ExtechInstruments MO280 Pinless Moisture Meter

UPDATE: I received a response from Extech and they are sending me a replacement unit. I have changed this to 4 stars as I hope this new unit works better (and longer) than my other unit. If you have an issue with your unit, use the notification function on the website. This is how I received a response. Also be patient. It took a week for anyone to get back to me but when they did, they came back with a solution.I wish there was an option for no stars. I purchased this in January 2016. It has been used a handful of times (less than 10) and when I tried using it again in December, it no longer worked. I replaced the battery but the unit has completely failed. I called Extech and left a voicemail with my issues asking for help trouble shooing. This was back in January 2017. They never responded. I sent an email through their website this week, and there has been no response to date. The device seems cheaply built. It is almost impossible to remove the battery connector from the battery. I am very unimpressed with this product as well as the customer service (or lack there of).

I bought this meter to temporarily replace my more expensive Tramex meter that broke after many years of use. That unit costs around $300.00. I am a professional home inspector along the Jersey Shore. Recently hit by Hurricane Sandy, I needed a cheap replacement fast for moisture readings on flooded and semi-flooded homes. This meter really surprised me. For about half the price of my Tramex, it performed flawlessly. On my first use, the meter correctly indicated varying degrees of moisture readings on high end maple hardwood flooring and also drywall. This relatively cheap meter saved my client tens of thousands in future repair costs and was instrumental (no pun intended) in showing how a "so called" reputable remediation contractor failed to complete a proper mold remediation and drying operation. I would have given it 5 stars but gave 4 instead only because it makes an annoying beeping noise when it searches to find its moisture reading. Once it locks onto an accurate reading, it stops beeping. One can clearly see the digital meter changing until it adjusts to its percentage. Kind of like a digital thermometer placed in cold then hot water, it takes a few seconds to find its temperature but with a beeping noise. As a professional home inspector reliant on proper equipment, I would absolutely recommend this product. Time will tell when I get my Tramex back from repair whether I will stick with this one as my primary, but very happy with it so far. A great buy for sure.

I purchased this product when a home inspection turned up a few moisture issues with a home I was considering buying. The home was stucco, and there were questions as to whether the stucco had been properly installed and maintained. Since stucco is waterproof, the issue is that moisture gets trapped behind the stucco where it causes the underlying wood structures to rot over time. The best test is measuring the moisture content of the structure from behind, through an inside wall at problem areas such as corners of windows.In my testing, I was able to pinpoint areas of concern with the Extech meter where the moisture content was significantly higher. Sure enough, when we had an experienced stucco contractor look into these areas, water had been trapped behind the stucco and was quietly rotting some of the structural wood components. Needless to say, we passed on the home purchase, and the Extech saved us tens of thousands of dollars in future repairs.The unit itself is pretty basic and easy to operate...you simply point it at an object and the meter tells you the moisture content. I have no way to calibrate it, so I'm not sure how accurate it is, but usually the specific number isn't as important as the trend ("this corner is wetter than this other corner"). Unlike most of the pin-equipped meters that require physical contact, there's no need to drill holes or so forth - just point and read. There's no special skill required - pop the batteries in, and you're taking readings in just a few moments.Definitely recommended at the price!

I have had this for several years and have zero confidence in its measurements. Results are all over the place. One day a 2" thick piece of wood stored indoors is 20%, a week later it is 44%.

works well

Good

The device I received was not working. It was missing connector for the battery. Battery (9V) was included into the package, but I had to buy connector by myself and solder it to wires.

great product thanks

Completely useless product, do not waste your money on it! The seller was also completely useless and offered no solution to my dilemma.I bought the product because I had an underground central heating leak and wanted to determine the moisture levels below semi-solid oak flooring and floor tiles. The product specification claims it can determine moisture levels behind files and walls, this is not the case. The manufacture should withdraw the product or it's claims as it simply does not work.

Extech moisture meter worked well testing our caravan now. As good as my old professional expensive one that went faulty.

works wonderful easy to use and best of all no pins to make holes