PDA

View Full Version : A few questions/suggestions


JMan5000
07/31/2010, 01:40 PM
Just received my HI 713. I have a few questions/suggestion if I may:

1. As someone else just mentioned, the small white plunger/insert is hard to remove. And even though it may seem obvious, something in the directions telling us to remove it and how would be nice (it tells me put in the battery, seemingly just as obvious).

2. How much reagent must get in the vial for an accurate reading?
I dont have the steadiest hands in the world, but I find it hard to get all of in without missing a little. Plus after pouring all of it out, I can see small little clumps still in there stuck to the sides of the satchel.

3. Because its a little difficult, can I suggest a small pixie straw like container for the reagent? That way we could just cut the top and pour it in easier. Or maybe even a small funnel included.

4. Increase the time-out after zeroing out.
The first time I tried it, by the time I opened the satchel and figured out a way I could hopefully pour it all in without spilling it, then shook for 2 minutes, the device turned off. One reagent wasted.

-->4.5 Someone else mentioned they use one vial to zero and another with reagent already mixed and ready to go, is there any reason not to do it that way? Seems like a great idea!!!

5. Please include more reagents with the device.
After as stated in 4, then still missing alot the second try, Ive already used half of whats included to get my first good reading. Now I have to go get more almost immediately.

Sorry if this seems negative, not my intention. I really appreciate Hanna putting out an inexpensive electronic device for phosphates, and look forward to trying the others when they come out!! Just some things I thought could make an even easier experience for us.

Thanks for listening,
Jamie.

xp964
08/03/2010, 11:48 AM
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for the input! We really do appreciate constructive feedback like this.

1. Plunger (dust cap) & reagent pack shape: Frankly, I've always disliked them both as well! I've been hearing the same request about these two items and we're definitely taking it under advisement.

2. I find that if I pull the reagent pack open so that it's gaping, and then pinch one side, I can get 99% of the reagent in the vial. Then again, I do this a lot. ;)
One suggestion I've seen before and used is to fold a small piece of paper into quarters, then unfold it to make a makeshift weigh boat. Open the reagent pack completely and dump onto the paper, then pour from the paper into the cuvet.

3. (see 1)

4. All the Checker HC's we are shipping now have a 3 minute time out instead of 2.

4.5. The cuvets are made of optic glass, but even so, there are minute variations. For the greatest accuracy, use the same cuvet during testing.

5. We generally sell all reagents separately, to avoid our distributors unknowingly selling old reagents with a meter. It's definitely not been a problem with the Checker HC's so far, but if a meter sits on our shelf for a while, and then on the distributors shelf for a while, the customer may receive reagents near the end of their life expectancy. While we will continue to include a small amount of reagents with the Checker HC's, larger quantities will always be sold separately.

Thanks again!

Jessica