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Toolbox Explained
How to create heatmaps and log measurements with using the Photone toolbox
Instead of capturing light at a single location and moment in time, you can measure light across an area using heatmaps or across time using the logging tool.
Whether you're optimizing a grow setup, validating changes, or simply learning more about your lighting environment, the toolbox turns your measurements into meaningful insights.
You can open the toolbox on every measurement screen. All settings (light source, measurement type, unit, ePAR, etc.) also apply to the toolbox.
Heatmap
Why It Matters
One look at your heatmap tells you:
- Where your usable footprint actually is — and how big it really is.
- Whether you need to raise, lower, or add a light to cover your full canopy.
- How even your coverage is (uniformity), so you know whether plants at the edges are being shortchanged.
- Where to place your highest-light-demand plants versus seedlings or shade-tolerant crops.
How It works
First, select your light source and swipe to the desired measurement unit on the main screen. Then, open the Heatmap tool inside the toolbox.
1. Configure the Heatmap
- Grid size — choose how many rows and columns you want to sample (for example 4×4 = 16 measurement points) – more points result in a finer and more detailed map.
- Dimensions — enter the real-world width and length of your grow area: The grid is drawn to scale whenever the area's proportions allow it; if it can't be matched exactly, you'll see a note.
2. Measure Each Grid Cell
The Heatmap Tool automatically guides you through the grid in a snake pattern. Center your device inside the active cell and tap Log Measurement to lock in the value for this cell. Take all measurement at the same distance to your lamp.
Use the "Log After" setting to delay the measurement by a few seconds to step out of the way. This ensures measurements reflect real lighting conditions, so e.g. your own body doesn't shade the sensor.
3. Review and Share Your Results
Once you have filled out the grid fully, export the heatmap as a shareable image. Add an optional subtitle and the height/distance to the lamp you measured at.
The exported heatmap contains some helpful statistics. Pay particular attention to the average and uniformity values, as these help quantify how evenly light is distributed across the area.
Uniformity expresses the evenness of light distribution as a percentage across the whole measured area. 100% means every cell received the same amount of light, while lower values indicate greater variation between brighter and darker areas.
Save the export to keep a record to compare against next time you adjust your setup or share it with your grower community.
Logging
Why it matters
Recording your measurements helps to uncover patterns, trends, and changes that would otherwise go unnoticed such as:
- Detect Warm-Up Drift: Observe how fixture output changes as lights warm up and reach operating temperature.
- Track Daily Light Exposure: Measure how much light plants actually receive over a defined period, from a few minutes to an entire photoperiod (the entire day).
- Compare Sessions: Record and compare measurements before and after changes to your setup, helping you evaluate adjustments with real data.
- Identify Trends and Anomalies: Spot gradual dimming, unexpected fluctuations, or other behaviors that would be difficult to recognize from individual readings alone.
How it works
Select your light source and swipe to the desired measurement unit on the main screen. Then, open the Logging tool inside the toolbox.
1. Record Measurements
You have two options to record measurements: directly with the Log Measurement button or using the Auto-Log features.
Attach notes to entries to record changes to your setup, environment, or observations alongside the data. Logs are stored on your device. Use the delete button to delete entries individually or clear everything.
For longer observations, use Auto-Log to record measurements at regular intervals. Auto-Log sessions can run just a few seconds or over multiple days. During Auto-Log sessions, keep your phone stationary and ensure it has sufficient battery power for the entire recording period. In doubt, attach it to a charger and dim the display to the minimum.
2. Analyze
The Analyze section provides a chart that visualizes how values change over time. Explore the data from different perspectives by viewing the chart by Log number, elapsed time, or clock time. The statistics below the chart summarize the key metrics of your data.
For further analysis, export your logs as CSV or Excel spreadsheet.
Pro tip: Watch the chart draw itself live as new measurements are recorded during an Auto-Log session.