Thinking about a digital titrator before I trust my drop count

Started by Alan Pierce · · 3 replies
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#1
Been running the TF-100 for years and my eyes are good enough for FC and CYA, but the last few CH tests I've second guessed myself right around the endpoint color change, that pink to colorless is subtle and my kitchen light isn't helping. Seen a few of these little digital titrator gadgets that just tell you when the color shift hits instead of you squinting at it. Anybody actually used one alongside standard drop testing and found it worth the money, or is this a solution looking for a problem. Not trying to replace the whole kit, just curious if it tightens up the endpoint call enough to matter for someone who already tests carefully. Forgive the long question, just don't want to buy a gadget that sits in a drawer.

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#2
Never used the digital gadget, but the CH endpoint is the one I'd trust least by eye too, that pink fade is way more gradual than the FC snap. What fixed it for me wasn't a device, just testing outside in direct light instead of my kitchen, the difference in catching that last blush of pink was huge, kitchen fluorescent light washes it out.

CH also doesn't swing fast unless you're refilling a lot, my water's hard out here and I still only test it once a month, so even if you're a little off on the call it's not like FC where it costs you. Taylor kit's been fine for me for years, I'd just chase better lighting before buying another gadget for the drawer.
#3
ray's outside light tip is solid, i noticed the same thing with my K-2006, my back patio light at night makes every color look different than daylight does. one thing he didnt mention though, i test at the same time of day every time now just so im comparing apples to apples, cause even outside light changes a ton between like 10am and 5pm out here in phoenix. probably matters less for CH since it barely moves, but it wrecked my FC calls for a while before i figured that out.
#4
Alan, before the gadget debate, what's your fill water calcium actually reading. Mine comes out of the tap over 400 so I'm never squinting for a subtle endpoint, that pink to colorless happens fast because I'm nowhere near the low range. If yours is coming in lower and closer to that ambiguous zone the color change is going to be more gradual no matter the lighting, that's a different problem than eyesight.