rustedduck,
I bought a digital pH meter off ebay a while ago.
Search around on ebay. I paid about $30-40 or so but can't remember exactly.
I use it for the hot tub, the pool, AND an occasional check of the pH of my well water.
It's great and seems to be very accurate. A lot more convenient than using the color test and the "range" that it indicates is much wider than test strips.
Go for it !
Tim