POCKET DETECTIVE Window Tint Meter and Reflectance Meter
Owners Manual

NOTE: Be sure glass area to be measured is free of dirt, debris, and moisture.

Activate the Pocket Detective (Pocket Detective Window Tint Meter and Reflectance Meter) by depressing the On / Recall button. The Pocket Detective Tint and Reflectance Meter remains activated while in use and turns off automatically when not used for 1 minute. However, the Pocket Detective Tint and Reflectance Meter will remember both of the previous measurements, transmission and reflectance, for recall when the meter is re-activated. Each time the Pocket Detective Tint and Reflectance Meter is activated an ALL SEGMENTS TEST is performed for two seconds. The display will show the digits 188.8. This shows the operator all possible segments of the LCD are working properly. If any other reading is observed during this test then your dealer should be contacted.

Window Tint Meter Parts

• Main Housing encases both the Transmission and the Reflectance Meter. Replaceable battery is located on the PCB Chassis with a slide plug for removal.

• Passive Pucks are the two circular magnetic optical devices that align to cover and protect the meter’s optical opening.

• Reflectance Puck is the puck with the black felt like surface inside that serves as a light trap.

• Transmission Puck is the puck with the retro-reflector micro-prismatic white toned surface.

Transmission Measurements using the window tint meter

• Remove pair of passive pucks from face of meter and place meter unit onto outside surface of glass using the suction cup to secure the meter to the outside surface of the glass.

• Activate the meter by pressing the On/Recall button.

• Place the Transmission Puck (one with white toned retro-reflector) on inside surface of glass carefully aligning with the indicator arrow pointing up (towards suction cup arm) and press Trans. button.

• Transmission reading will automatically appear on LCD display and Trans. indicator light will illuminate. Repeat measurement 3 times to confirm a consistent measurement.

• The darker the tinting the smaller the reading on the meter. With lighter tinting the meter reading is larger to coincide with more light passing through the glass.

• The unit will register Limo-Tint (Black-Black) around 2.0% -8.0% transmission. Clear auto glass measures around 70.0%-85.0% transmission

• Meter will automatically turn off in 60 seconds

Reflective Measurements using the window tint meter

• Remove pair of passive pucks and place meter unit onto outside surface of glass using the suction cup to secure the meter.

• Activate the meter by pressing the On/Recall button.

• Place the Reflective Measurement Puck (one with black felt) on opposite surface of glass carefully aligning with the indicator arrow pointing up, then, press Reflect button.

• Reflective reading will automatically appear on LCD display and Reflect. indicator light will illuminate.

• Meter will automatically turn off in 60 seconds

Recalling the window tint meters’ Last Measurements

• To recall the previous measurement taken for either transmission or reflectance simply hold down the On/Recall button and then push either the transmission or Reflectance buttons to recall the last measurement taken.

Checking the window tint meter Calibration

• Insert provided test glass in between Transmission Puck and meter assuring proper alignment of the puck and meter. Activate meter by pushing On/Recall. Wait until all segments test is completed and the meter registers 00.0. Press the Transmission button and wait for measurement to appear. Make sure that the meter measures the test glass within 2 percentage points (of full scale) to assure meter is working properly. Repeat for reflectivity using the Reflectance puck. Recalibrate whenever meter falls outside test glass specifications. More frequent re-calibration on a monthly, weekly, or daily schedule is acceptable practice.

Calibrating Pocket Detective
Window Tint Meter and Reflectance Meter

• Calibrate the window tint meter anytime it does not measure test glass within stated specifications see Checking Calibration above. More frequent re-calibration on a Yearly, Quarterly, Monthly, Weekly, or Daily schedule is an acceptable practice if required by your organization or regulating body.

• Do not calibrate the window tint meter in direct sunlight or within the illumination of any very bright light source. (such as a spot light or strobe light)

• Make sure all optical elements used in recalibration are completely clean and free of dirt dust or debris of any kind. This includes: Calibration Mirror and the two passive pucks. Use de-linting techniques to clean the Reflectance puck such as adhesive from masking tape pressed against the optical flock material to remove lint.

• Hold the On/Cal button down for 15 seconds until the display reads CAL.

• Cover the unit with the reflectance puck (black felt inside puck) making sure black surface is clean and free from lint or dust (if dirty clean with masking tape). Press the Reflect button once. This records the no light calibration or 00.0 measurements for both Transmission and Reflective meters.

• The window tint meter now displays CA1. Put the unit on the reflective surface (mirror supplied) and press the Reflect button a second time (make sure the mirror surface is clean), this records the max light level calibration measurement for Reflectance.

• The window tint meter now displays CA2. Place the meter on the Transmission Puck carefully aligning with the indicator arrow pointing towards suction cup arm and press the Trans. button once, this records the max transmission, 100.0%, calibration measurement for transmission meter.

• The window tint meter goes back to the normal on mode reading 00.0. Pressing the Reflect. or Trans. button shows the appropriate reading when used with the appropriate pucks.

Storage of the Pocket Detective
Window Tint Meter and Reflectance Meter

Always store the Pocket Detective Tint and Reflectance Meter with the magnetic pucks covering the magnetic meter opening of the main unit. This will keep dust and debris off of the optical elements. Place in provided protective box while transporting. Always protect meter from impact shock as impact or dropping may damage the meter.

Trouble Shooting The Window Tint Meter

Problem	Solution
Unit will not give reading when On /Recall button is pushed or low bat indicator is illuminated on LCD screen. Low Battery indicator is several horizontal dashes “–.-“.	Check battery connections in battery compartment by removing three screws on front of meter and gently sliding meter assembly out of housing by pushing up through circular opening inside magnets. Replace battery as needed. Replacement batteries are available through your meter dealer.
Reading is not within tolerance	Unit needs to be re-calibrated. Follow in field re-calibration procedures.
Meter software becomes locked and will not respond when pressing buttons or may not automatically turn off after 60 seconds.	Remove three black Phillips head screws securing meter chassis inside housing. Carefully slide meter chassis out of housing by pushing up through circular opening inside magnets. Unplug battery connector to manually power cycle meter and then plug back in and replace chassis into body with screws

Window Tint Meter Features

The Pocket Detective Tint and Reflectance Meter is a fifth generation high precision test instrument designed to measure both light transmission and surface reflectance properties of automobile or industrial safety glazing. The Pocket Detective Tint and Reflectance Meter measures both roll-down and fixed windows using several sophisticated design features.

ISO Calibration of the Window Tint Meter

The Pocket Detective Window Tint Meter and Reflectance Meter is calibrated to gather optical measurements equivalent to ISO 3538.97 when testing window film mounted to auto glass. ISO 3538.97 is the accepted standard throughout the industrialized world for measuring optical properties for vehicle safety glazing.

In Field Recalibration of the window tint meter

Re-calibrate both meters in just a few short minutes without having to send the unit back to the factory. (See Instructions)

All Segments Test

The “ALL SEGMENTS TEST” turns on all segments of the LCD display for two seconds every time you turn on the Pocket Detective Tint and Reflectance Meter. This ensures that readings taken with the Pocket Detective Tint and Reflectance Meter are strong evidence in a court of law.

Patented Magna – Alignment System

The remote sensors feature a patented Magna-Alignment system that insures automatic alignment of both transmitter and receiver on fixed windows for accurate, repeatable and easy to use remote readings.

Ratio – Metric Measurements

Exclusive Ratio-Metric measurements eliminate false readings caused by temperature changes by compensating measurement for temperature fluctuations.

Additional Window Tint Meter Features

• Easy to use in all lighting conditions

• Dome On/Cal switch

• Low battery indicator

• Includes all segments test for LCD Display

Understand your local laws regarding tint and window tint meters.

Local laws vary; some allow certain types of film to be applied while others allow a minimum “net” transmission level. When creating an enforcement guideline, it may be necessary to consider all of these facts. Our opinion on how to establish an enforcement policy is available.