PAR meter

[johnb1963]

Hello my friends, I was wondering if anybody out there, who lives near Orange County CA. has a PAR meter, and would be willing to come over and help me map out my tent. I don't have the $300 - $500+ to buy one at this time.

[YYCannabis]

Depending what lights you are using (ie Blurple color lights), a PAR meter might not be any use. I personally don’t think a tent needs to be mapped out since it’s such a small space.

[smoorman]

I would say to compare the footprint of your tent with the par map shown on the advertising for your light to get an idea. Also, there is something on GWE about using a Lux meter (much cheaper) instead. It is a valid way of measuring light intensity except for blurples. At the end of the day, check your plants response. Lower the lights till there's some heat stress then back them off a few inches.

[PLreef]

Check to see if there is any reef tank clubs in your area and contact them. Many have club par meters. Might be worth an email or two.

[MeEasy]

There's some apps for your phone that turns your phone into a lux meter and it works good enough that you can find the height that allows your lights to spread to the edges. I sat my phone against the wall and started lowering my lights and watched for the light level to start dropping, move the phone to the next wall or corner and do it again. Mapping the light at different levels for optimal height. It's probably not the correct numbers but at least I know where my lights fade out on the edge and it's not where the manufacturer recommended distances

[johnb1963]

thanks for the responses my friends. I have seen the lux meters, and read that they can be useful, but the par meter is better. then you would know the optimum distance for vegging & flowering.
i am currently moving the lifgt up and down little by little, trying to find the sweet spot, that the girl love.