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Go Direct® Photogate

Go Direct® Photogate

Go Direct® Photogate

$95.00

Go Direct Photogate is a double-gate sensor that includes two photogates built into the arms of the sensor, which accurately measures velocity and acceleration. It connects via Bluetooth® wireless technology or via USB to your device.

ORDER CODE: GDX-VPG Categories ,

Using Go Direct Photogate, students are able to easily and accurately measure velocity and acceleration to study the movement of an object in free fall, rolling objects, collisions, and pendulums, without needing to know anything about the geometry of the object.

Go Direct Photogate also includes a single laser gate for use with objects passing outside of the arms of the sensor. Using the laser gate requires a visible-light pen laser (not included).

Go Direct Photogate can be used in a variety of experiments:

  • Measuring acceleration of a cart on an incline using a cart picket fence
  • Measuring the angular motion of a wheel as it is turning
  • Investigating Newton’s second law using a half-Atwood machine to measure acceleration
  • Determining the time an object passes one or more gates

Rechargeable Battery—Ready When You Are

The robust rechargeable battery offers long battery life and provides always-ready operation when using the sensor wirelessly. Monitor battery life directly from our award-winning Vernier Graphical Analysis® app, as well as LabQuest® 3. Should the battery run low, simply connect the sensor to the charging cable and keep on collecting—no interruptions or inconvenience to you or your students.

Wireless or Wired—The Flexibility to Choose

Our Go Direct sensors connect directly to your mobile device, Chromebook™, or computer using our Vernier Graphical Analysis® app—no additional equipment or software purchases are necessary. Go Direct sensors can be used wired via USB or wirelessly via Bluetooth® wireless technology, allowing you to choose the best solution for your classroom or laboratory.

Specifications

  • Infrared source: Peak at 880 nm
  • Gate width: 77.5 mm
  • Internal gate separation: 20 mm
  • Distance from internal gates to bottom of photogate arms: ~10 mm
  • Distance from internal gates to sides of photogate arms: ~5 mm
  • Gate LED indicators: Off for unblocked gate, on for blocked gate
  • Battery: 650 mAh Li-Poly Rechargeable
  • Battery life (single full charge): ~10 hours continuous data collection
  • Battery life (long term): ~300 full charge cycles (several years depending on usage)
  • Connections
    • Wireless: Bluetooth
    • Wired: USB

Experiments

High School (18 experiments)
College (18 experiments)

Requirements

Choose a platform below to see its compatibility requirements.

LabQuest
InterfaceLabQuest App
LabQuest 3Full support
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1
LabQuest (discontinued)Incompatible

Compatibility Notes

  1. Wireless connection of this sensor to a LabQuest 2 requires a Go Direct Bluetooth Adapter when used with some older LabQuest 2 models.
Computers
Software
InterfaceGraphical Analysis
No interface requiredFull support 1
LabQuest 3Full support 2
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 2 3

Compatibility Notes

  1. For Bluetooth® connectivity, only computers running Windows 10 or Mac OS X 10.10 or newer are supported. The computer must also have a compatible Bluetooth 4.0+ radio.
  2. Connect this sensor directly to a computer or Chromebook via a USB or wireless Bluetooth® connection for best results. Alternatively, this sensor is fully supported when used with LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 when the LabQuest is connected to a computer or Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing.
  3. Wireless connection of this sensor to a LabQuest 2 requires a Go Direct Bluetooth Adapter when used with some older LabQuest 2 models.
Chromebook
Software
InterfaceGraphical Analysis
No interface requiredFull support
LabQuest 3Full support 1
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1 2

Compatibility Notes

  1. Connect this sensor directly to a computer or Chromebook via a USB or wireless Bluetooth® connection for best results. Alternatively, this sensor is fully supported when used with LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 when the LabQuest is connected to a computer or Chromebook via Wireless Data Sharing.
  2. Wireless connection of this sensor to a LabQuest 2 requires a Go Direct Bluetooth Adapter when used with some older LabQuest 2 models.
iOS
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis GW
No interface requiredFull supportIncompatible
LabQuest 3Full support 1 2Full support 1
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1 2 3Full support 1 3

Compatibility Notes

  1. iOS and Androidâ„¢ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
  2. Connect this sensor directly to a supported mobile device via a wireless Bluetooth® connection for best results.
  3. Wireless connection of this sensor to a LabQuest 2 requires a Go Direct Bluetooth Adapter when used with some older LabQuest 2 models.
Android
Software
InterfaceGraphical AnalysisGraphical Analysis GW
No interface requiredFull supportIncompatible
LabQuest 3Full support 1 2Full support 1
LabQuest 2 (discontinued)Full support 1 2 3Full support 1 3

Compatibility Notes

  1. iOS and Androidâ„¢ devices can only connect to LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3 via Wireless Data Sharing.
  2. Connect this sensor directly to a supported mobile device via a wireless Bluetooth® connection for best results.
  3. Wireless connection of this sensor to a LabQuest 2 requires a Go Direct Bluetooth Adapter when used with some older LabQuest 2 models.
Python
Software
InterfacePython
No interface requiredFull support
Javascript
Software
InterfaceJavascript
No interface requiredFull support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. A wireless Bluetooth® connection can be made with Go Direct sensors on any platform running a browser with WebBluetooth support. However, only a few operating systems have been tested and testing has been limited.
LabVIEW
Software
InterfaceNI LabVIEW
No interface requiredFull support 1

Compatibility Notes

  1. For Bluetooth® connectivity, only computers running Windows 10 or Mac OS X 10.10 or newer are supported. The computer must also have a compatible Bluetooth 4.0+ radio.

What's Included

  • Go Direct Photogate
  • Accessory Rod
  • Micro USB Cable

Accessories

AccessoryOrder CodePriceQuantity
Time of Flight PadTOF-VPL$84.00
Picket FencePF$10.00
Ultra Pulley AttachmentSPA$24.00
Cart Picket FencePF-CART$6.00
Laser PointerLASER$24.00
Laser Pointer StandSTAND$29.00
Micro USB to USB-C CableCB-USB-C-MICRO$9.00
Go Direct® Photogate Timing CableVPG-CB-GDX$8.00
Go Direct® Time of Flight Pad CableTOF-CB-GDX$8.00
Bar TapeTAPE$9.00
Replacement PartOrder CodePriceQuantity
Replacement Rod, 5 inchACC-ROD$4.00
Micro USB CableCB-USB-MICRO$5.00
Go Direct® 650 mAh Replacement BatteryGDX-BAT-650$11.00

Support

Educational use only: Vernier products are designed for educational use. They are not appropriate for industrial, medical, or commercial applications.

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