 |
 |
TECH talk |
Taking hold of technology
 |
Illustration by Kelly Neis |
Many of us are constantly on the lookout for new tools and techniques for work. These six high-tech handhelds can help you make better decisions, keep you more organized and assist with day-to-day golf course management. Most are inexpensive, yet pack a lot of punch in a small package.
Non-contact infrared thermometer (IR Gun)
Once only used by researchers, the price of these units has dropped dramatically thanks to widespread adoption in the automotive and home-heating industries. Just point and shoot to instantly obtain the surface temperature of nearly any object. There are applications for your equipment manager scanning temperature extremes of cylinders, exhausts, cooling-system components, bearings and brakes. Another interesting use is checking for excessively hot electrical connections at the pump house. You can even use this device to identify drafts in the maintenance facility that waste heating and cooling dollars.
The main advantage of this device is the ability to quickly measure turf canopy temperature. During hot weather, the temperature of turf under drought stress will increase measurably. Courses that compensate with an afternoon greens syringe or the use of fans can use the IR gun to determine just when and where to begin treatment. It also has value as a diagnostic tool to identify hot spots created by root-feeding insects and other circumstances. Available online or at your local automotive parts store, prices start around $100.
Pocket weather meters
Just how handy is it to keep a miniature weather station in your pocket? These palm-sized devices measure barometric pressure, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, wind chill, dew point and heat index. They can assist with irrigation scheduling, turf-care product applications or frost-call decisions. Some models have an interface so you can download and graph data trends on a desktop computer. About $90 to $350.
Chlorophyll meter
We all know that color is a key indicator of turf health. Excessively deep, dark greens can be just as undesirable as anemic appearances. Chlorophyll meters measure how green the turf is, providing information on relative nitrogen levels, stand purity and other color-related conditions. While you often can observe these factors with the unaided eye, the biggest obstacle has been in applying a reliable, quantitative method of measurement. Chlorophyll meters take instant, in-the-field readings and can detect certain plant stresses earlier than visual monitoring.
Some models require you to clamp the meter over leafy tissue. Another design, more appropriate for turf applications, collects non-contact, point-and-shoot readings. Each have data-logging capabilities to help you develop and fine-tune baseline readings for the course. You might check with your favorite turf professor to find out if there has been any local research conducted using one of these devices. Prices for the point-and-shoot version are about $2,300.
Water-quality meters
These units monitor certain characteristics of water and soil/water solutions. Electrical conductivity (EC) is the measure of the total dissolved salts, which can be a significant factor influencing water uptake by the plant. Monitoring salinity in arid parts of the country, including areas irrigating with treated municipal effluent, will help determine leaching fractions for irrigation scheduling. Chemigation system management is another use for an EC meter. Since many fertilizers are themselves salts, readings can help you adjust the injection equipment.
Taking frequent field measurements of pH helps you manage the best growing conditions for turf without waiting for lab results. Combination EC/pH meters start at about $200.
Aquatic organisms require a specific range of dissolved oxygen to thrive. Close monitoring can indicate when to increase pond aerification or take other measures to avoid oxygen stress on fish. Prices for handheld dissolved oxygen meters start at about $200.
GPS receivers
Basic handheld GPS units range in price from about $100 to $500 with an accuracy of roughly 5 to 20 feet depending on weather conditions, satellite location, hardware capabilities and a number of other factors. They are accurate in measuring ground speed for calibrating equipment or applying turf care products. Some take field measurements of travel distance or coverage area that is useful for mapping the extent of disease or weed infestations. Use them to plot the location of any hard-to-find object you want to return to later.
The inexpensive versions of these devices referred to here have value for golf course management but also have their limitations. They are not designed to create a super-accurate cartographic image of the golf course from scratch, or to guide equipment. Better talk to one of the companies or consultants specializing in golf course applications of GPS if you need extensive mapping done.
Personal digital assistants (PDAs)Theses devices have evolved into much more than electronic calendars and address books. Greater memory, faster processing speeds and the ability to synchronize with a desktop computer have provided these mobile computers with some real power. You can load e-mails, appointments, contacts, documents, project planning files, maps and spreadsheets to conveniently read and edit your electronic work wherever you go. Screens have been improved for easier outdoor viewing. Many can send files to another PDA instantly via an infrared port and support Internet connections. Prices start at about $200.
Handhelds are powerful. Not only can they collect and manage masses of important data at a reasonable cost, but they also give instant readings to help take some of the guesswork out of important decisions. You can find them online at www.benmeadows.com, www.specmeters.com or search on the Web by item name.
RELATED articles
IMAGE archive
AD archive
RECENT issues
 |
 |
November |
October 2004 |