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moisture meters

5 posts
  1. Chase Best
    Chase Best avatar
    0 posts
    7/1/2012 1:07 PM
    Was wanting to get a portable moisture meter to check moisture in my greens. What would you all recommend?

    Chase Best
    Old Capital Golf Club
    chasebest@gmail.com



  2. Douglas Eggert
    Douglas Eggert avatar
    1 posts
    7/1/2012 2:07 PM
    I bought the TDR 100 from Spectrum Technologies. It works for me, being that it stores easily and I can lock it in my cart toolbox. I might buy the 300 and give my assistant this one. Each works basically the same, one just has more options available for it. I've been experimenting with my "number", but thanks to this fine Midwestern summer, I've become more attuned to keeping the course alive with my "irrigation" system.

    I do use it for the hand watering crew, basically to check if enough water has been applied. I was amazed initially how low you can go and skip watering.

    I don't rely on it for most of my watering decisions, but to confirm my thoughts on way or the other.

    Best of Luck.



  3. Calder Norley S
    Calder Norley S avatar
    7/4/2012 11:07 PM
    I just got he TDR 300 and I don't know how I got along without it. I will probably buy a second one for the assistant and the guys who are hand watering. I know there is cambell scientific but I have very firm greens and needed the handle, I realize I paid a little more for the handle, but I do not regret it.



  4. Daniel Mausolf
    Daniel Mausolf avatar
    0 posts
    7/5/2012 11:07 AM
    Agreed. We have 2 TDR 100's and 1 300. Best money I've ever spent! We still use a soil probe to confirm, but the meter gives us a hard number that we can all relate to.
    Dan



  5. Joey Brown
    Joey Brown avatar
    0 posts
    7/11/2012 6:07 PM
    Get the TDR 300. You won't be disappointed and you will ask why you waited this long to get one. I was skeptical last year, but bought one. After using it, I bought my asst. one this year. Well worth the money. Go ahead and try to get a price break and buy 2. You will get another one eventually anyway



  6. Michael Hummel
    Michael Hummel avatar
    0 posts
    11/25/2013 1:11 PM
    Recently I demoed a field scout TDR300 to measure moisture in paspalum platinum greens. I was wondering what someone who is currently using this device has found the percentage of moisture in the soil prior to stress was. We have a salt affected site with saline water so our practices are slightly adjusted since the priority is keep the salt moving vs. someone who is blessed with good water.



  7. Dalton Andrew
    Dalton Andrew avatar
    11/25/2013 8:11 PM
    I think the best thing to do with these tools before you even start measuring soil moisture all over the course is let your greens reach field capacity. Once this happens document that number for the greens, then let your turf get to the wilting point and record those numbers. You may find a reading that best suits your needs compared to my readings.

    Andy



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