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Low-cost portable USB-500 data loggers with built-in sensors provide a cost-effective and easy-to-use solution for your basic data-logging applications. With these data loggers, you can easily make temperature and humidity measurements with no programming required. Common use cases include verifying environmental conditions for manufacturers, agriculture or horticulture monitoring, and server room monitoring.
Benefits of Low-Cost Portable Data Loggers
1. Simple Configuration
All low-cost portable data loggers from National Instruments include the USB-500 data-logging application that was designed with beginners in mind. Each data logger plugs directly into a PC’s USB port for instant recognition and configuration. Using the application, you can set the logging rate, start time, and alarms. You can also graph or print the logged data, or export the data to other applications such as Microsoft Excel for use in spreadsheets and reports.
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Figure 1. Basic software makes configuration easy.
2. Stand-Alone Monitoring
The USB-500 data loggers are capable of logging data independently of a PC. After initial configuration with a PC, they can be left virtually anywhere for long-term unattended monitoring. Each data logger includes a long-life lithium battery so you can continually log data for up to a year (depending on the logging rate).
Figure 2. Low-cost USB-500 data loggers can be left unattended for long-term monitoring.
Hardware Comparison
| Product |  Temperature Data Logger |
 Temperature and Humidity Data Logger |
 Temperature and Humidity Data Logger with LCD |
| Price in USD | $63 | $82 | $97 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
Software Flexibility for a Few Dollars More
Typical data logging software limits you to a few fixed-configuration options. National Instruments programmable data loggers break this mold with a more flexible, PC-based approach. NI programmable data loggers are already connected back to a PC through USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi where you can dynamically set logging rates and interactively log, analyze, and present the data with easily configurable software. Using a PC you can take advantage of processing performance, larger storage space, and the ability to create custom software designs. Compared to traditional data loggers, NI programmable data loggers maintain simplicity, but give complete flexibility on how your data is logged.
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 4-Channel USB Thermocouple Logger $529 USD Buy Now |
Learn About Programmable Data Loggers
Additional Resources
Selecting the Right Data Logger
Three-Levels of Data-Logging Software
Reader Comments | Submit a comment »
What is accuracy?
I would like to know the accuracy of the
temperature and humidity readings.
- Jewel Barlow, University of Maryland. JewelBarlow@netscape.net - Aug 26, 2009
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