Review on ☀️ Highly Accurate General Tools UV513AB Digital UVA/UVB Meter, 280-400 nm - Ultimate Solution for UV Rays measurement by Anthony Gupta

Because I needed to test different UV sources, I purchased a General Tool UV513AB digital UVA meter to have a higher level of accuracy and precision than a personal UV meter ensure that is intended for consumers. While I was generally happy with this instrument, the meter's name is somewhat misleading as it is actually a UV-A meter calibrated for 365nm, well outside the UV-B range. The sensitivity falls off significantly in a somewhat asymmetrical distribution around 365 nm and reaches zero % sensitivity at 280 nm and 420 nm. A key UV-B wavelength, 308 nm, has a spectral sensitivity of only 30%. There are no settings, adjustments or filters to more accurately measure UV wavelengths. It is quite difficult to objectively consider and evaluate such a device, since its good and not entirely clear limitations can be explained by its modest price. Other lab-quality UV meters can cost more than three times as much. So it's about value and utility. Compared to a personal UV meter like the Oregon Scientific EB612 Personal UV Monitor, this instrument is quite a capable instrument that easily costs five times as much. The generic UV513AB instrument allows you to measure UV in real-time with a value that can be interpreted on an absolute scale in universal mW/cm^2 metrics, rather than an ambiguous continuum meaningful only to the instrument, e.g. B. Relative Intensity from 1 to 20. This is particularly useful when monitoring the performance of UV LEDs, which can vary in performance with temperature. There are some downsides that are unforgivable, even at a low price point. Despite being a relatively simple device, the menu navigation is oddly confusing. The manufacturer should have added an extra button or switch to avoid having to switch between different functions. However, it's nice that there are two metrics, including one that can show the min, max, and average readings. The gauge also has the ability to store data that can be displayed on secondary readings while the primary function is still displayed. The manual for this counter is poorly written. One of my big problems is that at least one of the specs is wrong. The spectral range of the high illumination is specified from 0.01 mW/cm^2 to 40.00 mW/cm^2. However, I have gone above 40mW/cm^2 many times and have reached 66mW/cm^2. Given that Sper Scientific sells an almost identical gauge, I am assuming that General Instrument did not manufacture or design this product. Therefore, the manual was likely written by someone other than the developer or manufacturer. In terms of basic sensor capabilities, the maximum value of 40 mW/cm^2 is well below the output power of many light sources, including UV lasers and high-intensity lasers. LED modules. For reference only, readings in excess of 8.5 mW/cm² can be achieved during the day at maximum sun intensity in the American Midwest. As with wavelength limitation, the maximum intensity ceiling can be solved with various filters, which can often be very expensive. It would be helpful if General Tool could offer easy-to-connect and inexpensive filters, including bandpass options, to solve wavelength and peak intensity issues. Scientific Instruments Market. For example, a small UV bandpass filter used to get more accurate readings at a specific UV-B wavelength can cost several hundred dollars from a supplier like Edmunds Scientific. I'd appreciate a few extra features, but the price is likely to skyrocket. That being said, this instrument is a solid four stars compared to what's available at both lower and higher price points. Pros Inexpensive Flexible probe installation/use with stylus High microwatt accuracy and claimed accuracy of 4% of average readings with data storage Cons Poorly written manual Difficult features to navigate