The VG-METER-200 is a low cost hand held soil moisture meter
with a professional digital display.
This a break through soil moisture meter is for professionals,
but is in the price range that any home gardener afford it.
Not only does it provide accurate readings of soil moisture
content it also displays the current ambient temperature, and
has a light sensor which detects and displays the level of
light.
This meter uses our break through VH400 soil
moisture sensor, and presents soil moisture results as a
simple percentage (VWC). Light is also returned as a simple to
understand percentage, where 0% is dark, and 100% is full
sunlight.
The temperature displayed is the ambient temperature measured
at the hand held unit. The meter can be figured to display
either Celsius or Fahrenheit. The temperature sensor can be
calibrated for even greater accuracy.
The meter displays the current time. All measurements
including the time can be displayed on the data display screen,
or they may be individually disabled.
Probes come standard with a 1 meter cable. The probe is
waterproof, and about 5 inches long. Because it is slender it
can be used to measure soil moisture in potted plants, as well
as the ground. Because it uses a capacitive based VH400 probe,
it never corrodes, is insensitive to soil salinity, and gives
very precise readings.
The hand held enclosure is small enough to fit in a pocket,
and has in-molded rubber side grips for a comfortable grip.
It runs on 2 AA batteries and because it is so low power,
the batteries should last for years, with normal use.
The meter comes in two varieties, one with a USB interface
and one without. The version with the USB interface, can
stream data to a computer through most communication programs
such as Windows Hyperterminal. The USB version comes with a
mini-USB cable.
The meter makes the perfect gift for any avid gardener.
Digital Soil Moisture Meter Videos
Techno Gardener: Soil Moisture Meter and Dead Peas
The Techno Gardener uses the Vegetronix soil moisture meter to figure out why his sugar peas vines are dying. Techno Gardener: Digital Soil Moisture Meter and Dead Grass
The Techno Gardener uses the vegetronix digital soil moisture
meter to figure out why a patch of his grass is dying.
Digital Soil Moisture Meter Applications
Irrigation and sprinkler systems.
Moisture monitoring of bulk foods.
Rain and weather monitoring.
Environmental monitoring.
Water conservation applications.
Fluid level measurements.
Digital Soil Moisture Meter Features
Low cost.
Graphical digital display, with LED back light.
Displays moisture, ambient air temperature, and light levels,
and displays time.
Easy to use.
Pocket sized.
Not conductivity based, and insensitive to salinity.
Probe does not corrode over time.
Rugged design for long term use.
Batteries last for years with normal use.
Precise measurement.
Measures volumetric water content (VWC).
The probe can be buried and is water proof.
Because the probe is slender, it can also be used in smaller
house plants without disrupting roots.
The USB version can be stream data to a PC, and recieve firmware
upgrades.
Enclosure: 2.5cm x 6.4cm x 94 cm (1in x
2.5in x 3.7in)
Operational Temperature
-20ºC to 85ºC
Baud Rate
9600,
8 bits, No Parity, 1 stop bits
Operating Manual
To turn the unit on, press the center button.
To scroll up and down through the menu, use the up and down buttons.
To return to the previous menu without saving data, use the left
button.
To return to the previous menu and save data, use the center
button.
To modify data on a a data input screen use the up and down keys.
The meter has the following menu items available:
Display
On time before sleeping - Set the number
of minutes for the display to stay on before sleeping. Set to zero
for always on.
Backlight LEDs (On/Off) - Turns on or
off the display back lights.
Battery Voltage - Displays the current
battery voltage.
Moisture
Show - Show or disable the moisture
level on the main screen.
VWC/Volts - Express the soil moisture
reading in VWC (Volumetric Water Content) or in sensor Volts.
Light
Show - Show or disable the light level
on the main screen.
Temperature
Show - Show or disable the temperature
on the main screen.
Units - Express the Temperature in
Celcius or Fahrenheit.
Calibrate - Set an Celcius offset or
multiplier to fine tune the temperature readng.
Time
Show - Show or disable the current time
on the main screen.
Set Time - Set the current time.
USB Commands for USB enabled Meter
The Logger doesn't come with any software. A serial
communications program must be used to access the logger. We recommend
Windows HyperTerminal or Real Term
which is shareware. We only provide technical support if you are using
HyperTerminal or Real Term. HyperTerminal comes preinstalled on all XP and
legacy Windows computers. If you are using a newer Windows OS such as
Vista, see these instructions for setting up HyperTerminal
The Meter may be configured, controlled and monitored
by using the following commands.
Open Windows HyperTerminal - Normally under
Start/Programs/Accessories/Communications in Windows.
Set up the session for the appropriate USB/comm port.
Set the comm port setting to:9600 baud, 8-N-1. Set Hardware Flow Control
to: none.
The easiest way to figure out, which comm port number the USB board is
being referenced as, is to plug it in and look at the list, then remove it and
see which comm port disappears from the list. You can also use the windows
Hardware manager, and look at the ports under the ports branch of the tree. As
you plug the USB device in and out, you will see it be displayed with is COMM
port number.
When properly connected data will be displayed in the following format:
Moisture, VWC, light, %, time
0,VWC,3,%, 27,C,12:18:03 P
0,VWC,3,%, 27,C,12:18:03 P
0,VWC,3,%, 26,C,12:18:04 P
0,VWC,3,%, 27,C,12:18:04 P
For a volts reading via USB, use the keypad to put the unit in volts mode, as
describe above.
How to Get Started with Digital Soil Moisture Metersss
Vegetronix sells and ships these meters direct world wide. Use the
red button above to make a purchase.
