Where do I get an adequate light meter ?

[MikeMusic]

May only be used to work out lighting for our forthcoming factory move. After that I think academic, but maybe useful for other needs

Cheap is the hoped for price. 90% accuracy should be fine

There are some existing monster LED floodlights plus high level windows around 2 walls so I'm hoping to do without expensive hanging trunking and double tube fittings everywhere or at least cut right back

Suggestions welcome

[seoirse2002]

Hi Mike,
Just a suggestion....ask a local photographer to come with his light meter and work it out for you based on your lighting needs. He will probably have a pro lightmeter and may only charge you a small amount...especially as he might think there was future work in it for him.
just a suggestion

[MikeMusic]

Hi Mike,
Just a suggestion....ask a local photographer to come with his light meter and work it out for you based on your lighting needs. He will probably have a pro lightmeter and may only charge you a small amount...especially as he might think there was future work in it for him.
just a suggestion
Thanks George
I wouldn't want to mess him around as I can just about guarantee no work for him
So cheap and 90% accurate would be fine to find dark spots
Last time someone came in with one it transpired that the high bay lights right up in the roof gave more Lux than the twin tubes about 10 feet up.
Course too late by then
The big LEDs throw out a huge amount of light

[Firebottle]

Maplins do a light meter for £30

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/digital-light-meter-n76cc

Cheers,
Alan

[Thing Fish]

If you have an iPhone (haven't checked Android) then there are a few free (or paid) light meter apps that are apparently rather good.

[MikeMusic]

Maplins do a light meter for £30

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/digital-light-meter-n76cc

Cheers,
Alan
Thanks.
And that made me think of Ebay, which I should have thought of before for cheap !

[MikeMusic]

If you have an iPhone (haven't checked Android) then there are a few free (or paid) light meter apps that are apparently rather good.

I don't have an iPhone but I know plenty who do have one
Seems like apps are the place to go looking for most things nowadays

[Mark Grant]

Ebay for a cheapy for about £11.00 that might not be very accurate.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.Xl ux+meter&_nkw=lux+meter&_sacat=0&_from=R40

If all you are doing is comparing the new building to existing light levels a cheap one might be OK.
Take some readings from existing building in bright enough areas and make a note of the numbers displayed then try at new building.
If the number on the display is not accurate to true lux levels it wont really matter as all you are doing is comparing two buildings.

If you where doing lighting surveys for installations a real one would be needed such as Testo etc:

http://www.alpha-electronics.com/Items/7367/testo-545-light-meter.html

http://cpc.farnell.com/testo/540/light-meter/dp/IN05402?in_merch=Products%20From%20This%20Range

http://www.testolimited.com/p/274/testo-540-lux-meter

Lots of other decent makes available at all price ranges.

http://cpc.farnell.com/fluke/lm-100/manual-light-meter/dp/IN05654
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[walpurgis]

May only be used to work out lighting for our forthcoming factory move. After that I think academic, but maybe useful for other needs

Cheap is the hoped for price. 90% accuracy should be fine

There are some existing monster LED floodlights plus high level windows around 2 walls so I'm hoping to do without expensive hanging trunking and double tube fittings everywhere or at least cut right back

Suggestions welcome

Just noticed this thread. I may still have an industrial light meter knocking about. It was for precisely the use you outlined, checking light levels in buildings. I may have it in my photographic equipment. Not sure I've still got it, but if I can find it you are welcome to it. I'll be rummaging in the next day or two.

[MikeMusic]

Ebay for a cheapy for about £11.00 that might not be very accurate.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.Xl ux+meter&_nkw=lux+meter&_sacat=0&_from=R40

If all you are doing is comparing the new building to existing light levels a cheap one might be OK.
Take some readings from existing building in bright enough areas and make a note of the numbers displayed then try at new building.
If the number on the display is not accurate to true lux levels it wont really matter as all you are doing is comparing two buildings.

If you where doing lighting surveys for installations a real one would be needed such as Testo etc:

http://www.alpha-electronics.com/Items/7367/testo-545-light-meter.html

http://cpc.farnell.com/testo/540/light-meter/dp/IN05402?in_merch=Products%20From%20This%20Range

http://www.testolimited.com/p/274/testo-540-lux-meter

Lots of other decent makes available at all price ranges.

http://cpc.farnell.com/fluke/lm-100/manual-light-meter/dp/IN05654
-

Thanks Mark. We're trying the app route at the moment, doesn't seem as simple as I hoped, when we are a lot quieter, as business went crazy.

[MikeMusic]

Just noticed this thread. I may still have an industrial light meter knocking about. It was for precisely the use you outlined, checking light levels in buildings. I may have it in my photographic equipment. Not sure I've still got it, but if I can find it you are welcome to it. I'll be rummaging in the next day or two.

Thanks Geoff. That would be very helpful. Not sure the iPhone app will work that well so this would be good

[Stratmangler]

Plenty of Sangamo Weston light meters on Ebay.