches our pool store very closely. And we measure everything except salt, so we are pretty close to using all the reagents that come with the kit. I say that so folks understand we are not just measuring PH and Alkalinity, we are close to using them all to include hardness. Overall very happy now and I feel when ITS says 2 year warranty they mean it. Gives me confidence in their product. Did our order late last season. Used it for a month and it seemed to be accurate when compared to our pool store. After 1.5 months of use we removed the batteries and stored for it the winter. Opened our pool a couple days ago and decided it was time to test the water. We put new batteries and nothing. The screen stays blank. Submitted email for help or warranty service. It has a 2 year warranty, so if they come through I will update this review. If not I wasted $300.

I wanted this to work, but it didnt. My readings were off vs. 2 local pool syores which were within 5% of each other. The chlorine was generally within .2-.4, the ph was within .2, but the buliggest issue was cyuranic acid readings. I just purchased the house and it seems that the prior owner did not change the water over, ever. So in my 38000 gallon pool i had a cya reading of 140 and 138 at 2 pool stores. So i did my tester and it said "hi." Fine, 110 is max. so I remove/replace about 13000 gallons if water. Reader says "hi." Not good. Compamy says cut water with tap water and double. Ok. Test results 90... Meaning a cya count of 180... Drain about another 1000 gallons until I run to 2 pool stores, cya 80 and 78. Tester still reads 90 witj 1/2 pool 1/2 tap water cut sample. No explanation for bad reading. Concerned me to the point I just sent it back.

Commercial/Residentual Pool and Spa Service water testing

Just amazing. I could not handle the guessing game of pool strips anymore. This has fully solved my problem! It works amazing, better than pool store even, as demonstrated by measuring calibration agents.