Awsome Thermometer, check it out!

[gargoyle]

I just got mine through UPS today. If you need a really easy to use themometer that interfaces with your computer and will keep track (doesn't control just plots) of your temps when you're not around. I'm using mine on my hovabator, it fit through the thermometer hole that was already there. Check it out, comes with it's own tracking, ploting software.


http://www.vernier.com/go/gotemp.html (http://)

[Bristen]

I wonder how precise/dependable these things are? They seem to be more as a teaching tool as a scientific tool? Can you let it run 24/7 or does it end up bogging down your PC and blowing up your hard drive? I'm also looking for some kind of thermometer for the incubator I'm trying to setup.. keep us posted as to how it is working...

What does everybody else use? Just depend on the Helix or just a RadioShack kind of min/max digital thermometer?

Thanks!
Bristen.

[gargoyle]

just charts the information, nothing to"bog" the harddrive down unless you decide to save the info, then it looks like a pretty small file anyways, just a simple graph/chart. I hope to check how accurate it is soon with a temp gun, but seems pretty good with all my digital thermometers I have been using. It may be a teaching tool, but hey I'd trust something that was designed for teaching scientific principals anyday, even if they were designed for lower than college/university classes. And yes you can let them run as long as you program it too, but every once in a while you'd want to reset it and save the information (once a day is what I plan on).. In my case I have no Helix running on my hovabator so this is the next best thing for keeping track of things for me.

[wetlander]

I use hobos. These are great little thermometers that record internally and you have to download the data to read it (and buy the software separatly. Not very handy for short term......I use max min for that, but they are great for long term tracking. You set how often you want to record the temperature (I think from every second to every hour).

Using these I was able to determine the difference in winter/ summer temps and adjust haeting accordingly. You can also purchase waterproof cases that allows them to be submerged

Available at Hoskin Scientific

http://www.hoskin.ca/show_product.php?id=1289&search=true&ptID=340

[mykee]

Is it just me, or is that link as dead as dead can be?....

[Bristen]

Hey Mykee, just copy/paste it and you will be fine ;)

Later,
Bristen.

[Bristen]

On the Vernier site it does state that their devices and software are designed for educational purpose only. They are not for use in any commercial usages, etc. I don't know if I would bother using it, but since you were brave enough to purchase it, let us know how it works out for you. It is certainly in an affordable range for anyone, that's for sure.

While looking on their site, they do make references to other companies that make similar machines but that are for commercial usage. Here are a couple of links that may interest some folks to one of the companies (the only one with a web site from what I could tell):

Temperature & Humidity (http://www.dicksonweb.com/matrix/static_matrix_1.php)

The TM320 (http://www.dicksonweb.com/product/model_453.php)

Bristen.

[gargoyle]

Well I've checked and re-checked with three other thermometers, and the Go temp as been in for 72hours straight and hooked up to the laptop. keeping track great and matches all the thermos within .3 degrees F. I can't ask for more than that.. seems like a great product for me (keeping track of temps in my incubator when I'm not here to see what happens ie: at night and during the day) And for the price I can't whine. My opinion, great product and great price!

[Bristen]

Well thanks for the feedback... maybe that's what I'll get then... the incubator I'm trying to setup is conveniently setup right in my office by my PC.. so a USB extension cable is the only thing I would need... actually, if I hook it up to my notebook, I don't even need that! I'll definately consider it anyways. Let us know if there's anything you do NOT like about it.. I may decide to order one in a week or two.. for the price, it may be worth a try (not a bug gamble heh).

Thanks!
Bristen.

[gargoyle]

after shipping and taxes mine cost about $75.00 cdn from vernier's cdn distributor. When I priced out some good regular thermos they were between 40 and 60 bucks so it was very easy for me to decide being this one can do a lot more..

[Bristen]

one disadvantage though is that you can't see the temperature without having your PC on :-( I suppose, since I have a Helix controlling the heat tape, I can probably just look at that when my PC is not on...

Thanks for the extra information!
Bristen.

[gargoyle]

Not only see the info, but unless the PC is running it's not even powered up...for me this is no issue as mine is on 24/7, for others this may be a problem!