Test kits - interpreting the numbers

First, I have read so much valuable info here - great forum!

Okay, I'm learning a little more with each post I read, but I have a question about test kits. My strip only goes up to 10 ppm on free chlorine, so how do I tell what it actually is? The pad is much darker after shocking than the 10 ppm. Also, what is the best kit and easiest to use - I'm definitely not a chemist. I was using the HTH strips from Wal Mart and the local pool store told me they weren't very good and sold me some of their's. I really can't tell a difference.

Thanks!

We pretty much don't care for any of the test strips as they aren't really all that accurate. A drops-based test kit will give you much better results. Most of us here on the forum use Ben's kit that is sold at the sister site to this forum at www.poolsolutions.com but at the very least, get the 5-way kit at Walmart for around $13. It does have its limitations, though. It will not test chlorine readings higher than 5, but Ben's kit will.