Light Meters - Orchid Board

failingflopsis · #1 03-18-2009, 04:01 PM

I am thinking of purchasing a light meter. Does anyone have any helpful hints as to what I should look for or the names of some good brands? Should I get an "all in one" mositure, light and PH meter? What price range am I looking at?

Any tips will be appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help.

Ross · #2 03-18-2009, 04:26 PM

This is the one I use. It's programable and highly reliable: Sper Scientific Light Meter Lux & Foot Candle | Sper Scientific

Austinerd · #3 03-18-2009, 04:28 PM

I can vouch for the light meter suggestion by Ross.
It's a good one.
Dan

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #4 03-19-2009, 10:57 AM

Great question fallingflopis, I was going to ask the same thing since I've been trying to shop around some, but don't really know much about which ones are quality and which ones are junk!

That light meter looks awesome... and my wallet just fainted!

I know I'm going to end up spending some money of a meter though. I really need to be able to measure under fluorescents and in full sun. I also need for it to sow foot candles. Looks like this one fits the bill.

Is anyone aware of similar/comparable meters out there maybe at a little cheaper price?

beanluc · #5 03-19-2009, 11:13 AM

Before you buy, make sure you know how to read it. They're not all the same. This thread highlights the pitfall of spending the money and then not being able to get the results.

Myself and at least one other person here have and recommend this meter:
http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page...13&cat=2,50560

Make sure also that your meter will make the measurement which is most relevant to the plants: see Footcandles vs. lumens

Good purchase. I spent a year reading culture sheets recommending "XXXX footcandles, XXXY in the winter" without having the least idea how my locations/conditions matched.

BL

kinknstein · #6 03-19-2009, 12:16 PM

Light meters can be a bit of an expensive investment, but from personal experience, I picked one up about 6 months ago, and it was by far the best thing I have purchased for my orchids in my five years of growing.

Caroline55 · #7 03-19-2009, 01:43 PM

Hi,
How much/ how many footcandles do the orchids need?

regards,
caroline

beanluc · #8 03-19-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinknstein

Light meters can be a bit of an expensive investment

Sure, they can be. They don't have to be. the one I described above is US$25

kinknstein · #9 03-19-2009, 03:04 PM

That is a very good price beanluc!! Mine cost me about 3 times that. But either way, the best investment I have made.

camille1585 · #10 03-19-2009, 04:14 PM

That looks like a nice cheap meter beanluc. Now that I am getting more serious about orchids and have lights, I really should invest in a not too expensive one.
But the problem with the cheaper meters, how do we know how accurate they are? That's my big concern. Also, if I get a meter, it will be from here in Europe. That means that it will measure in lux, not fc, and from this forum I only the fc! Is there some sort of calculation to convert?