Vernier LabQuest basics
What is the LabQuest?
The LabQuest is data acquisition device
produced by Vernier Inc. that is capable of
acquiring data from an array of different sensors.
The LabQuest has a digital LCD screen, is waterresistant, and can connect up to 5 different
devices at one time. The LabQuest also includes
a built in thermometer and microphone.
What is so special about this thing?
Normally, any scientific measurement requires a
different device for each type of measurement.
For example, a pH meter is needed to determine
pH, a thermometer for temperature, and a
multimeter for voltage. All of these sensors are
still required when using the LabQuest, but the
data interface is the same.
The LabQuest also contains built-in graphing and
analysis packages, so curve fitting and the like can
be done side-by-side with data acquisition
Most importantly, these devices and sensors are comparatively inexpensive. Although the
connections to the sensors are not common (BTA-style), pinout diagrams are freely available
for your own adaptation.
Finding your way around
The front of the module contains an LCD touch screen on the top half and a few selection
buttons on the bottom half. Personally, I have not used these buttons as it is much easier to
use the touch screen and stylus to navigate, except possibly for the “start” button:
The stylus is inserted into the back of the unit and looks like a small turquoise circle when
inserted correctly. This stylus can be used to make all selections on the screen, but tapping
correctly will require practice.
When a probe is plugged in, the LabQuest
automatically recognizes it as the correct sensor
(hopefully!). In the image at right, a voltage probe
has been plugged in. The current data values are
immediately visible, but no data is being recorded or
recorded. You can see on the right is the list of data
acquisition parameters: Mode, Rate, and Length.
These can all be modified by clicking on any one of
the three boxes below.
This lesson was created for NYSERDA School Power…Naturally by the State College of New York College of Environmental Science and
Forestry (SUNY ESF) under the Advanced Training Workshop in Alternative Energy of School Power Naturally Program, Grant # 10977
Vernier LabQuest basics
Once the new dialog box opens, the different modes can be selected. Among them are
Time Based, Events with Entry, Selected Events, Photogate Timing, Full Spectrum, and
Drop Counting. For our purposes (and most others), we will use either Time Based, Events
with Entry, or Selected Events.
Data collection window where mode, rate, and
collection time can be selected.
Clicking the Mode drop-down box allows you select
the different collection modes.
Time based events collect data over a certain interval, in
seconds, minutes, or hours. The Events with Entry
function allows you to collect individual data points when
YOU are ready and name each event as you do so. To do
this, simply press the “KEEP” button on the bottom left
of the screen. This would be good for collecting data at
different locations so you could name each location. For
example, you might collect pH data as you travel down a
stream. Each pH measurement would be a different
location on the screen. Couple this to GPS coordinates
and that is powerful!
Time based sampling.
The Selected Events mode is very similar to Events with Entry, but you do not have to give names
to each data point as you collect it and data point are numbered sequentially. In this case, you
should keep a log about the nature of each data point as you proceed.
Events with Entry requires text input
after each data point.
Data table of Events with entry.
Selected events with the “keep”
button displayed on the bottom left.
Page 2 of 5 This lesson was created for NYSERDA School Power…Naturally by the State College of New York College of Environmental Science and
Forestry (SUNY ESF) under the Advanced Training Workshop in Alternative Energy of School Power Naturally Program, Grant # 10977
Vernier LabQuest basics
After obtaining the graphical data, it is simple to perform a variety of fits to the data, such as
linear, exponential, or other functions. To do this, go to Analyze on the top menu, then
select what type calculation you would like to do. If you only want to perform a fit on a
section of the data, first highlight that section with the stylus, then go to Analyze. You can
then perform a curve fit or get statistics like minimum, maximum, and mean.
Selecting a specific area of data.
Using “Analyze” to evaluate the
graphical data
Statistical/fit data upon analysis.
Clicking the graph menu text followed by graph options allows you to set the scale of the graph for
both x and y data and select whether or not to display other runs.
Choosing “Graph Options”.
Setting scale and axis.
It is also possible to view the x-y data as it was obtained. To do this, click the x-y icon on the top
right of the screen. You will get a table similar to the one below. You can then add both manual
and/or calculated columns. The calculated column is very powerful as you can multiply column
data by a function or by other data columns (e.g. ln(data) or Voltage x Current).
Page 3 of 5 This lesson was created for NYSERDA School Power…Naturally by the State College of New York College of Environmental Science and
Forestry (SUNY ESF) under the Advanced Training Workshop in Alternative Energy of School Power Naturally Program, Grant # 10977
Vernier LabQuest basics
The acquired data can be viewed in table
form by clicking xy on the top of the
screen.
Adding a calculated column to acquired data.
By clicking the File Cabinet icon on the mid right, you can store your previous run and begin a new
one. The data table looks like the one below. You can then click the Run box next to the File
Cabinet and select which runs you would like to view graphically.
Storing and selecting runs.
Showing runs by clicking on the file cabinet.
Most importantly, it is essential to practice with the unit and see everything you can do with it,
including using the internal sensors. There is a very good quick-start manual available online at the
Vernier website: http://www2.vernier.com/manuals/labquest_quickstart_guide.pdf
Finally, it is possible to connect the LabQuest directly to a computer with LoggerPro software
installed. The LoggerPro application will recognize that the LabQuest has been attached to the
computer and, if applicable, ask if you would like to use the LabQuest to obtain live data that is
observed in LoggerPro. It is also possible to simply import and analyze data obtained on the
LabQuest in Logger Pro as the full LoggerPro application contains many more functions for fitting
and analysis.
Page 4 of 5 This lesson was created for NYSERDA School Power…Naturally by the State College of New York College of Environmental Science and
Forestry (SUNY ESF) under the Advanced Training Workshop in Alternative Energy of School Power Naturally Program, Grant # 10977
Vernier LabQuest basics
Page 5 of 5 This lesson was created for NYSERDA School Power…Naturally by the State College of New York College of Environmental Science and
Forestry (SUNY ESF) under the Advanced Training Workshop in Alternative Energy of School Power Naturally Program, Grant # 10977