The Apogee MQ 500 is ideal for measuring PAR (photosythetic active radiation) in all lighting conditions and is accurate for LED lighting as well. The MQ-500 has a hand-held meter, attached via cable, that displays and stores measurements. The sensor incorporates a blue-enhanced silicon photodiode and custom optical filters with a rugged, self-cleaning sensor housing design, anodized aluminum body with acrylic diffuser. Typical applications include PPFD measurement over plant canopies in outdoor environments, greenhouses, and growth chambers, and reflected or under-canopy (transmitted) PPFD measurements in the same environments. Quantum sensors are also used to measure PAR/PPFD in aquatic environments, including salt water aquariums where corals are grown. The meter has a sample and log mode, and will record an integrated daily total in mol m-2 d-1. Sample mode will record up to 99 manual measurements. Log mode will power the meter on/off to make a measurement every 30 seconds. Every 30 minutes the meter will average the sixty 30 second measurements and record the averaged value to memory. The meter can store up to 99 averages, once full it will start to overwrite the oldest measurement with new ones. An integrated daily total will be recorded from the 48 averaged measurements (making a 24 hr period). Sample and log measurements can be reviewed on the LCD display or by downloading the data to a computer, however, the integrated daily total can only be viewed by downloading the data to a computer. Downloading data to a computer requires the AC-100 communication cable (a standard USB cable will not work) and ApogeeAMS software. Free to Download from our Apogee website.
Product Features
- The MQ-500 is used to measure incoming PPFD measurements in outdoor environments, greenhouses, growth chambers, and aquariums.
- Full spectrum quantum sensor with a spectral range of 389 to 692 nm ± 5 nm
- Optional accessories pictured include the AM-310 Telescoping Extension Wand for reaching further into plant canopy (super useful) and the Apogee AC-100 USB Data Cable to connect and download to PC.
- Accurate, Stable Measurements Long-term non-stability determined from multiple replicate quantum sensors in accelerated aging tests and field conditions is less than 2 % per year.
- Rugged, lightweight and portable with a four year manufacturers warranty.
Ends the Guessing Game – Easily Worth the Price I waffled for a long time about spending over $500 for a PAR meter, but I am glad I finally did. Yes it’s a bit pricey, but if you want to maximize your growth potential and yield, this is a must have in my opinion. Until now I was merely guessing about the height to place my lights and just going by the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is nice to finally know for sure what level of light (PPFD) my plants our getting.This unit is very well made and easy to use. I did not buy the extender wand, but plan to fashion one. Even though I can hold the sensor under the plants easy enough, I see now it will be easier to take readings being able to hold then sensor with an extender of some kind. Especially as the plants grow and get spaced further apart in my grow room. I don’t use the storage function the unit provides, so I can’t comment on that, but I might use it in the future and if I do I will edit this review.My only real complaint is it did not come with a…
The Cadillac of PPFD/PAR light meters It’s the best light meter you can buy for growing. It’s incredibly accurate and waterproof. Basically indestructible.
You need a quality meter if you have quality lights I’ve had this for a while now. very useful for adjusting your grow room LEDs especially any more,as the quality of some LEDlights have come a long way.in the current age of buyingChinese.Their burplelites,so to speak aren’t the only option out there especially since they are basically a joke. Oops sorry getting off topic.the meter is valuable because with good old made in the USA LEDs you can actually dim them down because they’re so tuned to best spectrums you save substantial money in electricity. I know my lights that I bought from Forever Green Gardens are so powerful that they need to dimmed because the plants grow so fast I almost can’t lift the light up fast enough