Product Monday: Spectral PAR, Light and Color Meter by Gigahertz-Optik

Gigahertz-Optik’s hand-held, spectrometer-based Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) meter provides PAR, illuminance, color and spectral data to fully analyze any type natural and electric light source, including SSL/LEDs employed in plant growth applications.

The BTS256-PAR measures PAR PPFD (µmol/(m²s), R/FR red to far red irradiance ratio, DLI daily light integral (time resolved with data logger) and DIN ASY1, ASY2, ATP1, ATP2 irradiances. A unique feature of the BTS256-PAR is that five UWF user specified spectral weighting functions can be self-programmed into the meter. The meter also measures photopic and scotopic illuminance, S/P ratio, EVE factor, irradiance and spectral irradiance, color coordinates (x,y and u’v’), color temperature, deltaUV, CRI, CQS, color purity and spectral irradiance.

Other high-end features normally found in only laboratory level instruments include a built-in electro-optical shutter for dark-signal compensation that increases the highly linear dynamic range of the C-MOS diode array detector.
 
A large area diffuser provides a precise cosine corrected measurement geometry (f2<3%), a basic requirement for accurate illuminance measurements. This is especially important when measuring oblique angle full immersion light as in a greenhouse and daylight illumination.
 
For use without PC, the BTS256-PAR is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery and features a large size transflective display located on the same side of the housing as the input optic. Three front panel control buttons control all meter functions.
 
For full PC control, storing data and to recharge its battery a USB2 interface is standard equipment.
 
The supplied S-BTS256-E software controls all functions necessary for measurement, display and data export. The software offers different routines for data acquisition, selectable numerical and graphical displays and different file type export options.
 
SDK software development kits are available for self-programmers to embed the BTS256-PAR within their own software.
 
Click here to learn more.

A WiFi version of the meter, the BTS256-PAR WiFi is also available.

Craig DiLouie

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