Vernier Go Direct Light and Color User manual

Go Direct®Light and
Color

(Order Code GDX-LC)

This light sensor measures light in the visible and
ultraviolet electromagnetic spectra. An RGB
color sensor detects relative contributions of
primary colors in light. Go Direct Light and
Color directly connects via Bluetooth wireless
technology or wired via USB to your platform. The sensor can be used for the
study of visible light intensity, UV light intensity, and color investigations.

Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor are they recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial
process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing
process, or industrial testing of any kind.

5. If using Graphical Analysis, click
or tap Sensor Data Collection. If
using LabQuest, choose Wireless
Device Setup > Go Direct from the
Sensors menu.

6. Select your Go Direct sensor from
the list of Discovered Wireless
Devices. Your sensor's ID is located
near the barcode on the sensor. The
Bluetooth LED will blink green
when it is successfully connected.

7. Click or tap Done. You are now
ready to collect data.

8. This is a multi-channel sensor. To
change the channel selections, see
www.vernier.com/start/gdx-lc

www.vernier.com/start/gdx-lc

Note: This sensor does not work with
the original LabQuest. It works with
LabQuest 2 or LabQuest 3.

What's Included

l Go Direct Light and Color
l Micro USBCable

Compatible Software

See www.vernier.com/manuals/gd x-lc for a list of software compatible with the Go
Direct Light and Color Sensor.

Getting Started

Please see the following link for platform-specific connection information:

www.vernier.com/start/gdx-lc

Bluetooth Connection USB Connection

1. Install Vernier Graphical
Analysis™ on your computer,
Chromebook™, or mobile device. If
using LabQuest®, make sure
LabQuest App is up to date. See
www.vernier.com/ga4 for Graphical
Analysis availability or
www.vernier.com/downloads to
update LabQuest App.

2. Charge your sensor for at least
2hours before first use.

3. Turn on your sensor by pressing the
power button once. The Bluetooth
LED will blink red.

4. Launch Graphical Analysis or turn
on LabQuest.

1. If using a computer or
Chromebook, install Vernier
Graphical Analysis. If using
LabQuest, make sure LabQuest
App is up to date. See
www.vernier.com/ga4 for Graphical
Analysis availability or
www.vernier.com/downloads to
update LabQuest App.

2. Connect the sensor to the USB
port.

3. Launch Graphical Analysis or turn

®

on LabQuest. You are now ready to
collect data.

4. This is a multi-channel sensor. To
change the channel selections, see

Charging the Sensor

Connect the Go Direct Light and Color to the included USB Charging Cable
and any USB device for two hours.

You can also charge up to eight Go Direct Light and Color Sensors using our
GoDirect Charge Station, sold separately (order code: GDX-CRG). An LED on
each Go Direct Light and Color indicates charging status.

Charging

Fully charged

Orange LED next to the battery icon is solid
while the sensor is charging.

Green LED next to the battery icon is solid
when the sensor is fully charged.

Powering the Sensor

Turning on the sensor

Putting the sensor in
sleep mode

Press button once. Red LED indicator next to the
Bluetooth icon flashes when the unit is on. Press
button again (after 5 second delay) to turn on/off
the white LED.

Press and hold button for more than three seconds
to put into sleep mode. Red LED indicator next to
Bluetooth icon stops flashing when sleeping.

Connecting the Sensor

See the following link for up-to-date connection information:

www.vernier.com/start/gdx-lc

1

Connecting via Bluetooth

Ready to connect Red LED next to the Bluetooth icon flashes

when sensor is awake and ready to connect.

Connected Green LED next to the Bluetooth icon flashes

when sensor is connected via Bluetooth.

Connecting via USB

Connected and charging Orange LED next to the battery icon is solid

when the sensor is connected to Graphical Ana­lysis via USB and the unit is charging. LED next
to Bluetooth icon is off.

Connected, fully charged Green LED next to the battery icon is solid

when the sensor is connected to Graphical Ana­lysis via USB and fully charged. LED next to
Bluetooth icon is off.

Specifications

Light intensity range 0 lx to 150,000 lx

Maximum light intensity
sampling rate

Resolution ±0.2 lx (when using in less than 10,000 lux);

UV sensitivity range 320 nm to 375 nm

Red, green, blue intensity
range

USBspecification USB 2.0 full speed

Wireless specification Bluetooth v4.2

Maximum wireless range 30 m (unobstructed)

Dimensions 8.8 cm × 6.0 cm × 3.2 cm

1,000 samples/s

±5 lx (when using in greater than 10,000 lux)

0 to 1,000 (relative scale)

Charging via USB,
connected via Bluetooth

Orange LED next to the battery icon is solid
when the sensor is charging. Green LED next to
the Bluetooth icon flashes.

Using the Product

Connect the sensor following the steps in the Getting Started section of this user
manual.

In order to turn on the white LED on the sensor face, wait five seconds after
initially turning the sensor on and press the button once. A single press will
toggle this LED on and off.

Channels

Click on the sensor icon to select other channels for this sensor, including

l UV
l 615 nm (Red)
l 525 nm (Green)
l 465 nm (Blue)

Videos

View videos related to this product at www.vernier.com/gdx-lc

Battery 300 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)

Safety

Avoid pointing the white LED directly at your eye. The light is bright and may
cause discomfort.

Care and Maintenance

To ensure longest battery life, turn white LED off when not in use.

Battery Information

The Go Direct Light and Color contains a small lithium-ion battery in the case.
The system is designed to consume very little power and not put heavy
demands on the battery. Although the battery is warranted for one year, the
expected battery life should be several years. Replacement batteries are available
from Vernier (order code: GDX-BAT-300).

Storage and Maintenance

To store the Go Direct Light and Color for extended periods of time, put the
device in sleep mode by holding the button down for at least three seconds. The
red LED will stop flashing to show that the unit is in sleep mode. Over several
months, the battery will discharge but will not be damaged. After such storage,
charge the device for a few hours, and the unit will be ready to go.

Exposing the battery to temperatures over 35°C (95°F) will reduce its lifespan. If
possible, store the device in an area that is not exposed to temperature extremes.

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