Onset Computer announced that it has expanded its line of field-proven, water monitoring instruments with the HOBO U26 Dissolved Oxygen data logger. The new self-contained logger measures concentrations of oxygen in lakes, streams, rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters, which is essential for healthy aquatic life. It will be used by aquatic biologists, hydrologist, and other research professionals in a range of water quality monitoring applications.

Priced at $1250, the HOBO Dissolved Oxygen Logger sets a new standard for low-cost, high performance dissolved oxygen monitoring. It combines the high accuracy, robust performance of In-Situ’s optical RDO Basic (Rugged Dissolved Oxygen) sensor technology with an easy-to-maintain design -- all at a fraction of the cost of other monitoring options.

"The HOBO Dissolved Oxygen Logger gives researchers the accuracy and reliability they need, while dramatically lowering the total cost of ownership," said Paul Gannett, product marketing manager for Onset. "Fewer site visits, less calibration, and easy data offload in the field are just some of the benefits users will experience."

The HOBO Dissolved Oxygen logger provides 0.2 mg/L accuracy, maintains calibration for six months, and features an easy-to-replace sensor cap.

Powerful, intuitive software                

Onset's HOBOware Pro software makes it easy to graph and analyze dissolved oxygen data, and offers a number of features that simplify monitoring projects. It features a Dissolved Oxygen Data Assistant which provides salinity-adjusted dissolved oxygen and percent saturation data. The software also provides the option of start-and-end point calibration for added accuracy and correction for drift in high-fouling environments, and offers one-click data export to Microsoft Excel and other programs.

Convenient data offload

The HOBO Dissolved Oxygen Logger offloads data to a PC via a convenient optical USB interface, which provides high-speed, reliable data offload. The optical design eliminates problems associated with failure-prone mechanical connectors. The logger is also compatible with Onset's HOBO Waterproof Shuttle, which provides easy and reliable data retrieval and transport in wet environments.

Pricing and availability

The HOBO U26-001 Dissolved Oxygen Data Logger will be available directly from Onset in June, 2012, and will be priced at $1250.