Aqua Chek Aqua Chek Trutest Digital Rdr

by Aqua Chek

Product Features

• No visual color matching
• Accurately reads Free Chlorine, Bromine, pH, and Total Alkalinity on test strips
• Reads strips in only 15 seconds
• Lightweight and water resistant
• Large easy-to-read LCD screen

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4 x 1 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000RZNKNW
• Item model number: NP207
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,812 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden)
  • #16 in Patio, Lawn & Garden > Pools, Spas & Supplies > Chemicals & Water Testing Products > Test Strips

Product Description

Accurately reads test strips – eliminates the guesswork! This handy test strip reader was developed specifically for the pool and spa owner. Accurately reads Free Chlorine, Bromine, pH, and Total Alkalinity on test strips in 15 seconds without visual color matching. Takes the guesswork out of visually reading test strips – Great if you are colorblind! Lightweight strip reader is handheld, water resistant, and the large LCD screen is easy to read. Comes with 25 TruTest strips. TruTest will only read “TruTest Digital Test Strips.” Requires 2 AA batteries (not included).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Wish it was usable, May 16, 2007

By 

AK (Kentucky) - See all my reviews

I was excited to have a quick way to check my pool chemistry without doing drops or test strips. The drop test and strip tests can be subjective about the exact reading and color match on the charts. I wanted something the wife and kids could easily use and just read me the numbers when I was away on a trip. The Aquacheck Trutest is a great concept but I tried over and over to get two back to back readings that were close to each other (For reliabilty of data). When I tried to get the "drops" tests to match up to the Trucheck readings, they weren't even close. I took water samples to my pool supply house to determine which test type was accurate. I had them simultaneously analyze a water sample while I stood there and did two strip tests with the Aquacheck. The Aquacheck was in the ballpark on Chlorine and PH but way off on Alkalinity. We reran the tests several times and came to a conclusion that the aquacheck was off. I'm glad I verified the readings before I poured hundreds of dollars worth of chemicals in the pool trying to chase the Aquacheck readings.....I'm going back to the drops tests. YMMV

UPDATE: I contacted Aquacheck about my accuracy findings. They were very helpful and understanding and said there was a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) link on their website that should explain more thoroughly how to get an accurate reading. The lady said that variations in readings will occur if you wait too long to read the strip or leave the strip in the water too long.

FINAL UPDATE: After reviewing the exact procedures with the Aquachek Tech rep, I performed 5 identical tests and came up with Chlorine readings between 0.6 and 6.1, PH between 7.0 and 8.1 and Alkalinity between 95 and 185. All 5 tests were done within five miuntes of each other in our pool. I am very disappointed that the gauge is useless to me since I can't correct the water chemistry if I have no idea what the actual values are. I will give credit to the fact that the tech rep was very friendly and helpful but, that doesn't account for the $70 I (lost) paid for gauge and strips :( ZERO Stars

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Does not measure accurately, May 30, 2010

By 

Craig (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Aqua Chek Aqua Chek Trutest Digital Rdr (Lawn & Patio)

As a new pool owner, I wanted to be sure the pool water is as safe as possible for my family. I started with Aquachek and hTh test strips which were simple and quick. However, I noticed some variability and found the colors were sometimes hard to be sure of, particularly pH or higher chlorine levels. Having a scientific background, I wanted a more quantitative testing method, that was quite simple to do.

I was very disappointed with this item as at times it seemed to be a random number generator with no match to the test strip done at the same time. For about a week, I tested simultaneously with the Aquacheck test strip, hTh test strip and the TruTest Digital reader. For the most part the HtH and Aquachek strips matched, except the AquaChek strips seemed more sensitive for chlorine and seemed to indicate a higher chlorine level than the hTh srips. Unfortunately, with the Trutest I seemed to have variations at least 50% of the time and frequently got error messages. pH was routinely higher than strips and chlorine was also variable. It seemed more reliable indoors than outside in bright sun, but even indoors I would have to repeat the test frequently and was left wondering if I should believe the regular test strip, or the Trutest read out.

Sadly, I don't think the average person who is looking for digital testing is going to be happy. Generally, I would expect that a person buying a colorimeter for digital testing is going to be looking for a more objective testing modality than strips. Sadly, if that is the case, you may find this device very frustrtating. I ultimately bought the Taylor titrating test kit and found this much more acceptable. Taylor Service Complete Pool Water Test Kit K-2006C While it is certainly more complex than the test strip or colorimeter, this test is very easy to do, does not take much time and seems significantly more accurate than the stips or the TruTest technique. I still use test strips for a quick check, but use the Taylor for my weekly testing, or when the test strips don't seem to make sense. I gave up entirely on the TruTest device.

I think the person looking for a more objective and quantitative test will be thrilled with the Taylor test kit.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works well, IF you follow the new procedure., June 20, 2007

By 

R. Saul Levinson "DoctorSaul" (Chesterfield, Missouri USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I just purchased a AquaCheck TruTest, with some trepidation based on the previous 2 reviews. I noticed an information sheet enclosed in my package that recommended a new procedure which was basically to turn on unit, push test button at the same time you dip strip and shake, then immediately put the strip in the unit. If you do this quickly, as recommended, the variability between tests is acceptably low, and good correlation to my old color comparison kit is achieved. There is some variation, to be expected (ie: TruTest pH= 8.1, color kit: 8.0; TruTest alkalinity=272, color kit=230).