Light meter apps

[UrbanHillbilly]

I've been using the PPFD Meter app on my phone (Samsung) on the PPFD setting to check the lights in my tents. I've seen people here recommend Photone. Unfortunately, I don't have any means to calibrate them and there's about a 60-70 point difference in the reading. Not ideal, but not horrible I suppose. Anyone have an argument for one over the other?

 

[Mr Jay]

Unfortunately, I don't have any means to calibrate them

Not so.



Apogee clear sky calculator
Isnt working properly,,,wont allow time manipulation.

Will tell you current ( real time) sunlight PAR for your location. PURPLE

Will tell you time and value of max PAR
YELLOW.

The best light meter apps will most closely represent those values.

For example. If I went outside right now the sun should be putting out 1492 PAR and the app gave me a reading of 1800, I would know that they're reading is 25% high.

Even if the value is off; the scale should be consistent.
If I took a reading indoors that was 1,000- and I know my app reads 25% high- I could assume the actual number was 750

 

[Mr Jay]

there's about a 60-70 point difference in the reading.

70 points on an 800 reading is less than 10% .
Not close enough to publish scientific papers, but not too shabby.

 

[AppleDeez]

Just out of curiosity, how important do you guys find tracking the light intensity? I use to do it with the phone app, but after a while started just adjusting based on how the plants react. Any success stories of dialing in the measurements leading to increases

 

[Frimpong]

Just out of curiosity, how important do you guys find tracking the light intensity? I use to do it with the phone app, but after a while started just adjusting based on how the plants react. Any success stories of dialing in the measurements leading to increases

I've had great luck w having the whole canopy read similar numbers. Between 60000 and 90000 lux for flowering plants seemed perfect. The main reason why I use it though is to make sure I'm not over or under those numbers.

 

[sportyridr]

I shoot for 35 DLI in Flower as best I can and run the best VPD I can achieve with the equipment I'm using for the respective growth stage. I've thought about buying the diffuser from the PPFD folks but have yet to decide to spend the 25 bucks just to check.

 

[RookieBuds]

The main thing is, any of these apps are better than the naked eye

I also use that same PPFD Meter app, I just d/l it when I need it, then uninstall it when I don't

 

[pepperpicante]

I use the par guide that came with the light and just raise and lower the lights based on what ever is tallest and keep it pretty close ( like 4 to 10 inches durring flower) as i find that it is hard to burn a plant with leds. I check the time of the grow and adjust based on plant location and plant leaves (praying, tacoing, deffecient etc).

 

[Willie]

I've been using the PPFD Meter app on my phone (Samsung) on the PPFD setting to check the lights in my tents. I've seen people here recommend Photone. Unfortunately, I don't have any means to calibrate them and there's about a 60-70 point difference in the reading. Not ideal, but not horrible I suppose. Anyone have an argument for one over the other?

It's a much larger difference on my phone. PPFD Meter app reads 200-250 higher than Photone. I think the Photone is too low actually. How can you verify which one is right? Or maybe try a third app and see which of the previous two were right.

 

[Mr Jay]

Give anyone two PH meters and watch them go mad .