The MQ-610 has a hand-held meter, attached via cable, that displays and stores measurements. The sensor features a rugged, aluminum housing that is fully-submersible and built to withstand harsh conditions. Typical applications of ePAR sensors include total ePAR intensity measurements over plant canopies in all growing environments, monitor and adjust grow lights, research plant morphogenic activity, and photobiology studies.

The meter has a sample and log mode, and will record an integrated daily total in mol m-2 d-1. Sample mode will record up to 99 manual measurements. Log mode will power the meter on/off to make a measurement every 30 seconds. Every 30 minutes the meter will average the sixty 30 second measurements and record the averaged value to memory. The meter can store up to 99 averages, once full it will start to overwrite the oldest measurement with new ones. A Daily Light Integral will be recorded from the 48 averaged measurements (making a 24 hr period). Sample and log measurements can be reviewed on the LCD display or by downloading the data to a computer, however, the integrated daily total can only be viewed by downloading the data to a computer. Downloading data to a computer requires the AC-100 communication cable (a standard USB cable will not work) and ApogeeAMS software.

How is the MQ-610 different from previous Apogee quantum sensors?

The MQ-610 is an extended photosynthetically active radiation (ePAR) sensor with a spectral range of 380 to 760 nm ± 5 nm, which can be seen in the graph below.

Where is the MQ-610 used?

The MQ-610 is used for measuring the newest generation of LED grow lights with wavelengths outside the traditional 400-700 nm PAR range. Research has shown the value of adding UV and far-red LEDs to fixtures to control various diseases, achieve certain photomorphogenic effects, and even gain additional photosynthesis. The extended range filter of the MQ-610 allows it to measure photons from UV and Far-red.