You are to focused on using the lightmeter outside. It would be perfect checking the light inside when starting seedlings. Inside you often need more light then what you think, and using the lightmeter is a good way to make sure that you got enough.
Frode Lillevik It would be perfect, but it is geared for an outdoor setting, not an indoor one. I just don't like when companies advertise or market a product as an "all in one" tool to try to sell it, when some of the functions clearly are not for the intended purpose.
I agree. Yet, you begin your review with high praises for the device. I landed on this video in my quest for a decent, affordable soil moisture meter. And am finding that all-in-one type devices are the norm in the economy market. I'd love to buy a Vegetronix meter, the geek in me craves it. But, I just can't logically justify the $90 price tag. I'd happily pay $15-20 for a dedicated moisture meter of higher quality than the all-in-ones. From what I've read on your device, the pH reading is in 0.5 pH increments ... which is practically worthless. But, I've got a pretty nice Extech PH110 to cover that base (sorry, couldn't resist the pun). I don't like all-in-one computer peripherals, or stereo equipment either. And I STILL use an actual camera and camcorder.
I actually just bought one and found out that all the soil in my containers are very acidic at 4.5 and I actually have volunteer strawberry plants growing from seed from a store bought strawberry. They survived the freak snowstorm that South Texas just had without being covered when they only having one maybe two sets of their true leaves. It got down in the low single digits with the wind chill in the negatives and they were green when the snow melted but the snow was only there for half a week. I actually like it very much since I have very sandy clay soil and when I first moved this property it was like living at the beach without the water and when I dug into the ground for the first several inches it was like sand and then a mixture of sand and clay. So for the last year and a half I’ve had my ducks and chickens free range 24/4 and now the soil’s homogenous so it’s definitely a great tool to test out the moisture holding abilities because it does have excellent drainage and now it’s like living at the beach with the water LOL
Hello Migardener. When you first switch on your Ph meter before sampling what dose it read? If it reads 7 ie neutral and you then stick it in some soil and it still reads 7 how do you know its working. Just asking.
+Home Grown Veg well you can stick it in something you know doesn't have a pH of 7 like vinegar, or even your saliva. I did that to test the pH first before I used it in the ground.
+MIgardener | Simple Organic Gardening & Sustainable Living Hello Migardener I have just purchased one of these Soil Survey Instruments specifically to measure my soil Ph. It states in the list or operating tips, 'This unit only can be used in soil, please don't place the probe into water or any other solutions'. I presume that includes vinegar? I know now that when the unit is switched on it opens with a reading of 7.0 Ph, mine dose. Where I garden, the soil is typically acidic, but I don't know how acidic. If it ever stops raining I will get out in my garden and check it out. Thanks for the prompt reply.
FAKE FAKE FAKE !! PUT A BOTTLE OF DRINKABLE WATER AND INSERT THE PROBE DEEP AND YOU SHALL GET PH OF 5.0 - > 4.0 > 3.5 -> low !!!!!!!! ... it actually measure the level of water !! you can only benefit from it to know if your pot need watering or not !!! FAKE DO NOT BUY IF THE AIM IS PH METER !! IT IS NOT A PH METER !! I REPEAT NOT A PH METER !! NOT !!
I have this meter but I did not read the Instructions more than once. I thought wet+ was a good thing... I was wrong! Reading is fundamental. My watermelon and cantaloupe found out the hard way.
What are your thoughts right now in 2020 about soil meters? I'd like to purchase one, but this one seems hard to get at this point. Do you still recommend this years later, or is there another one that's better to buy?
How useful is a lux reading? Isn't what matters the amount/intensity of light over time? If you have a high+ lux reading, a point reading with the meter isn't going to tell you if that lasts 1hr or 8hrs daily, correct? Or do you leave it in the soil for 24hrs to get a meaningful light reading?
***** Good to hear. Bummer about the light meter. Perhaps your video will influence them. For a real useful light meter, it should "survey" the sky and give us and indicator of sun hours for the location. Anything less is useless. Thanks for the review.
You are to focused on using the lightmeter outside. It would be perfect checking the light inside when starting seedlings. Inside you often need more light then what you think, and using the lightmeter is a good way to make sure that you got enough.
Frode Lillevik It would be perfect, but it is geared for an outdoor setting, not an indoor one. I just don't like when companies advertise or market a product as an "all in one" tool to try to sell it, when some of the functions clearly are not for the intended purpose.
Well, you got a good point there.
I agree. Yet, you begin your review with high praises for the device.
I landed on this video in my quest for a decent, affordable soil moisture meter. And am finding that all-in-one type devices are the norm in the economy market. I'd love to buy a Vegetronix meter, the geek in me craves it. But, I just can't logically justify the $90 price tag. I'd happily pay $15-20 for a dedicated moisture meter of higher quality than the all-in-ones.
From what I've read on your device, the pH reading is in 0.5 pH increments ... which is practically worthless. But, I've got a pretty nice Extech PH110 to cover that base (sorry, couldn't resist the pun).
I don't like all-in-one computer peripherals, or stereo equipment either. And I STILL use an actual camera and camcorder.
the good way to use the light meter would be all year round, and change.. so you could plan things out like that Luke. Okay your just saying this :)
I actually just bought one and found out that all the soil in my containers are very acidic at 4.5 and I actually have volunteer strawberry plants growing from seed from a store bought strawberry. They survived the freak snowstorm that South Texas just had without being covered when they only having one maybe two sets of their true leaves. It got down in the low single digits with the wind chill in the negatives and they were green when the snow melted but the snow was only there for half a week. I actually like it very much since I have very sandy clay soil and when I first moved this property it was like living at the beach without the water and when I dug into the ground for the first several inches it was like sand and then a mixture of sand and clay. So for the last year and a half I’ve had my ducks and chickens free range 24/4 and now the soil’s homogenous so it’s definitely a great tool to test out the moisture holding abilities because it does have excellent drainage and now it’s like living at the beach with the water LOL
Product seems to be discontinued. Any other recommendations? There are a lot out there but their ratings all seem to be low. Thanks!
Hello Migardener. When you first switch on your Ph meter before sampling what dose it read? If it reads 7 ie neutral and you then stick it in some soil and it still reads 7 how do you know its working. Just asking.
+Home Grown Veg well you can stick it in something you know doesn't have a pH of 7 like vinegar, or even your saliva. I did that to test the pH first before I used it in the ground.
+MIgardener | Simple Organic Gardening & Sustainable Living
Hello Migardener I have just purchased one of these Soil Survey Instruments specifically to measure my soil Ph. It states in the list or operating tips, 'This unit only can be used in soil, please don't place the probe into water or any other solutions'. I presume that includes vinegar? I know now that when the unit is switched on it opens with a reading of 7.0 Ph, mine dose. Where I garden, the soil is typically acidic, but I don't know how acidic. If it ever stops raining I will get out in my garden and check it out. Thanks for the prompt reply.
FAKE FAKE FAKE !! PUT A BOTTLE OF DRINKABLE WATER AND INSERT THE PROBE DEEP AND YOU SHALL GET PH OF 5.0 - > 4.0 > 3.5 -> low !!!!!!!! ... it actually measure the level of water !! you can only benefit from it to know if your pot need watering or not !!! FAKE DO NOT BUY IF THE AIM IS PH METER !! IT IS NOT A PH METER !! I REPEAT NOT A PH METER !! NOT !!
@@saadzaghloul9279 what? It says do not use in water.
I have this meter but I did not read the Instructions more than once. I thought wet+ was a good thing... I was wrong! Reading is fundamental. My watermelon and cantaloupe found out the hard way.
Kimberly Colbert OH NO! :(
What are your thoughts right now in 2020 about soil meters? I'd like to purchase one, but this one seems hard to get at this point. Do you still recommend this years later, or is there another one that's better to buy?
@@AEON. Thank you for your help!
@@AEON. Hello my friend. Do you think this device is comparable to Hanna soil meter?
How useful is a lux reading? Isn't what matters the amount/intensity of light over time?
If you have a high+ lux reading, a point reading with the meter isn't going to tell you if that lasts 1hr or 8hrs daily, correct? Or do you leave it in the soil for 24hrs to get a meaningful light reading?
The initial reading always says 7.0 but you have to leave it for a minute for it to settle into its actual reading.
I'm confused using this my ph is 6.9 but when I test my runoff with a pH pen it comes up 5.0 water through soiless mix is pH 5.8
what is best to use to make your soil more acidic and what would be the best thing to use to make it more alkaline ?
thanks man ... I am waiting for mine
How do you keep your plants hydrated? Do you use drip irrigation system?
jafarym77 I water by hand and by using a super good homemade compost.
Other than the light meter reading, have you verified the accuracy of the other readings?
Harold Wong yes, general makes some of the highest quality and highest accuracy meters I have ever purchased.
***** Good to hear. Bummer about the light meter. Perhaps your video will influence them. For a real useful light meter, it should "survey" the sky and give us and indicator of sun hours for the location. Anything less is useless. Thanks for the review.
Does anyone know the cost of this product?
Tyler Bussard $25
Where did you find your meter for $25? Cheapest I can find it for is $50
Tim Rouleau Lowes and Home depot
***** www.homedepot.com/p/General-Tools-4-in-1-Soil-Condition-Manual-Meter-DSMM600/205401038?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cVF&gclid=Cj0KEQjw3auuBRDj1LnQyLjy-4sBEiQAKPU_vap5p2A3S6w0ZySEE3QwIzIx2z43Y8rsCyO4wHeOStsaArE08P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
Thank you i looked on amazon and they want $50 a pop
huh, never used a light meter in the garden. I do however LOVE my moisture meter for indoor plants.
Grow Your Heirlooms I love all the functions, the light meter will be very beneficial in my hydroponics setup downstairs.
***** Do you plan to make any new videos showing your hydroponics?
Outbound Earthman I never do hydroponics in the summertime.
That looks like a really great tool to have :-)
PinkChucky15 It is super handy, we use it all the time!
4-1 ph testing is off; it indicates very low ph even after adding additional nutrients…👁️
walmart $18 and change