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The Wagner Meters Orion 910 is a pinless meter that can be used for measuring moisture in wood and other building materials. Its rugged build should stand up well to extended use, and the simple, intuitive design makes it easy to use. We like that the Orion 910 is capable of taking accurate readings down to 4% MC. As with every meter in the Orion line by Wagner Meters, the 910 comes with an On-Demand Calibrator, which means the user can do his/her own calibrations. This is a feature no other manufacturer offers.
The Orion 910’s sturdy construction, the ability to accurately read MC at very low levels, the industry-leading warranty, and the included calibrator all make this meter an excellent choice for anyone seeking a capable pinless meter without all the bells and whistles of a more expensive device.
Pros
- Excellent accuracy at lower MC levels.
- Industry-leading seven-year warranty.
- On-Demand Calibrator offers field calibration.
- Solid construction; rubber boot and hard case make it suitable for rugged use.
Cons
- No backlight display.
- Lacks certain features, such as data storage, that some advanced users may want.
Objective Evaluation – Overall Score 4.5 out of 5.0
Accuracy – 4.4 out of 5.0
This meter provided very good accuracy, especially for wood samples below 15% MC. At the mid and high range above about 14% MC, readings for the Douglas fir samples tended to be low when compared to ASTM D4442 oven-dry standards. For the Ponderosa pine samples, readings tended to be somewhat high in the high MC range above about 20%, when compared to ASTM D4442 oven-dry standards.
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Meter Temperature Test – 5.0 out of 5.0
Meter temperature had a relatively minor effect on this meter’s readings at both low MC and high MC. For example, a high meter temperature of 110° F in the presence of low MC decreased the reading by about 0.8% MC compared to the room temperature reading. At high MC, the reading decreased by about 1.5% compared to the room temperature reading. A low meter temperature of 34.8° F in the presence of high MC increased the reading by about 0.1% MC.
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Wood Temperature – 4.5 out of 5.0
Wood temperature had a small effect on this meter’s readings. At a low wood temperature of 33.6° F in the presence of low MC, the reading did not change at all when compared to the room temperature reading. At a high wood temperature of 110° F in the presence of high MC, the reading increased by about 0.7% MC.
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Reading Repeatability – 5.0 out of 5.0
The readings of this meter were highly repeatable, showing very little tendency to vary.
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Drift Test – N/A
The drift test was not performed for the Orion 910. As is expected with any pinless meter, there is no observable drift in readings.
Cable Interference – N/A
The cable interference test was not performed because no cable accessories are available for this meter.
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Subjective Evaluation – Overall Score 4.3 out of 5.0
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Ease of Use – 4.1 out of 5.0
This meter requires minimal use of the manual to become familiar with how to operate it. The manual itself and the species settings booklet provide excellent documentation for resolving issues while using the Orion 910.
Quality – 5.0 out of 5.0
Sturdy, durable construction. The meter itself is unlikely to break or malfunction with normal use and comes with a protective rubber boot. The meter’s seven-year warranty, longer than what other moisture meter manufacturers provide, speaks to its build quality.
Comfort – 4.5 out of 5.0
This meter is ergonomically-designed and fits nicely in one’s hand. It is compact enough for most shirt pockets but may be a bit heavier than one would want for that. It comes with a sturdy, foam-lined plastic case to protect the meter when transporting it from one job site to the next.
Versatility – 3.0 out of 5.0
This is a single-mode meter (pinless mode only). The Orion 910 is capable of giving relative readings in a variety of non-wood building materials.
Range – 5.0 out of 5.0
The Orion 910 reads from 4% to 32% MC. Many handheld wood moisture meters are either incapable of reading at low MC or suffer from significant inaccuracy. Not so with the Orion 910, which excels at very low MC levels.
Features – 3.5 out of 5.0
The Orion 910 is the most basic of Wagner Meters’ Orion line in terms of added features, but it still offers several useful features, including a hold function, an audible alarm, and a low battery alert. Most notable is the On-Demand Calibrator, which enables the user to perform his/her own calibrations in the field. This is a great feature that no other manufacturer offers.
Customer Service – 5.0 out of 5.0
Customer service appears very knowledgeable and is able to answer all the basic questions, including the cost of repair, turnaround time on repairs, etc. The representative we spoke with was pleasant and his tone of voice gave the impression he genuinely wanted to help. Fast response to both email and telephone inquiries. Manual available online.
Warranty and repair information:
- 7-year warranty covers product defects
- Repair comes with a 90-day warranty
- Turnaround time is 3-5 business days
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.