LightScout Quantum par meters

[rayuki]

http://www.specmeters.com/lightmeters/quantum-meters/

anyone know if these are any decent at measuring par with LEDS? (specifically bridgelux strips) i can pick one up pretty cheap 2nd hand wan'ted to see if anyone has used one

 

[SoOLED]

I personally never seen one, I don't think as single operator types; we need a very exact number. even if its 10% +/- and affordable it would do the job. if it saves you a few $100 bucks.

 

[rayuki]

I personally never seen one, I don't think as single operator types; we need a very exact number. even if its 10% +/- and affordable it would do the job. if it saves you a few $100 bucks.

yeah for $300 AUD i think its a good deal im not trying to do anything commercially just want it for my own space going forward but dont want something thats gonna be way off. they seem like a decent company just couldn't find many reviews on this one specifically and i know some of the cheaper par meters struggle with the new LED lighting?

 

[SoOLED]

yeah for $300 AUD i think its a good deal im not trying to do anything commercially just want it for my own space going forward but dont want something thats gonna be way off. they seem like a decent company just couldn't find many reviews on this one specifically and i know some of the cheaper par meters struggle with the new LED lighting?

I use a hydrofarm one it was like $140 bucks or so, maybe cheaper now.

not saying this site, but I just googled it
https://www.nwgsupply.com/products/quantum-par-meter-micromols?gdffi=87c68efd9c9b487981a9b67a4daa2ec6&gdfms=8219DB94A8034F9E9880EE783D096703&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxdPNBRDmARIsAAw-TUmTOBT3aHTMfB8xPyKnYZ9ZsXZ1WMyEKzn83KymCzFBF18iKcrV2d0aAkwmEALw_wcB

 

[rayuki]

I use a hydrofarm one it was like $140 bucks or so, maybe cheaper now.

not saying this site, but I just googled it
https://www.nwgsupply.com/products/quantum-par-meter-micromols?gdffi=87c68efd9c9b487981a9b67a4daa2ec6&gdfms=8219DB94A8034F9E9880EE783D096703&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxdPNBRDmARIsAAw-TUmTOBT3aHTMfB8xPyKnYZ9ZsXZ1WMyEKzn83KymCzFBF18iKcrV2d0aAkwmEALw_wcB

awesome thanks! can get one of these that ship to AUS from amazon for $179 so even better then the one i was looking at.

 

[CobKits]

unless the manufacturer provides the response curve its anybodys guess

cheapest accurate par meter is the apogee sq series at about $400.

below that you might as well buy a $30 lux meter

 

[Chip Green]

YES! Perfect... I just bought a $25 lux meter

 

[rayuki]

unless the manufacturer provides the response curve its anybodys guess

cheapest accurate par meter is the apogee sq series at about $400.

below that you might as well buy a $30 lux meter

Thanks thats the info I was after so can you explain a bit more what makes the difference between the cheaper units like the hydryofarm? I want something accurate that I'm gonna be able to keep using years down the track and still have it be accurate across upcoming new led tech etc

 

[CobKits]

flatness of response curve is the difference. if the mfr doesnt provide it (or if it is provides but not very flat from 400-700 nm) its basically a lumen/lux meter with a correction factor built in. it will not measure monos like red and blues accurately

 

[canadian1969]

from the manual
https://imgur.com/LfwDvlm

 

[CobKits]

thats pretty much all you need to know. can you imagine trying to accurately measure a spectrum such as these with that? it would grossly exaggerate the 580-660 range and underestiamte the 450 nm peak





heres an apogee sq500 (green plot):



heres a licor li-190R:



in this case you get what you pay for. the response curve on the lightscout is really no better than a $30 lux meter. if youre using it to balance your garden where everything is the same spectra lux meter is fine for that

 

[canadian1969]

and just for chuckles, a video of a supposedly professional "commercial" legal grow using one

 

[CobKits]

^great example of how that meter would give completely different results with mh vs hps

 

[rayuki]

thanks now i have a better understanding of what to look for i can make sure i dont waste my money on one of these or a cheaper option.

 

[Photon Flinger]

I use a hydrofarm one it was like $140 bucks or so, maybe cheaper now.

not saying this site, but I just googled it
https://www.nwgsupply.com/products/quantum-par-meter-micromols?gdffi=87c68efd9c9b487981a9b67a4daa2ec6&gdfms=8219DB94A8034F9E9880EE783D096703&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxdPNBRDmARIsAAw-TUmTOBT3aHTMfB8xPyKnYZ9ZsXZ1WMyEKzn83KymCzFBF18iKcrV2d0aAkwmEALw_wcB

Hydrofarm works fine - better than the Apogee, close enough to a licor and somewhat affordable if you accidentally step on it.

 

[CobKits]

i have yet to see an actual response curve for the hydrofarm unit. anybody got it?

also not all apogees are equal, that sq500 series is better than their other ones

 

[Photon Flinger]

Neither have I, but I have compared it directly to a licor and found it acceptable for hobby growing. There is a youtube video out there that actually convinced me to try, and I can say it works as advertised.

2 units so far and they both worked fine until one got stepped on.

+/-50 ppfd is all we need.

 

[canadian1969]

i have yet to see an actual response curve for the hydrofarm unit. anybody got it?

also not all apogees are equal, that sq500 series is better than their other ones

https://www.hydrofarm.com/p/LGBQM
manual is there
https://imgur.com/a/AWhO5

it looks pretty good. surprised a bit actually.

 

[CobKits]

for sure. seems like a solid buy if they are as accurate as that datasheet indicates. ive seen some guys on youtube testing half a dozen side by side and they all tracked each other pretty well.

thats the older licor sensor theyre comparing it against btw (LI190-SA), but again for most growers purposes the LI190SA/hydrofarm/apogee SQ type accuracy is fine, the flat li-190R response is a bit overkill. most people dont need calibration, NIST traceability, etc

 

[GrowLightResearch]

i have yet to see an actual response curve for the hydrofarm unit.