The POGO Pro+ utilizes infrared technology. Infrared is not a direct measurement of temperature, but rather a measurement of the combined effects of temperature, heat reflectance and light energy coming from a surface. It should not be confused with a temperature taken from a thermistor or thermometer. Most infrared technology is used as a relative assessment of a land mass to indicate more or less heat energy across a region compared to other parts of the same region. POGO utilizes infrared to indicate the combined effects of multiple variables as the turf experiences it.
To see the true nature of these measurements, you can do these 4 things:
- Take a set of data on a particular zone in the early AM period of the day with no direct sunlight on the surface. Save that data in the TurfPro Mobile app
- Take a set of data on the same zone as above but at mid-day or mid-afternoon when the sun is shining directly on the surface. Save that data as well in the TurfPro Mobile app.
- Take a set of data on an area in the early AM with water added to the turf. An area that is semi-wet to saturated would be good for this to see the impact. Record that information once again in the TurfPro Mobile app.
- Take a set of data on the same zone as above in direct sunlight, 5 to 10 minutes after you add water to the turf making it semi-wet or nearly saturated.
By doing the above and examining the results, you will see how infrared shows the true reflectance of heat and light energy from the turf under those changing conditions. This should never be confused with a temperature measurement of heat alone. The overall effect of that temperature analysis will always be higher, particularly in light conditions, when using infrared versus just heat conductance. Furthermore, the presence of moisture and even salts (EC) will influence this overall impact on infrared analysis.
It is important to note that the infrared measurement is taken from the side of the POGO upper housing. Be sure to be consistent with your measurements so that the infrared line of measurement is direct to the turf and not on your feet or in the shadow of the POGO in any way.
POGO Pro+ adds the ability to measure soil temperature as well as infrared. You can adjust the depth of the sensor to measure a specific depth of the root zone. Most will measure 2 inches deep (5.08 cm) as this depth has traditionally been used to indicate disease pathogenic fungi development and weed emergence models. The combination of infrared measurements at the surface with the underlying soil temperature measurements gives ‘real feel’ analysis of what the turf is experiencing. That is the nature of POGO; to indicate exactly what the turf is feeling and to analyze this over time to see predictable trends so you can make your best decisions.