Hi everyone! I just have a quick question about the new setting selections in the Photone app. I’ve been away from growing for a bit and since, got a new android phone, had to download the app and I see it has some new settings now.
I recall reading the Start using DLI psot where @BobbyDigital had tested the app against an Apogee 500 and found the Sunlight setting to be the most accurate. But, besides the app still consisting of the Sunlight and LED Full Spectrum settings, it now has LED Full + Red, LED Red/Blue, & LED Blue/White settings (as well as all the rest). I notice an approximate 25 (+, -) PPFD difference between the Sunlight setting and the others, smaller differences between the others.
Are y’all still using Sunlight or ??? Please weigh in when you get the chance. Thanks in advance. Happy growing!
I am still using the sunlight setting. I also noticed a substantual difference. So being the cautious type I stick with the sunlight setting. Sorry that isn’t much help I know. Soneone with more knowledge with chime in. Hey @dbrn32 what do you think?
I don’t have or use the app, so no experience with it. I would say if there is a setting that applies directly to the light you have, then use it. But I wouldn’t use full spectrum plus red if that isn’t the type of light you have.
Ok. Thanks for the replies @Flitme@Bigcbud@dbrn32
I’ve been using the app for my grows and so far it has been doing pretty well. I think the light mnfr’s exagerate their PPFD charts, so I originally calibrated it to numbers I obtained from a couple youtube videos. This round, I’m just going to use the apps default calibration. But I try to keep the light intensity on the conservative side
So I too will stick with the Sunlight setting for now. And in the meantime, I’ll start researching this forum. I need to find a reasonably priced meter that works well, is accurate, and is can be self-calibrated. I know it’s out there somewhere!
Ya I’ve really found most of the apps to be fairly unreliable. Tried 3 or 4 and got differences anywhere from 100-400ppf. I just kinda wing it until a real meter finds its way to the closet.
I haven’t used the app for quite some time since I know what my intensity is at each distance just from repeated use. So I can’t say what differences between the old and new settings. The most important thing is which phone you’re using. Some require a paper diffuser over the lens and others require that you do not use a diffuser over the lens. iPhones needs the diffuser.
@dbrn32 made the right call. You’ll get the best accuracy from the Photone app using the spectrum setting that best matches the light you’re measuring. Using the Sunlight setting to measure an LED light, for example, is guaranteed to yield inaccurate measurements.
If you don’t have their diffuser, use a strip of 22-lb paper, as they recommend. Not 20 or 24 or none at all.
The diffuser or 22-lb paper strip is required regardless of whether you have an Android or iPhone.
I’ve seen posts on this forum that indicate the Photone app is surprisingly accurate with iPhones, but dicey with Androids. I believe one of their objectives in the updated version was to correct this deficiency. Don’t know if they succeeded.
I’ve only obtained info on the Photone app and the use of diffuser paper from this forum. I didn’t know of any changes about using a diffuser with Android phones either, but then I don’t have a lot of time for reading and research these days. I’ve always used an Android with no diffuser and my numbers have seemed pretty close to what the manufacturer’s chart shows for any given height.
First time with the app, I roughly checked it against the manufacturer’s chart at the set levels and it was close so I assumed not using a diffuser was correct with that phone. I ultimately calibrated it at 12 inches height, but using the input value from a light test video for my specific model light on youtube from, who I considered, a reputable tuber that has multiple test videos of many models of LED lights posted.
But time has passed. I have a new Android phone, I have two newer and different model lights as well as the original lights which are going on 3 years old now. And from what I understand, as the LED diodes age, their output intensity weakens to a certain degree.
So, I don’t want to be re-calibrating the app for each model of light I’m using so I’ll continue to use the default calibration and in whichever light mode that gives me values that are the closest to the light charts.
This should work fine until I find an inexpensive and accurate meter OR Santa leaves an Apogee under the tree for me this year.
The previous Android version of Photone used the phone’s ambient light sensor, whereas the iPhone version used the selfie camera. The ambient sensor has a built-in diffuser, so using one with the Android version would cause the readings to be low. Those sensors’ spectral sensitivity varies a lot, which is why the Android version produced reasonably accurate results for a few people and dubious results for most.
The new release uses the selfie camera on Android phones, so its accuracy should equal that on iPhones now. The change necessitates using a diffuser now because the camera has none.
@d-Jawz If you’ve updated to the new version, you should find that choosing the correct spectrum setting and using one of the recommended diffusers gives you the most accurate results.
I haven’t used it much after it went from Korona to Photone. It was useful in learning what my lights do at what distance. Now it’s just second nature.
I must correct myself: The new version uses the selfie camera on many Android phones, but not all. The Photone developers haven’t been able to measure all the different Android cameras, so the app uses the ambient sensor for ones they haven’t gotten to yet.
Fortunately, the app tells you whether a diffuser is needed. If it isn’t, you’re probably better off using a purpose-built meter.
