Milwaukee EC60 Pocket EC/TDS/TEMP meter

A floating, waterproof pocket meter showing conductivity or TDS with temperature on the line below. Replaceable electrode and automatic calibration.

The Milwaukee EC60 reads to 20.00 mS/cm or 10.00 ppt, at a resolution of 0.01 and an accuracy of 2% of full scale. Temperature from 0 to 60 °C on the second line of the display. It calibrates automatically at one point, has a stability indicator, and switches off by itself after eight minutes.

Beta: why temperature compensation is adjustable

This meter has an adjustable beta, from 0.0 to 2.4% per °C. That is an unusual detail on a pocket meter, and it is worth understanding what it refers to.

Conductivity rises with temperature. Warm water conducts better than cold, even with exactly the same salt in it. Without correction, the same solution would read higher in the afternoon than in the morning, purely because the reservoir warmed up.

A meter with automatic temperature compensation converts that back to a reference temperature, usually 25 °C. To do so it has to know how strongly conductivity tracks temperature. That number is beta, expressed as a percentage per degree.

And here is the nuance: that factor is not the same for every liquid. For most nutrient solutions it sits around 2% per °C, which is why nearly every meter has it fixed there. But measure something else (very pure water, or a solution of unusual composition) and the assumption holds less well.

If beta is adjustable, you can match the compensation to your liquid. And setting it to 0.0 effectively switches compensation off, giving you raw conductivity at the actual temperature. Sometimes exactly what you want for a comparative reading.

For ordinary growing you leave it at the default. It is a setting you look at once and never again, but it is good to have.

Technical Specifications:

• EC range: to 20.00 mS/cm
• resolution: 0.01 mS/cm
• accuracy: 2% of full scale
• TDS range: to 10.00 ppt
• resolution: 0.01 ppt
• Temperature range: 0.0 to 60.0 °C
• resolution: 0.1 °C
• accuracy: ± 0.5 °C
• Calibration: automatic, 1 point
• Temperature compensation: automatic, with adjustable β from 0.0 to 2.4 %/°C
• Electrode: Mi59P, replaceable
• Housing: waterproof and floating
• Battery: 4 x 1.5 V, IEC LR44 / A76 (included), approx. 100 hours
• Auto shut-off: after 8 minutes
• Dimensions: 200 x Ø 38 mm
• weight: 100 g
• Supplied with: protective cap, 20 ml 12880 µS/cm buffer, storage pouch, batteries, instructions

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to touch beta?
For nutrient solutions, no. Leave it at the default; it exists for special cases.

What is the difference between EC and TDS on this meter?
EC is the measurement; TDS is that same measurement converted. Prefer EC, and no conversion factor stands in the way.

Does it float?
Yes. Combined with the waterproof housing it survives a fall into your reservoir.

What does the stability indicator do?
It shows when the reading has settled. Reading too early is one of the most commonly made measuring errors.

Does it measure pH?
No, conductivity, TDS and temperature only.