Spectrum Technologies 6490S User manual

TruFirm
Turf Firmness Meter
PRODUCT MANUAL
Item #6490S

2
This manual will familiarize you with the features and operation of
your new Field Scout TruFirm Turf Firmness Meter. Please read
this manual thoroughly before using your instrument. For customer
support, or to place an order, call Spectrum Technologies, Inc. at
800-248-8873 or 815-436-4440 between 8 am and 4:30 pm CST,
FAX at 815-436-4460, or e-mail at [e-mail].
www.specmeters.com
Spectrum Technologies, Inc
3600 Thayer Court
Aurora, IL 60504
Table of Contents
General Overview 3
Specifications 3
Component Part Names 4
Setup 5
Using the TruFirm 6
FieldScout Mobile App/SpecConnect 8
FieldScout Mobile App/Setup and Use 10
Interpreting TruFirm Readings 12
Certifications 14
TruFirm® is a registered trademark of the USGA.

3
The Field Scout TruFirm Turf Firmness Meter is used to
measure the firmness of sports playing surfaces, especially
golf greens, fairways and bunkers. The device consists of
an impact plunger and a rotary position sensor. Once
motion of the plunger is detected the electronics will collect
and process the signal and send a measurement to an LCD
display. The measurement also transmitted via Bluetooth
to a mobile device.
General Overview
Specifications
Power: 2 AA batteries (included)
Weight: 4.3 lb. (1.95 kg)
Height: 27 in (69 cm)
Height: 46 in (117 cm), with plunger extended
Diameter of Plunger: (1.68 in, 4.27 cm)
Measurement units: Depth of travel (inches)
Range: 0.1 in - 1.5 in
Resolution: .01 in at 1.00 in - 1.50 in
.003 in at 0.100 in - .999 in
Display: LCD

4
Component Part Names
Actuator Arm
Button
Collar
Plunger Shaft
Base
Foot Support

5
SET UP
The TruFirm meter requires 2 AA Batteries (included). They
are installed inside the plastic housing. Remove the four
screws holding the lid in place to access the battery holder.
Note: If the TruFirm will not be used for an extended period
of time (over one month), it is recommended that you re-
move the batteries.

6
Using the TruFirm
The TruFirm meter measures the depth the plunger de-
presses a surface when it is released from a set height. The
value of this depth is displayed on an LCD readout.
The unit will also display the average of a series of meas-
urements and the number of measurements included in the
average on its LCD.
Activating/Deactivating the Display:
The unit is activated by briefly pressing the Button. The
LCD will display the percent battery life for 5 seconds and
then show zeros when it is ready to take a measurement.
The TruFirm will power off after 5 minutes of inactivity.
Taking a reading:
1. Place the unit on the surface being measured. If the sur-
face is sloped, orient the Base so that it is pointing
downhill.
2. Step lightly on the Foot Support. This will ensure the unit
does not tip over after the reading is taken.
3. If the Display is blank, press the Button briefly and wait
for the unit to turn on.
4. Lift up the Plunger all the way. The display will now
show the number of measurements that have been in-
cluded in the average (or zero for the first reading).
5. Release the Plunger so that it drops smoothly.
6. On the first measurement, the value of the current
measurement is displayed. For subsequent measure-
ments, the LCD will display the current reading for 2
seconds and the average after 2 seconds.
To reset the average, press the Button briefly while the av-
erage value is being displayed. If the average is not reset,
the next reading will be included in the average as well. The
average will also be reset if the meter is powered off
(manually or due to 5 minutes of inactivity).

7
Release smoothly to avoid affecting drop speed.
Lift plunger straight up to top of travel. Use foot support to
stabilize the unit.

8
The FieldScout Mobile App can be used to view measurement results
directly on your mobile device and send data directly to the Spec-
Connect web interface. Data can be viewed on a Smartphone in two
formats:
Basic Grid mode - Available with or without a SpecConnect subscrip-
tion. The site is divided into a customizable 2-dimensional grid of 3 to 5
rows and 3 to 5 columns. Measurements are taken in each grid cell.
Grid cells are color-coded showing firmness average (fig. 1).
Freeform mode - Available with a SpecConnect subscription. Color-
coded location icons are placed at every measurement point using the
coordinates from the internal location of the app’s mobile device (fig.
2).
The data from the Pro version of the app is sent instantaneously to
SpecConnect. Data can be viewed in map form (fig. 3), exported to a
spreadsheet, or viewed as a Trend Report (fig. 4).
More details are available in the user's guide for the app.
Field Scout
Mobile App/
SpecConnect
Figure 2. Freeform ModeFigure 1. Grid Mode

9
Fig. 3. 2-D Mapped Readings and Contour Plot in SpecConnect
Fig. 4. Trend Report

10
1. Open the FieldScout mobile app.
2. Enter the SpecConnect username and password to send measure-
ments to the cloud account or tap Use FieldScout Basic to start grid
mode
3. Upon first use; Tap the Golf or Agriculture icon.
4. Select an existing Course/Farm or create a new one.
5. Tap the “Start a New Session” button. Alternately, you can select an
existing session. In this case, skip to the second part of step 7.
6. Select TruFirm as the Meter Type and name the session.
7. Select the newly created session, then select whether the data will be
collected in Grid or Freeform mode.
8. In Basic mode, the Grid screen appears. Tap on a grid cell where
measurements will be added. The app will display the Take Read-
ings screen (fig. 1a).
In Freeform mode, the app will transition to the session screen (fig.
1b).
FieldScout Mobile App:
Setup and use
Figure 1a. Bluetooth
Connect button (grid) Figure 2. Scanned
device list
Figure 1b. Bluetooth
Connect button
(freeform)

11
9. Tap the Connect FieldScout Device via Bluetooth button. If Blue-
tooth is not enabled on the mobile device, a prompt will appear to ena-
ble it.
10. Select the meter from the device list (fig. 2).
11. For Grid mode, confirm that the meter type you are using appears at
the top of the screen (fig 3a). Tap a zone to bring up the Take Read-
ing screen (fig 3b). Freeform readings will appear as pushpins on the
map (fig. 4).
12. Lift and drop the plunger to take a reading.
The measurement data will appear on the mo-
bile device.
Note: Although the device appears in the app,
it may not appear on the phone's list of Blue-
tooth devices.
Left: Grid mode screens
Right: Freeform Mode screen
Figure 3a. Grid Mode
Figure 3b. Grid Mode
Readings screen
Figure 4. Freeform Mode

12
The larger the Trufirm value, the softer the turf. The follow-
ing are general guidelines used by the USGA to describe
firmness measurements of the TruFirm on greens. With ex-
perience, you will see how the firmness measured by the
TruFirm corresponds to ball bounce.
Interpreting TruFirm
Readings
Trufirm reading (inches) Description
> 0.43 Very soft
0.38 to 0.43 Good for normal play
0.35 to 0.38 Firm but playable
0.30 to 0.35 Very firm
< 0.30 Extremely firm, rock hard

13

14
RE-D EU Declaraon of Conformity (DoC) #20220413_1
In accordance with European Parliament and Council Decision No. 768/2008/EC Annex III
we, Spectrum Technologies, Inc., a corporaon validly organized and exisng under the laws of
the United States of America, having its principal place of business at 3600 Thayer Court, Aurora
IL 60504 USA
declare under our sole responsibility that the below named
Product: FieldScout TruFirm Turf Firmness Meter
Model Name (Product Number): TruFirm 6490S
Object of the Declaraon:
FieldScout TruFirm Turf Firmness Meter providing a means for determining the rmness of turf
used in sport playing surfaces.
Specicaons:
• Baery powered device (2 x AA baeries)
• Bluetooth communicaons
• LCD Display
• Durable powder coated aluminum frame
to which this declaraon relates, conform with the relevant requirements of the Harmonized
Legislaons menoned below. Specically, but not limited to, the following harmonized stand-
ards and/or normave documents:
Harmonizaon Legislaon:
2014/53/EU Radio Equipment Direcve
2011/65/EU Restricon of Hazardous Substances Direcve
Arcle 3.1(a) Safety of Informaon Technology Equipment
EN 60950-1:2006 + A11:2009 + A1:2010 + A12:2011 + A2:2013 (as applied to internal Bluetooth
module Silicon Labs BLE113-A-M256K)
Arcle 3.1(b) Electromagnec Compability
EN 61000-6-1:2007 Immunity for residenal, commercial, and light-industrial environments
EN 61000-6-3:2007 /A1:2011 Emission standard for residenal, commercial, and light-industrial
environments
EN 55022:2010 /AC:2011 Informaon technology equipment - Radio disturbance characteriscs -
Limits and methods of measurement
EN 301 489-1 V2.1.1 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 1 (as applied to internal
Bluetooth module Silicon Labs BLE113-A-M256K)
EN 301 489-1 V1.9.2; 2011 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 1: Common
technical requirements
EN 301 489-3 V1.6.1; 2013 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 3: Specic condi-
ons for Short-Range Devices
EN 301 489-17 v3.1.1 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 17 (as applied to inter-
nal Bluetooth module Silicon Labs BLE113-A-M256K)
Arcle 3.2 Spectrum Eciency
EN 300 328 V2.1.1; 2016-11 Wideband Data Transmission Systems; 2.4 GHz Band; Emissions, EMC
(as applied to internal Bluetooth module Silicon Labs BGM113-A-M256K)
EN 300 440 V1.6.1 2010-08 Short Range Devices 1-40 GHz; Emissions; EMC

15
Arcle 3.3 Other Requirements
EN 63000:2018 Technical documentaon for the assessment of electrical and electronic products
with respect to the restricon of hazardous substances
Robert T Benesh
Job Title: Electronics Engineer, FieldScout Product Manager

16
UK Declaraon of Conformity (DoC) #20220414_2
In accordance with BS EN ISO/IEC 17050-1:2010 we, Spectrum Technologies, Inc., a corporaon
validly organized and exisng under the laws of the United States of America, having its principal
place of business at 3600 Thayer Court, Aurora IL 60504 USA
declare under our sole responsibility that the below named
Product: FieldScout Trurm Turf Firmness Meter
Model Name (Product Number): TruFirm 6490S
Object of the Declaraon:
FieldScout TruFirm Turf Firmness Meter providing a means for determining the rmness of turf
used in sport playing surfaces.
Specicaons:
• Baery powered device (2 x AA baeries)
• Bluetooth communicaons
• LCD Display
• Durable powder coated aluminum frame
to which this declaraon relates, conform with the relevant requirements of the Harmonized
Legislaons menoned below. Specically, but not limited to, the following harmonized stand-
ards and/or normave documents:
Harmonizaon Legislaon:
2016 No. 1091 The Electromagnec Compability Regulaons 2016
2012 No. 3032 The Restricon of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Elec-
tronic Equipment Regulaons 2012
Safety of Informaon Technology Equipment
EN 60950-1:2006 + A11:2009 + A1:2010 + A12:2011 + A2:2013 (as applied to internal Bluetooth
module Silicon Labs BGM113-A-M256K)
Electromagnec Compability
BS EN 61000-6-1:2007 Immunity for residenal, commercial, and light-industrial environments
BS EN 61000-6-3:2007 /A1:2011 Emission standard for residenal, commercial, and light-
industrial environments
EN 55022:2010 /AC:2011 Informaon technology equipment - Radio disturbance characteriscs -
Limits and methods of measurement
EN 301 489-1 V2.1.1 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 1 (as applied to inter-
nal Bluetooth module Silicon Labs BGM113-A-M256K)
EN 301 489-1 V1.9.2; 2011 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 1: Common
technical requirements
EN 301 489-3 V1.6.1; 2013 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 3: Specic condi-
ons for Short-Range Devices
EN 301 489-17 v3.1.1 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 17: Specic condi-
ons for Broadband Data Transmission Systems (as applied to internal Bluetooth module Silicon
Labs BGM113-A-M256K)
Spectrum Eciency
EN 300 328 v2.1.1 (as applied to internal Bluetooth module Silicon Labs BGM113-A-M256K)
EN 300 440 V1.6.1 2010-08 Short Range Devices 1-40 GHz; Emissions; EMC

17
Other Requirements
BS EN 63000:2018 Technical documentaon for the assessment of electrical and electronic prod-
ucts with respect to the restricon of hazardous substances
Robert T Benesh
Job Title: Electronics Engineer, FieldScout Product Manager
Email: [e-mail]

18
Supplier’s Declaraon of Conformity
47 CFR § 2.1077 Compliance Informaon
Unique Idener: FieldScout TruFirm Turf Firmness Meter
TruFirm 6490S
Responsible Party – U.S. Contact Informaon
Spectrum Technologies, Inc., 3600 Thayer Ct. Aurora IL 60504
Phone: [phone] or [phone] Fax [phone]
E-Mail: [email protected]m Web: www.specmeters.com
Direcve/Standard:
FCC Part 15: 2014: Emissions for Unintenonal Radiators for USA (ANSI
C63.4:2014)
ICES-003:2012: ITE Emissions for Canada (ANSI C63.4:2014)
FCC Compliance Statement
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operaon is subject to the
following two condions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired operaon.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for
a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protecon against harmful interference in a
residenal installaon. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruc-
ons, may cause harmful interference to radio communicaons. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a parcular installa-
on. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
recepon, which can be determined by turning the equipment o and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separaon between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an output on a circuit dierent from that to
which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced RF technician for help.
This device contains licence-exempt transmier(s)/receiver(s) that comply
with Innovaon, Science and Economic Development Canada’s licence-exempt
RSS(s). Operaon is subject to the following two condions:
(1) This device may not cause interference.
(2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may
cause undesired operaon of the device.
This Class (B) digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numériqué de la classe (B) est conformé à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

19
Proper Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment
This symbol when found on the product or packaging indicates that
this product shall not be treated as common waste and that an effort
to recycle materials should be made or may be required. Disposal
of used and depleted electrical & electronic equipment may be
subject to local laws and regulations for proper collection and recycling initia-
tives in the local area. This is applicable to areas within the European Union
and other participating countries including the USA. The recycling of materi-
als will help to conserve natural resources and prevent negative consequences
of inappropriate waste handling at the end of a product’s usable life.
For more information about the recycling of waste electrical and electronic
equipment, please contact your local civic office, waste disposal service, or the
shop where the item was purchased.

20
3600 Thayer Court
Aurora, IL 60504
[phone] or [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.specmeters.com
Rev C 08/22
This product is warranted to be free from defects in material or work-
manship for one year from the date of purchase. During the warranty
period Spectrum will, at its option, either repair or replace products that
prove to be defective. This warranty does not cover damage due to im-
proper installation or use, lightning, negligence, accident, or unauthor-
ized modifications, or to incidental or consequential damages beyond
the Spectrum product. Before returning a failed unit, you must obtain a
Returned Materials Authorization (RMA) from Spectrum. Spectrum is
not responsible for any package that is returned without a valid RMA
number or for the loss of the package by any shipping company.
Warranty