Seeking advice for water testing with ColorQ Pro and ePool

[Surfix007]

Ok, I thought I will provide some results from talking to LaMotte. As mentioned before, they responded quite quickly and after a few emails they sent me a sample of water with the exact measurements written on the bottle. I performed the tests and - YES, I read the tips & tricks, ensured that the tubes were dry from the outside, and and and . However, my results where still off - quite a bit.
I sent in the results I got and the answer was that the water was in transit for some time and according to this the deviations are "normal." I am still not happy with the ColorQ Pro7 and when comparing my measurements with the values written on the bottle, I am out of range with Alkalinity, Hardness is off, and PH is lower. In summary, I must say that the test-kit is useless for me. I will probably get the K-2006 and sell the ColorQ Pro7 (anybody interested? Only used for less then 10 tests ;-).
Hope this will be helpful for people that are also looking for a "test kit."
Thanks
Surfix007

[PoolDoc]

Yes, I'd be interested in the ColorQ, since I'd rather not buy one for full price, but I'd like to get my hands on one, since they are being sold more and more widely. Email me at poolforum@gmail.com. Perhaps I can swap you a new K2006C for your ColorQ.

I've done a bit more checking, and the ColorQ is not too bad, in some respects. Apparently, it's faster than using the K2006, and the FC /CC are accurate within the limited range (0 - 5 ppm). PH is reportedly as accurate as the K2006 and the TA is nearly as accurate. The calcium test is apparently finicky and problematic. Readings over 300(?) are suspect. CYA results are erratic.

Regarding Lamotte's "the sample change" -- that's possible. But they should have warned you of that up front. Calcium and CYA levels should not have been affected. Alkalinity levels should have been stable if the sample wasn't overheated, AND if they left no air space in the bottle. PH would have changed if the alkalinity did, but might not have been stable in any case. Trying to come up with a chlorine sample that would be stable in transit -- without refrigeration -- is hard.

[waterbear]

PoolDoc is exactly on the money concerning the ColorQ and the LaMotte Waterlink Express professional water testing stations have similar limitations (I used to use the system). When you convert a titration test to a colormetric test you limit its range and sensitivity, even with a meter to read the sample. I had converstions with LaMotte tech support when the system first came out and was told that for a $100 meter it's not bad but is is a $100 meter!