TEROS 12
Advanced Soil Moisture Sensor + Temperature and EC

TEROS 12
YOU NEED SENSOR LONGEVITY

Soil can be highly variable in space, requiring many measurements and frustrating amounts of your research dollars. Not to mention the extra cost and hassle of replacement sensors if you need long-term data. Make large sensor networks simpler, longer-lasting, and more affordable with the ultra-dependable TEROS 12 soil moisture, temperature, and EC sensor.

A TEROS 12 soil moisture sensor

Better accuracy—verified

The TEROS 12 soil moisture sensor uses a completely new calibration procedure that maximizes accuracy and minimizes sensor-to-sensor variability while keeping the cost reasonable. So you can be confident that every sensor you install is going to read exactly like the next one. Unlike other sensors on the market which spec an unverifiable  ±1.0% VWC accuracy, the TEROS 12 was rigorously tested by our soil physicists across a challenging range of soil types and EC levels so you can be confident in the accuracy of your data.

Plus, TEROS sensor repeatability can be checked with an accuracy verification standard. No other soil moisture sensor has this ability. Just slide the verification clip onto a sensor and plug it into a logger. If it reads within the right range, your sensor is good to go.

3.0 %
accuracy

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Small soil moisture sensor lets you think bigger

The TEROS 12 delivers the best volume of influence to sensor size on the market so you’re less susceptible to soil variability errors. We’ve optimized the circuitry in this 9.4-cm sensor to deliver an incredible one-liter volume of influence (versus the 200 mL typical for most sensors). Most soil sensors that measure this much volume are 20 cm or longer, causing installation headaches. Not only that, you can cut your installation time in half or more when you install with the new Borehole Installation tool. The tool mistake-proofs installation, eliminating common errors that cause uncertainty in the data—like air gaps, or preferential flow. And the TEROS 12 is plug and play with the cloud-connected ZL6 logger. No programming required. See your data instantly in real time, wherever you are.

9.4 cm
sensor

A TEROS 12 soil moisture sensor

METER is trusted by

Terracon
Brigham Young University
Temple University
Colorado School of Mines
UNBEATABLE PRICE TO PERFORMANCE RATIO

We created the TEROS line to eliminate barriers to good accuracy: installation inconsistency, sensor-to-sensor variability, and sensor verification. The TEROS 12 is a long-life, accurate, easy-to-install sensor that combines METER’s legendary technology with an ultra-rugged form and a new calibration procedure to deliver an unbeatable price-to-performance ratio.

A TEROS 12 soil moisture sensor

With you for the long haul—guaranteed

The culmination of our new TEROS water content line, the plug-and-play TEROS 12 soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity sensor makes your life easier with a large volume of influence, reduced sensor-to-sensor variability, and a near-bulletproof form factor—which lasts up to 10 years in the field. These innovations, along with our well-published capacitance technology, an accuracy verification standard, real time, remote data visualization with ZENTRA Cloud, and a blazing fast installation tool have combined to generate our most accurate, easy-to-use, highly durable—yet still economical—soil moisture sensor. We’re so confident about the long life of our TEROS sensor line, we’ve increased our standard warranty from one to three years.

A TEROS 12 soil moisture sensor

Legendary technology—long-lasting performance

Backed by over 20 years of soil moisture research, the TEROS 12 soil moisture sensor combines METER’s trademark 70 MHz circuitry with an extremely ruggedized epoxy fill and securely attached, sharpened stainless steel needles that easily slip into the soil and are resistant to salts, so you can worry less about sensor deterioration. Very low power consumption and a high resolution provide increased precision over a longer period of time.  If you’re planning a long-term large sensor network and want long-lasting performance for less work and less of your research budget, then choose the TEROS 12.

A photo of Ruben Rascon of Bayer Crop Science

“​​Of all of the soil sensors we tested, the TEROS 12 not only provided the most accurate readings, but now in production they have also survived our vigorous process. Outstanding product.”

 – Ruben Rascon, Bayer Crop Science

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Feature summary

  • Increased volume of influence (1010 mL)
  • Easy installation with Borehole installation tool (minimizes air gaps for cleaning readings)
  • Dependable, long-life soil moisture sensor
  • Plug and play with the ZL6 logger
  • Real-time, remote data visualization with ZENTRA Cloud
  • Reduced sensor-to-sensor variability
  • 3-year long-life guarantee
  • Check installation or troubleshoot with the ZSC Bluetooth sensor interface
  • Repeatability can be checked with an accuracy verification standard
  • Robust, epoxy body for tough field conditions
  • Minimizes salinity and textural effects by using 70 MHz frequency capacitance technology
  • Steel needles cut through the soil for better soil-sensor contact
  • Easy-to-use SDI-12 communication for non-METER data loggers
  • Ferrite core eliminates cable noise

Water Content Features


wdt_ID wdt_created_by wdt_created_at wdt_last_edited_by wdt_last_edited_at Features TEROS 10 TEROS 11 TEROS 12 TEROS 54 ECH20 EC-5 ECH20 10HS
1 Measures volumetric water content X X X X X X
2 Measures temperature X X X
3 Measures EC X
4 Depths measured simultaneously 1 1 1 4 1 1
5 Individually normalized X X X
6 Can install manually X X X X X
7 ariel.dearth 21/05/2024 02:06 PM ariel.dearth 21/05/2024 02:06 PM Install tool available TBIT TBIT TBIT TEROS 54 Install Tool N/A N/A
8 Install via borehole or trench Either Either EIther Borehole Either Either
9 Quickest install/removal X
10 Maintenance-free X X X X X X
11 Compatible with verification clip X X X
12 Volumetric water content accuracy - generic calibration ±0.03 m³/m³* ±0.03 m³/m³* ±0.03 m³/m³* ±0.05 m³/m³* ±0.03 m³/m³* 0.00 - 0.57 m³/m³*
13 Volumetric water content accuracy - medium specific calibration ±0.01–0.02 m³/m³** ±0.01–0.02 m³/m³** ±0.01–0.02 m³/m³** ±0.02–0.03 m³/m³** ±0.02 m³/m³** N/A
14 Analog vs digital Analog Digital Digital Digital Analog Analog
15 Uses capacitance technology X X X X X X
16 Maximum measurement volume 430 mL 1010 mL 1010 mL 300 cm³ per segment 240 mL 1320 mL
17 Connects to ZENTRA X X X X X X
18 ariel.dearth 21/05/2024 02:04 PM ariel.dearth 21/05/2024 02:04 PM LEARN MORE TEROS 10 TEROS 11 TEROS 12 TEROS 54 ECH20 EC-5 ECH20 10HS
19 * Generic calibration - typical in mineral soils that have solution EC
20 ** Medium specific calibration - in any porous medium
Features TEROS 10 TEROS 11 TEROS 12 TEROS 54 ECH20 EC-5 ECH20 10HS

A TEROS 12 soil moisture sensor

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