±0.01 pH accuracy, Bluetooth 5.0, cloud logging — direct solid and semi-solid sampling without slurry prep.
The Apera PH60S-Z (AI3713) is a Bluetooth-connected smart spear pH tester engineered for direct pH measurement in solid, semi-solid, and viscous samples. With a double-junction Swiss spear electrode, ±0.01 pH accuracy, IP67 waterproofing, and cloud-based data logging through the free ZenTest app, it gives cultivation teams a reliable, traceable pH record without the guesswork of manual bench meters.
The Apera PH60S-Z is a pocket-sized smart pH tester purpose-built for direct measurement in solid, semi-solid, and viscous materials — no slurry preparation required. The tester pairs with your iOS or Android smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 and runs through the free ZenTest app, which provides step-by-step guided calibration, multiple display modes, and a cloud-based data logger so every reading is timestamped, saved, and shareable. It also operates as a conventional standalone tester when a smartphone is not available — the hybrid design means your workflow is not dependent on having your phone nearby.
The spear electrode at the heart of the kit features a double-junction design with a polymer gel reference system and Swiss sensor technology. The double junction configuration significantly reduces the risk of a clogged junction — a common failure point in standard single-junction probes — and extends electrode service life, which matters when the probe is being driven repeatedly into dense plant or substrate material.
Commercial cannabis and hemp operators use spear pH testers in applications where a standard liquid pH pen cannot get an accurate reading: direct measurement of coco or peat substrate blocks, dense media slabs, amended soil, living soil amendments, and concentrated nutrient paste or slurry mixes. Rather than preparing a diluted sample and introducing additional measurement error, you insert the spear tip directly into the material and get a reading.
For quality control teams running post-harvest processes — extract intermediates, infused products, topicals, or other viscous formulations — the PH60S-Z handles those matrices without modification. The ZenTest app's cloud data logger and batch-tagging capability means readings can be tied to specific rooms, reservoirs, or production batches, supporting internal SOP documentation and audit trails.
Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC) covers 0–50°C (32–122°F), keeping readings accurate across varying room conditions. Calibration is automatic up to 3 points (pH 4.00, 7.00, 10.01) with auto buffer recognition — the meter identifies the calibration solution without manual entry. Stable-value recognition eliminates guesswork about when to log the reading; the display confirms stability before you commit the data point.
The 3-color backlit LCD (blue = measuring, green = calibration, red = out-of-range alert) provides clear visual feedback in any lighting condition — relevant in low-light flower rooms. The reading alarm function triggers a red-screen warning when a measurement exceeds preset high/low pH limits, supporting quick catch of out-of-range conditions during a watering run. Battery life is rated up to 2,000 hours continuous (without backlight) on 4× AAA batteries, with an auto-shutoff after 8 minutes of inactivity. The unit is IP67 rated — waterproof, dustproof, and designed to float.
The AI3713 kit ships complete and ready to calibrate out of the box. Contents include the PH60S-Z tester unit, pH 4.00 and 7.00 calibration solutions, calibration bottles, 3M KCl electrode storage solution, 4× AAA batteries (pre-installed), a lanyard, a quick-start manual, and a portable carrying case.
The spear probe is fully replaceable — the replacement unit is the PH60S-DE (SKU AI3713-E), sold separately. This is operationally important for a commercial facility: when the electrode reaches end of service life, you replace the probe, not the entire instrument. The ZenTest app is compatible with the full 60-Z platform, so existing app data and calibration history carry over when a probe is swapped. ORP measurement is also available with an ORP probe (sold separately), expanding the instrument's utility to redox monitoring without buying a separate tester.
Warranty covers 2 years on the instrument and 6 months on the electrode, consistent with Apera's standard 60-series terms.
| SKU | AI3713 |
| Model | PH60S-Z |
| pH Range | −2.00 to 16.00 pH |
| pH Resolution | 0.01 / 0.1 pH |
| pH Accuracy | ±0.01 pH |
| Temperature Range (ATC) | 0–50°C (32–122°F) |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±0.5°C |
| Calibration | Auto 1–3 point; pH 4.00 / 7.00 / 10.01 buffer recognition |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth® 5.0 — ZenTest app (iOS & Android) |
| Waterproof Rating | IP67 |
| Battery | 4× AAA; up to 2,000 hrs continuous; auto-shutoff at 8 min |
| Probe Type | Replaceable double-junction Swiss spear electrode |
Both. The spear electrode is designed specifically for solid and semi-solid samples — coco slabs, amended soil, dense media — but it reads liquid solutions as well. If most of your testing is in liquid reservoirs or fertigation lines, the standard PH60-Z (AI3711) with a conventional liquid probe may be a more practical daily driver. The PH60S-Z is the right choice when direct-insertion solid or substrate readings are part of your workflow.
The ZenTest app uses a cloud-based data system with unlimited storage. Readings are automatically backed up and can be shared via email directly from the app. The platform supports asset-tagging so measurements can be organized by room, reservoir, or batch. Access and sharing capabilities are managed through the app's account settings.
Yes. The PH60S-Z has a hybrid design — it functions as a conventional standalone tester with its onboard LCD display when Bluetooth is not connected. All core measurement and calibration functions remain available without the app.
The replacement spear probe is the PH60S-DE, SKU AI3713-E, sold separately. Electrode service life depends on usage frequency, cleaning practices, and storage habits. The double-junction design with polymer electrolyte extends life compared to standard probes, but routine replacement should be expected annually or sooner in high-volume operations. Keeping the probe in 3M KCl storage solution when not in use is the primary factor in extending service life.
The cloud-based ZenTest data logger provides timestamped measurement records that can be exported via email — useful for internal SOPs and batch documentation. For any specific regulatory compliance requirement, consult your state's testing and record-keeping standards to confirm fit. The tester itself provides the accurate, traceable measurement data; how that data integrates into your compliance documentation is facility-dependent.
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