Photone phone app vs a couple different par meters

[bk-og]

O

No where, I’m on my drill with sunglssses on and couldn’t see it, fumbling my phone with numb fingers in -24c weather doesn’t help either lol.

Yeah it’s been brutal here too for the last month. Average of -30 I think for all of January and December

 

[Old ST1R]

I wonder if the app is a consistent percentage off? What would the app read when the real meters are reading 500 and 1000 PPFD?

 

[Old ST1R]

Also, I wonder if doubling the paper diffuser on the phone might bring the reading closer to spec?

 

[bk-og]

I wonder if the app is a consistent percentage off? What would the app read when the real meters are reading 500 and 1000 PPFD?

I have it all set up still so lemme check. I’ll lower my lights until it hit 1000

 

[bk-og]

Also, I wonder if doubling the paper diffuser on the phone might bring the reading closer to spec?

I can double it up. Give me 10 minutes

 

[bk-og]

I wonder if the app is a consistent percentage off? What would the app read when the real meters are reading 500 and 1000 PPFD?

under 1000ppfd still out to lunch

 

[bk-og]

Also, I wonder if doubling the paper diffuser on the phone might bring the reading closer to spec?

Doubling the diffuser is definitely not recommended hahaha

 

[Old ST1R]

Thanks for checking those scenarios man. I appreciate it.

I use the Photone app, so this is good info.

Have you tried calibrating the app?

 

[bk-og]

Thanks for checking those scenarios man. I appreciate it.

I use the Photone app, so this is good info.

Have you tried calibrating the app?

Nah. Considering people who buy this app don’t have a means to calibrate it , it kind of defeats the purpose of buying the app doesn’t it?

I have no use for the app, I had a good friend who wanted to see if the numbers were anywhere near close, so I did what I did.

 

[Zaphod420]

Salute bk-og, if your friend is looking for a cheap alternative(like a lot of us do when it comes to par meters) Shane over at migro is working with
PPFD Meter - Grow Light Meter https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homestudio.ppfdmeter&hl=en_IE&gl=US that turns a
$40 Uni -T UT383BT Lux meter into a very affordable version of Apogee SQ500. If he doesn't want to go through the trouble of loading up then synching the phone app you can just multiply the lux reading off of Uni - T by .017.

Cheers, Z.

 

[treefarmercharlie]

Also, I wonder if doubling the paper diffuser on the phone might bring the reading closer to spec?

They do so specify a specific type and weight of paper so I bet the paper makes a big difference. They should just sell a diffuser that they know works properly.

 

[treefarmercharlie]

Nah. Considering people who buy this app don’t have a means to calibrate it , it kind of defeats the purpose of buying the app doesn’t it?

It depends. If it’s accurate, once calibrated, then it’s worth renting a higher end meter for a day to calibrate it.

 

[Heisen]

You supposed to use the front light sensor on the phone maybe?

 

[treefarmercharlie]

You supposed to use the front light sensor on the phone maybe?

It uses the front facing camera and they recommend using 80g/m2 or 22 lb standard white multi-purpose printer paper as the diffuser. They also say that if you have a screen protector on then it can throw the reading off and suggest calibrating the app if you have one on the phone.

 

[J232]

Nice work, thanks for that, knew there was a reason I tried a few times and left it. Really useless if you have nothing to compare it to as well.



Mind buying the HID spectrum add on??? Haha j/k

 

[bk-og]

You supposed to use the front light sensor on the phone maybe?

Front phone sensor was used as per app instructions

No screen protector covering up said sensor

22# standard printer paper used.

 

[treefarmercharlie]

For anyone who uses the Photone app with an iPhone or iPad they now have an actual diffuser available so you don’t have to worry about whether or not the one you made it actually working properly. https://lightray.io/diffuser/