HS2 HydroSense II Handheld Soil Moisture Sensor
Fast and Portable
Soil Water Content Measurements
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Overview

The HS2 is the handheld display for the new Hydrosense II soil-water sensor. When paired with either the CS658 or CS659 portable soil-water probes, it replaces the previous Hydrosense soil-water system. It features a new handheld display and a new probe design. The HS2 handheld has been designed to be compact and portable, with the layout of the buttons allowing for operation with one hand.

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Benefits and Features

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Read real-time soil-water content measurements in the field
  • Large LCD display for easy operation
  • Onboard data storage for up to 1500 points
  • Onboard GPS for geotagging measurements
  • Bluetooth connection to PC software
  • Export to Google Earth, GPX and CSV
  • Probe redesign for easy insertion and removal from soil

Images

Detailed Description

Handheld Display

The display consists of a three-inch LCD and four navigation buttons that make changing settings and taking measurements as easy as possible. An integrated GPS tags each measurement with a latitude and longitude.

Zones can be created on the unit which group measurements together so that average soil moisture can be calculated for an area. The current position and zone are shown on the display so that measurements can be taken in the same zone.

Data storage has been added to allow more than 1000 measurements to be stored on the device. The data can then be downloaded to a PC via Bluetooth for viewing and archiving.

Soil Moisture Probe

The new soil moisture probe uses the same accurate measurement technique as the old probe, but the probe housing has been redesigned to aid insertion into and removal from hard soils. The probe rods are secured to the probe housing with ferrule nuts to provide extra stability during insertion. A molded plastic grip connects the sensor cable to housing to provide better grip.

Software

New PC software has been developed to make the most of the data storage capability of the HS2. The software connects to the HS2 via Bluetooth to avoid the need for extra cables.

The software allows the user to:

  • View data in table and chart views
  • Edit zone positions and sizes
  • Change device settings
  • Export data to CSV to interface with 3rd party software
  • View zones and measurements in Google Earth

Specifications

Measurements Made Volumetric water content (VWC) of porous media (such as soil)
Required Equipment HS2 is a complete system.
Soil Suitability Short rods are easy to install in hard soil. Suitable for soils with higher electrical conductivity.
Rods Replaceable
Sensors Interchangeable sensors; can swap the 12 cm and 20 cm sensors with the reader.

Handheld Display

Display 128 x 64 pixel graphic LCD
Backlight Blue and white LED (brightness-adjustable)
GPS Accuracy
  • ±5 m (16.4 ft) typical
  • ±1 ms time with GPS sync
Bluetooth Range ~10 m (~30 ft)
Data Storage > 1000 records (ring memory)
Zone Storage > 100 records
Power Supply 6 Vdc, 4 AA batteries
Battery Life 6 to 12 months (typical usage)
Dimensions 200 x 100 x 58 mm (7.9 x 3.9 x 2.3 in.)
Weight 340 g (12 oz)

Typical Power Consumption of Display

Sleep 20 µA
Backlight Off 2 mA
Backlight at 60% 18 mA
Backlight at 100% 30 mA
GPS Active 35 mA
Bluetooth Active 30 mA

Probe Options

-NOTE- The CS659 and CS658 cannot share rods.
Water Content Accuracy
  • 3% typical (Accuracy assumes solution EC of < 4 dS/m when using the CS658 20-cm probe.)
  • 3% typical (Accuracy assumes solution EC of < 6.5 dS/m when using the CS659 12-cm probe.)
Volumetric Water Content Resolution < 0.05%
Volumetric Water Content Range 0% to 50% VWC
Cable Type Spiral
Cable Length 250 cm (98 in.) extended
Rod Diameter 5 mm (0.14 in.)
Rod Length
  • 200 mm (7.9 in.) for the CS658 20-cm probe
  • 120 mm (4.7 in.) for the CS659 12-cm probe
Body Dimensions 100 x 92 x 40 mm (3.9 x 3.6 x 1.6 in.)
Weight 450 g (15.9 oz)

Compatibility

System

The HS2 is the display used in the Hydrosense II System.

Water Content Sensors

The water content sensor is ordered as an option, and may also be purchased separately. Either the CS658 or CS659 can be used with the HS2. The CS658 has 20-cm rods, and the CS659 has 12-cm rods.

Note: The CS658 and CS659 cannot share rods (i.e., 12-cm rods cannot be used with the CS658, and 20-cm rods cannot be used with the CS659).

Downloads

HS2 OS v.1.08 (518 KB) 28-08-2020

Current HS2 (Hydrosense II) firmware.

View Update History

HydroSoft v.1.0.8 (5.16 MB) 26-07-2012

Current version of the HydroSense II Support Software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Number of FAQs related to HS2: 19

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  1. As stated in the "Connecting via Bluetooth" subsection in the "Data Storage and Retrieval" section of the HS2 Instruction Manual: “The first time the HydroSense II unit is used with a new computer, the computer and HydroSense II must be ‘paired’ before a connection can be made. The pairing code is ‘1234.’” For more information, see the "Connect to a Device" subsection of the "Quickstart" section of the HydroSense II Support Software User Guide.

  2. No. The displays and sensors are not interchangeable between the HydroSense and HydroSense II.

  3. Four AA batteries power the HS2. The batteries are user replaceable.
  4. No. The original HydroSense was not capable of storing data. The HS2 produces a CSV file that can be merged into an existing data file used for HydroSense data. However, the CSV output file from the HS2 will include additional parameters that were not measured by the original HydroSense.

  5. No. The 20 cm rods (pn 18592 or pn 12007) from a CS620 cannot be used with a CS658. The CS658 uses different 20 cm rods (pn 26485 or pn 26483).

  6. No. The HS2 uses Bluetooth communication.

  7. A VWC reading of (---) indicates either that the water content of the soil is greater than 50% or that the EC (electrical conductivity) of the soil is out of range. For more information, see Sections 6.3, 6.4.4.3, and 6.4.4.4 of the HS2 Instruction Manual.

  8. No. These products are retired.

    • The CD620 display was replaced by the HS2.
    • The CS620 Water Content Sensor was replaced with the CS658 and CS659.
  9. When Deficit Mode is used, a value greater than 100% RWC indicates that the water content is above the wet reference. For more information, see the "Water Deficit Data" subsection in the "Operation" section of the HS2 Instruction Manual.


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