CHEAP PAR meter

[shrimplover]

Hi guys!

I want to spend as little as possible but at the same time get a reasonable device. Danoplus? ParWise? I have read that Danoplus runs 10 % off compared to more expensive devices. I can live with that.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Danoplus or Vabira (VBR) would be my suggestions:

I've also heard of good things when comparing a VBR-Aqua PAR Meter and a Danoplus PAR Meter to an Apogee PAR Meter; both the VBR and Danoplus are ~$150.

Just to add some context for this (and to show how different the two are in numbers from the Apogee):

The first one is the VBR meter - the old sensors didn't need adjusted and pulled essentially the same numbers as the Apogee, while the new sensors need adjusted by the multiplier below (1.17x). The second is the Danoplus (it reads about 10% lower than the Apogee when taking underwater readings).

 

[shakacuz]

i use the VBR with the different sensor(so i have to multiply by 1.17x). haven't had any issues and seems consistent.

 

[Lavey29]

Thr Photone app is free to use with your phone for par

 

[shrimplover]

i use the VBR with the different sensor(so i have to multiply by 1.17x). haven't had any issues and seems consistent.

Can you please send a link to the one you have got?

 

[shrimplover]

Thr Photone app is free to use with your phone for par

Asks me to cut a piece of paper to make diffuser. Don't think I can trust this process

 

[enlighten]

I got a used Seneye V6, been handy for par readings. Just note, there is theft protection. If you get it used, the previous registered owner needs to contact their support team to transfer registration to the new owner.

 

[14 foot reef]

This is the one with the 1.17 Multiplier. Works extremely accurate with multiplier.
Compare this to the Seneye, and Apogee 510, The Apogee and the VBR with multiplier are dead on. The Seneye reads 30% higher than the other 2 that are with in a percent or 2 of each other.


Amazon product

 

[enlighten]

This is the one with the 1.17 Multiplier. Works extremely accurate with multiplier.
Compare this to the Seneye, and Apogee 510, The Apogee and the VBR with multiplier are dead on. The Seneye reads 30% higher than the other 2 that are with in a percent or 2 of each other.


Amazon product

I will have to test this along side my seneye v6. I know earlier models had issues but thought the one I had was accurate. Need to get an apogee as well.

 

[shakacuz]

Can you please send a link to the one you have got?

Amazon product

 

[PotatoPig]

Thr Photone app is free to use with your phone for par

For this, how do you keep it dry under water? Just a ziplock bag?

 

[14 foot reef]

Thr Photone app is free to use with your phone for par

The use of this type of PAR meter is probably much worse than no par meter at all. Having a device like this delivering a number that is so inaccurate, it could easily make people push and adjust the limits without truly knowing the number.

 

[PharmrJohn]

For what it's worth, I recently posted the same question. I settled in on Danoplus.

 

[Lavey29]

The use of this type of PAR meter is probably much worse than no par meter at all. Having a device like this delivering a number that is so inaccurate, it could easily make people push and adjust the limits without truly knowing the number.

Fortunately for you, there is something to learn today. I compared it's numbers on my phone with an apoge mq 510 par meters numbers and it was very accurate to the par meters readings and it sure was inexpensive. In fact it's FREE

 

[Lavey29]

For this, how do you keep it dry under water? Just a ziplock bag?

Yes some have done it that way although I only went to the water surface in different positions.

 

[Lavey29]

Asks me to cut a piece of paper to make diffuser. Don't think I can trust this process

I have the android version and there is no paper cut out involved. I have diffusers on my lights already to but maybe the app has changed since I used it last year.

 

[HomebroodExotics]

Asks me to cut a piece of paper to make diffuser. Don't think I can trust this process

It's a pretty easy process, just cut a piece a paper thats white and cover the lens. Put the phone in a ziplock bag.

NOW THIS IS THE HARD PART - When the water squishes the phone to the bag itll start pushing buttons, just put a piece of cardboard or something in the bag to prevent the bag from touching phone buttons. Theres probably a better way but that works.

 

[JayM]

Fortunately for you, there is something to learn today. I compared its numbers on my phone with an apoge mq 510 par meters numbers and it was very accurate to the par meters readings and it sure was inexpensive. In fact it's FREE

It isn’t free if you want to use the LED settings.

 

[Lavey29]

It i

It isn’t free if you want to use the LED settings.

Yea the android version is free for me. Never paid anything. Maybe Apple store charges

 

[Lavey29]

For myself, when i used the photone app and discovered how low my par was it motivated me to rent a good par meter from my LFS and par map my tank. I see the app as just a reference point to determine if getting a true par meter would be beneficial. However, I was surprised at the accuracy of the app but then again with phone technology pretty much anything is possible now it seems.