Handheld DO Meter Kit

What It Is

The Apera SX716 is a portable dissolved oxygen meter designed to deliver laboratory-grade DO measurement in the field. It measures dissolved oxygen concentration in mg/L (ppm) and percent saturation simultaneously, along with solution temperature. The meter is built around Apera's proprietary DO500 polarographic electrode — a 3-in-1 sensor with integrated temperature and salinity sensors housed in a single probe body on a 2-meter cable.

The electrode uses polarographic detection, which requires a short polarization period before use — the DO500 reaches measurement-ready status in approximately 5 minutes, compared to the industry average of 20–30 minutes for polarographic sensors. Once polarized, the meter reaches 90% of its stable reading within 30 seconds of probe contact with the sample. A stability indicator on the LCD confirms when the reading has settled, eliminating guesswork on when to log a value.

Who It's For

Any cultivation or water treatment operation that needs accurate, on-site dissolved oxygen data benefits from a purpose-built field meter rather than a bench unit. In commercial cannabis and hemp facilities, DO monitoring is directly relevant to hydroponic reservoir management, recirculating deep water culture (RDWC) systems, fertigation line health, and aerated coco/media programs where root-zone oxygen is a production variable.

The SX716 is equally appropriate for aquaculture operations, water treatment facilities, environmental monitoring programs, and food and beverage production — any application where DO levels in a liquid need to be verified without sending samples off-site. The IP57 rating (dust-tight, protected against temporary submersion) means the meter handles wet facility environments and occasional splashing without issue. The rugged hard-shell carrying case keeps the full kit organized and protected during transport between rooms or facilities.

Key Features

Automatic compensation is built into the measurement workflow. The electrode's integrated sensors handle temperature and salinity compensation without user intervention, and the meter supports manual barometric pressure (altitude) compensation for operations at elevation. Calibration covers both air-saturated water and zero-oxygen (sodium sulfite) reference points, giving operators a full two-point calibration baseline.

Apera's digital filter technology is implemented at the signal processing level, improving response speed and reducing noise in readings taken in moving or aerated water. For static-water measurements, the probe needs slow, consistent swirling to maintain oxygen flux across the membrane — the meter's stability icon confirms when conditions are met. Data logging stores up to 100 measurement sets with serial number, reading value, unit, and temperature, all recallable directly on the meter. Power runs on two standard AA batteries, and the meter includes auto-shutoff to preserve battery life.

What's in the Kit

The AI461 ships as a complete measurement kit — no sourcing additional accessories to get operational. Included: SX716 meter body, DO500 polarographic electrode with 2-meter cable, calibration and storage sleeve, three replacement membrane caps, inner electrode solution refill, two industrial AA batteries, a screwdriver for membrane cap service, and a full-color user manual. All components pack into a hinged hard-shell carrying case sized for field transport.

Membrane caps are user-replaceable in the field, and replacement cap packs are available as a separate consumable. The electrode carries a 6-month warranty; the meter itself carries a 3-year manufacturer's warranty from Apera Instruments. CE and CMC certified. Nationwide supply through HSC — request a quote for wholesale account pricing and lead time.