HTH 1273 6-Way Test Kit Swimming Pools Chemical Tester

Not fool proof but it is doing the job ok. I use this to accompany a PHin unit for the pool. Just to check the readings against it. The instructions are well done, however, as a novice pool person in their first year, when the colors of tests don't align correctly to determine this/that, I kind of wonder... now what? Only so many times you want to do the test before you just throw your hands up and wonder why you bought it. I ran the hardness test 3 times with inconclusive results. If you read the instructions and understand where I am going with this, you have to add many of the test drops, talking like 20-40. You can go through a bottle pretty quick.

I get one of these kits every 1-2 years in order to insure that the chemical reagents are fresh enough to give accurate results. These tests are easy to perform and the instructions pretty straightforward. The pool store tests a few things that this kit doesn't, so I usually supplement my own testing by having the pool store test a sample every few weeks, and I usually find their super-duper expensive test equipment produce results very comparable to the results I get with this kit. The one criticism I would have is the packaging and lack of a test kit box. I've been using this kit for well over 10 years. It used to come packaged in a plastic flip-top box that snaps closed. The current clear plastic clamshell is a joke compared to the old flip-top box. When they stopped including the flip-top box, I saved the box I had been using and every year I transfer the contents of the new kit into the old box. I'm sure getting rid of the flip-top box was a cost-cutting measure, but I would be looking for a different product if I didn't have that old box to use. If anybody at HTH is listening: bring back the old box, your customers deserve it.

A+ thank you so much for the package I really appreciate it

Although this test kit lacks some of the more expansive tests that the pool experts suggest it is a very affordable option to get most people by. One of the huge advantages of this particular one was having the ability to test CYA levels. There are not many other options out there for this price range that can. One of the biggest drawbacks is that it does not come in a traditional case, however you can use the original packaging if your don't tear it apart when opening. The instruction paper is also (as many others pointed out) very susceptible to water damage. So I would either make a copy of it or laminate this one and keep it separate. Just a fair warning there is only enough CYA testing regent for two tests. So make sure to calculate how much that you need to come down and try to nail it prior to a second test.

Can’t find this in the store late in the season got it here and works for our pool

Of all the Pool Test Strips available I have found the HTH to be the most accurate. I have used HTH strips for the past three years and have had Zero pool care issues. Will definitely purchase these strips again.

FIrst, I am not rating the kit in that I didn't have all the items when received so I was not able to do all the testing. This review is for the not just horrible but non-existent customer service.I recently purchased an HTH 6 way test kit. Upon opening it, I found that instead of receiving 1 alkilinity indicator and 1 Alkilinity Titrant I had received 2 Titrants making it impossible to condut the Alkilinity Test.Well so this should be an easy solution correct? Yeah - no. First I am unable to return the item. So, I figured I would contact HTH and simply get a replacement .75 oz bottle of Indicator. So I go to HTH's webpage and call them via their help line.Long story short, the customer service rep says - we do not ship any product from HTH so you will have to contact the Amazon seller. So to make this even better, the seller was the HTH company store. So let's see, the item was sold by HTH so I called them and got the repsonse I posted above. And, to make it even more hilarious, the rep said if Amazon doesn't resolve the issue, contact us. I then asked her - ok so if I call you back will I get the same answer? Her reply was yes, we do not have any product here. So what are they simply a window for sales from somewhere else?This is beyond horrible customer service. A company sells a product but will not in any shape or form stand behind that product. Wrong item? Sorry, we can't help you. Call the seller (HTH store - I swear I couldn't make this up if I tried).Bottom line is I will never buy another HTH product nor will I recommend any of their products.16 Jun 22 Edit: I have to commend ShipIQ (seller or distributor? But, I don't believe they are not part of HTH) for a fast response to my complaint. They made it right by issuing a complete refund for the kit. As such, I upgraded my review to 3 stars. The product itself was still not fully usable but the customer service was great.I would also add that they stated that there were no replacement items available in the warehouse. Again, I truly believe that HTH (to include the website) is nothing more than an admin storefront for the products. They have no replacements nor individual kit items so, if you have an issue like it did, your only option is to replace the complete kit which to me is a waste of money.

The price on this has been bouncing around lately. I bought it at a relatively low point around $14 bucks. It's probably still a good value up to maybe $20 bucks. Higher than that and I might look for something else, such as the kit from H*** Depot.When I first tried, it I initially thought it was harder to read than the HDX kit, but then I changed my mind and decided it was actually easier to read.I tried the chlorine, pH, and alkalinity tests so far. I haven't tried the CYA or hardness tests yet. For the CYA (I think), you only get to try it a couple of times, so I'll save it for when I think I need it. The others look like there is enough to last a whole season.I was worried that this might be a cheapo test, but it actually reminds me of the Taylor test kits, but this one was not as expensive, at least when I bought it.