This document compares several educational data logging platforms on various criteria such as price, form factor, battery life, connectivity, software features, and supported sensor modules. The NODE platform stands out as it is modular allowing reuse and expansion, has a long lasting rechargeable battery, supports a wide range of sensor modules, and has open API and software compatibility across multiple operating systems making it educational and similar to other platforms. It appears to offer the best price to performance ratio and durability for educational use.

1. Strong
Points Educational
Focused
Competition
As
of
8/1/2013 NODE NeuLog
Model Node VIEW
Physical
Price Base
Unit
Price
<
$99 Y 209
Modular Sensor
Platform
(base
unit) Y N
Modular,
Form Best
Form
Factor
Square
Inches 24 36
Form Weight
<
10oz 2oz 13oz
Durable Battery
Life
Operational
>
10
hours 14
hours 6
hours
1+
Module
Ports 2 5
Limited
Lifetime
Warranty Y Y
Availability Reseller
Program Y Y
Durable 60-­‐day
Money-­‐Back
Guarantee Y N
Operational
Range
100m+ 100m 20m
Connectivity
Bluetooth
2.1 Y N
Price,
Form Bluetooth
4.0 Y N
WiFi
(w/
Smart
Device) Y Y
Software
Platform Open
API
-­‐
3rd
Party
Apps Y N
PC Y Y
Android Y Y
iOS Y Y
MacOS Y Y
OTA
Updates? Y N
Platform 3rd
Party
Apps
via
Google
Play Y Y
Platform 3rd
Party
Apps
via
iTunes Y Y
24/7
Software
Support Y Y
Platform Internal
Storage
Capacity Y Y
Sensor
Modules
Module,
Platform Accelerometer Y N
Module,
Platform Gyroscope Y N
Module,
Platform Magnetometer Y N
Module Colorimeter Y N
Module Gas
Detection Y Y
Module Ambient
Light
Detection Y Y
Module IR
Temperature Y Y
Module Room
Temperature Y Y
Module Barometer Y Y
Module Hygrometer Y Y
Module Altimeter Y N
Module Radiation Y Y

2. Alternative
Functions
Module,
Platform Fitness
Performance Y N
Module,
Platform Food
Preparation Y Y
Module,
Platform Facilities
Management Y N

3. Frey
Scientific Ohaus Smart
School Fourier
LogIT
Explorer ST
Series SmartSense NovaAIR
345 290 110 145
N N N N
21 25 60 4
15oz 6oz 15oz 2oz
150
hours 250
hours 8
hours 4
hours
1 2 2 1
Y Y Y Y
N Y N Y
N N N N
0 0 100m 100m
N N Y Y
N N N N
Y N Y N
N N N N
Y Y N Y
N N Y Y
N N Y Y
N Y N N
N N N N
N N Y Y
N N Y Y
Y Y Y Y
N Y Y Y
N N N N
N N N N
N N N N
N N N N
Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y
N N N N
Y Y Y Y

4. N N N N
Y Y Y Y
N N N N

5. Vernier ManyLabs Pasco
LabQuest Arduino
Boards Pasport
329 50 159
N N N
13 N/A 84
12oz N/A 21oz
6
hours N/A 8
hours
5 N/A 2
Y N Y
Y N N
N N N
100m 0 100m
Y Y Y
N N N
Y N/A Y
N N N
N N Y
Y Y N
Y Y N
N N N
N N N
Y N N
Y N N
Y Y Y
Y N Y
Y N N
N N N
N N N
N N N
Y N Y
Y N Y
Y N Y
Y N Y
Y N Y
Y N Y
N N N
Y N Y

6. N N N
Y N Y
N N N

7. 1.
Modular Re-­‐use Single
learning
curve
2.
Price/Performance Modular
expansion
3.
Durability Prove
it Rugged,
Durable
4.
Open
API
-­‐
A
Platform Educational Similar
to
other
platforms
5.
Real
World
Device
6.
Learn
Once
7.
Best
form
factor
Can
we
segment
these?
Modular
Internal
battery
Rechargable Longest
rechargable
battery
Popular,
plus
unique

9. Longest
battery