miniPAR Logger

The miniPAR Logger is a fully submersible logger designed to measure diffused sunlight through water, or PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) in fresh and saltwater. In addition to a temperature

  • Product Name:miniPAR Logger
  • Model:miniPAR Logger
  • Maunufactor:PME
  • Country:USA

The miniPAR Logger is a fully submersible logger designed to measure diffused sunlight through water, or PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) in fresh and saltwater. In addition to a temperature sensor, the miniPAR also contains a tilt sensor that confirms the logger is correctly positioned for accurate data collection. All data is recorded on an internal SD card. PAR is a key indicator for understanding nutrient loading, photosynthesis, algae blooms or other biological, chemical or physical processes.


Product Features

Tilt Sensor Specifications

Tilt refers to the sloped position of an object. Tilt can be an accidental occurrence when applied to water measurement devices and impact a researcher's ability to accurately understand the interaction of light and water. This is particularly true for researchers measuring photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in aquatic systems. PME’s miniPAR is unique among similar loggers in that it contains a tilt sensor to measure the orientation of the logger.

LI-COR Sensor Specifications

The miniPAR Logger is fitted with a LI-192 Underwater Quantum Sensor, manufactured by LI-COR. The sensor uses a silicon photodiode and glass optical filters to create a uniform sensitivity to light wavelengths in the 400nm to 700nm range which closely corresponds to light used by most aquatic plants and algae. It measures PAR from all angles in one hemisphere. A precision optical filter blocks light with wavelengths beyond 700nm, which is critical for measurements in a water column, where the ratio of infrared to visible light may be high.

Field Replaceable Batteries

The miniPAR Logger uses two AA lithium batteries and is user replaceable. The miniPAR Logger also contains a backup coin-cell battery.


Product Features

  • Cosine correction is accurate even when the light source is not directly overhead.

  • Fully submersible up to 100 meters.

  • miniPAR Logger software creates visual plots to easily read PAR measurements and allows the user to set the internal clock and sample rate.

Sample Interval MinutesMonths of SamplingNumber of Samples
11 Month> 50,000
10> 12 Months> 52,000
60> 12 Months> 8,000


Sensor TypePAR (LI-COR), Temperature
SensorLI-192 (LI-COR)
Measurement Range0-3000 mol s-1 m-2
Accuracy± 5% in air traceable to NIST
SensitivityTypically 4 uA per 1,000 umol s-1 m-2 in water
Response Time10us
Stability/Drift<±2%
Operating Temperature Range0 to 35 degrees C
Sampling Power Capacity>50,000 samples over 12 months @ 10 minute sample interval
MemoryUnlimited
LoggingInterval5 seconds to 24 hours
BatteryTwo lithium AA batteries and backup coin-cell battery
Software IncludedData visualization and control
Weight1.1 lbs
Dimensions1.95 inches diameter x 8.5 inches length
Maximum Depth100 meters (328 feet)
Temperature Accuracy0.2 degrees C
emperatureRange0 to 35 degrees C