Chad's community PAR meter
 

This thread is to gauge interest in a community PAR meter. I am getting one and its a one time use type thing until you change lights or you feel yours are getting old. I thought some others might like to use it. You would have to be a TPT supporter, Have a good iTrader rating, and pay for shipping both ways. Would anyone like to try this out? Please post comments, concerns, questions below. If you would like to steal it, please tell me before I ship it to you :)

I would want to try one out for sure. I think my lighting is a little low at my substrate but want to test to make sure. Can you add me to the list please?

Can do. First to post gets it first. This could aslo provide a nice sister thread of everyones tanks and light findings to help sort out some lighting issues for different plants. With ferts pinned down, now lighting, all that is left is Co2.

Count me in!

What is the actual cost for a decent PAR meter?

I'd join in as well.

Decent ones are ~$200-$300, though I've seen them go much higher.

The Apogee GS200 is what im looking at. I see it quickly for $350, but I havent googled around yet. I will likely be ordering it this weekend. Whats a fair amount of time for one person to have it so everyone gets a shot. Im thinking about a week ought to do you just fine and allow time to get it back to the PO. Opinions?

It sounds like a neat idea to have one available. However, I'd be very worried about the wear and tear of the thing being shipped around the country, and it would be hard for me to trust that everybody would be gentle in its use and generous with packing insulation. I'm very tempted, and might be persuaded, but at the moment I'm doubtful it would last long :(

My thinking for the packing was, come up with some sort of padded box/container that fits perfect inside a shipping box. Then make sure it goes in this same container wherever it travels so only the outer shell(box) is replaced.

Not really that expensive. I would buy one if someone agreed to buy it used. We could arrange a queue of people, and reduce the cost 25 bucks each time it changes hands, seller pays shipping. Spread the risk :)

Hence the shipping BOTH WAYS. That way it will get returned to me each time for review. Im sure nobody wants the fame and fortune as being the guy who broke the meter. I also expect a descent iTrader rating so I know you have some knowledge of proper shipping procedures. I feel most everyone who is intelligent enough to use/need one will be smart enough to respect that its not theirs, but borrowed. As for wear and tear, eh, things dont last forever. Its bound to happen. Planted tank clubs do this all the time and I thought it would be nice for some folks to try it out if youre not near a club, group, or just plain dont have access to one. Plus the information in one collective thread about fixtures and bulbs and their readings as well as the plants being grown could prove priceless.

I would hope that the folks involved with this would have respect for the equipment and for Chad helping out the TPT community when he does not have to to this degree. I think this is a great idea. If one person receives it in a "not so good" shipping box/packing, etc, they should have the respect to make the proper adjustments when shipping back.

Count me in too please!

@hbosman, I am asking that you be a TPT supporter. I think this will help ensure dedicated people are using it respectfully. I will count you inline, as is, if you are a supporter by the time it gets around to your turn. No disrespect to you. I just think it will weed out some less dedicated people that may be gone from the site in a month.