MQ-200X Quantum Separate Sensor with Handheld Meter

ORIGINAL SUNLIGHT QUANTUM METER - Designed by world-renowned crop physiologist, Bruce Bugbee, PhD, the Apogee MQ-200X "original" quantum meter features Apogee's older and more economical photodetector that is excellent for measuring photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) accurately under sunlight, metal halide, and high-pressure sodium lights. For measuring other light sources, including LEDs, we recommend using our newer full-spectrum or ePAR sensors.

FOR SCIENTISTS & SERIOUS GROWERS - Unlike cheaper LUX or footcandle sensors which are sometimes marketed as grow light meters, but are meant for measuring light for human vision, our meters feature a laboratory-grade photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) optical detector precisely calibrated to measure the light intensity in µmol m-2 s-1 of the specific color wavelengths emitted by sunlight, MH, and HPS lights that are used by plants for photosynthesis.

ACCURATE & STABLE CALIBRATION - The meter combines the intensity of all photons between 400 and 700 nm under sunlight, metal halide, and high pressure sodium lights to give a single PAR reading in µmol m-2 s-1 within 5 % uncertainty. Unlike hobby-grade PAR meters that are sometimes accurate out of the box, but then lose their calibration quickly, Apogee meters have an accurate and stable calibration with an industry-leading drift rate of less than 2% per year.

RUGGED & EASY TO USE - Quantum sensor head is machined aluminum and potted solid with epoxy for years of use in harsh environments, including underwater. The handheld meter is attached by a cable and displays real-time readings, records samples, and logs average intensity and daily light integral (DLI) measurements. Unlike the sensor head, the handheld meter is not waterproof.

THREE MEASUREMENT MODES - The meter has a spot measurement, sample, and log mode and will record an integrated daily total in mol m-2 s-1. Sample mode will record up to 99 manual measurements and log mode will power the meter on and 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, up to 99 averages. Once full, it will overwrite the oldest measurements with new ones. A daily light integral will be recorded from the 48 averaged measurements for a day’s worth of readings and is downloadable via Apogee AC-100 cable and used with the included ApogeeAMS software.

MEASURING PAR IS CRITICAL - Measuring the PAR levels of your grow lights is one of the most critical measurements in the precision growing of plants and other photosynthetic organisms in greenhouses, growth chambers, farms, gardens, and aquariums. Knowing the amount of PAR received affects decisions about all other growing parameters like water requirements, temperature, nutrient levels, CO2 levels, and more.

MADE IN THE USA - All meters are designed, built, and calibrated at our headquarters in Logan, Utah, USA. Apogee Instruments has been creating research-grade instruments for scientists and serious growers for over 25 years. All meters are backed by our industry leading four-year warranty and supported by our world-class, US-based customer support team.

For instructions on how to use the meter for underwater measurements, see this page for the immersion effect correction factor.

Specifications

• Calibration Uncertainty: ± 5 %
• Measurement Repeatability: Less than 1 %
• Non-stability (Long-term Drift): Less than 2 % per year
• Non-linearity: Less than 1 % (up to 2500 µmol mˉ² sˉ¹ )
• Response Time: Less than 1 ms
• Field of View: 180˚
• Spectral Range: 370 nm to 650 nm (wavelengths where response is greater than 50 % of maximum)
• Directional (Cosine) Response: ± 5 % at 75˚ zenith angle
• Temperature Response: -0.04 % per C
• Operating Environment: 0 to 50 C; less than 90 % non-condensing relative humidity up to 30 C; less than 70 % non-condensing relative humidity from 30 to 50 C; separate sensors can be submerged in water up to depths of 30 m
• Meter Dimensions: 126 mm length, 70 mm width, 24 mm height
• Sensor Dimensions: 24 mm diameter, 28 mm height
• Mass: 180 g Cable: 2 m of shielded, twisted-pair wire with TPR jacket (high water resistance, high UV stability, flexibility in cold conditions), additional cable available
• Warranty: 4 years against defects in materials and workmanship Manufactured: Assembled in the USA