PAR Meter - Best Quality and Affordability

[jharding08]

I am looking to get a PAR meter. I only need it really to get my lights dimmed up right on my display and frag tank and then check on the PAR quality once corals start to grow into each other and shade others.

I see alot on line, some cheaper than others, some more expensive. I remember when Apogee was the only one available. I am guessing that is the best quality.

Other ones I've seen:

-Seneye Reef Monitor - monitors Temp, PAR, PH and ammonia -$200
-Milwaukee LUX Light meter - $75
-Neptune PAR Monitoring Kit - $300
-Biotek Marine PAR Sensor, USB - $53
- APogee USB Smart Quantum PAR Sensor - $195


Any other good ones? Which is the most accurate for the best price?

 

[theatrus]

The LUX meter is not going to be a good bet especially at the blue end. I have no opinion on the Seneye, would love to have one to tear down (I'm suspecting it uses an RGB sensor).

All three other meters are actually an Apogee SQ-1xx sensor head. I couldn't find the Biotek model online for sale but it's also made by Apogee and looks to be the same as their USB models.

 

[oseymour]

I went with the Seneye and I'm glad I did.

Other than par, the Seneye monitors PUR, LUX and Kelvin. It also shows you the spectrum of the light. BRS tested it vs more expensive meters and it did well.

Here is the BRS video - https://youtu.be/V7XLgLiA0PM?t=1888

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Apogee just updated for led's.

 

[gus6464]

Apogee SQ-500.

 

[Kentech5]

I like the idea of the Apex kit but the price is high and it would be hard to check different tanks.

 

[FullBoreReefer]

I just picked up a used apogee mq-200, no complaints as of yet.

 

[jharding08]

I like the idea of knowing my Kelvin of the LEDs. Is seneye the only one that does that?