YSI ProQuatro vs. ProDSS | Key Differences to Consider
YSI has supported water professionals for decades with the Professional Series (or Pro Series) line of industry-leading, portable handheld instrumentation. This family of products covers the range of single-parameter, dual-parameter, and multiparameter options with both analog and digital output. These instruments provide high quality data in a variety of field applications, including surface water such as rivers and streams, groundwater, aquaculture, and wastewater. Smart features, including a built-in USB port and an intuitive user interface, make data collection easy and convenient.
As with all YSI Pro Series instruments, the multiparameter options – the ProQuatro and ProDSS – are built with field use in mind. They are rugged, waterproof, and float if dropped in the water. They’re an ideal choice for discrete sampling in all environments and can withstand even the toughest conditions.
Both handhelds use field-replaceable sensors and cables to keep your instrument up and running and include an industry-leading three-year warranty (on the handheld).
These portable instruments have low power consumption to maximize your time in the field, and the rechargeable battery of the ProDSS eliminates battery waste and lowers the cost of ownership.
Now let’s examine the key differences to consider when choosing between the ProQuatro and ProDSS.
1) Cable Options
The ProQuatro and ProDSS are highly customizable, with multiparameter 4-port cables and a variety of cable lengths. However, the universal sensor ports of the ProDSS cable accept any combination of digital smart sensors, giving you full control of your measurement options.
An additional benefit for ProDSS is that the 4-port cable is available in lengths of up to 100 meters thanks to the digital signal, while the ProQuatro 4-port cable is limited to 30 meters and utilizes an analog signal.
The ProQuatro can also be used with the single pH (or other ISE), dissolved oxygen, and conductivity cables as well as the dual parameter combination cables. There are also lab-grade cables for BOD, pH, ORP, and combination cables where a field cable may not be necessary.
The ProDSS can be used with the other digital Pro Series cables such as the integrated ODO/T or ODO/CT cables, an optical BOD probe, or a single-port cable for use with any sensor in addition to built-in temperature.
2) Sensors and Parameters
The ProQuatro uses the same accurate sensors used with other Pro Series meters, including the retired Pro Plus to provide fast and reliable measurements for 13 major parameters, including dissolved oxygen (polarographic or galvanic), conductivity, pH, ORP, and temperature.
The ProDSS can measure all these parameters and more, including turbidity, total algae, depth, and GPS. Additional optical sensors (including optical dissolved oxygen – ODO) provide greater stability and data accuracy in the field. Choose from 21 parameter options to create your perfect system.
Digital smart sensors are automatically recognized by the ProDSS for fast, easy setup, and also store their own calibration data, making it easier to share sensors between instruments. ProDSS sensors are built with durable titanium to last longer even in harsh field conditions.
3) Data Management and Memory
Both instruments feature a large internal memory and an on-the-go USB port for transferring data to a flash drive. ProDSS offers 20 times more internal memory than ProQuatro (over 100,000 data sets) and allows direct connection to a PC using YSI's Kor Software. This makes it easy to view recorded data, calibrate sensors, and ensure equipment performs at peak performance.
With ProDSS, you can also set reminders so you know when it’s time to replace your ODO sensor cap so you make sure you’re always getting high-quality data.
4) Display
These handhelds are easy to operate with a menu-driven interface and convenient keypad to quickly navigate the most common features. Readings can be easily viewed on the large backlit display screen even while wearing polarized glasses.
ProDSS takes this even further with a full-color display and and on-screen graphing capabilities for viewing logged data, sensor stability during calibration, and adding photos to your field sites.
While both instruments are powerful, the ProDSS offers superior functionality and additional measurement capabilities that distinguish it as the ultimate sampling handheld.
No matter which instrument you choose, the YSI Professional Series sets the standard for water quality sampling. You can learn more about these instruments and our full range of options at YSI.com/ProSeries.
