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MobileCollect advantages are shown below in the areas of Reliability, Cost, Flexibility, Ease of Use, and Service & Support. Other MobileCollect advantages to consider follow the table.
Reliability
You can have the best price, or the most attractive looking package, but in the end all that matters is reliability. MobileCollect reliability has been and continues to be proven by our customers.
| MobileCollect Advantage |
Others Wireless Systems |
MobileCollect Value to Customer |
| In situations where there is heavy RF, significant machinery, robots or electrical noise, MobileCollect is often the only one that works unaffected all of the time. |
Due to RF frequency and transmitter power, other wireless systems have difficult working in noisy electronic environments. MobileCollect has often replaced other wireless systems due to these issues. |
MobileCollect stays reliable and signals are not lost due to MobileCollect's higher transmitter power. |
| Designed so that the battery usually lasts years in most applications with most gages. |
Some systems require that batteries be replaced in weeks or months. |
MobileCollect minimizes down time due to its very long battery life. |
| The Mobile Module case is purposefully designed to last and to protect the electronics and enclosed antenna. |
Other systems may have the antenna external from the enclosure or they can break easily when dropped. |
MobileCollect minimizes service time. |
| MobileCollect Mobile Modules connect to your gage using what you might call a "flexible" connection and then it attaches securely to the gage or fixture. |
Other systems may have a "rigid" connection or the module does not securely or ergonomically attach to the gage or fixture. |
MobileCollect is designed to not break and to be easy and intuitive to use. |
Cost
You have choices in wireless systems. MobileCollect is less expensive to purchase over most systems, but the bigger savings happens over time. A significant maintenance cost item that is often overlooked in the initial wireless purchase is gage cable replacement. You will also see below that the MobileCollect can significantly reduce ongoing cable costs and down time due to less frequent cable failure and replacement cost. The prudent purchaser will look at all aspects of the cost of wireless (transmitter, receiver, cable costs, etc.)
| MobileCollect Advantage |
Others Wireless Systems |
MobileCollect Value to Customer |
| Read button conveniently placed on Mobile Module for easy access. Button rated for 1 million cycles. |
Buttons can be difficult to access or may have a useful life of only months. This can cause the user to have down time and ongoing replacement costs of the entire cable. |
Significantly reduce maintenance costs and downtime by using the million cycle button on the Mobile Module. |
| Mobile Module securely attaches to the gage to prevent premature cable failure. |
Mitutoyo may have a cable attached to the gage but the transmitter is attached in such a way as to cause excessive flexing in the cable leading to premature failure. |
Reduced cost and down time due to significantly less cable failure and replacement. |
| Typically in excess of 500,000 readings so you are talking years of battery life. |
Typically less readings from a battery. Some require you to turn the transmitter off when you are done using or the battery only lasts weeks. |
Reduced cost and down time due to battery replacement. |
| Most gage cables available in lengths of up to 72". |
Limited length options. Mitutoyo only supplies one cable length. |
Allows you to specify the length you need for your applications. If your cable is too short, you put excessive stress on the cable leading to premature cable failure. If it's too long, it gets in the way. |
Flexibility
The flexibility of MobileCollect is seen in the broad range of gages supported, expandability and configurability for the largest and the smallest of applications, and in the many features unique to MobileCollect.
| MobileCollect Advantage |
Others |
MobileCollect Value to Customer |
| One Base can connect hundreds of gages, and you can select the RF channel for communications (15 channels available). |
May be able to connect several gages to a base, but you cannot select a new communications channel if interferences arise. |
You can eliminate interference between Bases and other wireless equipment through channel selection. |
| RF Sniffer built into the RS-232 & USB Bases to determine available RF channels. |
Not available in most applications. |
Allows you to configure system on channels not currently being used by other 2.4 GHz radios. More reliable operation. |
| Broad range of digital gages and RS-232 devices supported from many gage manufacturers. |
More limited range of gages. Some only support Mitutoyo. |
Supports gages you use now and gages you will use in the future. MobileCollect's unique design allows support for most gages. |
| Send commands from Base to optional Command Mobile Module for remotely requesting gage measurements. |
Not available. |
Obtain readings from a gage without needing operator to press button on gage or Mobile Module. Can be useful in gage fixtures and robotics setup. |
| 2 mw transmit power provides up to 135 foot range. |
Mitutoyo U-Wave is only rated at 65 feet. Others may offer longer range but are more prone to interference. |
Extra power helps to overcome background wireless noise to provide a more reliable system. |
| Both USB and RS-232 Bases available. |
USB only |
Greater flexibility in connecting Bases to PCs, PLCs, etc. |
Ease of Use
We have designed MobileCollect around the latest wireless technology. This results in reliability and data integrity that makes MobileCollect's ease of use, speed, versatility and range second to none.
| MobileCollect Advantage |
Others |
MobileCollect Value to Customer |
| Mobile Modules automatically recognize the gage type. Same Mobile Module can be used with broad range of gages. |
Mitutoyo U-Wave only supports Mitutoyo gages. Other manufacturers require different transmitters for different models of gages. |
Makes it plug 'n play for the user. |
| Mobiles Modules are ergonomically designed for LED visibility, cable location, read button placement and gage attachment flexibility. |
Cable placement is poor, LEDs are difficult to see, read button may be difficult to access, gage cable may interfere with operator using the gage. |
MobileCollect is designed by a company whose business is measurement collection solutions and who listens to and understands the needs of the user. |
| Setup Program not required for most configurations, but features easy-to-use Windows setup software when needed. |
Required and/or difficult to install, use and understand. |
Saves installation and startup time. |
| Associate Mobile Module with Base in seconds using buttons on Mobile Modules. No operating software needed. |
Must open software and use setup program |
Saves time and you can associate new gages quickly on the floor. |
| Dozens of user selectable formats available for measurement transfer to PC. |
Varies from a few to only one. |
Easier to integrate wireless system to your measurement analysis software. |
| LEDs placed so that acknowledgement received from the base is bright, well placed and highly visible to the user. |
LEDs placed so that base acknowledgement is difficult or impossible to see. |
With MobileCollect it is very obvious that the base received the reading. |
Service & Support
| MobileCollect Advantage |
Others |
MobileCollect Value to Customer |
| Complete and responsive pre and post sales support from configuration through operation. |
Varies. Sometimes it is difficult to figure out who to call. |
MicroRidge continues to get praise from customers about pre and post customer support. It is important to you and to MicroRidge. |
| User can upgrade all firmware in the field |
Not apparent that this is available. |
Allows you to add new features by downloading upgrades from our web site. |
More MobileCollect Advantages to Consider:
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Works with all SPC software.
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Includes WedgeLink Xpress keyboard wedge software to bring your data into Excel and other Windows-based applications.
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Designed with quality in mind. Examples include: threaded inserts and captive panel screws used to secure the Mobile Module case covers. Screws are not lost and threads are not stripped.
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Multiple wireless channel selection.
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Internal antenna on Mobile Modules, USB Base, and RS-232 Base.
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Light weight Mobile Modules at only 1.5 oz.
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Powered by standard lithium battery.
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User configurable continuous read options.
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Features such as receiver energy detection and link quality detection are built in.
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All data is guaranteed reliable as it is processed with redundancy and checksum features.
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Instant on 250K wireless baud rate makes for extremely fast transmissions.
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No wireless transmissions are occurring until a reading is requested. With a packet transmitter time of only 15 msec the total radio "on" time may be a minute or two a day. 5,000 readings equals less than 2 minutes of actual "air" time.
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Control over 15 wireless channels allows the user to operate in unoccupied frequencies. MobileCollect can operate uninhibited and invisible to most standard wireless systems.
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Optional Command Mobile Module or RS-232 Remote.
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Made in the USA.
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