Using the patented and unique Stevens HydraProbe II sensor and its coaxial impedance dielectric reflectometry protocol, POGO measures WFV (aka VWC) and EC to an accuracy of ±1% without any calibration in any soil. Surface heat index and soil temperature are measured with Infrared and a soil temp probe respectively with equal precision.
It does this through a complex algorithm and electronics engineering that creates an electro-magnetic field around the sensor tines once inserted in the turf and the sampling process is activated through the TurfPro Mobile app. Over about a 1.5 second period of time, any variable with mass has a direct influence on this EM field. POGO measures the mass of EC ions and water specifically, in addition to other variables, independently of each other and with no influence from the rootzone type. This allows POGO to remain incredibly precise in any turfgrass rootzone system without ever needing calibration, even when soil conditions on the same property change over time as they constantly do.
What you see is exactly what your turf sees, allowing you to make your very best decisions. If you see variables a month from now that are the same as what you see today, you are assured that you have the same conditions. No other sensor can be used to make that claim, anywhere in the world. Unlike other sensors, POGO’s unique patented sensor is not influenced by compaction, changing EC (or nutrient array) conditions, rootzone structure, rootzone texture or water quality. These are all dynamic variables in turfgrass systems, changing daily and throughout the day. Unlike other sensors, POGO does not need to be calibrated to remain precise in these changing conditions. Further, with changes that occur from step to step on any one turfgrass zone as well as from zone to zone, sensors needing calibration truly need an extensive practice of calibration.
Visit soilsensor.com to learn more about various measurement methods.