Last time I read those reviews, the negative ones seemed to be mostly complaining about maintaining regimens or life of the electrode. From what I understand, this is normal in all pH meters.
Yep - keeping them wet and calibrated is a PITA. That's why I still use pH strips.
I have pH strips and they never seem to be one of, or even near, the colors on the back of the bottle. I was hoping a pH meter would take the guesswork out of it.