# Comparing Geodrop moisture to Separate Moisture sensor
**URL:** https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227
**Category:** Help & Support
**Created:** [August 21, 2025, 12:05am UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227 "2025-08-21T00:05:11Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@rodney](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/rodney)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2025, 12:05am UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/1 "2025-08-21T00:05:12Z")
I’m trying to determine if the geodrop moisture measurement is accurate. When I use my handheld tool next to the geodrop, it measures considerably different readings than what geodrop reports. I’ve taken some pictures as I measure at different 1”intervals so it can be observed. Attached are those pictures but my handheld tool measures 1”(10%), 2”(40%),3”(60%),4”(80%),5”(90%) while Geodrops measures 1.5”(89%),2.5”(91%),3.5”(86%). Geodrops also seems to think I’m watering the lawn daily at around 1pm which I’m not. The soil temperature also seems to be really high at 115 degrees and it is sunny today ranging in temperature from 57-87 F.
1” (10%)
2”(40%)
3”(60%)
4”(80%)
5”(90%)
Geodrop reading after measurement taken (1 hour ago)
Geodrop watering detection around 1PM +/- 30mins. Last time sprinkler went off was 8/14 but it was happening before that as well.
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### Author:  [@rodney](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/rodney)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2025, 3:56am UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/2 "2025-08-21T03:56:39Z")
For reference serial number is 334X8S.
I have another geodrop showing similar behavior at 334PRV.
Manual measurement 1”(40%), 2”(70%),3”(90%),4”(90%),5”(90%)
geodrop app right lawn says 1.5(91%),2.5(92%),3.5(91%)
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### Author:  [@homedigy-stanley](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/homedigy-stanley)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2025, 8:26am UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/3 "2025-08-21T08:26:47Z")
Hi @rodney ,
I have already flagged your issue with engineering. Just to make sure I’m understanding your query correctly - are you reporting watering event detection when it shouldn’t have taken place given your watering schedule and the dry summer weather?
Stanley
Marketing PM
Team GeoDrops
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### Author:  [@rodney](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/rodney)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2025, 6:09pm UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/4 "2025-08-21T18:09:16Z")
Main issue is, why does my moisture meter not correlate to the geodrops measurement. Second is, why does it think a water event took place when it did not?
As proof you can see when it was last run by Rachio.
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### Author:  [@kredmore](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/kredmore)
#### Post date: [August 22, 2025, 5:17pm UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/5 "2025-08-22T17:17:36Z")
I had the same issue, high 90s all the time, so I re-calibrated after a heavy rain, and the readings seem to be more in-line. I would like to understand the temp reading too, as I have see some really high numbers in the soil.
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### Author:  [@homedigy-stanley](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/homedigy-stanley)
#### Post date: [August 25, 2025, 5:57pm UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/6 "2025-08-25T17:57:46Z")
Hi @kredmore and @rodney,
Just wanted to give you a quick update. Engineering is looking into this. However, it will likely take us some time. We’ll provide another update as soon as we investigated further.
Thanks for your support and patience,
Stanley
Marketing PM
Team GeoDrops
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### Author:  [@homedigy-lawrence](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/homedigy-lawrence)
#### Post date: [August 28, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/7 "2025-08-28T21:47:05Z")
Hi @kredmore - Can you kick off a new post under “Help & Support” with a more detailed description of your issue and the serial number for your device? It’s very rare for two people to have the same exact problems, just because everyone’s exact lawn, soil, and weather/environment are quite different. 😉
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### Author:  [@kredmore](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/kredmore)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2025, 2:02pm UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/8 "2025-08-29T14:02:26Z")
sure, I will start a new post after getting my second GeoDrops up and going in a different section of my yard.
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### Author:  [@homedigy-stanley](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/homedigy-stanley)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2025, 7:00pm UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/9 "2025-08-29T19:00:18Z")
In the meantime, @rodney , I want to let you know that we’re still looking into this. @homedigy-lawrence or someone else on the team will be responding soon.
Stanley
Marketing PM
Team GeoDrops
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### Author:  [@homedigy-stanley](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/homedigy-stanley)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2025, 10:17pm UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/10 "2025-09-02T22:17:52Z")
Hi @rodney ,
Hope you had a good Labor Day weekend. Just wanted to let you know that we’re still looking into this.
Stanley
Marketing PM
Team GeoDrops
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### Author:  [@homedigy-leon](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/homedigy-leon)
#### Post date: [September 4, 2025, 1:28pm UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/11 "2025-09-04T13:28:40Z")
Hi @rodney ,
These are two different sensor technologies: resistive and capacitive.
I believe the moisture meter in picture is resistive. This type of sensor works by measuring the resistance to an electrical current. Resistive sensors are generally less accurate because the readings can be affected by the salinity of the soil, and the probes can corrode over time.
Geodrops, on the other hand, are capacitive sensors. They measure changes in the soil’s capacitance, which is its ability to hold an electric charge. Since water has a much higher dielectric constant than soil and air, the sensor can very accurately determine the percentage of water volume in the soil.
If you ever doubt a sensor’s reading, the most reliable method is still the classic finger test. Simply stick your finger into the soil near the sensor. Your finger is a great tool for telling you if the soil actually feels dry, moist, or wet.
In your case, clay soil is known for its ability to hold a high amount of water. However, it holds that water very tightly. Every soil has a “permanent wilting point,” which is the moisture level at which a plant can no longer extract water from the soil. Clay soil has a very high wilting point and this means that even if a sensor detects a high percentage of moisture, that water isn’t actually available for the plant’s roots to absorb. So, from the plant’s perspective, the soil is effectively “dry.”
For inaccurate watering events, please continue to flag them with a thumbs up or down in the app. This can help improve GeoDrop’s AI.
Hope this helps answer your questions.
Leon
Engineering
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### Author:  [@homedigy-lawrence](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/homedigy-lawrence)
#### Post date: [September 4, 2025, 9:31pm UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/12 "2025-09-04T21:31:59Z")
Thanks Leon for helping.
Hi @rodney - I’ve also just posted this lengthy FAQ re: soil moisture readings: [Soil Moisture FAQ - What does it mean? What moisture should I target? etc](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/soil-moisture-faq-what-does-it-mean-what-moisture-should-i-target-etc/250)
Please let us know if you have any more questions! Feel free to keep leaving any general question here.
For anything soil physics specific, feel free to respond directly to that FAQ topic!
Thanks!
Lawrence
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### Author:  [@homedigy-stanley](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/homedigy-stanley)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2025, 1:59am UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/13 "2025-09-10T01:59:24Z")
Hi @rodney ,
Did you manage to get everything you need from the FAQ? Just trying to see if we can go ahead and close this thread.
Thanks,
Stanley
Marketing PM
Team GeoDrops
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### Author:  [@rodney](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/rodney)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2025, 3:49pm UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/14 "2025-09-10T15:49:57Z")
Yes, the FAQ makes sense. You can close this thread.
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### Author:  [@homedigy-stanley](https://geodrops.discourse.group/u/homedigy-stanley)
#### Post date: [September 10, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://geodrops.discourse.group/t/comparing-geodrop-moisture-to-separate-moisture-sensor/227/15 "2025-09-10T18:02:35Z")