Hey all, lookin to retire my Milwaukee ph meter for one of those cool pH pens, anyone have good suggestions for one?
I highly recommend the Omega line of meters. The one I use is HERE. I think it was $109 when I bought it and it seems more expensive now. I had a handheld Milwaukee unit that was horrible. Terrible. It did not work properly right out of the box. It was $49 or something so I upgraded to the Omega. I know a number of homebrewers who like this one but I also know that many homebrewers are happy with other models from other manufacturers and I’m sure they’ll be along shortly. 
Oooh that looks nice, I know what ima ask for Father’s Day ;D
Treat it nicely and use it as directed and it will pay you back. It’s a great brewing instrument.
I have been using that same model for several years, and it works great. I first bought a $12 unit for testing aquarium water, but it was very unstable and unrepeatable. This unit is solid.
Here’s another option:
The refillable electrode is a nice feature. I’ve had it for a little over 4 years at this point.
I have heard Extech makes very good stuff. How does ‘refillable electrode’ part differ from a standard handheld meter? I have to have my electrode sitting in storage solution at all times (the cap is filled with storage solution and the cap screws onto the electrode) so just curious how this is different. I think Extech makes “dissolved O2” meters as well.
When the reference solution inside the probe is depleted, you need to replace the probe. With a refillable probe, you can add more reference solution when it’s running low which extends its lifespan.
You still need to store the probe in the proper storage solution. There is a small reservoir in the screw cap and a round piece of sponge.
I currently own this one
It has a few really nice features. The probe has the best protector out of any of the ones I have used. It came in a nice carry case with small vials for storing pH calibration solutions – and it came with all the necessary calibration and storage solutions. It is extremely easy to calibrate.
You guys are gonna make me spend $
It’s part of our hobby, brother. I definitely have some things I should not have purchased. But they keep coming out with new toys!! 
I just picked up a digital refractometer. After using it a few minutes ago, it was like “what have I done”. Remembering why I stopped using refractometers
I really like my Apera PH60 pH meter.
Maybe a dumb question but can you calibrate ph meters with any buffer solution? Like Milwaukee doesn’t have to be used with Milwaukee?
I use Atlantis Scientific brand with a Milwaukee pH meter.
I mix and match all the time.
Right. Any brand solution with any brand meter seems fine.
The Milwaukee pH56 pen worked great when I used to regularly took pH readings, it’s very reliable and accurate. Highly recommend. I most definitely do NOT recommend the Thermoworks 8689 pen. Mine was a piece of junk right out of the box. And their customer service was dreadful. I literally threw the meter in the trash. They owe me $90 as far as I’m concerned.
Devil’s advocate: do you really need to buy a new one? Constantly calibrating and maintaining pH meters is a PITA. I realized after brewing some batches with various grists that I was always within the normal mash range. And I doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference in the final beer between a mash pH of 5.4 and 5.6.
I agree with this wholeheartedly. POS never did work right as far as I can tell.
Although the small hand held ones are nice, I still prefer my Milwaukee SM-102. Bought it from a guy going out of homebrewing for like $80 and he had never used it. Works great. Had to replace the probe when I got it because it sat for a long time with no storage solution but it has been really reliable for me.