The Caliper

Collect Data with Palm™ Handhelds

Now you have one more way to collect data with Vernier LabPro®. We are pleased to announce Data Pro, a new data-collection program for use with Palm handhelds. Load Data Pro software onto your Palm handheld, connect the handheld to your LabPro (with our Palm-to-LabPro cable and pouch), attach a Vernier sensor, and begin collecting data!

We will be shipping the first Palm handheld data collection packages on May 31. Each package will include the following:

• Data Pro software on CD
• Palm-to-LabPro pouch
• Palm-to-LabPro cable

You can use Data Pro in or out of the classroom. In the classroom, a student lab station can consist of a Palm handheld, LabPro, and a sensor. Outside of the classroom, the handy Palm-to-LabPro pouch provides an all-in-one unit for collecting data at your favorite stream or at a local amusement park.

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Data Pro Software
Data Pro has all of the features you would expect in a Vernier data-collection program:

• Supports more than 30 Vernier sensors. You can use up to 4 different analog sensors and 2 digital sensors at the same time.
• Supports Vernier auto-ID sensors. Data Pro is able to identify the sensor, load calibrations, and assign labels and units.
• With a tap of the Palm stylus, you can quickly navigate between the data table, graphs of data, and analysis tools, or zoom in on regions of data on graphs.
• Data Pro has an analysis mode that allows students to
  • examine data point-by-point on a plotted graph
  • do a statistical analysis of data (mean, minimum, maximum, standard deviation)
  • perform curve fits (linear, power, quadratic, exponential)
  • integrate data
  • model data with a wide variety of equations.
• Students can create calculated columns using a variety of mathematical equations, from simple linear equations to first and second derivatives.
• Data Pro allows manual entry of data. Even when the Palm handheld is not connected to the LabPro interface, students can easily enter numbers into a data table, plot graphs, and use all of Data Pro's extensive analysis and modeling tools.

The Palm-to-LabPro Pouch
Included in the Data Pro Package is a handy pouch for attaching your Palm handheld to the LabPro interface. The pouch provides an all-in-one feel for remote data collection.

Palm Models and Cable Support
Data Pro software is designed to run on Palm OS® (version 3.3 or newer recommended). Both Palm series listed below use the same version of Data Pro software. Each series uses a different style of connector ("universal" and "legacy"). We provide support for the following models and connectors:

Universal-Connector Palm Handhelds:	m125, m130, m500, m505, m515, i705
Legacy-Connector Palm Handhelds:	m100, m105, III, IIIc, IIIe, IIIx, IIIxe

Transfer of Data to a PC or Macintosh Computer:
Graphical Analysis® or Microsoft Excel® Support!
Once data have been collected on the Palm handheld, it is easy to transfer the Data Pro data to a PC or Macintosh computer. Students simply place their Palm into the Palm HotSync® Cradle, start up Graphical Analysis software (version 3.1 or newer), and press the HotSync button. Their data will transfer directly to the data table and a graph in Graphical Analysis (shown below). For those not familiar with Vernier Graphical Analysis, this award-winning software includes a school site license and a student site license for only $80!

Data graphed using Data Pro, then transferred and graphed with Graphical Analysis.

If you prefer to use Microsoft Excel or another spreadsheet application, simply place the Palm handheld into the Palm HotSync Cradle and press the HotSync button. The Data Pro data are saved as a text file (.txt) that can easily be loaded into other applications.

Frequently Asked Questions about Handheld Data Collection
Why should I choose Vernier for Palm products and support?
In addition to being the established leader in educational technology, Vernier can provide you with

• an affordable interface (LabPro!) that provides the flexibility to collect data on Palm handhelds, Macs, PCs, and TI graphing calculators. No other company can make this claim!
• the best technical support in the business, which includes 8 former educators with 106 years of teaching experience among them.

Can I purchase Data Pro (or the Palm-to-LabPro cables or pouch) as separate items?
No. These items are sold only as part of the DP-UP or DP-LP packages listed above.