Quote from developer, June 2023-
I (Photone) assume that the mixed feedback you’re getting stems from Android users, where our current measurement accuracy is inferior to the iOS version. That’s also why the app is still in a free public Beta phase for Android users, and we’re heavily working on improving our Android measurement accuracy. It’s been a multi-year research & development project but we intend to finally release the new Android version in the coming months"
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all the ACI lights I have used or have allowed me to go well above, about 20%, the stated 100% wattage…the s33 is a 240 watt light. both of mine run at 270w. i can’t even set mine to 100%…that’s not one of the dial options per my wall meter. 100w one had the same issues, it ran at 120w. not sure which way they measure it at the real max or at stated max. maybe the bar lights are better. though, i still couldn’t come close to matching their par map. i also found one some 3rd party websites and the par map was different…a lot lower.
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The whole point of the phone apps are to be used as a relativity tool. as long as the app reads the same all the time it really doesn’t matter what the numbers are you can use them as a basis to set the lights we all know when the plant is seeing too much light so you just use your phone app by calibrating it yourself with your eye.
at least that’s how I use it. I know exactly what number on my app the plants can tolerate at any stage and that’s where I set it , Then just use it to adjust light height
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Been using this light meter to get the light just right for about a year now and has help a lot. Just my findings and wanted to share. 
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Anyone know about troubleshooting par meters? It’s probably because it’s years old…but I’ve got a hydro farm par meter that seemed to work fine for a few weeks and now everytime I turn it on, no matter where I’m at, it reads 2699 par and doesn’t let me go to a new channel, reset or anything like that. Is she dead? *Looking for it to take a pic.
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That makes complete sense.
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Try new batteries 🪫 maybe?
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I would if I could! It’s a charger based one and has an irreplaceable battery. I guess I’ll just shop out a different one 
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Try the manufacturer to see what can be done to resolve your issues they can sometimes be very helpful, maybe a way to factory reset.
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Ya I bet if u contact them they will have a way to reset or recalibrate. This is why I still don’t have a par/lux/ppfd meter tbch, I’m always worried it’ll be obsolete in a year or two and I’m tired of buying 500$ bookends every couple years
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Thank you guys. I sent them an email and will report back
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My pleasure 
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That battery is easily replaceable for $16 on Amazon and thats just a quick search. Ots also for a 2 pack. Does the battery charge. If it’s on and staying on its likely not the battery but if you do need a battery, here is a link. If you search Amazon for 502030 ypu will find single batteries for $8.
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Rechargeable-Lithium-Polymer-Connector/dp/B09PR7CFZ7?th=1
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For what it worth I tested Photone against specs I trust and got equivalent readings.
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Thanks, @DougDawson !! I’ll probably grab a couple. The battery seems fine. It charges. It holds a charge, though not that long. Hydrofarm got back to me quickly and I sent them pictures so hopefully they help. They also asked for a receipt I don’t have, so we will see!
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Nice. If it were me, I would just grab one battery. They are readily available, and by the time you wear out a new one, the other would have been sitting around for years. Hopefully, the company can help you out, good luck.
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I trust it as well, at least on my phone with the paper, seems to work great tbch
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FWIW, the Photone app on my iPhone gives me the same readings as the light sensor on my Pulse Pro.
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So what ppfd readings are you guys shooting for? I started using the Photon app last grow and im looking for the sweet spot. Its looking like 600-800 is what I may try next run if I can ever control a canopy.( been growing little jungles lately lol)
General guidelines I use:
Seedlings. 100-300
Veg. 300-600
Flower. 600-1000
Always watching for light stress.
For what it’s worth, using Photone on my crappy old iPhone with a proper paper diffuser, the PPFD values displayed almost perfectly matched the published PAR map for my ViparSpectra XS lights. Balls on accurate. YMMV.
Cheers,
-Grouchy
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