Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get the PhotosynQ App?
The PhotosynQ mobile app can be downloaded from the Google Play store on your Android device or at this download button.
The PhotosynQ desktop app can be downloaded here or on the software page of our website.
How do I create an Account?
You can create an account or log in to your account by clicking the green button titled "Community Edition" at the top of this PhotosynQ website or by going to www.photosynq.org. Once you create an account, confirm it through your email before continuing to use your MultispeQ.
How do I create a Project?
Once you login to your account, you will be routed to your profile page where you can find a green button titled "New Project" under your profile picture and name. Clicking this button will allow you to customize a project for your usage and lead you step-by-step through choosing project questions, protocols, data-contributors, and more.
Please note that when you select a protocol for a project, you should not change it at a later date as this could cause issues in the data display. If you would like to use a new protocol, please create a new project for it as well.
For more information you can read our documentation here.
What Protocol should I use in my Project?
If your MultispeQ has Firmware 1.22 to 2.34 you should use the protocol Photosynthesis RIDES.
If your MultispeQ has Firmware >2.34 you should use the protocol Photosynthesis RIDES 2.0.
Both of these protocols are staff picked and created to provide you with the maximum number of parameters in the shortest amount of time.
If you are looking to only take measurements of SPAD values you can also use the new SPAD only protocol.
Please be sure to only use one protocol per project.
For more information on Protocols you can read our help pages here.
How do I charge my MultispeQ?
Charge your MultispeQ by lifting the green protective cover on the back of the instrument and plug the provided cord into the right port. Then plug the USB side of the cord into any USB port to charge the MultispeQ for 8 hours before taking your first measurements.
For more information on getting started, you can visit our help pages here.
How do I turn my MultispeQ on and off?
Turn on your MultispeQ by pressing the center of the green protective cover on the back of the instrument for eight seconds.
If you have a MultispeQ V2.0, you should at this point see the indicator light on the top of the MultispeQ flash for a few moments before continuing to flash once every ten seconds.
The color of the flash is dependent upon your MultispeQ's firmware and battery level. The intermittent flashing will be either green, yellow, or red depending on the battery level. If you do not see your indicator light flashing, please try charging your MultispeQ for a longer period of time.
Your MultispeQ should automatically turn off after 30 minutes. If you would like to turn your instrument off manually, you can do so through the mobile or desktop apps. In the mobile app, click the MultispeQ icon on the top of the page. Here you should see your connected instrument and a slidebar to turn off your MultispeQ. Slide that bar to the left to turn off and disconnect your MultispeQ.
In the desktop app, navigate your way to the Settings tab on the left hand side of the window, then click on the Instrument Settings tab. Under the Power Management section, you will see an option labelled Power. Click the off button next to this option to immediately turn off your MultispeQ.
How can I connect my MultispeQ to my mobile device with Bluetooth?
You can connect your powered on MultispeQ to your mobile PhotosynQ app by clicking on the MultispeQ icon in the top right corner of the app.
From there you can either select a listed MultispeQ to connect to or click the orange “Scan Devices'' button at the bottom of the screen. You should see your MultispeQ’s MAC ID, found by the MultispeQ power button, appear on the screen. Clicking on this ID should connect your device to your MultispeQ.
If it is your first time connecting this device to this MultispeQ, please note that you will need to input a connection code of 1234 before connecting.
How do I take a proper measurement?
To take a measurement while using the Photosynthesis RIDES or Photosynthesis RIDES 2.0 protocol, please use the following steps:
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Begin the measurement by clicking the corresponding "Measure" button on your mobile or desktop app. If you are working through a project, please keep in mind that you will have to answer all project questions before you will be able to start the measurement.
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Open and close the MultispeQ measurement area around your leaf of choice - only do this once to ensure the best measurement possible. The indicator light on the MultispeQ will help guide you in this action, it will begin rapidly flashing when you begin the measurement. When the MultispeQ is closed and the measurement begins, it should change to a solid blue light.
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Wait until the measurement is finished and the data collected is displayed on the screen to unclamp the leaf. You will also know that the measurement is finished when the solid blue indicator light turns off.
How can I use my CaliQ?
PLEASE NOTE: All new MultispeQs arrive fully calibrated and ready to use after charging.
Before using your CaliQ please make sure that your MultispeQ is updated to a Firmware >2.34.
Then you can use the PhotosynQ desktop app to perform instrument calibrations with the automated Assistants located in the settings tab. These Assistants will guide you step by step on how to calibrate your MultispeQ with your CaliQ.
Please keep in mind that MultispeQ Version 1.0 requires a CaliQ adapter found in the shop to be used with the CaliQ.
For further information on the CaliQ and calibrations, please refer to our documentation here and here.
Why is my Measurement taking over 2 minutes to finish?
Many protocols require an open-close motion in order to begin. Please make sure that you are using the appropriate steps to begin your measurements:
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Clicking the measure button
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Opening the MultispeQ measurement chamber
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Clamping the MultispeQ around the desired leaf
If you are opening and closing the MultispeQ in the proper order and still encountering long measurements please note that this problem can also be due to a malfunction in the open-close positions in the MultispeQ.
You can fix this problem by recalibrating the open close positions on your MultispeQ by using the PhotosynQ desktop app. On the desktop app:
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Go to the settings tab on the left side
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Connect your MultispeQ to the desktop app
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Click Instrument settings on the left side
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Under the category “Leaf Clamp Positions” set your open and closed positions by following the given instructions
Recalibrating this process should allow you to more easily begin measurements once you open the MultispeQ and close it around a leaf. Learn more about this process here.
My MultispeQ won’t connect to my phone, what should I do?
First, make sure your MultispeQ is charged as a low battery can prevent connection.
Then, please check that your PhotosynQ mobile app is updated to the latest version.
When attempting to connect a MultispeQ to an android device, it can help to first connect the instrument to the device through bluetooth in the phone settings before trying to connect through the application. Making sure that only one MultispeQ is on and within range can also help in creating a successful connection.
How can I update my MultispeQ to Firmware >2.34?
To update your MultispeQ's firmware you will need to download the appropriate firmware for your instrument from the Software section of our website here.
Then, using the PhotosynQ desktop app you can connect your MultispeQ and select the Manual update button on the connection page. From there you can select the downloaded firmware and apply it to your MultispeQ.
Warning: Once you have updated to firmware >2.34 you will have to preform a full recalibration of your device using a CaliQ. You can purchase a CaliQ here or purchase a domestic or international update and recalibration package here and here.
Please note that once you update your device, you will need to use the Photosynthesis RIDES 2.0 protocol in all further projects as well.
I updated my Version 1 MultispeQ to Firmware >2.34, but now it is listed as a Version 2 MultispeQ, what happened?
This phenomenon occasionally occurs with Version 1 MultispeQs and does not pose an issue, however it will require you to reset three values on your MultispeQ.
Using the console found on the PhotosynQ Desktop app, please type in these three commands one at a time:
set_blink_mode+0+
set_pilot_blink+0+
set_blink_status+0+
With these values reset, your MultispeQ should now preform perfectly alongside the Photosynthesis RIDES 2.0 Protocol.
For more information on the desktop app and console, please see our help pages here.
How long are processing and shipping times for new orders?
Orders, once paid for, will typically be processed and shipped within four weeks. Please note that larger orders may take slightly longer to prepare, and that delays in payment or address confirmation may increase lead times as well.
We advise that at least two weeks be allowed for shipping times, however this amount of time can be affected by factors outside of our control such as international shipping delays or customs examinations. Please reference the tracking number provided to you when your order was shipped to best determine when your order may arrive.
My MultispeQ has a hard green plastic cover instead of a green rubber cover on the end, Why?
Newer MultispeQs are now being outfitted with a hard green plastic port protector, rather than the green rubber cover that has previously been used. Both work well to protect the power button of the MultispeQ, one is just a more updated design that does not have to be removed to charge the MultispeQ.
We look forward to bringing more updates to you in the future!