HP StreamSmart Review

[Mic]

Hello,

here is a little review of the HP StreamSmart :
http://www.calc-bank.com/index.php?mod=news&ac=commentaires&id=1867

Somebody knows the difference between the 400 and 410 version ?

[Chris Smith]

No idea of the differences unfortunately.

Have had my eye on one of these for a bit. As far as I understand, you can use it with the 50g's alarm system to wake it up periodically and do sampling over a long period of time. The only problems are the 50g would need to be permanently connected to it limiting its usefulness in other areas and the sensors are extortionately priced.

Would be rather good for collecting temperature, humidity and soil pH stats on my half designed aquaponics system. Could zap the info to another 50g for analysis via IR.

So many possibilities.

[Gerson W. Barbosa]

There are a few available at ebay right now ($31.05 BIN, offers accepted, new, open box). I've ordered one unit and intend to get a couple of sensors later. I don't know the seller.

[Chris Smith]

Good find! I will order one tonight. Not sure what shipping to UK is like but it's going to be less than the $132 base price here in the UK.

[Tim Wessman]

The SS400 use an hp designed board. It is simpler internally and just streams the data as it comes in. The SS410 uses a board that was made by the probe company.

SS400 benefits:

  -can stream data rates independently (each probe sends as fast as it samples)

  -can detect when a probe is removed during streaming

  -higher sample rate (up to 40-50K or so IIRC)

SS400 downsides:

  -ocassionally can mis-identify a probe

  -9V batteries

SS410 benefits:

  -Internal NiCd pack, USB recharging

  -nearly always identified probes correctly

SS410 downsides:

  -speed of sampling determined by slowest probe, all probes send at same rate

  -slower sample rate (22-35K or so)

  -doesn't notify on probe removal while streaming

Neither of these will work well for any long term monitoring things though. Not really designed for that sort of thing.

These really are faboulous little tools for doing classroom experiments. The only setup consists of "plug it in" and press START. Every teacher that ever sees this is very excited about the ease of use and power. The TI solution is really a huge pain to use and the vast majority of teachers report they waste so much time trying to get it to work properly that they just give up and never use it.

It is also quite capable. I debugged the serial port of the 10bII+ during development using a SS400 and a voltmeter. Turned on the oscilloscope mode, set it to trigger on rising edges, and was able to track down what was happening there. :-)

TW

Edited: 13 Mar 2013, 12:51 p.m.

[Mic]

Thank you very much Tim.

[Jedidiah Smith]

These look pretty neat! Is there a good source for the sensors? Where do most of you get yours?

EDIT: Has anyone here successfully used one on a 50G or other RPN based calc (48 or 49 series?)

Edited: 13 Mar 2013, 5:24 p.m.