LaMotte ColorQ Water Tester

[MikeInMo]

Alright...does ANYONE have any additional comments on this tester???

Getting ready to pull the trigger and want to make sure no buyer remorse hits in.

Thanks!

[MikeInMo]

Well I couldn't wait so it's GEEK AWAY and I ordered the tester. I live about 45 minutes from the closest pool store so hopefully this make those trips for testing unnecessary, plus no hard sell for chemicals. Still have a fair number of drop tests left so I can't wait to compare.

[salinda]

I didn't get a good feeling from the AskAlanAQuestion website, so I found out I could order one directly from LaMotte. I went to their website and called the number off of the contact us link. They are backordered a little because they have been very popular.

[MikeInMo]

Last night the ask alan website was showing a 2-3 week back order notice but when I looked at it today the notice was removed. I'll give it 4 or 5 business days and if haven't received it I'll escalate.

[Poolsean]

I used mine afew times this week. Works pretty good and easy to use. Takes away the human error factor, as long as you can count drops. The meter measures then shows you the test result.
Very nice but a little bulky to carry in my suitcase when I travel.
I was just in Phoenix (110 degrees!!!! WOW!) and the tester worked just fine. It didn't melt in my hands...

[donaldm823]

Well here goes my full review-had the new LaMotte ColorQ water tester now for 3 weeks. Love the tester. Initially had a problem with Hardness accuracy, but LaMotte tech support replaced the unit quickly. The unit cost $129 plus shipping and comes with 140 tests (liquid reagents) except CYA (uses pills which) there are 50. A refill package is in the $45 range, but you get enough chemicals with the tester itself to last a pool season without a refill kit.

The unit comes in a handy test kit rubber bag (zippered) which hold the 4 test tubes that come with the unit, all of the reagents, and of course the electronic device (colorimeter)(size of your hand) which measures the color intensity of each test which is correlated to a ppm reading that reads out on a digital meter. Unit is powered by 2 AA batteries and is guaranteed for 6 months.

You basically add 5 drops of a specific liquid reagent based on the test performing (one test tube per test), and they put the 5ml tube into the unit and read the tests in sequence, replacing the test tubes for each tests. You read a blank at the start (pool water) which calibrates the colorimeter. Have tests for free and total Cl up to 10ppm, pH, TA, CH hardness, and CYA.

I am very please with the unit and its accuracy. Have compared all of the tests results against by Ben Pool Solution kit, and all the results were within the accuracy accept for Hardness. Since they just replaced the unit for the hardness issue, I do not have a lot of run time, but the hardness result was 220ppm and my Taylor reports a 260-280ppm-close enough for my use

Highly recommend if you are tired of all of the titrant kits. At $129 not a bad buy. Checkout LaMotte.com website under pool/spa water/new products. They also sell the refill kits as well as spare test tubes

[salinda]

Don,

What was the issue with your CH test? I just used my new ColorQ for the first time and pH, alk, CH, and Cya were all off both from Ben's kit and from fairly recent pool store tests. CH was WAY off. My CH is high, holding steady at over 500 for a couple of years now, both by my measurements and the pool store. The Lamotte thing measured it at 235!
We have had no rain in CA for months and I don't backwash because I have a cartridge filter, so there is no way the CH could have dropped, especially this much. I'll be calling them today and give you all an update.

[Ront]

I didn't get a good feeling from the AskAlanAQuestion website, so I found out I could order one directly from LaMotte. I went to their website and called the number off of the contact us link. They are backordered a little because they have been very popular.

See my previous reply, askalanaquestion.com has excellent service.

[salinda]

Great! It is nice to know there is more than one source.

Unfortunately, I am not able to use my ColorQ (see above). If you have high CH, think twice about using this system. Mine is in the 500-600 range, which people on this forum consider to be more than manageable. This is only a bit over the range of the CH test in the ColorQ, but it is "buffering" my results per LaMotte. I am pursuing a refund right now.

[MikeInMo]

Well I ordered the ColorQ a few weeks back and it is satisfying my 'geek factor' and more. First it should be noted that while I try to be somewhat precise about the water I place in the tubes (I've found it a lot easier to go under and then add drop by drop from the sample bottle) I just consider myself lucky to get the reagents in the tubes, let alone trying to ensure uniform drop size. [I often do this in the pool and with kids splashing water and waves, and with my aging eyes I'm just happy to hit the opening.] I imagine my numbers would be better if I ensured this uniformity.

Using the cheap OTO chlorine tests I could never figure out which shade of yellow I really had (and was limited to 5ppm TC as well). The ColorQ really has alleviated my concerns in this area providing a very accurate reading on the FC, CC, and TC amounts. The PH readings are virtually spot on with my other drop tests. The ALK tests are in-line with drop tests, maybe a tad on the low side.

I too contacted customer service at LaMotte re: the CH readings. Charlie is excellent to work with and I have never been on hold for an extended period of time. They sent me out a new set of CH reagents (at no charge) but my values stayed the same. [They told me I did not have a problem lot and they must have been correct.] I am running about 70 points low compared to my drop tests. [ColorQ shows 200 and drops show 270.] I can live with this now that I have figured out the adjustment amount. Having a gunnite pool I was concerned I was too low but everything seems to work fine.

I really enjoy how precise the tester is and the ease & quickness of the tests. No more trying to remember was that drop 20 or 21 I just put in. All in all I definitely recommend it.

Mike

PS. It also satisfies my mad scientist cravings!