As someone who's designed indoor air quality sensors, I can confirm that that is indeed a fake sensor. As you discovered it is predominantly an alcohol sensor (MQ series sensor, there are many types, none are CO2, or PMxx... there is a CO one, but these tend to be reactive to many stimuli so can easily show false readings), and a particle sensor (but not a PM2.5). The reason the particle sensor readings were off the chart after you opened it is that ambient light was likely interfering with it, or you had the beam totally occluded. That sensor is more like a smoke detector, capable of detecting huge airborne particles, but nothing down in the order of 2.5um or 10um that the meter claims. It's sad really, as true CO2 sensors and PM2.5 sensors of good quality are not that expensive. For only a few dollars more that thing could have been real at least for those measures. (TVOC could probably be included in there too without an appreciable price bump). Both CO and formaldehyde would add some additional cost ($10-$15 for both, in volume). The case and display are definitely good candidates for an electronics enthusiast to take and use for a real sensor.
Thanks Mark for your assessment - much appreciated. The Chinese are getting very good at faking it. I have two more fake monitors to review, but the one monitor is very very convincing. The CO does not react to CO, nor does the CO2 react to CO2, but neither does the CO or CO2 react to alcohol, so it was intriguing to find what was giving the false reading for CO2. I finally discovered that Nitrogen Oxide was the culprit this time, so am assuming that they are using a Nox sensor to fake the CO2 reading. However, the CO I still can't figure out what they are using to trigger that, as nothing that I have tried is making the CO jump up high. I can't get the CO to go higher than 8ppm, and it stays there pretty much no matter what I do. I also found that this monitor is a clone of the actual maker, but they have completely duplicated every detail, and even the photos on Amazon are of the legitimate device. I have contacted the company that makes this device, and asked them to send me one of their models for a comparison, but have not heard anything from them, so I will have to put the video off until I can get the money to purchase the legitimate device from the maker themselves. Evidently they don't care that there is a fake copy of theirs being sold on Amazon, so it leads me to think that possibly the "real deal" is also a fake, but can't know for sure until I can afford to purchase it. These fake monitors are getting way out of hand, and something needs to be done to put a stop to it, because people are buying these things for their safety in knowing their air quality. But unfortunately, there is only so much that I can do to expose these companies, because I have very limited funds to keep doing these videos, and Outside In just hasn't gotten big enough for people to start helping financially. We need more subscribers, and more people like you that appreciate what we are trying to do. If the subscribers would equal the views and appreciation that the air quality videos are getting, we definitely would be much better off. I am working on a new case to better test monitors, but that has taken all of my finances, including grocery money LOL. I am hopeful that soon the subscribers will surpass the views and appreciation. There is so much more that I want to do, but simply can't without help from those who benefit from these videos. To be perfectly honest, I sometimes feel it would be better to just stop doing this, but then my part that loves to help others kicks in, and says no way. I enjoy doing what I can to save a life, so whatever it takes, is what I will keep doing until I simply can't. Thanks again for the assessment Mark, and your knowledge in the field. I am constantly learning more and more about these devices, and how to dispel them, so people don't make the mistake of buying a fake one.
@@Outside-In. it's great that you are doing these reviews to let people know. I hope that your base grows to help sustain your efforts. One thing to keep in mind with CO2 sensors is that there are "eCO2" sensors out there, which are not the same as a true CO2 sensor. This type of sensor estimates CO2 levels based on other parameters which it can measure (usually some sort of VOC - this may be what the cheap "fake" Chinese device was doing with the alcohol sensor, but poorly), and thus is not a true measure. They are not particularly accurate except under a very narrow set of environmental conditions, and can easily produce a false positive, or negative. But they are none-the-less legitimate devices. (see the SGP30 from Sensitron as an example from a well respected sensor company) Even if devices that use this type of sensor state that it is eCO2, the average consumer probably wouldn't understand the difference. Bottom line though, is that if someone is using this as a safety device, they should not be relying on a bargain-basement device from ebay, amazon, or any other online marketplace. It has nothing to do with country of origin, bad devices can come from anywhere, not just China. Good devices can come from China too, just expect to pay more for them, like they would from anywhere else. The fact is that most of our consumer electronic devices, good and bad, come from China. Anyway, keep up the great content, and best of luck with the channel.
@@canadianavenger Thanks Mark for the encouragement, and also the subscribe - it is much appreciated. This is the way I look at it. A device that specifically states a particular reading, and it turns out that the reading is being manipulated by another sensor or reading - it is fake and should never be trusted, and also the company should not be trusted. Intentionally misleading the public is false and a lie. eC02 is not genuine CO2 - it is an approximation like you say, but an approximation is still a lie, and therefore a fake monitor. If eCO2 is apart of some of these devices - then it should be stated in bold on the packaging and on the screen itself, that it is eCO2 and not CO2. If a company puts a eCO2 reading in their device, and then labels the reading CO2, believe me - they know exactly what they are doing - lying - misleading a person to think one thing, when it is really another. Hotkrem has a budget CO2 monitor that is genuine, so not all budget monitors are a bad thing. And yes you are right, there are a number of legitimate China companies making legitimate monitors, but also yes, that it will be evident by the price being not-so-low LOL. Thank you again Mark for your encouragement and knowledge in this field. It is also helping me to stay focused on why Outside In was started. As long as we can pass on information that can save a life, then it doesn't matter how many times I have to over-draw my account to keep doing these videos does it???.... 👍
@@aycaquliyeva5711 Thanks for the question. If you need accuracy, then you will want a monitor that uses an Electrochemical Sensor and not an NDIR Sensor. Electrochemical Sensors are used for more accurate readings, and will also register higher concentrations of contaminate, but at a cost... Electrochemical Sensors have a life span of 2-3 years. NDIR Sensors are less sensitive and less accurate, but they are so popular because the NDIR Sensor has a life span of 10 years. For home use, the NDIR Sensors are perfect as they are very good, and close to accurate, and also have a much longer life expectancy. If you don't need pin-point accuracy (like I do) for testing and comparisons, then NDIR Sensors are just fine. I hope this answers your question.
For an older fella your transcript is really good and your username is very unique and sounds like something that would be popular, I'm very surprised your youtube hasn't taken off more to be honest but keep doing what you're doing! :)
Thank you Isaac for the encouragement, it is very much appreciated, and I refuse to move past the age of 25 :).... I know it is a bit long-winded, but the Welcome to my channel video goes into detail about how the name of the channel came about, so you may find it interesting. Outside In has grown considerably in the past few months, so am excited that after 1.7 years it finally seems to be taking off a bit, not much, but a bit is better than not at all I guess LOL... I will do my best to keep doing what I am doing, and it helps when comments like yours are given, - so my hand goes out to you in thanks and friendship.
Thank you for your reviews, currently dealing with extreme smoke up in Northern Canada and having someone go through and see what option is going to be best is honestly a life saver. You are truly doing a great service and I hope your videos can reach more people.
Thank you GarryOwen for the comment, that is very kind of you to say, and I wish you well dealing with the smoke there in Canada. The comparison videos are one of my most favorite to do, and am glad to know that they do help.
I unfortunatly bought that very one and initially thought it was somewhat difficult to calibrate, then both your video confirmed 100% my suspicions. Thanks for making those videos. Out of the box it doesnt have any manufacturer info or contact details. It's also show a CE mark, which is probably also fake. I wonder if there is a proper way to report such kind of fake products. Thanks for making those videos and taking the time to investigate.
Thank you Philippe for your experiences with the fake monitor. Unfortunately - I would say that all fake monitors, and there are quite a number of them - are manufactured in China, so no way of stopping it, and why making this type of content is so important. It is getting harder to tell a fake one, because I have seen fake ones that cost more than 100.00, and I believe that is, because the Chinese are raising prices to fool people into thinking that it can't be fake. The only thing that we can do is to pass the word about fake monitors, and the signs to look for. Signs to look for, for a possible fake monitor... 1. Photos that show monitor readings of unreasonable values in the setting they are placed, for instance - most monitors I have seen that are fake, have one major thing in common... The photos are shown of the device sitting inside a house with a CO2 reading of 438 or lower, because that just don't happen, and is nearly impossible - Average indoor CO2 levels are around 500 to 600, and normal levels are around 600-800 ppm. Outside CO2 levels in a good area - are around 410, so how can the indoor CO2 level be the same. 2. Monitors that have a CO2 and CO sensor with 5 other sensors, and it sells for especially less than 100.00. that is nearly impossible to find because CO sensors are very expensive to include into a device, unlike CO2 sensors - CO sensors require certifications that can take weeks to get approved, and why most companies do not include them in their devices, as they would have to raise the cost of their devices too much. Monitors that actually have CO sensors included, are probably going to be around the 275.00 price and upward. 3. Monitors that are inexpensive and the photos show "Professional, High Quality" futuristic amazing technology sensors inside, and usually these descriptions will include the words - Highly accurate. Don't get me wrong - there are actually legitimate companies in China that produce competent monitors, but because their brother of sister companies are producing fakes, it is very hard for honest companies to stay in business. The only advise I can give is to research research research before making the purchase, and be skeptical of any company that sells their product claiming professional - highly accurate - the best in technology etc., etc.. The other thing to keep in mind.... If it sounds too good to be true - - - - Yep, it probably is... Thanks again for your comment and thoughts - much appreciated.
I apologize if any of my information may be a bit wrong - I have been learning so much information in the past couple months that things are starting to blur together LOL. I believe I got what causes co and co2 mixed up a couple times, but I think that all this learning will eventually bring my brain down from melt-down mode, but the reason I make such a deal about Carbon Dioxide - is the fact that it is not noticeable if present and why allot of people discount it as a detector you should worry about having. Carbon Monoxide is the most present gas that a person may encounter in their life, but Carbon dioxide should not be discounted as a problematic killer. We breath out 35,000 to 50,000 ppm co2 with each exhale, and why it is so very important to be in a well-ventilated area if allot of people are in the space/room with us. If you go to a crowded building and start feeling light-headed, dizzy or acquire headache-like symptoms - then more than likely it is because you have been exposed to too high levels of co2, and just because others around you are not experiencing the same symptoms - is simply because they may not be as susceptible to the current level of co2 as you. There are some that will say there is no need to have a co2 monitor, but from my personal experience and almost dying from co and co2 poisoning about 4 years ago, I feel that even though co is the most common risk in an environment, the potential for death from co2 is too great to not mention. I was going to add the following information in this video, but I forgot to add it, so I will add it here. I made some notes from the research I have been doing in regard to co2, and also questions that people have asked online. I hope you find the following information useful and insightful... Questions about Carbon Dioxide, and the risk of high levels... * What is Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas. It is produced both naturally and through human activities, such as burning gasoline, coal, oil, and wood. In the environment, people exhale CO2 which contributes to CO2 levels in the air. * What levels of CO2 are typical indoors? The outdoor concentration of carbon dioxide is about 400 parts per million (ppm) or higher in areas with high traffic or industrial activity. The level of CO2 indoors depends upon: * the number of people present * how long an area has been occupied * the amount of outdoor fresh air entering the area * the size of the room or area * whether combustion by-products are contaminating the indoor air (e.g., idling vehicles near air intakes, leaky furnaces, tobacco smoke) Carbon dioxide concentrations indoors can vary from several hundred ppm to over 1000 ppm in areas with many occupants present for an extended period of time and where outdoor air ventilation is limited. * What is a healthy CO2 level? It is recommended to stay as close to 400ppm (outdoor CO2 concentration) and below 800ppm indoors - Normal indoor co2 range from 600-800ppm. * Do air purifiers remove CO2? No. They do not remove carbon dioxide (CO2). Almost all air purifiers are designed to capture some combination of particles and toxic gasses, but CO2 can't be captured by the same filters that capture other gaseous air pollution. ** Only ventilation removes CO2**. * How many ppm of CO2 do we exhale? 35,000 to 50,000 parts per million (ppm) CO2 is produced when people breathe. Each exhaled breath by an average adult contains 35,000 to 50,000 parts per million (ppm) of CO2, which is 100 times higher than is typically found in the outside air according to (OSA). * What are the health effects of CO2 poisoning? Occupants may experience health effects in buildings where CO2 is elevated. At high levels, the carbon dioxide itself can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, convulsions and other symptoms, and this could occur when exposed to levels above 5,000 ppm for many hours. Higher than 5,000 ppm of CO2 can cause asphyxiation as it replaces oxygen in the blood. Exposure to concentrations around 40,000 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health. However - according to the Minnesota Department of Health - CO2 poisoning is very rare.
This is an excellent video, and now I kind of want to take apart my 2024 "Upgraded" version. (And your how to take it apart bit of the video is greatly appreciated!!) Now, after doing the same tests as you did, it is actually detecting CO (the burning paper blown out) and CO2 (Sourced from a can of pop.) The PM 2.5 and 10 readings outside correlate well with my city's monitor, and rise drastically when I smoke near the unit, (Makes me think I really should quit that habit! lol) or when sweep the floor. Now, when it comes to HCHO and TVOC, it does react to alcohol - very high TVOC readings, but doesn't max out. I'm hoping to find a confirmed source of HCHO and see if it does sense it correctly. I bought this thing for the PM readings, as to see what it does during forest fire season. However, I would never trust it compared to my real CO alarm, etc. Thanks again for an excellent video!
I would not at all trust this fake monitor for any reason. I don't care how many upgrades they do to it... If they have fixed this fake monitor based on my review of it, then they would have contacted me to let me know they fixed it to be real and not fake, so do not trust this fake monitor for any reason whatsoever. Not for CO, not for CO2, not for PM, not for HCHO, not for anything. This is garbage and should never be sold again. If this was actually changed to be real, then the price would have tripled or more with real legitimate sensors inside. DO NOT trust this monitor - PLEASE - throw it in the garbage where it belongs- PLEASE... Get yourself a real legitimate monitor. Thanks for your thoughts, but PLEASE get rid of this fake monitor :)... 👍
Thank you, I was suspecting it was junk. Well, it has a good use in the workshop, for photos and guests it looks very cool when lit up on the wall among the tools!
Good to stumble upon your video, I was minutes away from purchasing such "monitor" But the quality ones are on a way higher price level - Aranet or super small Airvalent monitor, whew...
Thanks for the suggestion, and I suppose it would not do any good, as Amazon and eBay sell many fake monitors, but that is something that I am going to look into, just to see if it can make a difference. China's standards are not at all like the US... If a company would create a fake monitor here in the states, they would not be in business very long. The Government knows plenty well about these fake monitors that have been around for many years, but have only come to light in the past few years. I will do some research into this, and see if there is anything that can be done. The powers that be, would probably just say that it is up to the consumer to be vigilant, as there are so many of these, that it would be quite the undertaking to investigate every single monitor that entered the US, and why channels like this - is vital to getting the information out there. I am getting ready to do another video on the iwaki monitor from Amazon in response to a question asked about it (as they purchased it and wanted to know my thoughts). I went on Amazon, and immediately saw it as a possible fake, and why I made the purchase to test, review, and tear it down to verify it's legitimacy, so the person who owns it - can throw it out or hopefully be able to send it back for a refund. I believe that I contacted Amazon about 4 months ago about fake monitors, and I believe their response was what I suspected... It is hard to test each and every monitor for legitimacy, but I will let them know of this one, and the iwaki - once it has been tested. Thanks for your insight - it is much appreciated, and you are right - there should be something that we can do to prevent others from purchasing these fake monitors, as you are also right - they are dangerous to own. It is why I also, need people in the comments to alert me to a possible fake, and if I can, I will make the purchase to check it out, test it, and tear it down for you guys to see. I need all the help I can get to try and get these off the market. 👍👍
I think that a $20 device is not intended to accurately measure air parameters, but to show more or less whether something is changing for better or worse... This device is very bad if we compare it with a professional meter, but it serves a warning function, when it is placed in a room and suddenly it starts showing parameters other than usual.
Let's just say that you are right, and I would like to agree with you, but I have seen descriptions for cheap air quality devices that specifically say how high quality and accurate they are, and some even go as far as showing faked photos of futuristic looking high quality sensors inside, when there is nothing inside but lies. But this video was not about 20.00 devices - this video was trying once and for all - to convince people that THIS 20.00 device is a lie, a total lie, and nothing but a lie, and it can and probably will get someone killed one day, and the company that makes these, should be put out of business and put in jail. The only truth about the fake device in this video - is - that it truly tells lies...
@@Outside-In. Of course. You're right. I don't question the results of your experiments. I think I've gotten too used to false descriptions on boxes and in advertisements :)
@@michau75 I am with you on that Michal for sure. Ever since the Pandemic, Companies have been making millions on selling Air Quality Monitors, and people fall for the hype, and the most disturbing thing of all - is the fact that the 2 most deadly of them all - no one even pays attention too, and those are CO and CO2 - CO being the most deadly of the two, and why I have been trying to get people to stop paying attention to PM, TVOC, HCHO, as much, and start looking at the real killers - CO and CO2... AirKnight just sent me a message, and said that they are using some of my recommendations (and I am assuming also, comments on this channel), to update their monitor, and that was exciting to hear, but the one thing more than any other that I wanted them to do - which was to input a CO sensor... Well, let's just say that I am hoping that that is one of the upgrades they are referring too, as Jim at AirKnight told me back when I first talked to him, was that they were going to include a CO sensor in the beginning, but the paperwork and red tape that they would have to go through, was going to be too expensive to implement into their device, so I hope they have changed their mind. Thanks for your comments - they are much appreciated 🙂
Since CO2 is heavier than air, it would make sense that the sensor below the other sensor would read higher as CO2 doesn't evenly disperse. There's a few old parlor / science tricks you can do with CO2 in a fishtank that demonstrate this. The carbon dioxide will settle in a layer at the bottom of the tank. Because of this, it might be interesting to see if you placed both CO2 sensors at the same level to ensure both sensors are at the same layer of gas.
Jae Tea, thanks for your comment - much appreciated. You are right about two senors being at the same level of space, but the reason the two sensors are not setup to be in the same layer of space, is simply because there is only one CO2 sensor in this test. The other monitor is a fake and has no CO2 sensor inside.
@@jaetea1225 The yellow CO meter is the Smart Sensor CO handheld meter. I love this meter as it is very quick to respond, enabling you to walk around an area and pin-point a problem. Smart Sensor is the brand, and I have a number of their meters, and love them all. Mostly however you will find them on Aliexpress, and some on Amazon. This is a link to their Aliexpress store: www.aliexpress.com/store/1101543027?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.184331f9c1tw7n
check tvoc and mq-7 etc sensors. they are not fake also not accurate and they cant distinguish which gas is which. that is the reason when you put ethanol it also detects it they are mems or silicon based sensors. to read co2 exactly you need opto acoustic sensors.also to co you need to make sensor fusions. but it means they are totally fake. check how to read co2 with tvoc sensor for example of course it wont be so much accurate.
I can recommend the TemTop CO2 meters, Smart Sensor CO meters. Other than that, none of the monitors I have tested still work accurately, and why I have come to know that unless you pay 250.00 or more for a monitor, it is a hit and miss on quality and longevity. The type of sensors I recommend for people to have in their homes are CO and CO2 period.
@daniiltuneev3123 There are more than 10,000 TVOC's, which makes the reading pointless. Most TVOC's are nothing more than odors, and only a handful actually gases. If you clean your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc., the reading will go up. If you burn candles, the reading will go up, and all this causes paranoia. HCHO is in everything in our home, and whenever it is disturbed, it will cause the reading to go up. Unless you keep containers of HCHO in storage in your home, I dont see the point of the reading, as everything that we do, vacummiing, cleaning, making the bed, putting together a peice of furniture, unwraping a picture to hang on the wall, will cause HCHO levels to rise causing paranoia or worry and stress. TVOC and HCHO levels will fall quickly after rising in most cases. Opening a window will also cause the levels to go back to normal. A good reason to see these levels is to use it as a gauge that you need to get some ventilation going, but unfortunately, most people become stressed at the levels costantly rising and falling. That is why I do not pay attention to TVOC or HCHO, except to know I need ventilation. CO and CO2 are on another level. TVOC, you can smell, CO and CO2, you can not... CO and CO2 are very deadly gases that can sneak up on you, and kill without even knowing it is there, and why the readings are so very important to know. I hope this helps, and also explains why I push knowing CO and CO2 so strongly. I myself nearly died from CO and CO2 poisoning about 6 years ago, and the main reason I stress the point so much.
Travel, thanks for the comment. I will try and zoom in more next time, and will do this again when I can afford to buy some more of these, as they can be quite expensive to buy. Also, a type of test viewers would like to see would be helpful as well. Every comment helps me to make better content, so thanks for your input - much appreciated. 👍
Hello, great video and very interesting. I'm developing a low-cost air quality sensor with Arduino to detect CO, CO2, and PM2.5. For particulate matter, I'm using the same sensor, the Sharp GP2Y1010, based on the research I've conducted. To use this sensor, it's recommended to have an airflow so that the 2.5 particles can pass through the aperture where the photodiode is located, enabling the sensor to read particulate matter. I've developed the airflow using a small USB fan inside a box. Under indoor conditions, it yields readings within a range of approximately 10 to 18 µg/m3.
Interesting... The sensor you are talking about is a dust sensor. I assume you are adding a CO and CO2 sensors to the GP2Y1010. That looks just like the sensor in the fake Chines monitor. The one in the fake Chinese monitor didn't do very well for anything, but it could be because of all the fudging numbers that they do with it. For 12.00, I would be skeptical about this - it only has a 2.5 star rating, so not sure it is the best choice to be building a air quality monitor with. It would be interesting to know how it goes however, so if you could let us know - that would be great. Thanks for the comment - much appreciated. 👍
@@Outside-In. Yes, it is definitely a clone of the original GP2Y, but of poor quality. The original one I have is calibrated according to the manufacturer's datasheet curve, in a "clean" environment it gives readings of approximately 10 to 18 µg/m3. When measuring a car's exhaust pipe, it has recorded maximum PM levels of approximately 65 µg/m3. I would like to investigate whether these values are accurate or how close they are to reality, since they are low-cost sensors that already have a margin of error. For CO readings, I use MQ7, and for CO2, I use MH-Z19.
@@mariojavier3456 Thanks for the reply and information. Sounds like an interesting experiment, and hope you get good results from low budget sensors to build your monitor. 👍👍
@@Outside-In. thanks for your understanding , as you know the co2 gas is heavy gas, so the bottom sensor sees co2 but the above sensor not yet, what do you think about Hotkrem co2 monitor , i thinking to buy one :) , thanks
@@WRDO I love the Hotkrem CO2 monitor, but unfortunately, Hotkrem has gotten pretty bad on quality control, so cannot recommend them any longer. Smart Sensor is my favorite for CO2 and CO meters. Also - the Fake Chinese monitor is very fake, so please don't put any trust in it.
I came across your video because I wanted to open one of these to find out what sensors they used. I wasn’t expecting a high-end ‘low-cost’ sensor when I ordered it, but wasn’t expecting such poor sensors, either (why would anyone even go through the trouble of designing and manufacturing this …?). When/If I find time, I may actually try to use the display together with some real sensors from Sensirion, although it will take considerable effort to control that display, I guess. Any experience, anyone?
Thanks Jorg for your comment and thoughts - much appreciated. I did like most people that end up with this and just threw it into the garbage pail. I was thinking later though, that the case may have been good for something DIY, but, so I guess I could have used it for that. I am not sure about the screen however, but it would be a great way to re-use the screen - ya know - actually be able to display something truthful????. 🤔🤣😅
I had an instance with the “fake meter” and my meter’s co reading went to over 5000 ppm. Certainly my wife and cats and I would be dead. I took it outside immediately and found that the reading was extremely high outside. Then I was reminded that locally there is a particle board furniture fabrication company 3/4 mile from my house. They burn the particleboard scrap in a large furnace with a 10” 40’ high stack. I’m now wondering if they had incomplete combustion in the furnace of wood with epoxy. And the anemometer on my weather station was barely spinning. Inversion? So this unit might have me running to the company to make sure their combustion controls are calibrated and they aren’t overloading the furnace to make high CO. Or it’s a letter to the EPA.
Thanks Mike for you comment and concerns... A factory that is 3/4 mile away (nearly 4,000 feet) with a 10" stack standing at 40 feet high, would have to be putting off an incredible amount of CO to fill the vast open air that covers that distance - to cause that kind of reading on a legitimate CO monitor. Before you go to the factory, I would ask that you please invest in a real and legitimate CO meter so that you can be sure of CO discharge in your area or home. You can get the Smart Sensor CO handheld meter for around 40.00: This is the one I purchased - just make sure when you get the meter, it is actually labeled Smart Sensor, as there are fakes of these out there, but the following link is the one I purchased, and even though the photos in the description do not show Smart Sensor on the meter, the one I received was labeled Correctly and is legitimate, I just wish they would change the photos in the description, but all you have to do is to look at the photo of the packaged meter, and that is what you will get: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091DRT5DN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The Smart Sensor Meter will give you instant results of any CO in your immediate vicinity, and you can also walk around with it as well to test for CO. You would also be able to visit the plant carrying the meter as you walked around the plant to check for CO, and if in fact there is CO present, you would be able to show that to management. I would really also like to point out that the fake monitor that I use in the video, and hopefully it is the same one you have - has NO CO sensor inside, so absolutely cannot trust the readings as they are not real - they are faked. I hope this helps, so please get a legitimate device, so that you can have a peace of mind about what your fake monitor is telling you before raising any kind of fuss to protect yourself, plus, I am sure Mike, that you would want to know with 100% certainty before confronting someone. If you get the Smart Sensor Handheld meter, and it is showing anything above 1 consistently (as 0 to 1 on the display is normal) there may very well be an issue, and needs to be addressed/investigated. A serious health concern would be anything above 20-25 consistently, but of course that is only in my opinion. I personally would be finding out what is wrong if the display showed anything at all above 1 for an extended period of time, but again Mike, that is only my opinion.
@@Outside-In. I didn’t mention that I have to drive down a 40’ hill to go by the factory in town. The smokestack is probably at my ground level. I had dreager tubes to test for CO and other aerosols/gasses.
@mikemccabe1324. Yes, I know you didn't mention anything about going down a 40 foot hill, I apologize if you misunderstood me. I was speaking of a 10 inch stack at 40 feet high that was nearly 4000 feet away, and the vast area of space that a 10 inch stack that far away would have to contaminate, would have to be putting off a huge amount of CO, and you said your fake monitor was showing 5000 ppm, and at those readings, you, your wife and cats, would not be the only ones dead - your whole neighborhood would cease to exist as well. Sorry if there were any confusion on what I meant. Edited: I have been researching Draeger Tubes, as I have never heard of them, and first of all - wow those things are expensive, and if you want a display to go with the tubes, they can be in the thousands of dollars. I also found out that Draeger Tubes are slow to react, and less accurate than electronic sensors in monitors and meters, and they also need at least 5-8 hours to give proper readings, and they also have a relatively short shelf life.
Oops... I fell for it. What confuses me is that it goes all the way up sometimes, and there is no alcohol in the area. So what is the budget air quality meter?
Cologne will make the reading go high, getting out of the shower and walking by the monitor will also make the reading go high, if someone is drinking alcohol, and breathing next to it it will go high, also I believe that it is affected by other readings as well, so why that it seems random - making it appear to be legitimate when it is not. As far as low budget meters... I am not sure there are any. By that I mean - all of my budget meters have either quit working or no longer are consistent even with re-calibration. So I would venture to say that a quality monitor is going to be in the 100's of dollars range, and even some of those don't last more than a few weeks or months, so your guess is just as good as mine unfortunately. The two most important readings to know is CO and CO2, so I would forget about any monitor except for those two, and I believe that paying a bit more for a better quality meter is the best. CO is the most important, CO2 is second most important. CO2 and CO meters can be expensive, but CO is the least expensive of the two. The Smart Sensor CO and CO2 meters that I use are what I recommend. CO2 sensors are expensive, and maybe it is because they are harder to make or harder to come by the materials to produce, not sure. Hotkrem was my favorite low budget monitor until I found out that some work, some don't, and some work for only a couple days or weeks, so I can't even recommend Hotkrem any longer, I have simply ran out of monitors that I can recommend - except of course Smart Sensor CO and CO2 meters. I am sure there are other CO and CO2 meters that are just as good as Smart Sensor, but I simply cannot afford to buy them - way too expensive LOL. I know this information probably doesn't help that much and I am sorry about that, but that is what I am finding out after all the tests that I have done...
Where did you get that slick green shirt from? lol. Great informative video! By the way, the MQ-7 (CO) and MQ-3 (alcohol) sensors, physically look the same. It could be a deliberate attempt to deceive or maybe a manufacturing error. The sensors cost about the same $$$.
WalMart dot com is where I got the shirt - my favorite color so I couldn't pass it up LOL... And you are probably right - the alcohol sensors they use, are picked especially to look like a real CO sensor I am sure. Thanks so much for your comment and information - it is much appreciated. 👍
@@____Ann____ There is NOTHING about this fake monitor that I would trust, not even the particulates - NOTHING. I do not recommend anyone to buy the fake monitor. The yellow Smart Sensor CO meter is great, and as far as CO and CO2, those are the two MOST important readings to know, so I would not consider knowing particulates over knowing CO and CO2.
Thank you so much! I was about to buy one of these for my smart Home... ...is there a way you could do a video wich sensors you DO recommend? ...preferably with wifi / BLE / zigbee built inside?
Thank you for your comment and question. I have been looking at the Qingping and the Arante4, but i have to wait until I can afford to get them first. As of right now, I do not have any monitors with wifi or Bluetooth capability.
Thanks for your great video. I’m currently developing a project that uses MQ135 and MQ9 sensors to monitor various gases like CO2, Ammonia, NO2, Ozone, CO, Methane, LPG, and Hydrogen, among others. These sensors detect the concentration of these gases in the air, converting the analog values to PPM (parts per million) which are then used to calculate a combined Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI provides a clear indication of the overall air quality by averaging the PPM values of the detected gases and mapping this average to a standardized AQI scale ranging from 0 to 500. However, I’m keen to ensure that the values shown by these sensors are accurate. Could you provide any advice on how to validate and calibrate the sensor readings to ensure they reflect the true air quality accurately?
Thanks for the comment and question. The only advise that I can give, would be to get yourself a true and accurate Lab testing monitor, and those are very very expensive - in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. Fluke makes such a device, but I believe it costs more than 3,000.00. You can also rent them, but you would have to Google that to know where to rent lab quality monitors for calibration purposes. You can also purchase Gas cylinders from Forensics: www.forensicsdetectors.com/collections/calibration-gas. These will allow you to test the accuracy of your sensors. You could then program/adjust the sensor readings to be more accurate. Hope this helps.
Did you check MQ135 with co2 cartridge? I tested co2 cartridge with Chinese co2 monitor but it didn't work. Could you tell me about your type of co2? Thank you very much.
Wish I saw this before getting of those, I realised it was rubbish when it started shorting out my USB chargers. Cracked it open and the sensors in it were total junk, unplugged them and powered it up. It just showed random figures.
Sorry to hear you got this, but the silver lining is that it was only 20 bucks or so, as I am getting ready to do a video review of one that cost's 70.00 - and another that I paid nearly 100.00 for, so price anymore is no indication as to legitimacy for sure. Thanks for the comment, and your experience- much appreciated.
@@miscbits6399 Yes I imagine that you can get them that cheap, but the better the meter, the more expensive the CO2 sensor inside. Thanks for the comment and information - much appreciated. 👍
@@Outside-In. I agree on the pricing, up to a point. You do see "premium" equipment priced high "because they can" and because there's a perception that "expensive is better" that some seek to take advantage of (You wouldn't believe the number of cheap and nasty phones sold as premium products by virtue of a glued-in block of steel to add heft) - it's resulted in my taking a jaundiced view of pricing (As one example, I've seen the same meter you tested being sold for $80-90 - right in the middle of the "genuine" price range instead of the $15-25 range) Winsen sensor (not the only guys in the business but one of the largest) sell two types of CO2 detector - MG812 semiconductor ($5-9 depending on retailer) and various infrared ones (MHZ19 series) ftom $10-25 apiece. They also sell a standalone monitor for about $30
@@miscbits6399 Thanks, and good information. I have been doing many many hours, weeks and months of research on sensors. There are lab quality sensors that cost in the thousands, but are not need by the average person, because we just need a close number - not pin-point accuracy. I agree that cell phones and the like, can be faked, and made to feel and look like premium, but the same thing is happening with air quality monitors - they use photos of expensive sensors inside, when there is nothing inside but a whole lot of lies... 18650 batteries is another example of faked products. China will put actual sand inside an 18650 to make it way the correct amount that a more expensive and legitimate battery will weigh, but when you test it, it is 800 mAH, instead of the 3200 mAH listed capacity. Also, I do believe that China is now raising prices on these fake monitors to fool people into thinking it has to be real if it cost's so much. I have seen fake monitors for more than 100.00, but unfortunately, I cannot afford to buy every monitor I see, as everything that I do here, comes completely out of my pocket, and I get no financial help from RU-vid or the community, so I am very limited on what I can do, but I do my best to get these fake monitors noticed and realized, so lives can be saved from false information. I am hoping that in 2024, Outside In will take off, and can also start generating some income to be able to do more. Thanks again for your comments, they are much appreciated.
Any chance you might be doing a review on BRWISSEN A16 Air Quality Monitor. This one now struck my interest along with the AirKnight 9 in 1. The BRWISSEN A16 Air Quality Monitor detect PM 1.0, PM 2.5, and, PM10. Wow.
@@marksoprano007 I just went and looked at the A16, and my recommendation is the Hotkrem - it does 1.0 2.5 and 10 PM. The A16 is not worth spending nearly 200.00.
Thanks Maria for the question. No I haven't tested the Amazon Smart Monitor, and I cannot recommend anything that I haven't personally tested. The biggest reason i can't recommend anything that I haven't tested in person is because there are monitors that have excellent reviews that are fake, so it would be irresponsible in my opinion to recommend a product I haven't verified to be legitimate.
You have CO2 and CO mixed up. Humans *can* detect carbon dioxide (CO2). That's the feeling of suffocation. That's why CO2 sensors aren't that important. You can tell if you're getting too much CO2. Humans *can not* detect carbon monoxide (CO) and it will displace the oxygen in your lungs making you pass out without even realizing something is wrong. The newer versions of these devices have a real CO sensor in them but otherwise seem the same as the old. I'm going to replace the firmware with my own and stick some real sensors in it.
That is like saying that fire detectors are not important because you will get choked by the smoke, so no need for the warning.... I am sorry but I do not agree at all with your reasoning. The three most important monitors a person should have in their home is CO, CO2, and a Fire Alarm. The feeling of suffocation can also be felt from high levels of Ammonia, so why a CO2 monitor is important - so you will know if it is CO2 or something else. High levels of CO will cause drowsiness, and so will CO2, and again, why it is important to have both monitors in your home. I nearly died from CO and CO2 poisoning, so I have personal experience, and also why I give the information that I do, and also my experience includes the last 6 months of extensive research on the subject. You never ever discount a detector simply because you think you don't need one - that is why so many people die each year - because they felt they were the best detector money could buy. I do thank you for your thoughts - they are much appreciated, but please be careful giving advice that could cause someone their life...
I've got cheap $86 Air quality detector, says it's got a co Sensor or at least its got the readout for co, my home before says 400 ppm co2 but with I put the monitor under the blankets with my head also under the co2 Immediately jumps 800 over time that number jump to 1300 but the co jump from 0 to 6, so clearly it don't have a co sensor the co display is used co2 to circulation is bad and the potential for co to also build up, so I'm happy with that, vape shot the 2.5 micron up to 999 just by blowing vape on the unit, so in a way it's working
What is the name of the monitor you have?. Thanks for the comment. Whenever you put your head under the blanket with the co2 monitor, yes, the reading will definitely go up, but the 400 reading in your home concerns me, and why I would like to check this monitor out. If you are a smoker, you will also be breathing out CO for at least 10-15 minutes after you stop smoking a cigarette, so jumping to 6 would make sense. I have not tried vapeing with a connection to CO, so maybe that is something I should try. Will have to get a vape to try that.
@Outside-In. I get a reading of 400 ppm co2 because I've got a wood and it's always sucking fresh air in so co2 is 400 ppm most of the time and AQI reading of 6 but the unit is a Bosean
@haroldmcdermott515 OK, thanks Harold for the info, I will be checking that out. The problem I am having with a 400 ppm reading, is because that is pretty much an impossibility, and that is why my concern. A typical CO2 reading in a home would be around 500 or so, and it may go down to high 400's, but not down to 400. It also depends on where you live, and the concentration of CO2 levels in your area. I will be checking out the Bosean, and let you know my first impressions. Thanks for the reply - much appreciated. Edit: Harold, just wanted to say that I just went on Amazon and found the Bosean monitor with CO2 and CO, and I am positive that this is a fake FAKE monitor. I know that is going to be hard to swallow since it is one of the more expensive monitors, but the Chinese are getting smart about this thing... They are starting to raise prices on these monitors to fool people into believing it is real due to the higher price tag - which is very unfortunate for anyone looking to buy an accurate monitor. Sorry to have to be the one to alert you to this, but also just to let you know, I am definitely going to purchase this as soon as I get enough funds to do so, and create another video test and teardown.
@Outside-In. it maybe called fake as far as the co goes but the co is Calculated by the co2 sensor, so it not totally fake, if you have co2 build up that's a warning of poor air circulation and the chance of co also building up, as for it reading co along I would trust it, but all other sensors seen to have there own sensor.
@Outside-In. OK with a little research the co2 and Co both use the tvoc sensor to calculate the readings, so there's a least 3 readings are calculated off the one sensor, I don't know about the rest
People regularly use CO2 for growing different sorts of crops in indoor environments (usually sealed). I love your enthusiasm by the way. Did you end up getting the handheld CO2 detector and was it accurate and live like your monoxide one?
@@IsaacParbery Yes I did get the Smart Sensor CO2 meter, and yes it is quite accurate, and pretty fast to respond, however, the Smart Sensor CO2 meter is around 200.00 US. If you are looking for something that is less expensive, you could get the TemTop C10 which is a CO2 monitor as well, and costs around 70.00 US I believe, and it is a little slower to respond, but quite accurate as well. The Smart Sensor CO2 handheld meter is mostly for industrial use, and why it is more expensive and more accurate. Thanks for the question, and comment, it is much appreciated, and I love being enthusiastic, and I know I am not too very funny, but I try LOL.. 🙂
@@Outside-In. One of the ones I talked about yesterday, they just responded to an email I sent them and told me it was actually discontinued but they still have one of those desktop minis I mentioned for about 100usd on co2meter's website. I might just have to roll the dice on it, would you like me to let you know if i find it works well in the end? If it's not fast responding then you've already found a cheaper solution but if it is relatively reactive then it might be a good one in place of the handheld or somewhere inbetween the Temtop and the handheld. Seems with how passionate you are about air quality, you probably be happy to know of good affordable ones to recommend to others. Was the handheld you got Temtop m2000 by the way just wondering?
@@Outside-In. We need to have a standard static word for these devices, I understand meter, monitor and detector are used interchangeably when talking about ambient CO2 measuring tools but it could surely confuse someone eventually I imagine.
Thank you for these amazing videos about air quality monitor. Really enjoy the way you present all the facts with such joy, and i do learnt a lot. Currently is looking for my first air monitor. Check my 2 favorite market place. No hotkrem, temtop m10, hofun is readily available around here in indonesia. smart sensor co is sooo available though at around $33. So im gonna grab that one first. Although i honestly prefer the multi sensor but you clearly stated the benefit of the fast and pin point detection of this one Hope you have a great day steven Sorry if i misspelled your name 😀🙏👍
You did not misspell my name - Steven is correct, and thanks for the comment. You will love the Smart Sensor CO meter. The Hofun should be OK, I think I may have gotten a defective one, as it works sometimes, and sometimes it doesn't, but that could also be because I don't use my monitors every day, I just bring them out for comparisons, and may be why it acts this way... I am so glad you enjoyed the presentation, I can't help it, I just get so excited about researching and presenting information that is going to give someone a peace of mind about the device they choose, and how to best use it.
What is a good partical meter in your opinion, at a reasonable price. I ordered the CO meter, hope it is as good ask you claim it to be. Sadly I only can get that CO2 meter in Amazon usa
If you ordered the Smart Sensor CO meter, then you made a great choice, and it is as good as I claim. I love mine. If you are looking for a good Particulate monitor, go with the Hotkrem. The following is a link to the Hotkrem that has a data upload function for collecting data over time, but you can choose the regular one if you would like to save a little money. I am thinking of getting the one with data upload, as mine is just the regular without data upload... www.amazon.com/HOTKREM-Quality-Monitor-Detector-Indoor/dp/B0B9S6WRZS/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=hotkrem%2Bair%2Bquality%2Bmonitor&sr=8-4&th=1 Thank you for your comment - it is much appreciated, and glad you found the video helpful. Hotkrem also makes a CO2 meter that I just did a video review on, and it is only 30.00, and works great...
