HOBO Data Loggers

HOBO Data Loggers, operating under the Onset Computer Corporation name since 1981, manufactures the HOBO line of environmental data loggers—small, self-contained devices that record temperature, humidity, CO2, light, water level, and other measurements over time and transmit the data wirelessly to a phone or the cloud. The HOBO MX Bluetooth loggers are the core of the product line: models range from an $85 temperature logger to the $630 MX1102A, which measures CO2, temperature, and humidity. Each one pairs with the free HOBOconnect app for on-site setup and data download. The MX Gateway bridges the loggers and the cloud; it connects to Wi-Fi or Ethernet and automatically pulls data from every Bluetooth logger within range, pushing it to LI-COR Cloud so a researcher or facility manager can see readings, set alarms, and export data without visiting the site. For larger outdoor deployments, the RX3000 Remote Monitoring Station connects to external sensors and transmits over cellular, and the HOBOnet wireless sensor network links multiple soil, weather, and crop sensors across a field into a single monitored network. Onset also operates the InTemp brand for cold chain logistics: temperature loggers and cloud monitoring designed for pharmaceutical and healthcare shipments that need documented proof the product stayed within spec.

HOBO Data Loggers operates as a hybrid hardware-as-a-service business that bundles the hardware with a cloud subscription. A customer buys the data loggers outright and then subscribes to an MX Data Plan to unlock cloud access through LI-COR Cloud. Plans start at $25 per device per year and come in two tiers: MX-Data supports up to ten measurements at five-minute intervals, and MX-Speed supports four measurements at one-minute intervals for applications that need faster reads. The subscription covers cloud storage, custom dashboards, and alarm notifications via email or text. Customers who only need local data collection can use the free HOBOconnect app over Bluetooth and skip the cloud entirely, keeping the entry cost low for small deployments and letting the platform grow as needs expand.