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The Bessemeter DS500 is a pinless dual depth meter and can be used for measuring wood and other building materials. It can be set to measure ¾ inch or ¼ inch into the material. This review focuses on the ¾ inch depth setting.
The measurement range is 6% to 32% moisture content and has the ability to set the meter to individual species or other building materials. This meter includes a hard case for transporting and a calibration verification device for user calibration verification.
Pros
- Able to set the meter for specific species
- Hard shell carrying case
- Easy to use
- Dual depth functionality
- Clear instructions with settings for common species and other building materials
Cons
- No backlight in the display
- No high moisture alarm
Objective Evaluation – Overall Score 4.2 out of 5.0
Accuracy – 4.2 out of 5.0
This meter provided good accuracy for all 3 species tested in the lower moisture content range. It tends to read somewhat high above 15%, particularly on hardwoods compared to ASTM D4442 oven-dry standards.
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Surface Moisture – 1.0 out of 5.0
The presence of surface moisture increased the reading by almost 5%. This can lead to erroneous readings when there is dew on the surface.
Learn about our surface moisture test procedures
Meter Temperature Test – 5.0 out of 5.0
The DS500 performed very well when cold on the low moisture content wood. It only measured about 1% high when the meter was used on higher moisture content wood.
Learn about our meter temperature test procedures
Wood Temperature – 4.5 out of 5.0
The Bessemeter DS500 performed very well on low moisture content wood. It read about 2% low on higher moisture content wood during low wood temperatures.
Learn about our wood temperature test procedures
Reading Repeatability – 5.0 out of 5.0
This Bessemeter DS500 did very well when comparing sequential readings. Very little variation in moisture content observed.
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Drift Test – N/A
No drift for the DS500 meter. As with any pinless meter, there is no observable drift in readings.
Cable Interference – N/A
No cable interference test for the DS500. It is a pinless meter.
Learn about our cable interference and drift testing procedures
Subjective Evaluation – Overall Score 3.8 out of 5.0
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Ease of Use – 3.8 out of 5.0
With its simple design, this meter is easy to use. Referring to the manual is needed to find the correct SG for the species or material being measured.
Quality – 5.0 out of 5.0
The Bessemeter DS500 scored well in the Quality category. It has a solid design and hard shell carrying case for transportability.
Comfort – 4.5 out of 5.0
The DS500 scored well in Comfort. It fits in the palm of your hand and can be stored in a shirt pocket. The hardshell carrying case is included for safe storage and transportability.
Versatility – 3.0 out of 5.0
The DS500 scored fair in Versatility. Its inability to utilize both pin and pinless measuring modes decreased this rating. Also, this meter can be set for specific species or materials, but the manual is needed to find each species SG setting.
Range – 3.7 out of 5.0
The Bessemeter DS500 measuring range is 6% to 32%. This range is good for normal environments but may not display low enough readings for very arid climates.
Features – 3.2 out of 5.0
This meter scored fair in the Features category. It has better than a 1% precision but lacks an alarm for high moisture contents. The “Hold” button is handy when it is difficult to see the reading. The DS500 does not have the ability to store readings. There is a 2-year warranty and comes with a calibration device you can use to ensure it is within specifications. It can be sent in for calibration if out of tolerance.
Customer Service – 3.5 out of 5.0
The user manual is located online but did not get an email response within 1 business day. This meter has a generous 2-year warranty and a service center for calibration and repairs. Received a reply from a telephone inquiry the next business day.
Warranty and repair information:
- 2-year standard warranty for product defects
- Carries a 90-day warranty on repairs
- Repair depot is located in the US
Our review is based on Moisture Meter Experts' independent evaluation of the meter, which was purchased by Moisture Meter Experts or provided free of charge by the manufacturer. By purchasing this meter through the links above, Moisture Meter Experts may be compensated either by your purchase directly from Moisture Meter Experts or from commissions from an affiliate. View our Review Procedures section to learn more about our proprietary evaluation procedure and expertise in the field of moisture meters.