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| Light meters |
Each semester I take my Eco-201 students to the waterfall
Bassin Zim near Hinche to practice a bioassessment of the watershed. This year I used several models of
environmental meters. I had been using the
Sper Scientific meter that has 4 instruments in one: temperature, % relative humidity
(RH), wind, and light. I first used this
meter at the Amazon Academy in the Peruvian rain forest, where light levels do
not exceed the maximum reading of 20,000 lux.
However, light levels in Haiti are higher, thus my quest to test other
meters. Also the Sper meter has hold and mx/min buttons that put the readings
on pause that can only be canceled by pushing certain buttons for 2 seconds.
This confounds the students. Thus I purchased 3 different light meters, and 2
different anemometers (wind meter). Here
are the reviews of their use with university students in Haiti, with the color
to match to the photo. From the price you can see it is cheaper to buy light and wind meters separately. I underlined the features I prefer.
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| Wind meters |
Sper Scientific meter
– 4 instruments, max of 20,000 lux is too low, numbers get stuck – have to
press proper button 2 sec. to exit mode. Wind, temperature, and rH works
fine. Has case. Need screw driver to access
9v battery. $126.54 on Amazon Dec. 2016. Gray.
UNI-T UT383 light
meter – Only light in lux or fc, max 199,999 lux. Easy to turn off hold and
max/min. No case, unprotected light probe. Easy access to 3 AAA batteries.
$21.99 on Amazon Dec. 2017. Red.
URCERI MT-912 light
meter – Temperature and light (lux or fc), max 200,000 lux. Hold min/max 2
sec. to turn off, press hold once to turn off. Back-lit screen (will this use up batteries?). No case, attached
cover for light probe! Easy access to 3 AAA batteries. $19.99 on Amazon
Dec. 2017. Yellow.
Leaton Lux Meter L830
– Only light in lux or fc, max 200,000 lux. Easy to turn off hold and max/min.
No case, cover for light probe. Easy access to 9v battery. Gray.
PEAKMETER MS6252B
Digital Anemometer – Also has temperature and RH. Six choices for wind
units: knots, m/s, km/h, mil/h, ft/m, ft/s. Backlight option. Comes with case,
need screwdriver to access 9v battery. Comes with cable to download to
computer. $39.95 on Amazon Dec. 2017! Yellow.
MASTECH MS625B
Digital Anemometer – Exactly like PEAKMETER except green. $50.98 on Amazon
Dec. 2017. Green.
