Gill Instruments has launched a new infrared optical rain gauge designed to provide an alternative to traditional tipping-bucket systems.
The UK-based manufacturer introduced the TruMet PW100 on February 4, 2026, describing it as a solid-state rainfall sensor intended to reduce maintenance requirements and improve data reliability in meteorological and environmental monitoring.
Rainfall measurement has long relied on mechanical tipping-bucket gauges, which can be affected by clogging, mechanical drift and undercounting during high-intensity rainfall. According to Gill, these issues can lead to increased maintenance and uncertainty in data quality.
The TruMet PW100 uses an optical measurement principle rather than mechanical collection. LEDs create a beam of light across a sensing area, and a receiver detects interruptions caused by raindrops. By analyzing droplet size and velocity, the system calculates rainfall accumulation and filters out non-rain interference such as insects or debris.
With no moving parts, funnel or tipping mechanism, the sensor is designed to match the accuracy of traditional tipping buckets while reducing the risk of mechanical failure and lowering long-term maintenance costs.
The company said the instrument is intended for use across meteorological and hydrological networks, flood forecasting and early-warning systems, smart city and urban drainage monitoring, and transportation, aviation and infrastructure operations. It is also positioned for renewable energy and environmental monitoring applications.
Greg Koch, product manager at Gill Instruments, said, “Rainfall is changing, yet the industry relies on legacy mechanical technology. We didn’t set out to reinvent rain measurement for novelty’s sake. We set out to remove the weakest link. This optical rain gauge delivers trusted accuracy without moving parts and with minimal maintenance, which fundamentally changes how rain data can be collected at scale.”
At launch, the TruMet PW100 provides a standard pulse output used by tipping-bucket rain gauges, allowing it to be installed as a direct replacement within existing monitoring networks without requiring system changes or retraining. Gill said future software and hardware updates will expand the instrument’s data capabilities.
The sensor will be available as a standalone device and as an integrated option within the company’s MaxiMet product line, including the forthcoming GMX603 compact weather station, which incorporates the optical rainfall technology alongside other meteorological measurements.
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