Snakol now sells (affordable) light meters, incl. RA/R9/CRI measurements and even dedicated UV meters.

[Wingman]

Snakol is one of those Chinese brands who have been selling multi meters, clamp meters and other measuring equipment for years now, but a couple of days ago I discovered that they now also sell light meters with more than just Lux/Fc measurements, even up to ones with R9/Ra/CRI measuring and even connectivity to PC (although I haven’t seen examples of how that functions).

There aren’t many ‘reasonably priced’ options for these kind of meters on the market, so it is good to see some now options for that pop up now, even though I haven’t found out how accurate they actually are.

They even have a couple of dedicated UV meters on offer now!

The cheapest serie is the SK-82XX serie, with 3 models being most interesting:

-SK-8201 (with Lux/Fc and CCT)
-SK-8202 (with Lux/Fc, CCT and Ra)
-SK-8203 (UV meter with 290nm~390nm range)

Then there also is the somewhat more ‘premium serie’, the SK-83XX serie, with ‘USB communication’, although I haven’t found enough information to decide if it’s usefull or just a gimmick.

There are 4 models in this serie:

-SK-8301A (Lux/FC, CCT, ‘color coordinates: x, y/u, v’)
-SK-8302A (Lux/FC, CCT, ‘color coordinates: x, y/u, v’, Ra/CRI/R9)
-SK-8303A (UVA + UVB, 315-420nm range and 280-315nm range)
-SK-8305A (UVA + UVB, 315-420nm range and 280-315nm range and UVC: 248-260nm)

Prices on Aliexpress range from ~€ 22,- for the SK-8201 up to ~ € 95,- for the SK-8302A. The UV meters start from ~€ 28,- with the SK-8203 to ~€ 103,- for the SK-8303A.
(The SK-8305A is a bit of an outlier with the cheapest shop listing it for ~€ 210,- and one shop even asking € 434,- for it…)

[Hank312 (Hank)]

I’ve had the Sk8202 for a few months. The CCT measurements sometimes differ from my Opple 4 using PC software. I’m not sure which device is more accurate. It’s a lot easier to use for a quick measurement vs connecting my Opple to Bluetooth on my PC or logging into the Opple application on my iPhone.

[jon_slider]

@Hank312

I’ve had the Sk8202 for a few months.

thanks for sharing your experience
does the Sk8202 also provide DUV, the way the Opple does?

[Hank312 (Hank)]

No.

[koef3 (LED tester)]

I have the Snakol SK8202.

I planned to make a review about it, because it seems to be fairly accurate (under certain conditions), but… the support of Snakol. Oh boy, it is bad.

Ghosting after I wrote to them for some questions regarding the device, even after multiple tries. I even asked for a review sample of the bigger version (SK-8302A), but even after one response that they happily want to cooperate they ghosted me.

And that’s the point where, however good the device may be, if the support or any contact with the company behind it is lousy, you might as well not bother. I don’t want to make free promotion for a manufacturer/seller with this “support”.

The device itself is cheaply made, has the AS7341 sensor we know from Opple LM, and is really easy to use, especially since you don’t need any additional device for just a quick measurement like a smartphone. And the battery seems to last forever. Not bad for the price (30-40 Euros).

@jon_slider

does the Sk8202 also provide DUV, the way the Opple does?

No. Only CCT and Ra.

[CollectEverything]

Snakol is two letters off from SnakeOil, what a horrible brand name lol

[Wingman]

@Hank312

I’ve had the Sk8202 for a few months. The CCT measurements sometimes differ from my Opple 4 using PC software. I’m not sure which device is more accurate. It’s a lot easier to use for a quick measurement vs connecting my Opple to Bluetooth on my PC or logging into the Opple application on my iPhone.

I’ve no experience with either of them, but I ordered an Opple LM4 yesterday, from one of the 2 stores on AE that still sell one, just in case it might be sold out in the near future. (It was also at an attractive price at that time.)

I share your idea of that the SK-8202 is easier for a quick measurement and that is also why something with a screen would have my preference now, but I’m just not willing to spend close to 50 euro right now, for the limited functions the 8202 has.

But glad to read your personal experience!

@koef3

And that’s the point where, however good the device may be, if the support or any contact with the company behind it is lousy, you might as well not bother. I don’t want to make free promotion for a manufacturer/seller with this “support”.

I fully agree with you! This topic is also a good place to post experiences like yours, thanks!

In regard to this topic’s subject:
I’ve found another option in this price class, that might be a possible alternative (but I haven’t searched for reviews yet):

LS330 Spektralbeleuchtungsstärkemessgerät Luxometer Lichtmessgerät Digital...

[koef3 (LED tester)]

@Wingman

ve found another option in this price class,

Unfortunately this device is not available in Germany, so I cannot test it…

I wonder if this type of “just ghosting the customer until he gave up” is typical for many smaller (chinese) businesses…

[Hank312 (Hank)]

So I had some time to mess with the Snakol and OPPLE. I have three different Convoys with XHP50.3 hi 6500k LEDs. They show about 7500 cct with the Snakol and 6400 with OPPLE on pc. Similar with Olight Perun 3. Sft25r lights are off by about 300 cct and high cri lights read about 200 cct difference and almost the same cri.