It would be cheaper to run your compressor 24/7 for an entire season (about 6 months) than to buy even the cheapest D.O. meter in the mid $250.00 range. (Really good ones are $600.00 to $700.00).
My 1/3 horsepower Gast puts out 4.2 cfms which is twice as much as I need for my 3/4 acre pond, and uses about $25.00 in elec. per month if run 24/7. I can run it 24/7 for the full season (6 months) at $150.00 per year in electricity and that is still cheaper than the cheapeast D.O. meter)
If I was not raising fish at high commercial densities I could get by with a 1.5 cfm model that only uses about $7.00 per month in electricity.
I also believe it is harder on them to continuously start and stop them than it is to run them continuously.
I think you guys are being penny wise pond (pound) foolish.
