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Picture of the Lignomat Scanner S/D Pinless Wood Moisture Meter
Our Score:
Lignomat Scanner SD at-a-glance
The Lignomat Scanner S/D is a dual depth (1/4 inch or 3/4 inch) pinless, capacitance-type meter. It is engineered to provide the average moisture content (MC) for the portion of the wood sample between the surface and the selected depth of penetration. The S/D is lightweight, compact and easy to use, and can be used on a variety of building materials such as wood, composites, laminates and sheetrock. The meter features a built-in species adjustment once the specific gravity is entered, and a HOLD function that makes this meter handy for working in tight spaces. Despite some reduction in accuracy when the MC is greater than 18%, this meter is worth buying.

Pros

  • Provides two possible measuring depths
  • 2-year warranty, including for all repairs
  • Lightweight, compact and comfortable to hold
  • Fast and easy to use

Cons

  • Surface moisture significantly affects readings
  • For some wood species, moisture readings only go down to 6.8% after adjusting for specific gravity
  • Accuracy decreased when MC is above 18%

Objective Evaluation – Overall Score 3.9 out of 5.0

Objective test summary results for the Lignomat Scanner S/D pinless moisture meter, achieving overall score of 3.9 out of 5

Accuracy – 4.3 out of 5.0

MC readings taken with this meter are generally accurate when compared to ASTM D-4442 oven dry standards. Above 18% MC, accuracy decreased appreciably.

Lignomat Scanner SD Accuracy Test

Learn about our accuracy test procedures

Surface Moisture – 1.0 out of 5.0

Surface moisture caused the reading taken with the meter to increase by 6.3% MC. These surface moisture results indicate that operating this meter in high humidity, or where condensation may form on the surface, could lead to inaccurate readings.

Bar chart showing surface moisture caused the reading taken with the Lignomat Scanner S/D meter increased by 6.3% MC.

Learn about our surface moisture test procedures

Meter Temperature – 5.0 out of 5.0

Meter temperature had an effect on this meter’s MC readings, particularly when the MC of the wood was high. A low meter temperature of 34.8° F in the presence of low MC caused a slight decrease of 0.1% in the reading when compared to the room temperature reading. In the presence of high MC, the reading decreased 0.6%. A high meter temperature of 110° F in the presence of low MC increased the reading only 0.4% when compared to the room temperature reading. In the presence of high MC, the reading increased by 1.6%.

Lignomat Scanner SD Meter Temperature

Learn about our meter temperature test procedures

Wood Temperature – 3.0 out of 5.0

Wood temperature had an appreciable effect on MC readings when the MC of the wood was high. A low wood temperature of 33.6° F in the presence of low MC showed a slight decrease of 0.3% in the reading when compared to the room temperature reading. In the presence of high MC, the reading decreased 3.5%. A high wood temperature of 110° F in the presence of low MC showed a slight increase of 0.2% in the reading when compared to the room temperature reading. In the presence of high MC, the reading increased 5.4%.

Lignomat Scanner SD Wood Temperature Test

Learn about our wood temperature test procedures

Reading Repeatability – 5.0 out of 5.0

The Scanner S/D meter provided consistent, repeatable MC readings throughout testing.

Line chart showing the Scanner S/D wood moisture meter provided consistent, repeatable MC readings throughout testing

Learn about our repeatability testing procedures

Drift – 5.0 out of 5.0

This meter’s MC reading did not drift after 3 seconds.

Lignomat Scanner SD Drift Graph

Cable Interference – N/A

Because this meter is pinless, the cable interference test could not be conducted.

Lignomat Scanner SD Cable Test Graph

Learn about our cable interference and drift testing procedures

Subjective Evaluation – Overall Score 4.0 out of 5.0

Lignomat Scanner SD Subjective Tests Summary

Ease of Use – 3.8 out of 5.0

This meter is fast and simple to operate with very little use of the manual needed to get started. Documentation in the manual is clear and easy to understand.

Quality – 4.3 out of 5.0

Solid and durable, this meter appears unlikely to malfunction or break with normal use.

Comfort – 4.0 out of 5.0

This meter is lightweight, compact, and fits comfortably in a shirt pocket. Comes with a soft case that can attach to a belt.

Versatility – 3.0 out of 5.0

This is a single-mode meter (pinless), which is typical. Features include a built-in species adjustment once specific gravity is entered, and two possible measuring depths (1/4 inch and 3/4 inch) that allow readings close to the surface and toward the core of thicker boards. The S/D can be used on wood, composites, laminates, sheetrock, and other building materials.

Range – 5.0 out of 5.0

Manual states the MC range for wood is 5% to 60%. When using the meter’s species adjustment settings, the meter provides readings down to only 6.8% in some cases.

Features – 2.8 out of 5.0

Readings precise to the nearest 0.1%. Low battery indicator. Offers a HOLD function to “freeze” readings until they can be viewed, which is very useful when working in tight spaces. Lignomat sells a NIST-certified device to check calibration.

Customer Service – 5.0 out of 5.0

All Lignomat meters come with a 2-year warranty. Repairs also come with a 2-year warranty, which is a plus when compared to what other manufacturers typically offer. Lignomat has its own service center for repairs with a turnaround time of 4-6 business days. We received a fast response to both telephone and email inquiries. Manual available online.

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.