Zoo Med UVB Index Meter
Part no.
ZM002
Size
106.7 x 61 x 22.9 mm
Weight
128 g
Zoo Med UVB Index Meter
Measures the UV Index your reptile lighting is actually producing, not just the wattage printed on the box. The Zoo Med UVB Index Meter (ZM002) is a handheld digital radiometer with a response curve weighted to the Vitamin D action spectrum, giving a direct UV Index reading you can check against published target ranges for different reptile groups. It's built around the same measurement engine used in Solarmeter's reptile-specific UV Index meters, factory calibrated and supplied with a NIST-traceable calibration certificate.
Key features
- Reads in UV Index, not raw irradiance – the same scale used for target UVI ranges published for different reptile species groups, so there's no unit conversion to do at the enclosure.
- Vitamin D action spectrum weighting – the sensor's response curve is shaped to match how reptile skin actually synthesises vitamin D3, rather than measuring total UV output evenly across the band.
- NIST-traceable calibration certificate included – each unit is individually tested and calibrated before dispatch.
- 3.5-digit LCD display – large digits, readable at arm's length while holding the meter at basking distance.
- Long battery life – a single 9 V battery lasts roughly two years of typical use; the display dims as a low-battery warning rather than cutting out without notice.
Specifications
| UV Index range | 0–199.9 UI |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 0.1 UI |
| Spectral sensitivity | 280–400 nm, Diffey erythemal action spectrum (closely matches the vitamin D3 action spectrum) |
| Accuracy | ±10% (NIST reference) |
| Sample rate | 3 readings per second |
| Display | 3.5-digit LCD, 10.2 mm digit height |
| Power | 1 x 9 V battery |
| Dimensions | 106.7 x 61 x 22.9 mm |
| Weight | 128 g including battery |
| Operating range | 0–37.8°C, 5–80% RH |
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suited to checking the actual UV Index a UVB bulb is delivering at basking distance, tracking output as a lamp ages, and confirming a fixture and mesh combination is landing in the target range for the species being kept.
Not a substitute for scheduled bulb replacement on its own – it's a way to catch early decline, not a guarantee a bulb is safe simply because it still reads a number. Don't point any UV meter or your eyes directly into an unshielded mercury vapour UVB bulb at close range.
Care and maintenance
Wipe the sensor window with a dry, soft cloth – solvents can damage the UV-transmitting glass and diffuser. Store away from direct sunlight and moisture when not in use, and replace the 9 V battery if the display starts to dim.
Goes well with
Useful alongside any Zoo Med UVB bulb or fixture, and complements the Zoo Med UVB Meter Unit (ZM001) where you also want raw µW/cm² readings rather than the weighted UV Index figure.
Common questions
What does this meter actually measure?
It reads UV Index – a Vitamin D action spectrum-weighted figure – rather than a raw irradiance number, so the reading lines up directly with published target UVI ranges for different reptile groups.
How accurate is it?
±10% against a NIST reference, with a resolution of 0.1 UI across a 0–199.9 UI range.
How long does the battery last?
A single 9 V battery lasts around two years of typical use; the LCD dims as the battery approaches the end of its useful voltage rather than failing without warning.
Does it come calibrated?
Yes – each unit is factory tested and calibrated, and is supplied with a NIST-traceable calibration certificate.
What's the difference between this and the Zoo Med UVB Meter Unit?
This meter reads UV Index on a weighted scale matched to reptile vitamin D synthesis. The UVB Meter Unit instead reads raw UVB irradiance in µW/cm², which is the figure used to track a bulb's output decline over its service life.
