DATAQ Instruments, Inc. News and Articles

DI-155 Data Acquisition Starter Kit Update

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EDT

We are very pleased to announce some good news regarding the release of the DI-155 USB data acquisition starter kit. Our first production run is now under way! Printed circuit boards are on order and should arrive in the next two weeks so we should be able to assemble, test, and calibrate the instruments by the first or second week of March. It has been a long arduous road to travel but we think you will be pleased with the final result. As we gain better visibility for the final shipment date we will take pre-release orders (end of February or early March). <Go to the DI-155 Product Page>

SOPA and PIPA: A Continuation of Media Companys' "Chicken Little" Legacy

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EDT

We're all familiar with the Chicken Little fairy tale that describes a neurotic chicken who believes that the sky is falling. She enlists the support of various barnyard animals to find the King and tell him the terrible news. In the shadow of potential SOPA and PIPA legislation it's appropriate to revisit this drama and the Chicken Little role played and replayed by media companies over the years. Here, courtesy of Steve Blank, is an excellent overview. It should be enough to make even a Senator or Congressman stop and reflect (but perhaps I expect too much.) <Read More.>

NIST-Traceable Calibration Certificates for EL-USB Data Loggers

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EDT

NIST-Traceable (National Institute of Science and Technology) calibration certificates for many EL-USB data loggers are now available through DATAQ Instruments. Multiple temperature (and RH points, if applicable) may be purchased for a single device. Calibration certificates are available for all the EL-USB temperature data loggers ($49) and EL-USB temperature and humidity data loggers ($96). Use the table after the jump to determine applicable devices and price. <Learn More.>

DI-155 Data Acquisition Starter Kit Delayed Again

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:30:00 EDT

Release of the DI-155 USB data acquisition starter kit has been delayed yet again. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The reality is, we want to ship it as much as you want to receive it. Release is set for the first quarter of 2012. <Learn More.>

DI-155 USB Data Acquisition Starter Kit Release Delayed

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:45:00 EDT

Release of the DI-155 USB Data Acquisition Starter Kit has been delayed. Our new estimated delivery date is December 23, 2011. We are very confident that we'll meet if not beat this target. <Learn More.>

DI-149 Protocol Updated and Finalized

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:20:00 EDT

The DI-149 Protocol is updated (and finalized). Updates include additions of the D (digital out) command that does not echo and the float output format command as well as a speed qualifier to the asc command. <Download the pdf file for the completed protocol.>

NEW EL-DataPad Now Available

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:40:00 EDT

The EL-DataPad is now available! This much-anticipated handheld device allows you to archive and view up to 500 EL-USB temperature data logger uploads. The El-DataPad has a 2.8 inch full color TFT display with touch screen navigation allowing you to view data with general trend and summary reports. Data is easily transferred to a PC with the included micro USB cable. Same day shipping available. <Learn more>

DI-149 Protocol Updated

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EDT

The DI-149 USB Data Acquisition Starter Kit Protocol document was updated. Changes include clarification on the counter operation (digital input 3), added info commands, and the counter reset command. <Download the pdf>

The DI-149 Data Acquisition Starter Kit Ships Today

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EDT

We are pleased to announce that model DI-149 data acquisition starter kit is released, and we are shipping it today. This includes our entire backlog of DI-149 pre-orders as well as any orders we receive before 3 PM Eastern time today. We're excited to place this new product in the hands of our customers, and we appreciate your patience as we eliminated the software glitches in our new rate and counter features. We hope you'll agree that the final result was worth the wait. As always, thank you for considering DATAQ Instruments products. <Go to the DI-149 product page to order>

DI-149 Shipping Delay

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:45:00 EDT

We tried our best, but we will not make the promised September 2 delivery of the DI-149 starter kit. Our new delivery date is September 9, and we are very confident that we'll meet if not beat this target. <Learn More>

DI-149 Protocol Update

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:15:00 EDT

The communication protocol for the DI-149 USB Data Acquisition Starter Kit has been updated to include the new Digital In "Counter" channels for Rate (frequency) and Counts. <Download the pdf>

DI-149 Documentation Available

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:40:00 EDT

The hardware manual for the DI-149 USB Data Acquisition Starter Kit is now available online. Learn how to setup and connect the new Digital In "Counter" channels for Rate (frequency) and Counts. More documentation updates are forthcoming as we prepare to ship DI-149 units out to customers (still on schedule for September 2, 2011). <Download the pdf>

We've finalized the DI-149 Data Acquisition Starter Kit

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:45:00 EDT

Consistent with our plan to begin shipping the DI-149 to customers by Friday, September 2, we have finalized the hardware, software, and firmware design and updated its data sheet. Some specific items of interest are: Higher sample rate (from 8 kHz to 10 kHz); Counter/Timer operations finalized and now accessible through WinDaq; and more. <Learn more>

Now Taking Pre-orders for the DI-149 Starter Kit

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:45:00 EDT

The DI-149 USB data acquisition starter kit is now available for Pre-order. This low-cost unit will be shipping within the next week (by September 2nd). It offers 8 differential channels at +/-10 Volt full scale, recording speeds up to 8 kHz as well as 4 digital inputs and 4 digital outputs. <Learn more>

Coming Soon! The NEW DI-155 USB Data Acquisition Starter Kit

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:20:00 EDT

Beginning immediately DATAQ Instruments has extended the retooling of its data acquisition starter kit line up. The DI-158 series is discontinued and replaced by model DI-155. The DI-158 has been a workhorse product for nearly a decade, but advances in technology now allow us to offer more power for close to the same low price. Extending the success of the recently introduced DI-145 and DI-149, the DI-155 employs virtually indestructible analog and digital inputs, measures up to +/- 50 Volts at 12-bit resolution, records at throughput rates up to 40 kHz, and adds counter/timer capability. <Learn more>

DI-149 Communication Protocol Released

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 11:30:00 EDT

Although DATAQ Instruments provides ready-to-run WinDaq software with its DI-149 Data Acquisition Starter Kits, programmers will want the flexibility to integrate the DI-149 in the context of their own application. To do so they want complete control over DI-149 hardware, which can be accomplished by using the device at the protocol level. This white paper describes how protocol-level programming of the DI-149 is implemented across the Windows and Linux and operating systems. First, we'll describe the virtual COM operation of the DI-149's interface and how communicating with the DI-149 is accomplished via a COM port hooked by the operating system. Then we'll define the DI-149's command set and scan list architecture and finish with a description of the DI-149's binary and ASCII response formats. <Learn more>

CE approval for DI-145 and DI-160

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EDT

The DI-145 USB data acquisiton starter kit and the DI-160 event, state, and count data logger are now CE approved and available to ship to all countries. <Learn more>

NEW DI-160 Event, State, and Count Data Logger now Available

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:30:00 EDT

The DI-160 Event, State, and Count Data Logger is now available. This Event Data Logger features four (4) high voltage isolated channels to connect to any ±300V or 230 VAC rms source and four (4) low voltage non-isolated channels to connect to switch closures and up to 30V discretes. Data is recorded to an SD card in csv file format. <Learn more>

NEW EL-DataPad Available for Pre-Order

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EDT

The EL-DataPad is now available for Pre-order. This handheld device allows you to archive and view up to 500 EL-USB temperature data logger uploads. The El-DataPad has a 2.8 inch full color TFT display with touch screen navigation allowing you to view data with general trend and summary reports. Data is easily transferred to a PC with the included micro USB cable. <Learn more>

FREE Utility Converts WinDaq Data Files to TDM Format

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:30:00 EDT

The WDQ2TDM utility program creates a TDM (test data exchange format) xml header file (with a .tdm file extension) for a WinDaq data file (.wdq) allowing you to use any program to analyze WinDaq data that supports the .tdm file format (including HBM NCode, National Instruments LabVIEW, National Instruments DIAdem, National Instruments DasyLab, MathWorks MatLab, Microsoft Excel, and OpenOffice Calc). Best of all, this utility is FREE. <Learn more>

Coming Soon! The NEW DI-149 USB Data Acquisition Starter Kit

Thu, 26 May 2011 09:30:00 EDT

Beginning immediately DATAQ Instruments has extended the retooling of its data acquisition starter kit line up. Model DI-148U is discontinued and replaced by model DI-149. The DI-148U has been a workhorse product for nearly a decade, but advances in technology now allow us to offer more power for nearly the same low price. Extending the success of the recently introduced DI-145, the DI-149 employs virtually indestructible analog and digital inputs, and adds counter/timer capability. <Learn more>

50% Off Out-of-Warranty DI-5B Modules

Wed, 18 May 2011 11:10:00 EDT

We have twelve, never-been-opened DI-5B isolated amplifier modules of various models that we are offering at a 50% discount. Each is in its own sealed bag as it came from the manufacturer, along with calibration information. They are officially out-of-warranty, but we guarantee that each will work the first time you connect it or we'll take it back and refund your purchase price. Remember, 5B amplifier modules are like hockey pucks. They're almost impossible to destroy while deployed in an application, and human hands haven't touched these since they were manufactured. <Learn more>

Price Drop: Discount on the GL220

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:15:00 EDT

Our March madness discount promotion on the GL220 was so successful, we've decided to extend the offer indefinitely. You can once again get a GL220 data logger for only $995. That's $300 (23%) off the US list price. No coupon required. We don't know how long this promotion will last, so take advantage of this special offer while you can. <Learn more about the GL220 Data Logger and place your order today>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #24 A Tale of Bad Resistors - A follow up report

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EDT

You may recall that we had a rather alarming problem with the first few DI-145 boards from our first production run. We've taken the issue up with the resistor manufacturer with disappointing results. We sent them several bad resistors that were lifted off DI-145 boards that would not calibrate properly. We also sent them an entire DI-145 with one channel that failed because of a faulty resistor so they could verify this in-place as it came from the assembly house. <Learn More...>

10% off EL-USB Data Loggers and Accessories

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EDT

DATAQ Instruments is now offering a 10% off the already low US list price of ANY EL-USB Data Logger or accessory. Use Coupon Code EL10USB at checkout to get your discount. <Learn More>

Get a FREE copy of WinDaq/XL

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EDT

You could get a FREE copy of WinDaq/XL. All you have to do is tell us how you are using your DI-145 USB Data Acquisition Starter Kit. The best entries will receive a free copy of WinDaq/XL (a $99 value). WinDaq/XL provides real-time data logging directly to Microsoft Excel. <Enter the Contest>

Discount on the GL220 about to Expire

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EDT

Save $300 (23%) off the original $1295 US list price on the purchase of a GL220 Handheld Data Logger. This sale ends April 1, 2011 at 12:01 AM. <Learn more about the GL220 Data Logger and place your order today>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #23 Product Launch

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EDT

Production on the first run of DI-145 data acquisition starter kits is complete! Units have been tested, calibrated, and packaged and are ready for shipment. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #22 Defining the DI-145 Protocol (Part 2 of 2)

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EDT

Part two of the DI-145 Protocol: The extended protocol without DI-194RS backward compatibility is now available. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #21 A Glitch! (Caused by a lousy resistor? Really?)

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EDT

Perhaps you've heard about the wave of counterfeit electronic parts that has assailed the industry over the past year or so. It seems that supply disruptions caused by the Great Recession in tandem with central banks' Great Reflation have understandably confounded parts suppliers' best forecasting efforts to result in a general dearth of some parts. Some lead times are as long as 40 weeks, leading the surprised customer to wonder if they should even bother. Of course, crooks (located mostly in the Far East) have taken notice and offered to resolve the supply vacuum with "equivalent" products, sometimes even at premium prices. These alternatives look exactly like the part they portend to replace (the same manufacturer logo and part number), but it's just a ruse. They end up operating with degraded specs, if they work at all. <Learn more>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #20 Now Accepting Pre-release Orders for the DI-145

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EDT

Order your DI-145 now! First come, first served. We are pleased to announce that we are accepting pre-release orders for the DI-145 beginning immediately. Orders can be placed ONLY from our online store. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Some items to note before you order. <Learn more>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #19 DI-145 Installation Software is Ready

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EDT

We mentioned in an earlier report that we had begun testing DI-145 installation software on our array of internal test PCs, one for each of the five operating systems that we'll support. That testing is now complete, and it's now worth noting how the software will be provided and what will be installed with the finished DI-145. <Learn more>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #18 First Production Run

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:10:00 EDT

All the pieces are falling into place for the DI-145's first production run. The parts are in stock and have been transferred from the warehouse to the assembly house. Up until this point all DI-145s that exist, the ones we've used for hardware and software testing for months, have been built by hand, a process that consumes about two hours per board. During the first production run, hands will touch these products only twice. Once to place them on the assembly machine and again to remove them as finished products ready for inspection, calibration and test. <Learn more>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #17 A Minor Change to the DI-145 Protocol

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:10:00 EDT

Now It's Largely Backward Compatible with the DI-194RS. When we started this series we told you that we would report all the events that transpire during the DI-145 release process -- the good, bad and the ugly. Fortunately, most of our reports covered good progress and we've been able to state without exception that the product operates exactly as claimed and envisioned four months ago before the first hardware prototype even existed. Until now. <Learn more>

March Madness: Discount on the GL220

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EDT

Save $300 (23%) off the original $1295 US list price on the purchase of a GL220 Handheld Data Logger. The GL220 is a 10-channel data logger with a 20 mV to 50 VFS measurement range and a 4.3 inch full color LCD display. No coupon necessary. Valid only through the month of March. <Learn more about the GL220 Data Logger and place your order today>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #16 DI-145 Preliminary Manual Now Available

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:20:00 EDT

A 26-page preliminary hadrware manual for the DI-145 USB data acquisition starter kit is available for download. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #15 Testing DI-145 Data Acquisition Starter Kit Software for Compatibility

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EDT

Microsoft has a lot of operating system versions on the market. Many are obsolete, but still supported by them. For instance Windows XP and Vista are obsolete, but Microsoft will continue to support them until Apr 8, 2014 and Apr 11, 2017 respectively. It is DATAQ Instruments' policy to support all appropriate Microsoft operating systems that are still supported by Microsoft, which means that we need to test our software on no less than five: Windows XP, Windows Vista (32-bit), Windows Vista (64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit), and Windows 7 (64-bit). How we do this makes for interesting commentary in the DI-45 Developer's Notes Series. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #14 Defining the DI-145 Protocol (Part 1 of 2)

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EDT

The primary mission of the DI-145 Data Acquisition Starter Kit, as with all of our starter kits, is to expose the universe of instrumentation users to our WinDaq software. It does that quite nicely, but there's always a subset of adventurous individuals who want to use the device with their own program. Lately, we've even seen more and more such individuals of the Linux flavor for whom our standard programming tools offer no solution. So, in response to this collection of creative coders we've decided to publish the DI-145's protocol, the nuts and bolts command and response set that occurs over the USB port. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #13 Weekend Reading: Tracking the missing grounds

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EDT

Those who have looked closely at the block diagram on page 3 of the DI-145 data sheet may have noticed something odd: Missing analog and digital ground connections on the DI-145's terminal strip. If you thought that the block diagram omitted them for the sake of clarity or simplicity, you'd be incorrect. What gives? <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #12 Behind the scenes

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EDT

Until now this series of developer notes has dealt only with DI-145 product design issues, from printed circuit boards and IC footprints to individual component issues and firmware. With this installment we'll look at what happens in the background behind the fast and furious world of new product development engineering. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #11 Ahead of schedule

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:30:00 EDT

Sometimes things just work out. We wrote in an earlier post that the revision C board, our first candidate for the first production run, was due in-house by January 24. Things must be slow at the PCB fabricator because the board arrived a full week ahead of schedule on January 17. Three prototypes were assembled that day, and testing has been on going all week. Application engineering and tech support have also had their first look and the instrument has so far performed flawlessly. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #10 Pre-release orders

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EDT

As the DI-145 development effort draws nearer to concluding we’ve been inundated with requests to order the instrument. While we understand the desire of those following the project and anticipating its release to simply "order it and forget about it" we want to do everything we can to ensure delivery within reasonable expectations (generally sometime in Q1, 2011). <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #9 More testing and Revision C

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:45:00 EDT

The firmware bug that prevented analog input channel four from operating has been found and killed. All four analog input channels in the DI-145 data acquisition starter kit are now operational. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #8 Revision B Update: Crosstalk

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:30:00 EDT

Catching up on DI-145 developments early in the New Year, the new Revision B artwork arrived just before Christmas and the techs were able to assemble two working prototypes just before the break. One enterprising engineer took a look at it over the holiday and made the following determinations. <Learn More...>

DATAQ Instruments Holiday Schedule

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:35:00 EDT

DATAQ Instruments will break for the holidays beginning the evening of Friday, Christmas Eve and returning on Monday, January 3. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #7 Revision B

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:35:00 EDT

Engineers are satisfied that the DI-145 will perform largely to planned specifications. The malfunctioning channel is most likely due to a soldering problem when attempting to mate the Atmel processor to a PCB with an incompatible footprint. <Learn More...>

Red Cross in France Acquires 1,000 EL-USB-1 Data Loggers

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EDT

Through our representative in France, the Red Cross has purchased 1,000 EL-USB-1 Data Loggers. These popular and inexpensive data loggers will be used to monitor the temperature in refrigerated medicine cabinets to ensure a consistent and correct temperature. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #6 It Works!

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EDT

DI-145 firmware was designed on a development board while the hardware details for the product were still being finalized. We ended up with 130 KB of code that needed to be optimized to fit within the 64 KB program space on the DI-145's processor. That's not as bad as it seems. The development code contained elements of two products and a few libraries that were not critical to the DI-145's operation. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #5 Processor Update

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:45:00 EDT

Before our regular update, we salute all past and present Vets on this date that continues to live in infamy. The assembly of the first prototype DI-145 has been completed. Our tech did a super job matching the processor's package to a PCB footprint that was never designed to accommodate it (see inset). <Learn More...>

NEW Interactive Product Screener

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 13:45:00 EDT

NEW product screener available online now. Find the right product for your application and budget fast with our newly-developed online product screener. Filter products by price, function, channels, and more. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #4 PCB Prototype

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EDT

The PCB for the prototype DI-145 has been received and partially assembled. Time for our first snag: We've been trying for weeks to secure samples of the Atmel processor that forms the heart of the instrument. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #3 Prototype DI-145

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EDT

The prototype schematic has been in printed circuit board (PCB) layout since November 11. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #2 PDS Release

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EDT

Before the first schematic is drawn; before the first component is purchased; before the first word of a data sheet is written, marketing and engineering agree on a PDS (Preliminary Design Specification.) The PDS describes in excruciating detail every aspect of the product that engineering will design and exists for several reasons. <Learn More...>

DI-145 Developer's Diary #1 Background: DI-194RS vs. DI-145 and an Invitation

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 08:30:00 EDT

Model DI-145 is the imminent replacement for the discontinued DI-194RS data acquisition starter kit. In addition to a facelift provided by its new enclosure, the DI-145 parlays all we learned from the thousands of ways customers used the DI-194RS. For instance, we knew we had to make its analog and digital inputs tougher and that the RS-232 interface of the DI-194 was no longer viable for today's modern computers... <Learn More...>

Get 25% Off the Purchase of any DI-710, DI-718B, or DI-718Bx Bundle

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:40:00 EDT

For a limited time, DATAQ Instruments is offering 25% off the already discounted US list price of ANY DI-710 Bundle, DI-718B Bundle, or DI-718Bx Bundle. Each bundle includes WinDaq/HS and WinDaq/XL. Stand-alone Data Logger bundles include a high speed 2GB SD card and a card reader. Restrictions do apply. <Learn More...>

DATAQ Instruments announces an overhaul of its low-end starter kit product.

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 14:50:00 EDT

DATAQ Instruments announces an overhaul of its low-end starter kit product. Model DI-194RS is now obsolete and will soon be replaced by model DI-145. Full preliminary details can be found on the DI-145 product page including a product comparison and data sheet. <Learn More...>

Take a Closer Look at the GL820 Data Logger's Ethernet Interface

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EDT

Operate and monitor the GL820 Data Logger over any network. View data over any network and download it to your local drive. <Learn More...>

Early Fall House Cleaning in our Warehouse Means You Save $

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST

After a recent cycle count of products in our warehouse we found that we have some that are either new, or like-new that we cannot sell. These products won't last long. Call today and mention this article to place your order now at 330-668-1444 (M-F 8-5 EDT). <Learn More...>

USB or Ethernet: Which Do I Choose?

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:20:00 EST

When deciding between a USB and Ethernet interface, it's important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both. In this application note I'll outline the benefits (and drawbacks) of each interface; helping you to choose the best product for you're application. <Learn More...>

New EL-USB Drivers (beta)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:29:00 EST

New drivers (beta) are now available for Lascar's line of easy-to-use and inexpensive EL-USB data loggers. <Learn More...>

New Software for Windows 7, Vista, and XP now Available

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:30:00 EST

DATAQ Instruments has launched new 32-bit and 64-bit versions of WinDaq Data Acquisition and Playback Software for all USB starter kits, DI-71x USB products, DI-1000TC USB products, DI-720 USB products and DI-730 USB products. Version 3.38 of the Acquisition software and version 2.66 of WWB for MMC/SD now supports 32- and 64-bit versions of the new Windows 7 Operating System, as well as Windows Vista. Microsoft signed drivers are included in the installation. <Learn More...>

Support Schedule Update

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:26:00 EST

DATAQ Instruments has launched new 32-bit and 64-bit versions of WinDaq Data Acquisition and Playback Software for all USB starter kits, DI-71x USB products, and DI-1000TC USB products. Version 3.38 of the Acquisition software and version 2.66 of WWB for MMC now supports new Windows 7 Operating Systems as well as Windows Vista (32- and 64-bit versions). Microsoft signed drivers are included in the installation. <Learn More...>

Multimedia Presentations Available for new AC Line Data Loggers

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:26:00 EST

Get a closer look at the Data View and Configuration software for our new AC Line Data Loggers models CL601 and L261. See just how easy it is to set up your instrument and analyze your data. (The CL601 and L261 are currently available for a limited time at a 10% discount - restrictions apply). <See the Videos>

NEW AC Line Data Loggers at 10% Discount

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:26:00 EST

NEW Data Loggers for AC Line Measurements CL601 Current Data Logger and L261 Voltage Data Logger Available now at a 10% Discount (restrictions apply). Use the CL601 for 0-600 Arms measurements or the L261 for 0-600 VAC/DC measurements. Both instruments have built-in 240,000 sample memory, a built-in data time clock, alarm function, and are powered with two AA batteries. <Learn more about this offer.>

NEW DVTH Data Logger for Temperature and Humidity

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:30:00 EST

NEW Low-cost Temperature and Humidity Data Logger with Graphical Display. Measures 15°F to 150°F (10°C to 65°C) and 0 to 99% RH. <View the DVTH Data Logger Page>

Bandwidth and DI-8B/DI-5B Series Signal Conditioning Modules

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST

Suppose you're browsing the DATAQ web site looking for a DI-8B series, analog voltage module to acquire a 10V peak-to-peak, 100Hz waveform. You come across the DI-8B31-02. It's an analog voltage module; it has a full scale measurement range of ±5V, perfect. Not so fast! The DI-8B31-02 has a bandwidth of 3Hz. What does that mean? It means that sub-3 Hz frequencies will be displayed correctly, while any component of the waveform with a frequency approaching 3Hz will begin to lose amplitude or get smaller (attenuate). <more…>

NEW True RMS Input Module

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

New module in the popular DI-8B series industrial signal conditioning modules. Plug in to the DI-718B data logger, DI-718Bx data logger, DI-78B backpack, or DI-788 industrial data acquisition system to interface true RMS input voltage. Input ranges from 100mV to 300V. <View the DI-8B33 Page>

NEW Low-cost EL-USB-TC-LCD Data Logger

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Thermocouple (J,K,T) Data Logger with LCD Display features measurement ranges of -200 to +1300°C (K-type), -100 to +900°C (J-type), or -200 to +400°C (T-type). Includes basic 1.5 meter K-type thermocouple rated from 0 to 300°C (32 to 446°F), replaceable lithium battery, and software on CD. <See the EasyLog Data Logger Series Page>

What You Really Need to Know About Sample Rate

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 09:33:00 EST

By and large discussions of sample rate are like watching paint dry. Do we really have to get into the details? After all, everyone knows that you only need to sample at twice the frequency of your signal of interest to get good results, right? If you answered "right!" to that last statement, perhaps you should read on. While it's true that the so-called Nyquist rate of two times the highest signal frequency component is the sample rate required to eliminate alias frequencies, the often overlooked qualifier to this rule is that the signal being digitized must be bandwidth limited at a value equal to half the Nyquist rate. What's important is not just your frequency of interest, but all the frequencies contained in the signal you digitize and how they compare to the sample rate you've chosen. Let's go back to the basics. <more…>

How to Store Data using WinDaq/MySQL

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:15:00 EST

A MySQL database can store 30,000 times more data than a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Used in combination with WinDaq/Lite, Pro or Pro+, WinDaq/MySQL is a convenient solution for those needing to store and easily retrieve large quantities of data. The WinDaq/MySQL application acts as a bridge, linking WinDaq to a MySQL database. <more…>

Trade in your old DI-720 or DI-730

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:45:00 EST

For a limited time, trade in any working or broken DI-720 or DI-730 instruments and receive a brand new DI-720 or DI-730 at a 30 percent discount off the US list price. If you originally purchased a WinDaq/Pro+ license you'll also receive a FREE software update. That's a $200 value all by itself. <more…>

How To Connect and Calibrate Thermocouples Using DI-8B47 Series Amplifiers

Fri, 29 May 2009 14:06:00 EST

Thanks to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), thermocouple wire is color coded to indicate thermocouple type and polarity. This takes the guesswork out of connecting thermocouple wires to your DI-718B, DI-718Bx, or DI-788. <more…>

Follow DATAQ Instruments on Twitter

Fri, 29 May 2009 08:40:00 EST

DATAQ Instruments, Inc. is now on Twitter. <Follow us on Twitter>

How Much ADC Resolution Do You Really Need?

Thu, 28 May 2009 10:04:00 EST

You just bought a data logger with a 14-bit ADC (analog-to-digital converter.) What exactly does that mean? Could you have gotten away with a 12-bit product? A 10-bit? Did you gaffe and really need a 16-bit data logger? You know that a higher "bit" number is better, but how much better is "better"? This application note describes a method you can use to answer these questions in terms of your specific situation, as opposed to the generalized explanations provided by product data sheets. <more…>

How To Determine Loop Load in Process Current Measurements

Thu, 21 May 2009 11:29:30 EST

Process current (4-20 mA) measurements are popular with DATAQ Instruments' customers, and that often leads to some interesting application questions. One of the better ones relates to how many process current instruments can be connected to a single current loop. Customers know that there MUST be a limit, but they're not sure about how to quantify it. This application note will answer that question so you know exactly how far you've pushed your current loop, and how much further you can go before getting into trouble. <more…>

Bridge Structural Monitoring System - Distributed Synchronous Ethernet Data Acquisition Systems Satisfy Demanding I35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge Health Measurements

Fri, 15 May 2009 13:40:00 EST

The collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 1, 2007 was a calamity of huge proportion. Carrying over 135,000 vehicles daily, the bridge failed during the evening rush hour resulting in thirteen fatalities and 145 injuries. Almost immediately plans were formulated for a replacement bridge, which subsequently opened on September 18, 2008. But unlike its ill-fated predecessor the new I-35W Saint Anthony Falls Bridge is designed with an integral state-of-the-art monitoring system that continuously assesses bridge integrity to ensure that a catastrophic failure will not repeat. That monitoring system was implemented using DATAQ Instruments' Distributed Ethernet data acquisition products, which provide the optimal blend of data acquisition power with the ability to capture measurements across the bridge's immense 1,200-foot length. <more…>

Connection and Calibration of Strain-Gage Based Transducers

Tue, 12 May 2009 14:40:00 EST

Resources for connecting and calibrating strain-gage based transducers (DI-8B38 or DI-5B38) to your DI-718B or DI-718Bx Data Logger

Date and Time Added to Spreadsheet Print (.CSV) File Export

Mon, 04 May 2009 15:00:00 EST

Date and Time data added to WinDaq Waveform Browser export to spreadsheet print (.csv) function.

Windows Vista 64-bit Support

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST

The Windows Vista support schedule is updated to include 64-bit support for many DATAQ Instruments products.