RC-5+Digital PDF USB Temperature Data Logger Reusable Recorder Refrigerator Thermometer 32000 Points High Accuracy

A very sparse set of instructions came with the item, so I had trouble getting it to work at first. I looked online and the instructions from the manufacturer there were much clearer. With that info, it is very easy to use. Once I got it running it did just what I wanted. The refrigerator in our new travel trailer wasn't holding temperatures right. I put this in the refrigerator and let it run for a couple of days. Then I plotted the results (done automatically from the vendor software) and was able to show the RV dealer what was happening. The refrigerator would get cold and stay cold for 6-8 hours, then it would stop cooling for 6-8 hours allowing the inside to get way too warm to keep food safely. It would have been very hard to see what was happening without this recorder. We've had some trouble getting repairs done on our trailer due to the factory refusing warranty repairs, but with the detailed data we gathered with this recorder we're confident the problem will get fixed.

I initially purchased two units, an RC5+ and an RC-5+TE. I have since purchased two additional "TE" units. These loggers are intended for use in monitoring shipments of food and other goods that need to be kept cold, so of course a record of the shipping conditions is essential. Check the specs to get an understanding of their outstanding flexibility. My use is in monitoring temperatures in rooms in which the air conditioning or heating may have problems, so I need to be able to monitor fairly rapid temperature changes. If you need to monitor for conditions like this, you should buy the "TE" version which adds an external sensor on the end of a cable about 3 feet long. Nothing magic about that sensor, there is another one like it inside the RC-5+ case and you can choose which to use, but the external one has much less mass than the case so it responds more quickly to temperature changes. It took me a little while on line to find the correct application software to download. For a Windows PC that is ElitechLogWin V6.4.0. There is an understandable user manual included in the app, but it has some omissions I found annoying. Most of those have to do with how to transfer data from the logger into the PC, how to configure the logger, and how to choose stored database files to display. This is like any other competent tool that's new for you, not everything is obvious and there is a learning curve. But the hardware and software work just fine, and the plotting routine (PDF only) is marvelously capable. Not only can you overlay multiple data logs, you can even display (and export!) logs that only partially overlap -- and the software takes care of this offsetting and scaling for you! And you can change the X-axis scaling and location of the viewing window; it's a little clunky in my opinion, but workable and I'm making fewer errors now. If I didn't feel these are marvelously capable and well worth their cost, I wouldn't have bought two more soon after the first two! The only reason it didn't get 5 stars from me is what I consider some obvious omissions in the user manual explanations. Martt Harding

Needs software, which was not included and arduous to get (see seller review). Now that it is working, I mostly like it. I have had other data collecting thermometers. The problem with those other devices is that I had to collect the data too frequently (via Bluetooth connection to my phone), which didn't get it done reliably for a remote location. I often lost data. I chose this one because it can collect much more data. I should be able to collect all the data between infrequent visits to the remote location. The issue here, is that I need to take the thermometer to my PC to upload the data. A version of the app for a phone, would be nice. So, when I check the remote location, I can just download the data to my phone. But, at least I'll be able to get the data (since it saves it long enough on the thermometer). One star off for VERY weak instructions.

Great product. Very dependable and accurate.

It is so aggravating to use this. You test it. It looks like it's cool and neat and the data is there. But once again, a refrigerator dies and I look at the log -- and it has the quick no need for software PDF and CSV file and I should be in data heaven!!! But NO! Apparently, the option for circular logging is off by default. It stopped after the first 30 days two months ago. The graph I'm looking at does not end today – in the last hour. No!!! It ended last March after it recorded 30-days. And then just chilled do’in the big nothing. So older versions had automatic start default to off -- or maybe as a newb user, maybe I clicked it off. But then the UI should have made that clear. The newer UI seems to make automatic on a default. But I try to test and then this "thing" keeps finding new ways to not have data. If the user base bifurcates between some users only wanting the first 30-days then stop by default and a second sane normal average user wanting data up to the present day, please have the software up front force a click between these two types. Somehow, it doesn’t seem like that first group would exist. But OK. Make the UI clear about this. I just want data. And for the third time weeks go by – and I tested – apparently during the first 30-days! I thought I was good to go. And then a refrig dies and I want data. Nope. NO SOUP FOR YOU! Also the circular logging option is greyed out. Clicking around. Changing from 30-day to interval-time on the first tab didn't enable circular. Who doesn't want circular and automatic on as a default? I now have PTSD. I'm going to find out that the play button gets smooshed in the refrig – then secretly the device is for months off -- And that’s when I learn about a hidden sub tabbed option -- stay on lock option. Or I’ll find out months from now that one of these devices didn't have the leap year capture option on, because leap years are disabled. Maybe there is a year of the dragon on/off options I missed. What’s next?

Day one it solved the problem it was purchased for, saved a $250 service call. Resident reported his refrigerator was failing. It was rock steady. Day two and on it is just a bonus, already know which unit it will be in on Monday. Best $$ I have spent on the job. Note: read the manual to find the website to download the software. after that it is simple to use.

It's fine for its intended application -- monitoring food shipments and the like -- but is a bit slow for more dynamic environments. The time constant is about 10 minutes -- that's the time it takes for a step change in temperature to rise to 63% of its final value. I stuck in my freezer for a few hours and then pulled it back out, and those are the time constants I measured. Other than that, the device and its app are easy to use.

I wanted to collect the temperatures in my well house so I ordered this product. It works great. I didn't install any software, I just plug it into my mac and it shows a PDF with the data logging points, perfect. You do have to install software to change the settings like how often it records the temp and C/F, I didn't do any of that, just put it in my well house and left it for a week. Worked perfectly. I'm actually leaving this review while I'm ordering a second one. BTW, like most digital thermometers, the response time to temp change is not rapid but neither does it cause it to be inaccurate unless you have very fast and wild temp swings where you're recording. If you think this is over priced, go out and shop data loggers, this is as budget as the come.

Very good

Good one.

Fiquei chocado com a versatilidade! Comprei pra comprar pra garantia que uma geladeira não esfriava o suficiente e acabei arrumando desculpas pra usar na "caixa que esfria" alheia por pura curiosidade.

Works exactly as advertised. Very easy to use and quite accurate.

me han funcionado muy bien