This USB Thermometer from Brando lets you measure and track the temperature of your computer.  The software is for Windows XP/Vista/7 only, and it will log temperature data for a computer.  It can show graphs of current temperature or average temps, and it can show real time temp.  It can even send periodic emails with temperature information or send an email only when the temperature reaches an “alarm” level.  If you don’t want to install the software, simply press and hold for 3 seconds either the Caps Lock or Num Lock key to see the current reading.  The USB Thermometer (Gold) is $14.00 at Brando.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Computer peripherals, temperature

Brando USB Thermometer (Gold) originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 23, 2011 at 8:10 am.

Like several gadgets that I have reviewed, I am often attracted to products originally designed for children. Many children’s gadgets are brightly colored and are simply designed which makes them visually appealing. The ShowerPets Starfish Water and Temperature monitor naturally fits into these categories, Plus…

Who wouldn’t want a starfish to hang out in your tub to tell you the temperature of your bath and sing to you when the water level is getting too high?

The Starfish Monitor itself is fairly simple. The front of the Starfish is made of aqua colored plastic with a LED display in the center. The material used for the body has a nice texture and is very smooth to the touch. Each one of the “arms” are rounded nicely with no obvious seams or sharp edges.

The back of the Starfish has a very large suction cup used to adhere the device to the walls of the tub. The suction cup is sturdily attached to the back, and provides fairly good amount of suction so that it stays in place as long as desired. One edge of the cup has a tiny handle so that it can be removed easily after use.

The battery compartment resides inside the case, which can be easily disassembled by a screw on the back. Two AA batteries are necessary to power the device.

Notice the two small metallic bumps of the bottom, these are the water sensors. When they both come in contact with water, an alarm sounds. However, I was disappointed to discover that that the water level alert  is not especially musical: in fact it is the same droning noise that most alarm clocks use to drag us out of out of blissful sleep each morning. Not exactly the noise I associate with a relaxing bath, but it certainly gets my attention.

The Starfish displays the water temperature without complete submersion.

However, an additional immersion based probe is also included for better accuracy.

I tested both methods of measuring water temperature on the starfish with my ThermoHawk Infrared Thermometer and the difference between the on-board sensor and the external probe deviate by only 1 degree. I don’t require this level of accuracy for my baths, so I usually use it without the probe.

Author’s Note: The rose petals that are in the bath are purely to show the water level, and are not enjoyed by the author in any way except for the intellectual enjoyment of the advancement of science.

Overall, I felt that this gadget was quite sturdy and accurate for the price and I plan to use it quite frequently while drawing a hot winter’s bath.

Price: $9.99 from Amazon.com

Pros:
Never overflow the tub again
Never step into a “too hot” or “too cold” bath again

Cons:
Alarm could be more musical

Filed in categories: Home Tech

Tagged: bathroom, monitor, temperature

ShowerPets Starfish Water and Temperature Monitor Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 16, 2008 at 5:59 pm.