Taylor kit vs cheaper one

[Mercure]

I never seen a taylor kit in store around here.  But I find similar cheaper kit everywhere (my spa dealer, departement store, hardware store).  They all look  like this:

http://www.intheswim.com/Pool-Chemicals/Water-Test-Kits-and-Meters/4-Way-Water-Test-Kit-Liquid-Solution/

I live in Canada and would have to buy the taylor kit online.  That add significant transportation and custom cost.

I want to know if the cheaper kit that I find everywhere are good enough.  Their accuracy are closer to the test stips or closer to the Taylor kit?

[wmccall]

I have good luck with an HTH test kit for about $14.  It has a couple additional test,  Alk, hardness, and CYA.

[Vinny]

I used a non Taylor kit from kmart for 2 years - I think it's cost was around $15.

The ONLY problem with it was being an OTO kit (Taylor is a DPD kit) it can't distinguish between free chlorine and total chlorine. It claims that if you take a reading right away you get a free chlorine reading and if you wait it'll give you a total chlorine reading but I read somewhere that it just reads total chlorine.

Maybe buy the $15 kit and add a DPD kit to it, I usually do the opposite as an OTOt is usually cheap.

[In Canada eh]

I live in Canada and would have to buy the taylor kit online.

Where about in Canada?  I know of a couple dealers in Southwestern Ontario if it helps.  Doc sells the kit on-line and will ship to Canada, I haven't ordered though him yet, but all reports here are good.

I had previously used a kit similar to the one in your link and was never happy with the inconsistant readings.  After reading Vinny's recomendations I purchased the Taylor Trouble-Shooter kit ($35 Can) and it does live up to its reputation.  My dealer now hates me though!!

[Gomboman]

Here's one for $34.89--not sure about shipping to Canada. I suggest going through doc though if you can afford it.

http://www.azpartsmaster.com/shopazp/Pool+Water+Test+Test+Kits+-+Taylor+(TAY-TK).html

[cooltoy2000]

Would the Taylor kit be any use if one uses Bromine? I mean I understand that it would still measure the rest of the stuff, but would it measure bromine levels?

[The_real_Clown_Shoes]

Yes, there is a bromine titrating reagent for use with the Taylor Kit.  I believe it is R-0872.

[In Canada eh]

I live in Canada and would have to buy the taylor kit online.  That add significant transportation and custom cost.

 I forgot to mention in my other post.

Since silly Canadian enviromental laws about reagents and packaging the Taylor 2005 kit(most popular one) have pushed the price to$140 and higher, you are probably better off ordering one on-line from the US.

Darn those silly tree huggers :-/

[Pathfinder]

The reagents for chlorine will test for bromine as well  in  the taylor kits  Most spa or pool dealers in Ontario and the rest of Canada will sell a taylor kit in form or another  or can order it for you without significant cost In Ontario a spa dealer can have it for you next day if they deal with Central spa supply for parts. All you really need is the 3 part taylor kit that test for Chlorine/Bromine Ph & Alk   then have your dealer test for the rest

[wmccall]

I used a non Taylor kit from kmart for 2 years - I think it's cost was around $15.

The ONLY problem with it was being an OTO kit (Taylor is a DPD kit) it can't distinguish between free chlorine and total chlorine. It claims that if you take a reading right away you get a free chlorine reading and if you wait it'll give you a total chlorine reading but I read somewhere that it just reads total chlorine.

Maybe buy the $15 kit and add a DPD kit to it, I usually do the opposite as an OTOt is usually cheap.

Your probably right, but dichlor level is one of the attributes I don't pay attention to any more. I put in a mininal amount after each soak, or if I'm going to be away a coupe of days and that holds the tub over to my next usage.   The only time I care about my dichlor level is if I shocked with a high level of Dichlor and want to see if its safe to get back in, but I usually shock every other week with MPS so that is a rate need.   I only shock with a high dose of Dichlor when I know I won't be using the tub for at least 12 hours. So far I haven't ran into the need to recheck.

I think this is the Pennsylvanian method, or perhaps the Ohioan method  

[windsurfdog]

As suggested by others on this board, I've found value in testing for chlorine when I know there will be little/no free chlorine just so I can continue the test for total chlorine.  This gives a great indication of exactly the amount of chloramines present and whether a shock is necessary or not.  I've gotten away from shocking on a schedule but rather respond to the Taylor readings.

And, BTW, the booklet that comes with the Taylor is excellent and worth the "cost of admission" alone.  Hey, you've spent $8000 or so on a hot tub...get the best test kit available...Taylor Test Kit