Product Review: Instant Soil Moisture Reading Kit - IC-MPKit-406B
Instrument Choice regularly reviews new and popular products, so when searching for the perfect scientific instrument for your application, you can make more informed decisions.
This review assesses the Instant Soil Moisture Reading Kit (Product Code: IC-MPKit-406B). The sought-after, reliable and portable soil moisture sensor doesn’t require regular calibration and accuracy is unaffected by temperature. Its impressive features and functions make it ideal for soil moisture testing applications, such as sports fields, irrigation monitoring, academic research, and more.
Read on for a scientists’ review of the IC-MPKit-406B kit.
About the Instant Soil Moisture Reading Kit - IC-MPKit-406B
A key benefit of the MPKit is its ability to rapidly determine the Volumetric Soil Water Content (VSW%) of soil samples.
Taking a soil moisture measurement involves inserting a sensor probe to the required soil depth. Moisture content readings are sent conveniently to an Android mobile application via Bluetooth for storage and later recall or direct downloading to a computer.
Summary of Benefits
Benefits of the MPKit Soil Moisture Instant Reading Kit:
- Simplified volumetric soil water content sampling
- Precision accuracy
- Measurements displayed and stored on a separate device
- Built tough to withstand harsh outdoor environments
- Fits comfortably into an included carry case for portability; and
- Rapid Measurements.
Main features of the IC-MPKit-406B
- Everything you need: The IC-MPKit-406B’s kit includes a moisture probe (MP406B), an Android phone with the preloaded app, Bluetooth interface, 2 x chrome extension rods (MPExt Rod) and a carry case.
- Fast Measurement with the MP406B Probe: Push the sensor’s needles into the soil surface or soil profile, and you can expect a measurement response time of under 0.5 seconds.
- Robust and built to last: The construction of the MP406 soil moisture sensor’s exterior is durable ABS plastic formed into a custom-designed tube that completely seals the electronics within. Sensor needles are high-quality stainless steel suitable for use in challenging outdoor settings.
- MPExt Rod: The kit comes with a pair of chrome extension rods. Each rod is 35cm long and capable of measuring soil moisture to a depth of 70 cm. One rod connects to the MP406B, and the other has an ergonomic “T” handle for gripping.
- Portable: The included carry case is high-quality aluminium lined with a sturdy foam cutout. The case accommodates the MP406B, MPM160 and MPExt Rod.
- Bluetooth Interface and included Android Phone: For trouble-free transfers of measurements to a compatible mobile device where data is viewed, stored and shared through a familiar android interface.
- No Need for Calibration: The displayed Volumetric Soil Water Percentage (VSW%) results from calibrating dielectric constant (Ka) against mV output. The development of the calibration curve used by the Android mobile App interface involved the systematic calibration of a large sample of mineral soils. While IC-MPKit-406B’s output will satisfy most applications' accuracy requirements, a higher resolution is possible by taking the raw mV output and recalibrating it directly to the VSW% where needed.
- Use for Irrigation Control: Easily control irrigation by permanently burying the MP406 moisture sensor and connecting it to an irrigation controller via an industry-standard 4-20mA interface.
- Same application as a Neutron Probe: The MPKit is a suitable substitute for a Neutron Probe for irrigation scheduling when used in the following manner - a series of holes are augered to the top (20 cm), middle (40 cm) and bottom (60 cm) of the root zone with a 50 mm PVC tube inserted in each. This setup enables repeated measurements of soil moisture at the same location and depth.
IC-MPKit-406B Specifications
MP406B Probe |
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Measurement Range: |
0–100 VSW% (Volumetric Soil Water %) |
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Accuracy: |
1 VSW% after calibration to a specific soil type, or 5 VSW% using the supplied generic soil calibration |
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Response Time: |
Less than 0.5 seconds |
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Stabilisation Time: |
3 seconds approximately from power-up |
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Environment: |
Environmentally sealed, can be permanently buried in the soil. |
Mechanical |
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Total length: |
215 mm |
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Needle length: |
60 mm |
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Needle diameter: |
4 mm |
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Needle separation: |
14 mm |
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Needles: |
Stainless Steel |
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Exterior: |
ABS Plastic |
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Cable: |
4.5 m Standard |
MPM160 Meter |
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Analogue input signal range: |
0–1200 mV |
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Resolution: |
0.1 VSW% |
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Display: |
1 line 16 character LCD which displays battery status, reading number, raw mV and calibrated VSW% |
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Keys: |
Light touch, field rugged keyboard; Double-sided “READ” key for easy right or left single-handed field use |
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Memory: |
510 Readings |
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Power Management: |
Power Supply – internal common 9V Battery |
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Download Cable: |
Industry-standard RS232 communication nine-pin female connector with supplied download cable |
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Software: |
ICT MPM Software, includes a graphical interface, graphing capabilities |
Applications
IC-MPKit-406B provides a portable and convenient system to measure volumetric soil moisture content for:
- Scientific research
- Sports fields
- Irrigation monitoring and management
- Mine sites; and
Conclusion
Our scientists’ review of the MPKit? It’s smart, convenient, intuitive and multifunctional - we “dig it!”
Want more information on the MPkit Instant Soil Moisture Reading Kit? Speak with an Instrument Choice Scientist! We’re here to help!
Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].
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