What’s an app I can use for iPhone that can tell me PPFD that doesn’t require a diffuser? Please let me know need ASAP.
Photone
It says I need a diffuser?
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I use it. I have no diffuser. It’s accurate too.
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Do you get accurate results?
Yep, DLI reading as well. Just ignore the diffuser message, and use it.
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DLI? What’s that sorry I’m a noob to this sorta
But will do man thanks
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DLI will let u know if ur plant is getting its daily amount of light, via the light strength.
What stage is ur grow in?
Veg I’m pretty sure
I’m still pretty new to this
Also which kind of light do I click to measure
If u use LED choose that.
How do you verify that. I had the s21 ultra and it wasn’t even close to the real light meters at work. I now have a s24 ultra and will say it is closer but not accurate. That is with a paper diffuser.
Wish I could bring one from work home.
What I am getting to is photone’s accuracy is dependant on your device. Also make sure your front camera is clean every time.
I also have friends with it and we have laid three phones on a table under same grow light. Same spot not all at once. All the same settings and get 3 diferent readings.
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Are the 3 differences in your test drastic enough to cause issue for a basic home grower or just showing a somewhat large variable?
I’ve only used the Photone app, when I did I compared it to the par map of my light. From the 8 points I checked they were within 50-75 of the map. That was with a paper diffuser so I just went with it.
My results have changed dramatically since using it, for the better. It may not be accurate but for me it definitely pointed me in the right direction. It also got me looking into light spectrums more as well as led specifications so it was a win win for me. I did spend the $5-$6 though for the “full spectrum” if that matters.
I’d love a light sensor, but if I’m within 100-200 par or so I think it’ll work good enough for me as a cheapo home grower. Really just depends on preference for how bad of a discrepancy it has and how on point you want your grow.
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I do clean lens every time so it’s clear, I have VDP Gun, leave temp, and dimmer. Phone is on tripod for stability and humidifier off. Seems accurate to me.
It’s better than using nothing.
Kinda like cheap ph meters. People say they don’t work but if you pur it in 7.0 solution and it reads 7.4. That tells you that if you want 6.8 ph when you put it in your nutrient solution and it says 6.4 that is close enough to 6.8 it just does not matter.
My s21 is at least a 500 ppf difference from my s24. My nephews phone has about a 150 difference from my s24.
If you check with same device every time and get X and your plants are doing bad because of light. You move the light up or down and now you get XX and your plants do good. That is close enough to say self thats where I want my light from my plants.
Which still makes it a good tool.
I do the same with a measurement. If running lights 12 inches above and plants look bad so I raise them to 14 and plantt look good. That is about where I run them all the time.
I do run at between 16 and 18 inches for veg and 12 to 14 for flower.
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Same here, I test PPFD often and VDP. As plants get taller, lights gets raised, then have to retest.
Photon isn’t perfect, but it’s good enough for now, until I purchase a handheld meter which is more accurate.
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I would recommend changing your mindset on lux and ppfd.
The settings for temp and RH can be viewed as a data point that can be set and even ventalation has specs we want to be in.
Lights and nutes are not the same as they have too many inviromental inputs to properly develop a setting that works for everyone.
I have a BT tool like everyone and I use it to see trends in growth and I use it to level my light map for my grow tent. I do not set it at a particular setting but I document changes in light setting AND LOOK AT THE PLANT.
The light sensor is NOT going to tell you where to set your lights your plant is going to do this. To many variables for this to work just like to many variables to say 308ppm in veg and other usless things people say.
This hobby has a learning curve and the biggest one is looking at the plants and steering your grow with nutes and lights. Use the light tool to see what works for your grow. Use the light tool to stay within the lines but constantly watch your plants and the reactions and document what you do every time. Pushing lights is the best way to get a complete best you can do grow.
Rather have a great light than a great pheno.