Lighting Metres
Lighting metres are used to accurately assess the intensity of light falling on the growing area. They help growers set optimal conditions for photosynthesis and plant growth at different stages of development. Our range includes PAR metres and other light sensors suitable for grow rooms, greenhouses and home growing.
Reliable measurement is key to efficient use of artificial lighting and achieving the best possible results.
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A lighting metre turns guesswork into certainty. It shows how much light actually reaches the plants and helps set the height and power of the lamp so that no level is left in the shade or overlit. Unlike a standard lux metre, the right devices measure PAR - photosynthetically active radiation that plants actually use.
How to choose a lighting metre
The most important factor is the range of wavelengths the device measures. A classic PAR/PPFD metre covers the 400 to 700 nm range, while newer ePAR devices extend measurement up to 750 nm, because far-red also contributes to photosynthesis. The second criterion is how the data is handled - simple handheld metres display the instant value, while more advanced units can calculate the daily light integral (DLI) and transfer data to a computer or mobile phone.
- Maxibright PAR Metre - an affordable quantum metre for quick light checks in the growing area.
- Apogee DLI-600 ePAR - measures the extended 400 to 750 nm range and calculates the daily light integral.
- Apogee MQ-610 ePAR - a professional metre with an external probe for scientists and demanding growers.
- Apogee SS-110 - a spectroradiometer from 340 to 820 nm for measuring the full light spectrum.
What can you use measurement for
Most often, it is used to set the correct height of the lamp above the plants - too high and the plants starve for light, too low and there is a risk of burning or overlighting. The metre also reveals uneven coverage of the area, so you know where to add extra light. Anyone managing a grow room precisely also monitors the daily light integral (DLI) to give plants exactly as much light as the given stage requires. Most professional sensors, for example the Apogee range, can send data to a computer via USB or via a Bluetooth logger to a mobile app.
Lighting metres are part of the broader category of measurement, where you will also find pH and EC metres or temperature and humidity measurement.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a lux metre and a PAR metre?
A lux metre measures brightness as perceived by the human eye. A PAR metre measures photosynthetically active radiation (400 to 700 nm), that is, the part of the light that plants actually use for growth. For growing, a PAR metre is therefore more informative.
What does ePAR mean?
ePAR is extended photosynthetically active radiation in the 400 to 750 nm range. It also includes far-red light, which has been shown to contribute to photosynthesis beyond the traditional range up to 700 nm.
Do I need a metre if I have a quality LED lamp?
Even with a good lamp, a metre helps. It shows the real distribution of light across the area and the correct hanging height, which differs for every tent and plant arrangement.
We will help you choose a metre that matches your lamps and how precisely you want to manage the grow room - write to us at info@higarden.cz.