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Selected Archives of Volunteer Monitoring Listserv Discussions - Total Dissolved Solids Meters

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The Question

Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 13:18:00 -0600
From: Steven Witmer <switmer@ci.johnston.ia.us>
Subject: [volmonitor] Total Dissolved Solids - meters

Hello all,

I'm looking at Total Dissolved Solids portable (preferably "pocket") meters and wondered what experience folks have had with them as far as durability, cost, accuracy, etc. I'm looking for something that is inexpensive (of course) but yet accurate enough to be worthwhile and durable enough for field use. I've seen price ranges from as low as around $20, while others are more like ten times that and everything in between. I'd hate to go cheap and end up with something that won't serve it's purpose or last more than a week, but on the other hand I'd rather not spend a lot of money if there is something cheaper that will do just about as well.

Feel free to respond to the list - I'm sure others out there would be interested as well. If there are any comments on field meters generally regardless of parameter, I'd be happy to see those, too.

 

Thanks,

Steven Witmer

Responses

Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 11:03:38 -0500
From: Ginger North <ginger@dnsashland.org>
Subject: RE: [volmonitor] Total Dissolved Solids - meters

Steve - We have used several different conductivity meters over the years & the ones we are using now are easy to use, reliable, not as accurate as some but sturdy in field conditions & wide temperature ranges. They are Oakton brand & come in Total Dissolved Solids readout as well as conductivity & for an extra $20 you can get temperature readout as well. The ones we use are about $55 & handheld "pocket" meters. We have been only using them for the past 2 years so I am not sure about their lifespan as yet. Some of the meters we have used in the past only have a limited lifespan - 3 or 4 years. At $55 we can afford to replace them after a few years however. They only read in increments of 10uS for the low range (0-1990uS) which is plenty sensitive for our purposes. Oakton ECTestr Low is model we use. The TDS model is called TDStestr Low (0-1990ppm)resolution is 10ppm & TDSTestr High (0-10ppt).
Ginger North
Stream Watch Coordinator
Delaware Nature Society
302-239-2334x100
Fax 302-239-2473
ginger@dnsashland.org
www.delawarenaturesociety.org

Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 13:51:07 -0600
From: Steven Witmer <switmer@ci.johnston.ia.us>
Subject: [volmonitor] TDS meter response

I thought I'd share the results of my query to the group for TDS portable meters. I got several responses on and off the list, and all of them pointed me toward Oakton low-range models, and most recommended the waterproof models especially. Cost on them (based on the responses and from online browsing I've done) runs around $60 or so.

My thanks to everyone who shared their comments!

 

Steven Witmer

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Updated Tuesday, 06-Nov-2007 16:17:26 CST
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