FieldScout TCM 500 NDVI Turf Color Meter

Turfgrass quality is visually evaluated by human assessors based on a scale of 1 (dead grass) to 9 (perfect grass) in the current assessment method. This evaluation practice has several disadvantages and therefore, there is the need for a better evaluation technique. Individual biases are inevitable and lead to some level of inconsistency, even among the most highly trained observers. Research from Clemson University, “Predicting Visual Quality Ratings of Turfgrass Research Plots Using Spectral Reflectance”(Muharrem, Keskin, Roy B. Dodd, Young J. Han, Ahmad Khalilian - Paper # 031114, ASAE 2003 Annual Meeting) is the basis for the technology used in this meter.

Get greater use out of your NDVI meter and discover the value of spatially variable sensor measurements. Mapping program requires GPS; not included.

Helps diagnose plant health based on color

• Measures reflected light from approximately a 3 inch (7.6 cm) diameter section of turfgrass
• Uses an internal light source to negate the effect of sunny versus cloudy conditions
• Measures reflectance in the red (660 nm) and near infrared (850 nm) spectral bands
• Displays result as NDVI, percent reflectance, or as a user-adjustable grass index from 1 to 9
• Connects to any GPS receiver that has a serial output option*
• Equipped with internal data logger and RS-232 port
• Records over 3,000 measurements (1,350 with added GPS/DGPS option)
• Configure and download meter with FieldScout® software and USB-to-3.5mm-Stereo-Plug Adapther (Item 3661U.(included)**
• Includes hard carrying case, batteries, and TCM 500 T-Handle (item 2975H)

    *GPS interface requires two cables.  The GPS/DGPS cable (item 2950CV5) is available from Spectrum.
      A PC serial interface cable supplied by the manufacturer of the GPS receiver is also required.
  **PC cable connects to a computer USB port. 

Measurement Sample: Turf grass canopy
Measurement System: Reflectance of red (660 nm) and NIR (850 nm) light
Measurement Area: Approx. 3.0 in (7.6 cm)
Measurement Units: Percent reflectance (0.0 to 99.9) of Red and NIR
                    NDVI (0.000 to 1.000)
                    Grass Index (1.00 to 9.00)
Power Source: 1 9 V alkaline battery (included); approx. 3,000 measurements
Repeatability: ± 5% of measurement

Find all of our Product Manuals and literature in our Documents Library