Whats everybodies view on the best test kits out there, and is there really a big difference?? I haven't checked it out here yet, but in Edmonton it's hard to get anything besides Hagen.
I like Seachem test kits. They are really affordable and so far seem to be very reliable. I use the Ni/Na, phosphate, silicate, iodine and ammonia kits. They are really easy to use and the color compaisons are also easy. I don't reccommend any of the Hagen kit's. Comparing the colors on them is a real challenge and they also seem to be somewhat inaccurate. There are some very expensive kits out there but I have never really heard anything about them. La Motte makes some good kits and they aren't that expensive. I use their calcium test kit and it seems to be very accurate. One thing to keep in mind with test kits is to always use the supplied sample they give you to make sure the kit is testing accurately.
I've been using aquarium systems fast test for 17 years. Acurate and easy. Only problem they don't have kits for everything and their phosphate doesn't go low enough. For the basics they are fine. For my "more advanced" tests I use salifert. Like magnesium, Iodine, strontium, silicates, Etc. Only problem is no refills. You have to buy a whole new kit each time you run out of regents. I love NatuReef's test kits but they are probably just sold here in Fl. Extremely accurate and easier than salifert. I use them for some tests.