What Apogee Instruments does

Apogee Instruments, Inc. is a Logan, Utah-based manufacturer of research-grade environmental sensors founded in 1996 by Dr. Bruce Bugbee. The company designs, builds, and sells a broad portfolio of measurement instruments spanning photosynthetically active radiation (PAR/ePAR quantum sensors), shortwave and longwave radiometric sensors (silicon-cell and thermopile pyranometers, pyrgeometers, net radiometers, NDVI sensors), surface and atmospheric temperature/humidity probes, non-contact infrared radiometers, soil moisture sensors via the TEROS 12 partnership, gas-phase oxygen sensors, UV-A and UV-Index sensors, photometric lux sensors, spectroradiometers, a chlorophyll concentration meter based on patented absolute-unit technology, a weighing precipitation gauge, and integrated multi-parameter monitors such as the Guardian CEA system. Core technology rests on precision optics, NIST-traceable calibration (with research-grade IR uncertainty of ±0.2°C and DLI-meter long-term non-stability under 2% per year), cosine-corrected detectors, and multi-protocol outputs (SDI-12, Modbus, 4-20 mA, USB, Bluetooth) backed by ISO 9001:2015 quality management and ISO 9060:2018 Class C pyranometer ratings.

The company operates a horizontal business model selling standalone sensors, handheld meters, and bundled sensor-plus-logger packages directly to customers via its e-commerce storefront and through an international distributor network. Standalone unit pricing spans from approximately $235 for a basic quantum sensor to roughly $7,895 for a lab UV-NIR spectroradiometer; complementary revenue comes from NIST-traceable calibration services, replacement accessories, and microCache Bluetooth logger pairings. Customer segments are diversified across academic and government researchers, controlled environment agriculture operators, commercial growers, solar PV monitoring integrators, weather-network agencies, and a specialized aquarium/reef-keeping mid-market. The company does not disclose funding history, M&A activity, or revenue, and is operated as a founder-owned private entity with a global distribution footprint but a small (11-50 employee) headcount concentrated in Logan, Utah.

Name

Apogee Instruments

Legal name

Apogee Instruments, Inc.

Website

https://apogeeinstruments.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Apogee Instruments is a Logan, Utah-based manufacturer of research-grade environmental sensors — including PAR/ePAR quantum sensors, pyranometers, infrared radiometers, soil moisture sensors, and chlorophyll meters — serving agricultural researchers, controlled environment agriculture operators, weather networks, and solar PV integrators worldwide since 1996.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific and Environmental Measurement Sensors

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Safety Monitoring Instruments (Air quality, emissions, radiation, noise, gas detection) (IMAGAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Sensors (Temperature/Humidity/Gas/Air Quality) (HDAHALAD), Optical & Light Sensors (Photodiodes/ALS/Color/UV) (HDAHALAE), Continuous/Remote Monitoring Systems (IoT Sensors, Telemetry, Networks) (EUAHACAL)

Keywords

• Environmental sensors
• Radiation measurement instruments
• Quantum light sensors
• Agricultural monitoring equipment
• PAR measurement devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Logan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Sensor Hardware Sales: Sale of research-grade environmental sensors including quantum sensors, pyranometers, infrared radiometers, soil moisture sensors, and specialty meters. Products sold as standalone sensors, handheld meters, or integrated packages with data loggers.
2. Calibration Services: Recalibration and repair services for sensors to maintain NIST-traceable accuracy standards
3. Replacement Parts and Accessories: Cables, mounting brackets, protective cases, batteries, and other accessories to support sensor deployment and maintenance

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Apogee Instruments designs, manufactures, and sells research-grade environmental sensors for measuring photosynthetically active radiation (PAR/ePAR), solar radiation, infrared radiation, temperature, humidity, soil moisture, chlorophyll concentration, oxygen, NDVI, UV, and other environmental parameters. Products are sold as standalone sensors, handheld meters, or integrated packages with data loggers and wireless telemetry for use in scientific research, precision agriculture, controlled environment agriculture, and environmental monitoring. The company also provides NIST-traceable calibration services and replacement parts to support long-term sensor deployments.

Product overview

Apogee Instruments is a research-grade environmental sensor manufacturer founded in 1996, offering a comprehensive portfolio of measurement instruments for agricultural, environmental, and controlled environment applications. The core product lineup centers on PAR/Quantum sensors (including Full-Spectrum, Original X, and ePAR variants), DLI meters, pyranometers (silicon-cell and thermopile), and multi-parameter monitors like the Guardian CEA system. Supporting sensor categories include chlorophyll concentration meters, oxygen sensors, NDVI sensors, infrared radiometers, UV sensors, temperature sensors, soil moisture (TEROS 12), photometric sensors, net radiometers, pyrgeometers, precipitation gauges, and spectroradiometers. Accessories include microCache Bluetooth loggers, Aranet wireless telemetry, calibration services, and mounting hardware. Products are designed for scientific research, precision agriculture, greenhouse monitoring, and renewable energy applications, with standard output protocols including SDI-12, Modbus, and analog voltage/current options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Quantum (PAR & ePAR) Sensors and Meters

Quantifiable outcome

• Long-term non-stability less than 2% per year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AranetcoreTechnology or IntegrationApogee offers Aranet wireless telemetry packages combining their sensors with Aranet wireless transmitters for remote data collection and monitoring. Products include PAR Sensor + Aranet Transmitter Package, Pyranometer + Aranet Transmitter Package, ePAR Sensor + Aranet Transmitter Package, and Standard Field of View IR Radiometer + Aranet Transmitter Package.
• TEROS (for Soil Moisture Sensors)coreTechnology or IntegrationApogee distributes the TEROS 12 soil moisture sensor, which uses 70 MHz dielectric capacitance technology to measure volumetric water content, temperature, and electroconductivity. Features Modbus digital output for improved system integration and cloud subscription-free data access.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• LI-COR Biosciences: LI-COR is a direct peer producing research-grade instruments for plant science, environmental research, and radiation measurement, including LI-COR quantum sensors commonly cited alongside Apogee in scientific literature. Highly comparable in target customers (researchers, agronomists) and product category (PAR sensors, spectroradiometers).
• Campbell Scientific: Campbell Scientific manufactures environmental measurement systems and data loggers widely used in agricultural research, weather networks, and ecological monitoring. Directly comparable in environmental sensor and datalogger offerings targeting research and CEA customers.
• Kipp & Zonen (OTT HydroMet): Kipp & Zonen specializes in solar radiation and atmospheric measurement instruments (pyranometers, pyrgeometers, net radiometers) overlapping directly with Apogee's pyranometer and radiometer product lines for meteorological and PV monitoring applications.
• Hukseflux Thermal Sensors: Hukseflux develops high-accuracy thermal sensors for heat flux, solar radiation, and soil thermal properties, serving research and industrial customers. Comparable in radiation measurement precision and scientific-grade instrumentation targeting similar markets.
• METER Group (formerly Decagon Devices): METER Group manufactures research-grade soil moisture, temperature, and environmental sensors (including the TEROS line now distributed by Apogee), serving agricultural and environmental research markets. Highly comparable target customer and scientific instrumentation profile.
• Onset Computer Corporation (HOBO): Onset produces HOBO data loggers and environmental sensors for indoor, outdoor, and underwater monitoring. Overlaps with Apogee on temperature, humidity, and PAR logger products serving greenhouse, agricultural, and research customers.
• Stevens Water Monitoring Systems: Stevens designs environmental monitoring instrumentation for hydrology, meteorology, and water quality. Comparable in weather network instrumentation and environmental sensor deployments, though with greater focus on water resources.
• Davis Instruments: Davis Instruments produces weather stations and environmental monitoring products for consumer, agricultural, and professional applications. Comparable in solar radiation, temperature, and humidity sensors, with broader consumer and prosumer reach.
• Spectrum Technologies: Spectrum Technologies (SpecConnect/FieldScout) manufactures handheld and field-deployable instruments for turf, agriculture, and environmental monitoring, including PAR, NDVI, and soil measurements. Direct overlap with Apogee's handheld meter products serving growers and agricultural professionals.

Broad incumbents

• Vaisala: Vaisala is a global leader in weather, environmental, and industrial measurement with broad product lines spanning humidity, temperature, barometric pressure, and solar radiation. Overlaps with Apogee on environmental sensors but operates at significantly larger scale across multiple industries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ApogeeInst
• Facebookfacebook.com/ApogeeInstruments
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apogee-instruments-inc-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Apogee Instruments