Lumens meter app

[tomd]

Since it's free, I was thinking about trying this lumens meter app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bti.lightMeter&hl=en

I'm wondering about it's accuracy. A 'real' meter is $18 on Amazon, but free is better

 

[Showkey]

"Light o meter" and "easy light" are two others. Both are free. I like and use "easy light". They measure in LUX or foot candle.

If your using the smart phone to compare two light sources to each other as long the reading are repeatable the actual accuracy is not critical. If your measure against a published spec then the accuracy is more important.

Just because it's a stand alone meter does not guarantee accuracy. Just like any meter or gauge accuracy really depends on the device.

 

[rsanter]

You can use it to see just how ' bright' your friends are

Bob

 

[tomd]

You can use it to see just how ' bright' your friends are

Bob

Does the app have negative numbers?

 

[dakotart1984]

The app crashed when I tried it on my co workers.

 

[BillK]

Tom,
The one I have is LUX Easy Light. Works real good. Not sure if the exact numbers are correct but you can use it to compare and make decisions about lighting. Motorola Droid Mini, if it mateers.

 

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Interesting app. I'm curious of the accuracy - One of the labs I work at has a few high end light meters. I'll have to compare next time I'm in there. If nothing else, it should be decent for comparing one output to another.

 

[Showkey]

Interesting app. I'm curious of the accuracy - One of the labs I work at has a few high end light meters. I'll have to compare next time I'm in there. If nothing else, it should be decent for comparing one output to another.

There is a calibration setting on some of the apps if it needed. (i think it's just an off set but it there.)

 

[cybrdyke]

Their only fair when it comes to accuracy, but as folks said, it might not matter if all that you are doing is comparing one spot to another. I use the app solely for this, never for real measurements.
Most often, I see people trying to use meters, but they do things wrong. For instance, do you set the meter on the floor and then stand over it to read the numbers? You might be blocking some of the light. Are there windows in the space? Is it daytime...then your readings will be way too high. Things like this that people dont really understand will skew the readings.
You'd be surprised what a professional will go thru to get good accurate readings.
CD