pH tester problems

Hello everyone. I just purchased a soil pH tester from home depot, was about $20. Now I have a problem. When I stick it in water and let it sit, the pH is very low so I add baking soda to raise it but that lowers it even more! I thought maybe they had the wires backwards so I add vinegar and that lowers it too. However whenever I stick it in my soil, it says i have a pH of 6.5. Has this happened to any one else? Can these things not be put in 100% water?

Thanks

No, they are only good for soil testing. You won't need to test the pH of your soil very often.

You need to buy a proper digital pH pen, they run at $40+ delivery.

Would this be sufficient?

a Milwaukee pH600
Milwaukee Digital pH TESTER Micro Brewing /Wine Making - eBay (item 180209480483 end time Feb-14-08 18:00:00 PST)

hey man, i just bought a similar sounding soil pH/fertilizer analyzer from home depot, it was 18.99. i followed the directions, tested the soil, and it read around 6.9. but then i tested the pH of liquid vinegar and it read the same 6.9??, didnt ever seem to move to much to either end of 7. i kind of wonder if it actually works lol. i think it is just for measuring soil. unfortunately, it doesnt even do that well.

I did exactly the same thing as you guys my first time out. I think I bought it because it was cheaper... lol. I might as well have just thrown the cash in the bin.

A digital pH pen will cost you around $40 including shipping. Here's a link to a good one: The Skunk House - The top 100 strains from across the globe. It's at the top of the page.

Yes, the Milwaukee ph pen will work fine. I bought one like that off ebay also.

I did the Home Depot soil pH tester and it sucked! Hopped back in the car after 5 mins and took it back.

Thanks for the replies guys. I ended up buying the milwaukee one from ebay. I'll be returning the home depot tester too haha.