The value here for us is the quantum sensor. The current generation Li-Cor quantum sensor (only) is about $400 (actually, the previous generation from a year ago). The new Apogee SQ-500 is $295, $495 with digital meter. I was considering buying a calibrated Li-Cor sensor and plugging it into a precision DMM.
i bought one of these and then i eventually stumbled across a digi meter.
both were used, both read about the same.
and yes its all about the sensor
$120 for a working solution with a sensor and a multi-range meter to read it is a pretty damn good deal. and yes you could prob hack the sensor to a digi multimeter but then youd have to correct the reading wit a factor. this has multiple scales for 1000 and 3000 ppfd and is direct-read.
plus its cool to see the needle sway as you move it around your space i feel like a fuckin ghostbuster
