bk78
Well-Known Member
It’s the second thing that pops up. Pretty dummy proof
Any recommendations for a par meter
- Thread starter MrStickyScissors
- Start date
DoubleAtotheRON
Well-Known Member
Are you using this app as well? How are you finding the accuracy?
The DLI has presets for 12, 18, and 24 hours, but you can also hit the + or - button there to pick a custom duration or schedule (eg: if you're schedule is 11/13 in flower, or maybe 17/7 in veg. It immediately adjusts the DLI on the fly. Did I get that math right?). Just in case that was missed by some. The DLI feature just applies the mathematical formula to the PPFD reading that it's measure to display the DLI live, as you place and/or move the phone/sensor around.
I like that the PPFD reading also gives peak and average at the top. And the two squares for aligning keeping the phone level is nice too. Though I usually angle the phone on the edges because the light is coming down at angle too. And proper PAR meters (apogee, etc) use something called cosine correction to account for that when keeping the sensor flat (I think that's what it's called).
Edit: added example.
bk78
Well-Known Member
I have the photobio and pulse pro. Never did download the app
i can though and do some testing possibly this weekend if you want.
Doug Dawson
Well-Known Member
Why would you say that? If you are just going to read your plants than why bother with the much more expensive Apogee? I purchased the Photobio and it works great.
Doug Dawson
Well-Known Member
The issue I found with phone apps is the sensors on phones are not the same as on a par meter and apps tend to very in accuracy from phone to phone. I suppose all methods have their value if data is interpreted and used correctly.
DoubleAtotheRON
Well-Known Member
Yeah!. that'd be cool to see the difference. Not like 10-30 PAR is going to make me buy something in the $150-$350 range. But, yeah.. it'll be interesting to see the results... thanks man!
LeastExpectedGrower
Well-Known Member
Blazin Budz
Well-Known Member
So what are you saying? That everyone who says it works is lying? I've tested it against my $500 pulse pro and the readings are identical. Running HLG quantum boards. Using a Samsung S20 Ultra. No diffuser or whatever those other comments are talking about.
Did you mean PPFD meter? This one: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homestudio.ppfdmeter
I think that's the one Migro included in his comparison video I linke earlier. He pairs it with a cheap, bluetooth lux meter. And I remember him saying something about working with the developer to increase accuracy with certain light types...I think.
Doug Dawson
Well-Known Member
I think it would be fair to assume most have no clue. Not that they are lying but really don't have the data to say if it is working correctly or not. Many download these phone apps and without a proper meter to check data against they are not able to really say if it is working correctly. Quantum par meters have a sensor that is designed with a specific use in mind and will always be better than some cell phone sensor. That does not mean that apps can't have their use if you use the data correctly.
bk78
Well-Known Member
Cool dude. I’ll message you the pictures and results this weekend at some point.
DoubleAtotheRON
Well-Known Member
This is why I want to see if BK's meter reads close to the app.
DoubleAtotheRON
Well-Known Member
Awesome!... thanks!
Doug Dawson
Well-Known Member
Makes sense. He was the one who recommended my meter after testing it which is why I have the one I have. I guess the issue is that cell phones all use different sensors making it tough. They are also not designed for the angles that a par meter is. I installed one of those apps on an S5 and S8, the numbers were so different it was scary so I just stopped using it. Could be one of the 2 was fairly accurate but at the time I had no way to qualify the info. Got to admit that they are improving every day though.
DoubleAtotheRON
Well-Known Member
Yessir... the iphone13's camera(s) are pretty impressive. I moved up from an iPhoneX, and there's a world of difference in the camera sensor. So, yeah, they're getting better every year. It'll be an interesting experiment anyways.
Doug Dawson
Well-Known Member
Yeah and even wrong info can be useful if used correctly. For example if I move plants from my 2x2 or 2x4, which have smaller lights, into my 5x5 I can dial the light in or adjust the plant height to give them approx. the same light they were getting to start off. That in itself can be very helpful. Still be cool to see the results of the testing. Would be nice to have an accurate phone app that you have with you all the time.
Week4@inCharge
Well-Known Member
tempted to grab one, seems like it would add another feather to the cap just to say you own one kind of thing.
Week4@inCharge
Well-Known Member
This is what I'm doing now.. but, own two different lighting units .. I wonder how close or far off the PAR is between the two. Have both in the same tent.
LeastExpectedGrower
Well-Known Member
I think the article has already been linked in this thread, but this is from the Migro test and review of grow-apps vs. the Apogee SQ500:
The end result was that Photone was the closest but generally fell ~10% lower. Of course, knowing that, you can offset the Photone app by that much in the settings if you want.
www.migrolight.com
The end result was that Photone was the closest but generally fell ~10% lower. Of course, knowing that, you can offset the Photone app by that much in the settings if you want.
PAR meter APPs tested
What is the best par meter app for grow lighting? For iPhone owners the PPFD App is the most accurate PAR meter with the most features including making your own PAR map. The PPFD app also has the most free features. Android users should use the Photone app or pair the PPFD app with the Uni-T lux...
www.migrolight.com