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I just got my AirGradient Ones a couple weeks ago. It was quite nice that I was able to set them up local-only with absolutely no fuss. Works wonderfully with Home Assistant. Also it was definitely worth saving money going with the DIY version. All that they leave for you is final assembly: plugging in 3 modules and wrenching down 4 self-tapping screws.
Why no radon on the airgradient? I’d really like a device that also prevents cancer.
In general from easiest to hardest:
- Temperature, humidity, pressure: many cheap, small and accurate sensors available.
- Particulate matter: many options as well though if you want good accuracy and silent fans you need to pay more.
- CO2: most sensors are actually just measuring other stuff (TVOC) and guessing CO2 concentration from that. You can get good true CO2 sensors from eg. Sensirion for $30+.
- VOC, CO, NO, O3 and other gasses: hard to measure reliably. Most sensors are comparatively large (few small SMD MEMS types exist), are power hungry (basically a heater element) and give you a crude estimate as they react to bunch of different gasses and the output is a mix of their concentrations.
- Radon: basically impossible for hobbyist. If you know of any sensor module I can buy below $100 in unit quantities please share.
Edit: I know airgradient are not hobbyists and they probably could get some radon sensors but it is still harder than for large companies. Their product definitely has the DIY vibe (but high quality) and I really like that it is easy to recreate and source all parts for it yourself, except the custom injection mold case.
I bought IQAir AirVisual Pro (indoor), because California’s AQMD[0] tested it as fairly accurate (and, let’s be honest, because I have been relying on their app). It cost more than $400, and it lasted less than half a year. The unit is made of flimsy off-white plastic, has an insanely bright blue-white display that cannot be dimmed enough (not fit for the bedroom, at all), slow menu with useless options, and (in 2024…
> It cost more than $400, and it lasted less than half a year. I have four of IQAir's indoor ones and one of their outdoor ones. I got the first one probably 8 or 9 years ago but the others maybe 3 or 4 years ago. The original one was made before iqair bought airvisual. They all are working fine currently. Also, for the indoor ones, you can set DND mode (I forget the exact name they use) and it'll turn off the displa…
> until this year I always just used their website to view the data or the app
Never used their app to check my own unit. My apartment is small. I am here in this room, the device is right here in this room, would I want to go fetch my phone to know the readings?
> Also, for the indoor ones, you can set DND mode (I forget the exact name they use) and it'll turn off the display during the night
Of course, but it means it should be within reach to turn on and it will blast blue light in my face should I want to check it at night. An e-ink screen would work best, considering low refresh rate is not an issue in this scenario.
I bought IQAir AirVisual Pro (indoor), because California’s AQMD[0] tested it as fairly accurate (and, let’s be honest, because I have been relying on their app). It cost more than $400, and it lasted less than half a year. The unit is made of flimsy off-white plastic, has an insanely bright blue-white display that cannot be dimmed enough (not fit for the bedroom, at all), slow menu with useless options, and (in 2024…
I just got a pi zero w and a adafruit spg30. Not perfect, but good enough, I own the data, and I send it to grafana for alerting.
To get more than just that you need to look at professional-grade indicative AQ sensors such as https://clarity.io/ and https://www.aeroqual.com/
These are what government agencies and municipalities use for dense sensor networks. E.g. https://www.breathelondon.org/
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I had the same experience, and honestly was hoping for more work to do. 90 seconds to assemble and it was auto discovered by home assistant in even less time. That said, it's probably overkill for a device whose only 'real' purpose is to tell you when to open your window. Sensible people can get a cheap CO2 meter for $30 that will be accurate enough for that purpose.
We used to have a DIY version that required soldering but the problem was that a number of people overestimated their soldering skills and couldn't get it done. Then obviously that is frustrating for them. So we discontinued it for now. I would love to bring back a more "advanced" version in the future.
It is rather open hardware... I notice now there are "gerbers" of the DIY basic PCB that you make available, so I should be able to order PCBs from PCBWay or JLC-PCB, and the other sensors and parts directly from you or from AliExpress. Though if not for that DIY Basic kit you offered before, I'd consider the project a bit risky for my level of design/part-sourcing. So, thanks!
Earlier quoted context omitted.
We used to have a DIY version that required soldering but the problem was that a number of people overestimated their soldering skills and couldn't get it done. Then obviously that is frustrating for them. So we discontinued it for now. I would love to bring back a more "advanced" version in the future.
I'm sad to hear that the DIY Basic is "discontinued for now", rather than just "out of stock". I built mine about a year ago and I'm quite happy with it. (I later got the "ONE indoor kit" for my parents, since it has a nicer case included.) But I understand if the customer support (and PR ...) were too difficult to deal with for this particular offering. It is rather open hardware... I notice now there are "gerbers"…
I just got my AirGradient Ones a couple weeks ago. It was quite nice that I was able to set them up local-only with absolutely no fuss. Works wonderfully with Home Assistant. Also it was definitely worth saving money going with the DIY version. All that they leave for you is final assembly: plugging in 3 modules and wrenching down 4 self-tapping screws.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006483766478.html
It is ~ $50.
It actually works really well. I tested it in a number of situations and it appeared to be relatively accurate. It led me to make some ventilation changes in the house.
I didn't need it on all the time, I just do spot checks if I think there is an issue now. I like the portability as well.