New to data logging?

We understand that sometimes you just want to collect some simple data and use it to guide your decisions. You don’t need to get bogged down in all the technical jargon, unless of course you want to!

We’ve put together this page to introduce you to data logging in general and provide you with some background to give you the tools to get collecting data.

What is a data logger?

In the simplest of terms, a data logger is a compact device which can record sets of data from a series of sensors and produce a data set which can be downloaded or remotely accessed. Most data loggers are battery-powered, solar powered or mains powered devices equipped one or more sensors, or sensor ports (where you can attach your own).

Okay, sounds cool… but when would I use one?

Different data loggers can be deployed in a variety of environments from cold to hot climates, under the sea, up a mountain, pretty much anywhere there is something to measure. They can record measurements at set intervals for up to years at a time, unattended. Some require a manual download through WIFI or Bluetooth, but others, such as Datacase, can connect remotely through GSM (that’s using phone signal to you and me!).

When you would use one is completely up to your imagination. Ever wondered how cold your greenhouse gets overnight, how much light gets into your office each day, whether that poor plant you keep forgetting upstairs has enough water in its soil…? Water temperature, water level, dissolved oxygen, rainfall, wind speed and direction, leaf wetness, room occupancy, plug load…the list goes on.

We’re sure by now you’re buzzing with ideas! Why don’t you check out our example data, temperature logging, soil moisture content…

And although we’ve tried to keep this site as jargon-lite as possible, we’re sure some will still crop up. Here are just a few of the terms we have been known to use, check them out before heading to our “Datacase set up” page to find out more