Q: Can I Take my Sensor on the Road?

Yes, you can definitely take your sensor on the road. However, we do have some recommendations.

  1. PurpleAir sensors have been tested and evaluated for stationary use, which is how we recommend operating them. The sensors work by using fans to intake air, so if they are mounted on the outside of a vehicle while it’s moving, high wind speeds will likely affect readings. If possible, you may want to consider shielding the sensor from wind in some way.

  2. When a sensor is moved a considerable distance, we recommend archival. This ensures that public data is location-accurate, which is important for researchers, concerned citizens, and others who use the map. If a sensor is going to move frequently, we suggest registering it privately. This allows you to register it once and not worry about archival after.

  3. If you want to take your sensor on the road but don’t necessarily want to collect outdoor data while your vehicle is moving, you can consider purchasing a Zen sensor. Its swappable base mount would allow you to mount it externally, but bring it inside while you’re moving.

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