Value Series Portable pH/Conductivity/TDS Meter Kit

What It Is

The Apera Instruments Value Series PC850 (SKU AI5514) is a portable, handheld multi-parameter meter designed for professional pH and conductivity measurement in the field. It measures pH, EC (conductivity), TDS, ORP (with optional probe), and temperature — simultaneously. Up to three electrodes can be connected to the meter at one time, and the large backlit LCD displays pH, conductivity or TDS, and temperature on a single screen alongside calibration status icons and a stable-reading indicator.

The kit includes the PC850 meter body, the 201T-F pH/temperature electrode, the 2301T-S conductivity/temperature electrode, calibration solutions for both pH and conductivity, and a hard carry case. Everything you need to start measuring is in the box. ORP measurement is available by connecting an optional 301Pt-C ORP probe (sold separately) via the meter's mV mode.

Who It's For

The PC850 is built for licensed cannabis and hemp cultivation operations that need reliable, repeatable water chemistry data in the grow room, not just at the lab bench. Head growers, IPM leads, and fertigation techs who pull daily runoff or reservoir samples need a meter that holds calibration, resists the wet environment of a commercial canopy, and gives a clean reading without guesswork. The IP57 waterproof rating and silicone grip cover mean it handles irrigation splash, condensation, and daily use without babying.

The foldable stand lets you set it on a bench for hands-free monitoring when that's more practical, so it crosses over between field and bench use without needing two separate instruments. For multi-site operators and cultivation directors who standardize equipment across facilities, the PC850's consistent calibration behavior and replaceable electrodes make it a logical fleet choice.

Key Features

The 201T-F pH electrode uses Apera's proprietary lithium glass membrane for fast, accurate pH readings (±0.01 pH ±1 digit). A ceramic-and-fiber junction design reduces junction clogging — a common failure point in nutrient-heavy fertigation applications. The built-in temperature sensor enables automatic temperature compensation (ATC) and the detachable sensor shield protects the glass membrane between uses.

The 2301T-S conductivity electrode is built on Apera's BPB (Brush-resistant Platinum Black) cell technology, delivering ±1% F.S. accuracy across a wide 0–200 mS/cm range. The PVC body resists corrosion. Both electrodes carry their own integrated temperature sensors for independent ATC. Calibration is 1–3 point automatic for pH (recognizing standards at 1.68, 4.00, 7.00, 10.01, and 12.45) and 1–4 point automatic for conductivity (recognizing 84 µS/cm, 1413 µS/cm, 12.88 mS/cm, and 111.8 mS/cm). Self-diagnosis flags calibration errors and guides corrective action on-screen.

The TDS conversion factor is user-adjustable from 0.40 to 1.00. Additional customizable parameters include pH standard series, resolution, stability criteria, temperature unit, conductivity cell constant, reference temperature, and temperature compensation coefficient. Auto-lock holds a stable reading on screen; auto power-off conserves battery when the meter isn't in use.

How It Fits a Commercial Build

In a licensed cultivation facility, water chemistry accuracy isn't optional — it directly impacts nutrient uptake, media buffering, and ultimately canopy consistency across a compliance harvest. A meter that drifts, clogs, or fails in a humid environment introduces variability that shows up in the plant. The PC850 addresses the most common failure modes: junction clogging (ceramic-fiber junction), calibration drift (multi-point auto-cal with slope readout after 2nd and 3rd point), and field fragility (IP57, silicone sleeve, hard carry case).

The simultaneous multi-parameter display means a single probe-dip gives you pH, EC, and temperature at once — no mode-switching mid-sample. For operations running fertigation programs with tight EC targets, being able to read feed EC and pH in the same pass reduces the chance of a missed parameter. The standard BNC connector maintains compatibility with Apera's LabSen series electrodes, giving you a path to upgrade to application-specific probes if your testing protocols evolve.