Escort Data Loggers Frequently Asked Questions

General
What is a temperature/humidity data logger?
What are the main uses for a data logger?
Can I use the same software for all ESCORT loggers? How much does it cost?
What is an IP rating? What is a good level of protection?
Do you have high temperature loggers?
Are the single-use Intelligent MINI loggers recyclable?
Does the logger's latest temperature mean current temperature?
If I'm having a problem with a logger, what should I do and who should I contact?
What do you mean when you say alarm settings?
Do you have loggers for export shipments?

Intelligent MINI
How do I know if I correctly started the Intelligent MINI?
What shows on the display window?
How do I scroll through my Intelligent MINI?
What time zone is my logger programmed for?
How do I know if the logger has completed logging?
What services do I receive with the Intelligent MINI?
What is the sampling timing range of an Intelligent MINI?

Wireless MINI/REDi Receiver System
How do I start a wireless logger?
What shows on the display window of a Wireless MINI?
How do I know a wireless logger is successfully programmed?
How do I scroll through my Wireless MINI?
What is the maximum distance this logger will reliably broadcast data to the REDi unit?
Will the REDi help me find a wireless logger in a truck?

iLog
Are there different ways to start an iLog? Can I set a delay?
How do I know if the iLog has completed logging?
Can the iLog contact me if an out of range condition exists?
What does it mean when the green LED light blinks?
Why do I see a -40.9° on the LCD display of my iLog with an external sensor?
Do I have to use both sensors or can I turn off one of the sensors so it doesn't record data?
Is there a wireless iLog?

Intelligent Chart Reader
What is the Intelligent ChartReader?
How do I know what firmware version is installed on my ChartReader?
Why does my ChartReader pause during printing?
For how long can my ChartReader print?
Can I upload data from my PC to the ChartReader?

Escort Console PRO Software
What operating system is compatible with this software?
What is the cost for Console PRO?
Which Escort data loggers will work with Console PRO?
If I have trouble with the software, who will help me? Is there a manual?
Can I send my data file as an attachment in an email to someone else?

Escort Web Track (EWT)
What is EWT?
What data loggers will work with EWT?
How do I install the EWT software and how much space does it take?
What is an ActiveX control?
If I have trouble with the software or logging in, how do I get help? Is there a manual?
What reports can I get and how do I send them to someone else?

Calibration and Certification
What is NIST?
What is Traceability?


What is a temperature/humidity data logger?
Typically operating unattended in a confined space such as a refrigerated truck or cold storage, an electronic data logger is a micro-processor device used to record and collect temperature and/or humidity data over a period of time.

What are the main uses for a data logger?

1. Quality Assurance: a logger documents temperature or humidity exposures outside set acceptable ranges which provide indications of product quality and potential shelf life.
2. Claims Prevention and Resolution: by documenting aberrations, it is possible to assign accountability for product care at a point in time.
3. Food Safety (i.e. HACCP): maintaining the integrity of the cold chain helps control proliferation of pathogens or production of toxins that can cause illness or death.

Can I use the same software for all ESCORT loggers? How much does it cost?
You can use Escort Console PRO software for most Escort loggers. Following registration, you can download it free at our website: www.escortdataloggers.com.

What is an IP rating? What is a good level of protection?
Ingress Protection (IP) Rating indicates the level of protection the data logger's components have against intrusion of water, dust, and solid objects through accidental contact but not immersion. For example: The Intelligent MINI has an IP51 rating. This means it has dust protection tolerance; that dripping water (vertical falling drops) has no harmful effects on the logger, and that it is fully protected. If you need more information on IP ratings, please visit this website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPrating

Do you have high temperature loggers?
We have several loggers that can be used in temperatures up to 125ºC. For more information, email us at info@escortdataloggers.com

Are the single-use Intelligent MINI loggers recyclable?
Escort Data Loggers has a recycling program and accepts any used single-use Intelligent MINI logger. Call us toll free at 877-999-3357 for more information and to learn how you can participate in this program.

Does the logger's latest temperature mean current temperature?
Not necessarily. The logger displays the temperature recorded at the current recording interval. For example, if the sample interval is set for 30 minutes, then the displayed temperature could be up to 29 minutes old.

If I'm having a problem with a logger, what should I do and who should I contact?
Contact the Buchanan Support Team toll free at 877-999-3357, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PST. You can also send an email describing the problem and including both your telephone number and best time to reach you at support@escortdataloggers.com

What do you mean when you say alarm settings?
Alarm settings are temperature values programmed into your logger that, when exceeded, will trigger an alarm indicator. Alarm indicators are different from logger to logger. For example alarm indicators can display on the LCD, or they can be a flashing red LED lights.

Do you have loggers for export shipments?
Yes. The Intelligent MINI logger can be programmed with trip duration of up to 60 days. We also have a special version of the Intelligent MINI for export shipments.. Contact the Buchanan Support Team for more information at support@escortdataloggers.com

How do I know if I correctly started the Intelligent MINI?
Immediately after pressing the start button for at least two seconds, three vertical lines will appear in the display window, and then either the latest temperature or the letter "d" will show. The "d" means that the logger was programmed with a start delay. Once the delay has expired, the logger will start recording temperature readings.

What shows on the display window?
On the display window of an active Intelligent MINI, you can see the latest temperature recorded. At any time during the monitoring cycle you can view the highest, lowest and average temperatures. You can also see the total time spent above and below alarm settings. You can scroll through the logger's LCD display during any stage of the logger's cycle once it has begun to take temperature readings or after it has completed its cycle.

How do I scroll through my Intelligent MINI?
To view Highest, Lowest, and Average temperature recorded: Press and release the Start button once. The LCD screen will now automatically scroll through the Highest, Lowest, and Average temperatures recorded.

To view Total Out of Specification Time Spent Above and Below alarm settings: Press and release the Start button twice. The LCD screen will automatically display in hours and minutes the total time above and below alarm ranges.

You can scroll through the logger's LCD display during any stage of the logger's cycle once it has begun to take temperature readings.

What time zone is my logger programmed for?
All loggers programmed by Escort Data Loggers Inc. are programmed for Pacific Time.

How do I know if the logger has completed logging?
"STOP" will be displayed on the LCD screen.

What services do I receive with the Intelligent MINI?
Post Trip Validation is available for loggers on loads involving temperature-related claims.

What is the sampling interval rate of an Intelligent MINI?
A MINI can be programmed to sample from 1 minute to 255 minutes.

Wireless MINI/REDi Receiver System
How do I start a wireless logger?
Whether your Wireless MINI is a single-use or multi-trip logger, the initial start of a logger must be done manually. To do so, hold the start button down for at least 2 seconds until 3 vertical lines appear and either a "d" or latest temperature display.

If your logger is a multi-trip logger and has completed its programmed cycle or is currently active, you can re-start the logger with the REDi using the logger's previous settings. Use your REDi to locate the logger, then in the REDi display screen, scroll through it and select the Re-Start option.

What shows on the display window of a Wireless MINI?
On the display window of an active logger you can see the latest temperature taken. Whether a logger is currently taking temperature or has completed its programmed cycle, you can view the Highest, Lowest and Average temperatures as well as the Total Out of Specification Time Spent Above and Below alarm settings by scrolling through the logger via the start button.

How do I know a wireless logger is successfully programmed?
After using the program and configuration wizard in Escort Console PRO, you will see the "logger programmed successfully" message. Also "RDY" will display on the front of the LCD screen.

How do I scroll through my Wireless MINI
There are two options:

1. Firmly press the Start button and release it. Whether the logger is currently active or has completed its cycle the LCD screen will automatically show the Highest, Lowest and Average Temperature recorded. To scroll and view the Total Out of Specification Time Spent Above and Below alarm settings, firmly press the Start button twice, then release it.
2. You can also view the same information using your REDi and scrolling through your logger's summary readings and out-of-specification readings.

What is the maximum distance this logger will reliably broadcast data to the REDi unit?
maximum distance is up to 230 feet line-of-sight outdoors and 52 feet indoors. Performance may vary due to environmental conditions.

Will the REDi help me find a wireless logger in a truck?
Yes. The logger will give off a beeping sound once the REDi has located it.

iLog
Are there different ways to start an iLog? Can I set a delay?
The iLog has many user-defined settings that can be configured using our Console PRO software. You can program the logger to start on demand by magnetic key start, or have it turn on at a specific time and date. You can also program the logger with a delay.

How do I know if the iLog has completed logging?
The display window will show "END".

Can the iLog contact me if an out-of-range condition exists?
There is an alarm link option available that will alert you via text messaging or siren (depends on user set-up) if the alarm settings have been exceeded.

What does it mean when the green LED light blinks?
The iLog is currently active and running.

Why do I see a -40.9© on the LCD display of my iLog with an external sensor?
This is a default reading indicating that the external sensor is disconnected or the sensor is faulty. Please ensure that the external cable sensor is firmly connected.

Do I have to use both sensors or can I turn off one of the sensors so it doesn't record data?
When programming the logger, you have the option to independently use one or both of the sensors.

Is there a wireless iLog?
A wireless iLog is in development but is not yet available.

Intelligent Chart Reader
What is the intelligent Chart Reader?
The Escort Intelligent ChartReader is a battery operated portable printer that is used with the Intelligent MINI logger. The ChartReader connects to a MINI logger, downloads its data and prints out the logger readings in a tabular or graph form. It can also store data for later printing or transferring of data to a PC using the Escort Console PRO software.

How do I know what firmware version is installed on my ChartReader?
By pressing the ON/OFF key and the LIST key at the same time, the ChartReader will print out the battery status and the firmware version.

Why does my Chart Reader pause during printing?
This could be due to power failure. Please re-charge the battery. To continue using the ChartReader, plug in an external power supply such as an AC adaptor that is 12VDC, 1A. The plug needs to be 2.1mm and have a negative center

For how long can my ChartReader print?
On a fully charged battery, the ChartReader can continuously print for about an hour.

Can I upload data from my PC to the ChartReader?
No.

Escort Console PRO Software
What operating system is compatible with this software?
The software runs on any IBM compatible PC using Microsoft Windows XP®, 2000®, Me®, 98®, 95® and NT®.

What is the cost for Console PRO?
Software is a free download off the internet to registered customers. Please visit www.escortdataloggers.com. If you need a disc copy of the software, discs are available for $15.00 plus shipping.

Which Escort data loggers will work with Console PRO?
Most of our Escort loggers are compatible with any release of Console PRO software.

If I have trouble with the software, who will help me? Is there a manual?
There is a manual in the help file in Console PRO. If you need further assistance, please contact the Buchanan Support Team toll free at 877-999-3357, during business hours 8am-5pm, Pacific Time.

Can I send my data file as an attachment in an email to someone else?
Yes. Console PRO data files have a .lcf extension. Just click the send in email short cut button on the Console PRO tool bar. Please note that the receiver of an .lcf attachment must also have Console PRO installed in order to view a .lcf file.

Escort Web Track (EWT)
What is EWT?
EWT (Escort Web Track) is an Internet-based, cold chain management system designed to help you consolidate monitoring activities across the cold chain and share data with designated partners on a third-party secure web site.

The EWT website contains all time and temperature data relevant to both the shipper and receiver of monitored products. EWT communicates directly with the data logger via an ActiveX plug-in for the internet browser. EWT allows programming and uploading of loggers via the website. The EWT website allows authorized users to:

1. Program and download Escort data loggers using the USB interface cable..
2. View logger data in several different report formats, including an option of exporting data to Microsoft Excel®.
3. Enter and view optional comments regarding the monitored transport or storage.
4. Add digital signatures to logger files.
5. Receive instant email notification of the logger(s) being downloaded at their destination.
6. Receive instant email copy of a downloaded logger file to several recipients upon download.

What data loggers will work with EWT?
The following Escort loggers will work with EWT;

1. Intelligent MINI
2. Wireless MINI
3. iLog

How do I install the EWT software and how much space does it take?
EWT is a web-based system, so no installation is required. However, to program and download loggers, users are required to install a small piece of software called ActiveX which allows the website to communicate with Escort products. Users are prompted to install the Escort ActiveX control when first programming or downloading an Escort product. Installation of the Escort ActiveX control takes approximately one minute and is only required once (unless an upgrade is required). The Escort ActiveX is under 1mb in size.

What is an ActiveX control?
ActiveX is a standard that provides developers, users and web producers a fast and easy way to create integrated programs and content for the internet and intranets. It is an open integration platform that enables software components to interact with one another in a networked environment, regardless of the language(s). Most World Wide Web (www) users will experience ActiveX technology in the form of ActiveX controls, documents and scripts.

If I have trouble with the software or logging in, how do I get help? Is there a manual?
Yes there is a user manual available for download via the Escort Web Track website or via www.escortdataloggers.com. When logged into EWT, help is also offered by way of an online help file.

What reports can I get and how do I send them to someone else?
Currently EWT has four report formats available: Line Graph; Readings Report; Excel Readings Report; and Graph and Reading Report via .lcf file that exports to Escort Console PRO. You are able to save and send the Line Graph and Readings report by selecting the icons located at top left corner of each of these reports. In addition, you can save and email these reports by right clicking anywhere on the report and selecting 'Save picture as' or 'email picture'. Users can also set up EWT to automatically email the logger file (LCF) to multiple recipients immediately upon logger download. The LCF file is then able to be opened via Escort Console PRO.

Calibration and Certification
What is NIST?
NIST is the National Institute of Standards and Technology, a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Commerce Department's Technology Administration. NIST works to advance measurement science, standards, and technology and provides calibrations, standard reference materials, standard reference data, test methods, proficiency evaluation materials, measurement quality assurance programs, and laboratory accreditation services that assist a customer in establishing traceability of results of measurements or values of standards.

What is Traceability?
Traceability requires the establishment of an unbroken chain of comparisons to stated references. NIST assures the traceability of results of measurements or values of standards that NIST itself provides, either directly or through an official NIST program or collaboration. Other organizations are responsible for establishing the traceability of their own results or values to those of NIST or other stated references.

Further information on the National Institute of Standards and Technology and Traceability is available at http://ts.nist.gov/Traceability.