Wagner Meters ORION 950 User manual

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1 Introduction
4 Orion® 950 Parts
5 Quick Start: Basic Use for
Solid Wood
8 Correct Usage Guidelines for
Your Orion® 950 Moisture Meter
10 Function Buttons: Detailed
–ON/HOLD Button
– UP and DOWN Buttons
– DEPTH Button
– SPECIES/MATERIAL Button
• How to Program a Species Setting
• Relative Scale for Moisture
Measurement of Non-Wood
Building Materials
– DATA Button
– AUDIO Button
TABLE OF CONTENTS
21 Summary of Orion® 950 Features
– Low Battery Alert Indication
–Auto Shut-Down to Preserve
Battery Life
– Calibration of your Orion® 950
–Protective Rubber Boot for Your
Orion® 950
–7-Year Warranty
–Wagner’s IntelliSenseTM Technology
26 Specications
27 Changing the Battery
27 Meter Storage
28 Warranty
30 Glossary of Terms
31 Mobile App
Congratulations!
You have purchased one of the most accurate moisture measurement instruments for wood in the
world. Using IntelliSenseTM technology, hand-held moisture meters from Wagner Meters have
been proven by universities and institutes worldwide to provide superior measurement results.*
With its electromagnetic eld, your Orion® 950 moisture meter covers a relatively large
cross-sectional area each time you take a reading, giving you a far better representation than
other technologies of the true moisture content of your wood.
Wagner moisture meters read IN the wood, not just on the wood.
The 2.0-inch (50mm) wide by 2.5-inch (63mm) long by either .25-inch (6mm) or .75-inch
(19mm) thick sensor eld of your Orion® moisture meter closely approximates the full-
thickness cross-section method used when performing the ASTM D4442-16 oven-dry lab
INTRODUCTION

2 3
method. This ASTM standard (and its international counterparts) is the standard to which all
moisture meters for wood are compared for accuracy.
Your Orion® 950 is best-suited for wood thicknesses from .25 inches (6mm) up to 1.5 inches
(38mm). The meter can be used on non-solid wood products, and the Species Setting Booklet
includes a few settings for some of these common materials.
In the Standard Measurement mode, your Orion® 950 measures moisture content within the
4.0% to 32.0% moisture content range.
NOTE: Measurement range may vary slightly depending on species setting of the meter.
The Orion® 950 has an easy-to-read digital display, scaled in 0.1% increments, when in the
Standard Measurement mode, for your solid wood applications.
Your Orion® 950 has data collection capacity to store readings and get statistical data. When
the data collection mode is activated you will have the ability to store and review up to 100
readings and get the maximum, minimum, and an average of all stored readings.
In addition to dual depth and data collection, your Orion® 950 has the capability to measure
and record relative humidity, temperature, dew point, equilibrium moisture content, grains
per pound, and grains per kilogram.
Your Orion® 950 also connects to a smart device application, utilizing Bluetooth®
technology, so you can receive and record data, set specications for separate jobs, and much
more. Simply scan the QR code on page 49 to arrive at the app location.
Wagner hand-held moisture measurement technology is virtually unaffected by wood
temperature.**
Since 1965, Wagner Meters has been providing quality moisture measurement equipment
and Wagner’s technology has been proven to provide some of the most accurate results in the
industry when compared to the ASTM D4442-16 Standard. Wagner meters have been used
for years by professional lumber-grading associations, and meters from Wagner continue to
provide reliable and consistent moisture measurements, with unsurpassed convenience and
ease of use.
*Information available upon request.**Contact a Wagner Meters expert at 844-689-0660 if your wood
is very hot or frozen.

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LCD
ON/ HOLD
BUTTON
SPECIES/
MATERIAL
BUTTON
DOWN
BUTTON
UP BUTTON
DEPTH
BUTTON
BATTERY
COMPART-
MENT
(Meter Serial
Number is
located in this
compartment)
SENSOR
PLATE
ORION®950 PARTS
AUDIO
BUTTON
DATA
BUTTON
QUICK START: BASIC USE FOR SOLID WOOD
With your Orion® 950 turned OFF, press and release the ON/HOLD button.
Meter will turn on and briey display the model number, followed by the rmware
revision number. If this is the rst time you are using your new Orion® 950,
immediately after the revision number is displayed, the meter display should
revert to Standard Measurement mode, with the display showing 0.0% when the
meter is held in the air. If meter display does not show 0.0%, then refer to page 19 regarding the
SPECIES/MATERIAL button.
Next, press the DEPTH button to put the meter in the Depth Setting mode
and press either the UP button, DOWN button or DEPTH button. The Depth
setting will change from 3-4 or ¾” to 1-4 or ¼” or vice versa. Press the ON/
HOLD button to store the setting and return the meter to the Reading Mode.
Press the DATA button and the word DATA will appear briey on the display,
immediately followed by the word OFF. Next, using the UP or DOWN button,
either turn data ON for collecting data manually or to AUTO if you want the
data collected automatically. Once you have made your selection, press the
ON/HOLD button to activate the selected data storage function.
If you chose the ON mode for collecting the data, place the meter on the wood to be measured
and press the ON/HOLD button briey to gather a data point. You will hear a beep as the data
is gathered. The number of the data point will be displayed and then the moisture recorded
will be displayed.

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If you choose the Automatic mode, place the meter on the wood to be measured. Wait briey
until you hear a beep. The meter will display the reading number and then the reading taken.
Move the meter to the next sample for more readings.
When done sampling wood, turn the Automatic Data Recording mode OFF by hitting the data
button again. This will stop the recording of data.
After the data has been collected, press the DATA button twice and the maximum reading will
be shown (MAX). Subsequent presses of the DATA button will show the minimum (MIN)
average of all stored readings (AVG). Press the DATA button once more and all individual
recorded readings can be viewed (REC). Use the UP or DOWN button to scroll through
the individual readings. To clear individual readings, press the UP and DOWN buttons
simultaneously. CLRD will show on the display followed by NO. Press the UP or DOWN
button to select YES, then press the DATA button to clear the reading. Press the DATA button
once more and CL ALL will ash, followed by NO. To clear all data, use the UP or DOWN
button to select YES and then press the DATA button to activate the clear function. (Note:
There is no prompt after pressing the DATA button. All stored data will be erased.)
Next, press the SPECIES/MATERIAL button once, and the current species
setting (calibrated to specic gravity) will appear. The factory default
displayed will be 0.50 for a new meter. Use the UP or DOWN arrow buttons
to set the correct species setting for the wood species you wish to measure
(refer to your Species Settings Booklet to nd the correct setting). Finally,
press the ON/HOLD button to place the meter back in the Standard Measurement mode.
NOTE: If you cannot nd the correct setting for the wood species or material you wish to
measure, go to www.wagnerspecies.com where you can access Wagner’s extensive Species
Database. If you still cannot nd the correct setting, contact a Wagner Meters expert at
844-689-0660.
A small DP will appear in the lower left corner of the screen to visually indicate that you are
in 3-4 (¾”) Depth Setting mode (Deep mode).
Grasping the meter on the sides, begin taking measurements on the face of the wood pieces
by pressing down rmly, making sure the rectangular sensor plate area on the back of the
meter is pressing rmly on the wood surface and completely covered by the wood. Minimum
wood dimension needs to be 2.0 inches (50mm) wide by 2.5 inches (63mm) long by .75
inches (19mm) in thickness. When taking measurements, make sure there is a 1-inch (25mm)
minimum air gap underneath the wood you are measuring (refer to Correct Usage Guidelines
section of this manual).
Press the SPECIES/MATERIAL button four times and the Relative Humidity
mode will display RH for 3.5 seconds, then it will display the ambient
Relative Humidity (e.g., 34.5%). After 3.5 seconds, the mode will change to
temperature and DEG (shown on page 21) will display, then toggle to the
ambient temperature (e.g., 75.1F). Note: The temperature display can be
changed to Celsius (e.g., 24.0C) by pressing either the up or down arrow key.
On the fth press of the SPECIES/MATERIAL button, EMC will be displayed, then the
display will show the equilibrium moisture content based on the ambient relative humidity
and temperature (e.g., 7.5%).
After the sixth press of the SPECIES/MATERIAL button, the display will show DP for 3.5
seconds, then will display the dew point temperature (e.g., 39.1F). Note: The temperature

8 9
display can be changed to Celsius (e.g., 3.9C) by pressing either the UP or DOWN arrow key.
On the seventh press of the SPECIES/MATERIAL button, the display will show GPP for 3.5
seconds, then the display will show the grains per pound (e.g., 37.1). Note: The display can
be changed to grains per kilogram (e.g., 5.2) by pressing either the UP or DOWN arrow key.
When you are nished taking measurements and wish to turn the meter off,
press the ON/HOLD button for approximately 2 seconds. Alternatively, the
meter will automatically shut off after approximately 60 seconds of no activity.
To make sure that you are getting the most accurate readings from your Orion® 950 meter,
Wagner Meters recommends that you pay close attention to the following guidelines:
1. If the thickness of the piece of wood or other building material is greater than .75 inch
(19mm), and you wish to get more of a full thickness rather than a shallow measurement,
it is a good idea to take measurements in 3/4” mode on both sides and average the
readings.
2. To prevent high or inaccurate readings, always have a minimum 1-inch (25mm) air gap
CORRECT USAGE GUIDELINES FOR YOUR
ORION®950 MOISTURE METER
underneath the piece of wood you are measuring. During this process, make sure your
hand is not directly underneath the meter.
3. Your Orion® 950 meter was designed for wood thicknesses from .25 (6mm) to .50
(13mm) in ¼” mode and .75 inches (19mm) up to 1.5 inches (38mm) in ¾” mode. If you
wish to measure wood pieces with thicknesses less than .75 inches (19mm) in ¾” mode,
the meter will underestimate the actual moisture content. Thicknesses that are slightly
thinner (example: .625 inches (15.9mm)) will not be underestimated substantially, but
the thinner the piece becomes, the more the measurement will be underestimated. For
pieces thinner than .50 inches (12.7mm), you should use the ¼” mode.
4. The actual sensing area is a 2.0-inch (50mm) wide by 2.5-inch (63.5mm) long
rectangle on the back of the meter (opposite side of the display). In order to take a valid
measurement, this sensing area must be completely covered with the wood or other
material you are measuring. If the sensing area is not completely covered, your moisture
reading will be inaccurate.
5. If there is visible moisture or water on the surface of the wood or material to be tested,
wipe off any excess, and let the surface dry out for a couple of minutes before taking
measurements. If possible, turn the board over and measure the other side.
6. Be sure to press down rmly to ensure good sensor plate contact with the surface of the wood
or building material. This is especially important when measuring rough-sawn lumber.
7. Do not take readings where there is a noticeable defect or knot in the lumber.
8. To ensure optimum accuracy, orient your meter to the direction of the grain.

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Our Technical Staff Wants to Help You:
Please contact us at 844-689-0660 for specic guidelines on how to properly measure wood
with unusual characteristics. Additional measurement corrections may be necessary if you
are measuring lumber that is frozen, salt water-permeated, or is treated with CCA, ACQ, or
any other treatment with metallic or other components that might bias the moisture readings.
ON/HOLD Button
When the meter is OFF, pressing and releasing the ON/HOLD button will turn
the meter ON, with the meter briey displaying the model number, followed
by the rmware revision number. Immediately after briey displaying the
revision number, the meter will be in the Standard Measurement mode. At this point, the
meter is ready to take moisture measurements. Be assured that any settings that you have
previously programmed/selected will be active. In other words, turning off the meter will
not cause the meter to revert to factory default settings, but will retain whatever settings you
programmed it with.
When in the Standard Measurement mode, pressing and releasing the ON/HOLD button will
freeze whatever reading is showing on the display. Additionally, the word HOLD will show
in the upper right-hand corner. This HOLD feature is valuable when taking measurements in
FUNCTION BUTTONS: DETAILED
USAGE INSTRUCTION
hard-to-reach places where you cannot see the display.
If the AUDIO function of the meter is turned on (refer to the “Audio Button” section on page
32), the meter will emit a short beep every 4 seconds that the current reading remains on
HOLD.
The current reading will remain on the screen until the ON/HOLD button is briey pressed
again, returning the meter back to Standard Measurement mode and HOLD will disappear
from view.
NOTE: Meter will shut down automatically after 60 seconds if the meter is left on HOLD with
no measurement activity. Pressing the ON/HOLD button for 2 seconds will turn the meter off.
UP and DOWN Buttons
The particular settings mode (SPECIES/MATERIAL or AUDIO)
that you are in at a given time will determine how these buttons
will function. Settings values will be increased or decreased,
or different functions activated according to the specic instructions outlined for each
settings button.
DEPTH Button
Your Orion® 950 meter features dual depth capability that allows you to
measure from the surface down to ¼ and ¾ inch depths depending on the
setting you have chosen. If the meter is in the Depth Setting mode and either
the UP button, DOWN button or DEPTH button is pressed, the Depth setting will change

12 13
(e.g., from 3-4 to 1-4) or vice versa. Press the ON/HOLD button to store the setting. If the
meter is in the Depth Setting mode and the ON/HOLD button is pressed, the meter will return
to the Standard Measurement mode.
If the meter is in Depth Setting mode and on the ¼” (6mm) depth setting, in addition to
displaying ‘1-4,’ the meter will repeatedly ash 2 dashes in a vertical sequence on the digital
display screen.
If the meter is in Depth Setting mode and on the ¾” (19mm) depth setting, in addition to
displaying ‘3-4’, the meter will repeatedly ash 3 dashes in a vertical sequence on the digital
display screen.
NOTE: A small DP will appear in the lower left corner of the screen to visually indicate that
you are in 3-4 (¾”) Depth Setting mode (Deep mode).
SPECIES/MATERIAL Button
The SPECIES/MATERIAL button on your Orion® 950 is used to place your
meter into one of three different modes by pressing the button until you are in
the desired mode. The available modes are:
1. Species Settings mode. This mode is for programming the meter to the correct
setting for the wood species you wish to measure. When in this mode, the meter
display will indicate settings values from 0.20 up to 1.00. Factory default is 0.50.
2. Relative Measurement mode. Used for obtaining relative, rather than absolute,
measurements, typically for non-solid wood applications (example: relative
measurements on drywall). When you toggle to this mode, the display will
show REL in the lower-left corner of the display when you are in the Standard
Measurement mode. More information concerning Relative Scale can be found on
page 32.
3. Meter Calibration mode. Follow the instructions on page 37 to perform your own
eld calibration using the included Orion® On-Demand Calibrator from Wagner.
4. Relative Humidity and Temperature mode. Once in this mode, your meter will be
in a relative humidity (RH) measurement mode (showing 0-100%) and temperature
measurement mode (showing 32°F to 110°F or 0°C to 43.3°C) for measuring
ambient RH and temperature. Press and release the SPECIES/MATERIAL button
until the display shows RH. The display will toggle every 3.5 seconds to display
the following:
• RH with a small RH in the middle left corner followed by the ambient RH (e.g.,
35.4%).
• DEG with a small TEMP in the upper left corner followed by the ambient
temperature in Fahrenheit

14 15
DATA Button
When the DATA button is pressed, the meter will briey display DATA and
then display either OFF (to indicate the meter is not set to record data) or ON
(if the meter is set to record data) or AUTO (to indicate the meter is set to
automatically take readings).
To change the Data Recording mode, press either the UP button or the DOWN button, the
display will change from OFF to ON or AUTO and then press the ON/HOLD button, the
corresponding Data Recording mode will change.
When the Data Recording mode is ON or AUTO, moisture readings can be stored in the
moisture meter. Moisture readings are stored sequentially in the meter up to a limit of 100
readings.
Note: When the meter’s Data Recording mode is set for either ON or AUTO, the meter’s
HOLD function is disabled.
If the meter is in the Standard Measurement mode, the Data Recording mode is set to ON,
and the ON/HOLD button is pressed, the meter will record the current reading to the lowest
available reading location, display REC at the top and the stored location (e.g., REC 1) for 0.5
seconds and then return to the Standard Measurement mode. If the maximum of 100 readings
has already been reached, the meter will start overwriting the oldest readings and the display
will continue to read REC 100.
If the Data Recording mode is set to ON and the meter is turned off, when the meter is turned
on again the Data Recording mode will have defaulted to OFF.
• (e.g., 75.1F). While the temperature display is active, the display can be
changed to Celsius (e.g., 24.0C) by pressing either the UP or DOWN arrow key.
5. Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) mode. Based on the ambient RH and
temperature, the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) will be shown in this mode
(ranging from 0-40.7%). Press and release the SPECIES/MATERIAL button until
the meter displays EMC followed by the equilibrium moisture content (e.g., 7.5%).
6. Dew Point mode. This mode will provide you with dew point temperature ranging
from -85°F to 110°F, -65°C to 43°C. Press and release the SPECIES/MATERIAL
button until the meter displays DP followed by the actual dew point temperature in
Fahrenheit (e.g., 39.1°F). The display can be changed to Celsius (e.g., 24.0°C) by
pressing either the UP or DOWN arrow key.
7. Grains per Pound / Kilogram mode. This mode displays grains per pound (GPP)
from 0-431.1 lb and grains per kilogram (GPK) from 0-61.6 kg. Press and release the
SPECIES/MATERIAL button until your meter displays GPP followed by the actual
grains per pound (e.g., 46.5). The display can be changed to kilograms by pressing
either the UP or DOWN arrow key while ‘GPP’ is displayed. The display will then
show ‘GPK’ and then will display the correct reading in kilograms (e.g., 6.4).

16 17
1. Data Viewing. When the meter is in Data Recording mode (above) and the DATA button
is pressed again, the meter will display MAX and display the highest reading stored. As
with the other modes, if there are no readings stored, the meter will display MAX and
‘- - - -’.
In MAX reading view mode, if the DATA button is pressed again, the meter will display
MIN followed by the lowest reading stored. If there are no readings stored, the meter
will display MIN and ‘- - - -’.
If the meter is in MIN reading view mode, and the DATA button is pressed again, the
meter will display AVG and immediately display the average of all the readings stored.
If there are no readings stored, the meter will display AVG and ‘- - - -’.
When the meter is in AVG reading view mode, and the DATA button is pressed again, the
meter will display REC, briey display the most recent reading’s location number (e.g.,
4), and then will display the actual moisture reading stored in that location (e.g., 18.2).
If the reading is at the meter’s maximum of 32.0, the display will show RECMAX along
with the actual 32.0 reading. If there are no readings stored in the meter, the display will
show REC and ‘- - - -’.
2. View Readings mode. While in REC (View Readings) mode, if the UP button or the
DOWN button is pressed, the next or previous reading location will be displayed (e.g.,
2) for 0.5 seconds, and then the meter will display the reading stored at that location
(e.g., 18.2).
If the UP button or DOWN button is held down for 0.7 seconds, the current reading
location will increase or decrease to the next multiple of 10 (e.g., if the reading location
is currently 6, pressing the UP button will change the reading location to 10). Every
0.7 seconds thereafter that the button is held down, the reading location will continue to
change by 10 (e.g., from 10 to 10).
When the UP button or DOWN button is released, the reading location that was
stopped on will be displayed (e.g., 90) for 0.5 seconds, and then the meter will
display the reading stored at that location (e.g., 18.2). All throughout View Readings
mode, REC will be displayed to indicate that the user is currently accessing the
recorded readings
If the meter is in the View Readings mode and the DATA button is pressed again, the
meter will display CL for 0.7 seconds, ALL for 0.7 seconds, and then display NO. This
is called the Clear Reading mode.
3. Clear Reading mode. If the meter is in the Clear Reading mode and either the UP button
or the DOWN button is pressed, the display will change from NO to YES.
If the DATA button is pressed when YES is displayed, all readings will be cleared from
the meter memory. If the UP button or DOWN button is pressed instead of the DATA
button when YES is displayed, the display will change from YES to NO and the meter
memory will not be cleared. If the DATA button is pressed while NO is displayed, the
meter will return to the Reading mode.
To clear an individual reading, press the UP and DOWN buttons simultaneously. CLRD
will show on the display followed by NO. Press the UP or DOWN button to select YES
then press the DATA button to clear the reading.

18 19
NOTE: If the meter is in any of the modes associated with the DATAbutton (Data Setting,
High Reading View, Low Reading View, Average Reading View, or Clear Reading) and the
ON/HOLD button is pressed, the meter will return to Reading mode.
How to Program a Species Setting for Different Wood Species
NOTE: If you cannot nd the correct setting for the wood species or material you wish to
measure, go to www.wagnerspecies.com. If you still cannot nd the correct setting, contact
Wagner at 844-689-0660.
NEXT, once the meter is turned on, press and release the SPECIES/MATERIAL button until
you are in the Species Setting mode. Once you are there, the meter will show the current
setting with a decimal (e.g., 0.62 or 1.00). If the meter is being programmed for the rst time,
the default setting of 0.50 will be displayed on the screen.
While in this mode, pressing and releasing either the UP or DOWN arrow buttons will
increase or decrease the setting of the meter by .01 each time a button is pressed and will
update the display accordingly.
If the UP button is held down for 0.7 seconds, the setting will increase to the
next multiple of .10 (e.g., if the setting is currently .36, the setting will change
to .40). Every 0.7 seconds thereafter that the button is held down, the setting
will change by another .10 (e.g., from .40 to .50).
If the DOWN button is pressed and held for 0.7 seconds, the setting will
decrease to the next multiple of .10 (e.g., if the setting is currently .66, the
setting will change to .60). Every 0.7 seconds thereafter that the button is
pressed and held, the setting will change by another .10 (e.g., from .60 to .50).
When pressing the UP arrow button, once the maximum setting of 1.00 has been reached,
the setting will wrap around to the minimum (.20) and continue to increase from there.
Similarly, when continuing to press the DOWN button, if the minimum setting of .20 has been
encountered, the setting will wrap around to the maximum (1.00) and continue to decrease from
that point.
Once the species value has been set, press and release the ON/HOLD button to return the
meter to Standard Measurement mode. Once in Standard Measurement mode, 0.0 will be
displayed on the screen if the meter is held in the air. The programmed setting will be retained
in memory even if the meter is powered off or the battery has been changed. If you press
and release the SPECIES/MATERIAL button in the future, the last programmed setting will
appear on the screen.
Relative Scale for Moisture Measurement of Non-Wood Building Materials
As mentioned earlier, this mode can be entered by pressing and releasing the SPECIES/
MATERIAL button until you are in this mode (display will show REL in lower left corner).
Once in this mode, your meter will be in a relative measurement scale (0-100) for measuring
non-solid wood or non-wood based materials. Press the ON/HOLD button to return to the
Standard Measurement mode.
AUDIO Button
Your Orion® 950 AUDIO button allows you to set a high moisture content
alarm threshold (setting from 5% to 32%) for solid wood measurement

20 21
applications, and also set the volume for the audible alarm. This feature is useful, for example,
when quickly scanning a piece of wood, and trying to locate any higher moisture content
areas, without having to continually look at the digital display.
Press the AUDIO button and the display will show the current moisture content high threshold
(e.g., 14%). The factory default is 15%. Each press and release of the UP or DOWN buttons
will adjust the threshold setting by 1%.
To get to your desired setting faster, hold down the UP button for 0.7 seconds; the alarm
threshold setting will increase to the next multiple of 5 (e.g., if the alarm threshold setting
is currently 12%, the setting will advance to 15%). Every 0.7 seconds thereafter that the
button is held down, the setting will change by another 5 units (e.g., from 15% to 20%). If
the DOWN button is pressed and held for 0.7 seconds, the setting will decrease to the next
multiple of 5 (e.g., if the alarm threshold setting is currently 23%, the setting will change to
20%). Every 0.7 seconds thereafter that the button is pressed and held, the setting will change
by another 5 (e.g., from 20% to 15%).
Once the setting has been increased to the maximum programmable MC% threshold (32%),
the setting will wrap around to the minimum (5%) and continue to increase from there.
Similarly, if the setting has been decreased to the MC% minimum (5%) the setting will wrap
around to the maximum (32%) and continue to decrease from there. Again, the range of
setting is 5% to 32%, in 1% increments (no decimal place).
Next, press the AUDIO button again, and you will be taken to a display that will show the
current volume setting for audible sound. Simply use the UP or DOWN arrow buttons to set
the desired audible level. The volume setting has a range of OFF to 9; 9 being the loudest and
1 being the quietest, with OFF indicating that the audible alarm is disabled.
• Digital display resolution of 0.1% (in Standard Measurement mode)
• MC measurement range for wood 4.0% to 32.0%
• Relative scale for testing non-wood building materials
• Programmable settings for a wide range of softwood and hardwood species
• Large moisture measurement sensor area
• Current reading can be frozen on display screen, great for note taking
• Low battery alert indication
• Audible alarm for programmable high moisture content limits
• Programmable audio alert volume
• Can be eld-calibrated with the included Orion® On-Demand Calibrator
• Protective rubber boot
• Hard shell storage case and a 9-volt battery are included
• 7-year warranty
• IntelliSenseTM– Read beyond surface conditions (¾” Mode)
• Automatic shutoff when not in use
• Data collection – 2 modes: manual or automatic data storage with viewable
moisture content stats
• RH, Temperature, EMC, Dew Point, and Grains Per Pound modes work with
the free app, via Bluetooth®, which is available for download on page 49.
SUMMARY OF ORION®950 FEATURES

22 23
Low Battery Alert Indication
When the battery is low, BAT appears in the upper right-hand corner of the display. If ignored
for too long, the meter will ash a larger BAT three times and then automatically shut
down. The 9-volt battery must be replaced immediately. This shut-down action is to prevent
inaccurate readings.
Auto Shut-Down to Preserve Battery Life
Regardless of which mode the meter is in, if there is no change in measurement activity over
a period of 1 minute, the meter will automatically turn off.
Calibration of Your Orion® 950
If you have reason to believe your Orion® 950 may be out of calibration, it can be easily
recalibrated using the provided On-Demand Calibrator. Before calibrating your meter,
please be aware that you must ONLY calibrate to the correct Calibrator that came with the
meter. Serial numbers on the Calibrator (found underneath) and meter (found in the battery
compartment) MUST match for correct calibration. Also, the sticker must not be damaged,
as this may cause incorrect calibration. Follow the steps below for proper calibration. The
instructions are also printed on the back of the Calibrator.
1. Place the Calibrator on its legs on a non-metallic surface.
2. Turn the meter on, and then use the SPECIES/MATERIAL button to put your meter in
CAL mode. (Refer to the SPECIES/MATERIAL button section of the manual.)
3. Place the meter on the Calibrator, correctly “seating” the meter sensor pad rmly on the
recessed area of the Calibrator. IMPORTANT: Failure to correctly and rmly “seat” the
sensor pad in the recessed area will cause an inaccurate calibration.
4. Apply light downward pressure and press the AUDIO button three (3) times. The

24 25
meter will make a “beeping” sound which indicates it is going through the automatic
calibration procedure.
5. When the calibration procedure is complete, the meter will display the word LIFT.
Immediately remove the meter from the Calibrator and hold the meter in the air for
approximately 5 seconds until the word DONE appears on the display. During this last
phase in the air, be sure to keep your hand and other objects away from the underside
of the meter.
6. Press the ON/HOLD button to return the meter to normal measuring mode.
If, after recalibrating the Orion® 950, there is still a problem with the meter, please contact a
Wagner representative for further instructions at 844-689-0660.
Protective Rubber Boot for Your Orion® 950
In an effort to help avoid damage resulting from your Orion®
950 meter being dropped or banging the edges against other hard
objects, Wagner Meters has provided a tted rubber boot which
ts snugly around the perimeter of your Orion® 950 meter.
This protective boot should remain in place at all times even when
calibrating your meter on the On-Demand Calibrator.*All function
buttons as well as the display screen, sensing plate, and battery
compartment are accessible without removal of this rubber guard.
The boot will t on the meter only one way correctly. Failure to
correctly place the boot will result in inaccurate readings.
*Although not recommended, you may wish to use the meter without the protective rubber
boot. If you choose to do so, make sure you recalibrate your meter on the On-Demand
Calibrator with the boot off.
7-Year Warranty
Wagner Meters offers an industry-best 7-year warranty on your Orion® 950 moisture meter.
Wagner’s IntelliSenseTM Technology
Your Orion® 950 moisture meter features Wagner’s IntelliSenseTM technology, going beyond
the surface conditions for accurate measurements of moisture conditions inside the wood.
Most pinless meters are unable to distinguish between surface or ambient conditions on the
surface of the wood, and the real moisture picture in the wood. Pin-type meters may be able
to bypass the surface conditions, but they also damage the surface of the wood each time you
take a reading. Air humidity, condensation, or other ambient conditions can impact many
moisture meters and give inaccurate readings that cost you money. However, Wagner Meters’
hand-held moisture meters with IntelliSenseTM technology measure moisture IN the wood,
not ON the wood, giving fast, highly accurate moisture measurement for woodworking or
wood ooring projects. In addition, it works without damage to the wood surface!
* IntelliSenseTM active in 3/4” mode only.
Register your meter at www.genuinewagner.com

26 27
Dimensions with Boot
• Length: 5.75 inches (146mm)
• Width: 3.0 inches (76mm)
• Thickness: 1.0 inches (25mm)
Scanning Area
• 2.0 inches (50mm) x 2.5 inches (63mm)
Weight with Boot
• 7.2 oz. (204g)
Power
• 9-volt battery (Wagner recommends using non-rechargeable Alkaline or Lithium or
rechargeable NiMH batteries)
Auto Power Shut-Down
• 60 seconds
Measurement Ranges
• MC range for wood: 4.0% to 32.0%
Specic Gravity Range for Wood Species
• 0.20-1.0 SG
Storage Temperature and Humidity
• +50˚F to +90˚F (+10˚C to +32˚C), Maximum relative humidity of 95%, non-condensing
Operating Temperature
• +32˚F to +110˚F (+0˚C to +43˚C)
SPECIFICATIONS
As indicated earlier in this manual, if BAT appears on the display, the battery must be
changed immediately or any further moisture measurements will be inaccurate. Replace
with 9-volt, non-rechargeable Alkaline or Lithium or rechargeable NiMH batteries. Be
sure to observe proper battery polarity. The battery ts very snugly in its compartment
and will not become dislodged while taking measurements. Reattach the compartment
door carefully so that it snaps back in place.
When meter is not in use, we recommend that it be stored in the hard shell carrying case
provided with each Orion® 950 meter. If meter is to be stored for a period longer than 30
days, remove the 9-volt battery.
CHANGING THE BATTERY
METER STORAGE

28 29
Wagner recommends that you register your moisture meter at www.genuinewagner.com for
faster support and benets.
Wagner Meters’ warranty offers this product protection against defects in material and
workmanship for seven (7) years from the date of purchase on all Orion® 950 moisture
meters, subject to the following terms and conditions:
Wagner Meters’ liability under this warranty shall be limited, at Wagner Meters’ option, to
the repair or replacement of this product or any part thereof, which is demonstrated to be
defective. To exercise this warranty, visit www.genuinewagner.com for instructions. This
limited warranty does not apply if Wagner Meters determines that the product has been
damaged by accident, negligent handling, misuse, alteration, damage during shipment, or
improper service not attributed solely to the actions of Wagner Meters. Wagner Meters’
liability for any defect in material or workmanship in this product shall be limited to the
amount of purchase price of the product.
With proper care and maintenance, the meter should stay in calibration; however, because
Wagner Meters has no control over the manner in which the unit will be used, it makes no
guarantee that the meter will stay in calibration for any specic period of time. Wagner Meters
recommends returning the unit to the factory for a diagnostic checkup in the event the meter is
dropped or otherwise damaged. If the meter is suspected to be inaccurate, using the provided
On-Demand Calibrator and performing a recalibration will ensure the meter is reading
correctly. If the meter fails to calibrate properly then it should be sent to the factory for a
diagnostic checkup.
WARRANTY When instructed to return a meter, the meter should be returned with the Calibrator that
matches the serial number of the meter.
This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, whether oral or written, express or implied.
THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES WHICH EXTEND BEYOND THE DESCRIPTION OF
THE FACE HEREOF. WAGNER METERS HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. Under no circumstances shall Wagner Meters be liable for any incidental or
consequential damages. Agents and employees of Wagner Meters are not authorized to
make modications to this warranty or additional warranties binding on Wagner Meters.
Accordingly, additional statements, whether oral or written, except written statements from
an ofcer of Wagner Meters, do not constitute warranties and should not be relied upon by
the customer.
This warranty is personal to the customer purchasing the product from Wagner Meters or
Wagner Meters’ authorized distributors, and is not transferable.
Technical Support/Repair Contact
Worldwide Toll-Free: 844-689-0660

30 31
Glossary of Terms
Relative Humidity
The amount of water vapor in the air, expressed as a percentage of the maximum amount that
the air could hold at the given temperature.
Temperature
The degree or intensity of heat present in a substance or object, especially as expressed
according to a comparative scale and shown by a thermometer or perceived by touch.
EMC (Equilibrium Moisture Content)
The moisture content of wood is directly related to the humidity and temperature of the
surrounding air. The EMC occurs when the wood has reached an equilibrium with its
environment and is no longer gaining or losing moisture.
Dew Point
The atmospheric temperature (varying according to pressure and humidity) below which
water droplets begin to condense and dew can form.
GPP/GPK (Grains Per Pound/Kilogram)
In simple terms, a grain is a unit of measurement for weight. It is used to determine the
specic amount of water present in a pound/kg of air. On average, one pound of air has a
volume of 14 cubic feet (178.4 cubic liters) and a weight of 7000 grains (3150 grains metric).
This means that one grain equals 1/7000th of a pound (1/3150 kilogram). GPP/GPK shows
the actual weight of water vapor in the air. It is often referred to as “specic humidity” or
“humidity ratio.”
Mobile App
Wagner Meters offers a free mobile app that links your Orion® 950, through a Bluetooth®
connection, to your Android™ or Apple® smart device to receive and record data, set
specications for separate jobs, and much more.
To download and install the app, simply scan the QR code below to arrive at the app location.
Scan this code to install the app

32 33
Notes Notes

Wagner Meters
326 Pine Grove Road
Rogue River, OR 97537
Worldwide Toll-Free: 844-689-0660
WWW.WAGNERMETERS.COM
©Wagner Meters 2021
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The
information in this document is subject to change without notice.
500-00950-001 REV NC