Frequently Asked Questions About Tinytag Products

Top Five Questions about Tinytags

Follow these easy steps to download a replacement copy of the latest version of Tinytag Explorer and request a new activation code.

If you have lost your Tinytag Explorer software you can complete the details below to download a free copy of the latest version in this link below:
Tinytag Explorer latest version download

If you have misplaced the activation code for your Tinytag Explorer software, you can request a new one by completing the form that you will find in this link below:
Tinytag Explorer activation code request form

Your details will be checked against our customers database and you will receive an email with your new activation code.

Alternatively if you require a copy of the software on a CD, please contact us.

The recent versions of Tinytag Explorer software (version 4.7 or above) are set to detect data loggers automatically. If you do not have the latest version of the software we recommend that you upgrade free of charge.

If after upgrading you still cannot see your logger, check the automatic com port detection is turned on by going to Options and Communication Options and make sure the Use Fully Automatic Com Port Detection option has been selected.

If this does not work it is likely the device drivers for your USB cable or pad have not installed correctly. Instructions to manually install the drivers can be found here:

Manually installing drivers for USB cables and pads (Tinytag Explorer Version 4.7 or above)

If you still cannot see the logger you may have a problem with the battery or cable, please contact help@tinytag.info for more information.

If you have to use an older version of Tinytag Explorer (4.6 or below) go to Options and Communication Options and select the correct port from the list displayed. (If more than one is listed, try each in turn. Usually, USB cables and pads will install as the highest com port on the list.)

If the above doesn't resolve the problem, the device drivers for your USB cable or pad may not have installed correctly. To check whether this is the case, and to manually install the drivers please click below:

Manually installing drivers for USB cables and pads (Tinytag Explorer Version 4.6 and below)

What to do if the display on your Tinytag View data logger is blank.

The display on a Tinyview or Tinytag View 2 data logger will only show readings whilst the unit is recording.

If the display on your data logger is blank this will be because the unit hasn't been started or because it has stopped recording either due to the settings it has been programmed with or because it has a flat battery.

Data loggers have to be started using the Tinytag Explorer software.

If you suspect your data logger has a flat battery, you can check this using the Current Reading feature in Tinytag Explorer.

If you require a replacement battery, you can purchase a service kit for your logger

If you are seeing a '2803' error message when upgrading to the latest version of Tinytag Explorer, your existing install of the software is probably still open.

If you click OK on any 2803 error messages displayed the software should still install, but closing the software before starting the installation will stop these messages being displayed in the first place.

Users of the Tinytag Radio system may also see this error message, even if Tinytag Explorer is closed; this will be because the Radio Gateway is still running in the background. Again, the software should still install if you click OK on any 2803 error messages you see, but stopping the kola Windows service before upgrading will prevent you from seeing this error message (you may need to restart the radio Gateway again when the installation is complete).

Calibration Options

Calibration certificates can be purchased along with the logger at the point of sale. Tinytags already in use can also be returned for a service calibration at any time, for a standard charge.

Tinytag data loggers are guaranteed to meet the specification stated on their data sheets for a twelve month period from the point of purchase. If required, additional validation certificates traceable to national standards may be purchased when buying the loggers. These calibration certificates can be provided at the time of purchase. Tinytags already in use can also be returned for a service calibration at any time, for a standard charge.

Calibration Certificates

The calibration certificate provides verification that the data logger has been checked and has been found to be reading within the specification quoted on the unit's data sheet. Data loggers are compared to a reference meter that has been calibrated in a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) approved laboratory. The certificate lists the value recorded by the reference meter (the point at which the data logger was tested), the value recorded by the data logger and the error between the two readings (the certificate will also show readings before and after any adjustment made to the unit where appropriate). In addition to the reading information, calibration certificates also list the test method and the details of the equipment used to provide traceability back to national standards.

Calibration certificates do not have a period of validity, they are simply a statement of what the unit was reading when it was tested.

Standard Calibration Points

For temperature and humidity loggers, our standard calibration points, which are used unless otherwise specified, are:

  • Temperature: 0 and 30°C
  • Humidity: 20 and 80 % RH (at 25°C)
These points have been chosen to give good coverage for general purpose use, but should other points be required we can calibrate units within the following ranges:

  • Temperature: -20 to +150 °C
  • Humidity: 20 to 90 % RH (at 25°C)
CO2 loggers, our calibration points are:

  • 0 to 2000ppm units: 250, 500 and 1750ppm
  • 0 to 5000ppm units: 500, 2,500 and 4000ppm
Calibration Services Link

Software and Hardware Questions

It is recommended that USB pads and cables are used with the current version of Tinytag Explorer (which will install and detect USB devices automatically).

The current version of Tinytag Explorer is version 4.11.

Free of charge upgrade to the current version of Tinytag Explorer.

If you cannot connect to your data logger after installing the latest version, go to Options and Communication Options and make sure the Use Fully Automatic Com Port Detection option has been selected.

If you still cannot connect to your data logger, it is likely that the USB drivers for your device have not installed correctly. To check whether the USB drivers for your device have installed correctly you should do the following:

- Plug in your USB cable or pad
- Go to your Device Manager

Windows XP Users: Start Button >> Control Panel >> System >> Hardware >> Device Manager

Windows Vista & Windows 7 Users: Start Button >> Control Panel >> Hardware and Sound >> Device Manager

If the cable has installed correctly, it should be listed under Ports (COM and LPT) as a USB Serial Port with a COM number in brackets after it. If this is the case and Tinytag Explorer is set to automatically detect loggers and still cannot connect, please contact your supplier or email help@tinytag.info for further assistance.

If the cable has not installed correctly it may be listed as a Gemini USB serial cable with a yellow exclamation mark next to it under Unknown or Other Devices.

- If this is the case, right click on the entry and select Update Driver (this will start a Hardware wizard running).

Windows XP Users:

- The first page of the wizard will ask you if Windows can search the internet or Windows Update for drivers, select the No, not this time option and click Next.

- Select the Install from a specific location option and point the wizard at the folder:

C:\Program Files\Tinytag\Tinytag Explorer\Drivers

And Next.

- Once the cable drivers have installed, click Finish.

Windows Vista & Windows 7 Users:

- Select the Browse my computer for driver software option and click Next.

- Point the installer at the folder:

C:\Program Files\Tinytag\Tinytag Explorer\Drivers

And click Next (you may be prompted to confirm your agreement to the installation).

- Once the cable drivers have installed, click Finish.

All Users

- If the device is still listed with a yellow exclamation mark against it, repeat the above process once again to set the device up as a COM port (the installation is a two-step process, first installing the drivers for the cable, and then setting up the cable as a COM port).

When you have gone through the installation for a second time the device should move to Ports (COM and LPT) and list as a USB Serial Port with a COM number in brackets after it.

Your cable or pad should now be ready to use, if you still cannot communicate with your data logger please email Contact Us.

It is recommended that USB pads and cables are used with the current version of Tinytag Explorer (which will install and detect USB devices automatically).

The current version of Tinytag Explorer is version 4.11.

Free of charge upgrade to the current version of Tinytag Explorer.

If you need to use a cable or pad with Tinytag Explorer version 4.6 or below, please follow the instructions below:

- Download up to date USB drivers from our web site here: USB Drivers (download button/link).

These drivers come in a zip file that needs to be unpacked before they can be installed.

- Unpack them to a folder you can find easily, and plug in your cable or pad.
- Go to your Device Manager

Windows XP Users: Start Button >> Control Panel >> System >> Hardware >> Device Manager

Windows Vista & Windows 7 Users: Start Button >> Control Panel >> Hardware and Sound >> Device Manager

- Your device should be listed as a Gemini USB serial cable with a yellow exclamation mark next to it under Unknown or Other Devices.

- Right click on the entry and select Update Driver (this will start a Hardware wizard running).

Windows XP Users:

- The first page of the wizard will ask you if Windows can search the internet or Windows Update for drivers, select the No, not this time option and click Next.

- Select the Install from a specific location option, point the wizard at the folder you unpacked above and click Next.

- Once the cable drivers have installed, click Finish.

Windows Vista & Windows 7 Users:

- Select the Browse my computer for driver software option and click Next.

- Point the installer at the folder you unpacked above and click Next (you may be prompted to confirm your agreement to the installation).

- Once the cable drivers have installed, click Finish.

All Users

- If the device is still listed with a yellow exclamation mark against it, repeat the above process once again to set the device up as a COM port (the installation is a two-step process, first installing the drivers for the cable, and then setting up the cable as a COM port).

When you have gone through the installation for a second time the device should move to Ports (COM and LPT) and list as a USB Serial Port with a COM number in brackets after it.

Close your Device Manager and open Tinytag Explorer.

Go to Options and Communication Options and select the COM port number the cable was listed with in the Device Manager.

Your cable or pad should now be ready to use, if you still cannot communicate with your data logger please contact us.

Recorded data can be exported from Tinytag Explorer for use in other applications either by saving it in a different file format or by using copy and paste.

Data displayed in any of the tabular views - Table of Readings, Information and Daily Min/Max - can be exported as a whole or in part (the tabular views behave in a similar way to a spreadsheet allowing you to select the data you wish to export).

Using copy and paste, data can be exported directly from these views into third-party applications. Additionally, data can be exported in different file formats by going to File and Export (the different types of save format include .xls, .xml, .txt, and .csv). The graph view can also be exported as an image for use in reports and publications.

Further information on how to export data from Tinytag Explorer is available in the Exporting Data section of the Tinytag Explorer Help file.

Information about time and date settings.

Time and date

The time and date in a data logger is set at the start of every logging run and is taken from the clock of the PC the unit is started on. If the time or date of the PC clock is set incorrectly then the recorded data will be displayed with the wrong time or date so it is important to ensure that the time and date on the PC is always set correctly.

Clock accuracy

The clock accuracy for Tinytag Talk 2, Ultra 2, Plus 2, View 2 and CO2 data loggers at 25°C is ~20ppm (which equates to a maximum drift of ±1.73s/day).

At other temperatures the clock accuracy is as follows:
-10 to +60 deg C: ±50ppm (±4.32s/day)
-30 to +80 deg C: ±130ppm (±11.232s/day)

Time zone

Tinytags are not aware of the time zone where they were launched. So, for example, data from a logger launched at 18:00 in London will show a start time of 18:00 when viewed in New York.

Daylight saving changes

The times displayed by Tinytag Explorer are calculated when the data is displayed and depend on the daylight saving settings of the PC at that time. For example, if a .ttd file is opened before and after DST settings change, then all times displayed by Tinytag Explorer will go forward or back.

The advantage of this approach is that the relative time information is always correct. For example if a logger is set to record once every 24 hours and is left running during a DST transition all the timestamps will be 24 hours apart.

Unfortunately this approach means historic data may appear wrong if DST has changed since the data was recorded. For example a ttd file from a logger that records every 18:00 GMT in the winter will display 18:00 when viewed in the winter but 17:00 when viewed during the summer.

Note: describing how the data is displayed by Tinytag Explorer on PC's in countries that apply different DST rules to those where the logger was launched is beyond the scope of this article. Contact Contact Us. if you require an explanation of this.

Questions About Temperature and Humidity Sensors

This article applies to TGP-4505, TV-4505 and TV-4506 data loggers only.

TGP-4505, TV-4505 and TV-4506 data loggers are supplied with probes that are individually calibrated to the logger they are paired with.

If a replacement probe is required, the logger must be returned to Gemini for calibration with the replacement probe.

There is a standard charge per logger for this service. To return a data logger for a new probe, please follow the instructions here: Returning Data Loggers for Repair.

If you should have any questions, please call us or e-mail

Information about how to connect third party PT100 probes to our loggers.

We supply a range of PT100 probes for use with our loggers, but you can use your own third party probes if required.

The ACS-9703 datasheet (see Connection Information 2) provides wiring instructions for 2, 3 and 4-wire PT100 sensors.

We recommend the use of 3-wire, class A sensors.

2-wire and 4-wire sensors can be used, but the accuracy is reduced when 2-wire sensors are used and loggers will not read the fourth wire of 4-wire sensors.

The ACS-9703 5-pin Tajimi plug should be used with the following products:

Tinytag Plus 2: TGP-4104

Tinytag View 2: TV-4104

Information about how to connect third party PT100 probes to our loggers.

We supply a range of PT100 probes for use with our loggers, but you can use your own third party probes if required.

The ACS-9703 datasheet (see Connection Information 2) provides wiring instructions for 2, 3 and 4-wire PT100 sensors.

We recommend the use of 3-wire, class A sensors.

2-wire and 4-wire sensors can be used, but the accuracy is reduced when 2-wire sensors are used and loggers will not read the fourth wire of 4-wire sensors.

The ACS-9703 5-pin Tajimi plug should be used with the following products:

Tinytag Plus 2: TGP-4204

Tinytag View 2: TV-4204

What to do if your humidity logger shows unusual readings.

If your humidity logger is showing unusual or unexpected readings, it is likely that the sensor has come into contact with a liquid, which effectively shorts it out. Where the sensor becomes saturated, it is possible for the readings to show 100 or 0% or just above. This file below shows a typical reading if this happens.

Once the sensor has been able to dry out, and provided no residue is left on it, the unit should read correctly once more.

Current Tinytag Plus and View relative humidity data loggers now use a coated RH sensor which offers increased protection against moisture.

When these sensors come into contact with moisture their readings are more stable and they also recover faster when they dry out.

Information about using third party input leads.

Voltage, current and count input data loggers are supplied with input cables to connect them to third-party sensors. Connection information for these loggers can be found on their product data sheets.

Longer length input cables can be supplied on request, please contact us for further information.

If your sensor already has a cable, a plug can be supplied to connect it to your data logger. Details of the plugs we supply can be found here: Spare Connectors.

Connection information for plug connections to different loggers can be found on their product data sheets.

Battery Related Questions

Advice on expected battery life.

With typical use, most data loggers will have a battery life of at least two to three years.

For most recent data logger models - Talk 2, Ultra 2, Plus 2, View 2, Aquatic 2 and Splash 2 - Tinytag Explorer software will warn a user when the battery in their unit is getting flat.

When data loggers are started in Tinytag Explorer the software checks the unit's battery status and advises if it needs replacing. If the battery is very low, the software will prevent the user starting the unit so that data is not lost.

The battery status of a data logger can be checked at any time by performing a current reading in Tinytag Explorer.

(There is no low battery warning on a data logger itself, the red LED most units are fitted with is part of the logger's alarm feature.)

Checking battery status

It is easy to ensure recording is not interrupted, by checking the logger's battery status.

To ensure continuity of recording, most recent data logger models - Talk 2, Ultra 2, Plus 2, View 2, Aquatic 2 and Splash 2 - have a feature in the Tinytag Explorer software to warn when the battery in the unit is getting flat.

When data loggers are started in Tinytag Explorer, the software checks the unit's battery status and advises if it needs replacing. If the battery is very low, the software will prevent the user starting the unit so that data is not lost.

Remember, you can check the battery status of a data logger at any time simply by performing a current reading in Tinytag Explorer.

With typical use, all data loggers will have a battery life of at least one year. Many logger batteries will last two to three years.

(There is no low battery warning on a data logger itself, the red LED most units are fitted with is part of the logger's alarm feature.)

Most of Gemini’s Data Loggers are powered by lithium batteries (‘lithium metal cells’) which have regulations restricting their transportation by road, sea or air due to the hazardous nature of lithium.

Many Tinytag data loggers are powered by lithium batteries ('lithium metal cells') which are subject to regulations restricting their transportation.

Provided there are no more than four data loggers contained per package (each logger containing one lithium metal cell) then the package may be transported freely anywhere in the world by ground or air. Please note however:

  • This only applies to data loggers with batteries fitted (not spare batteries or service kits)
  • The data loggers and the batteries in them must be free from damage.
  • All batteries inside the data loggers must meet the requirements in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, Subsection 38.3 and must contain less than 1g of lithium.

All batteries supplied by Gemini Data Loggers meet these requirements. Customers are responsible for checking the compliance of any batteries not supplied by Gemini Data Loggers.

Please note that many replacement lithium 'c' cells (the battery used by some Tinytag Radio loggers) contain more than 1g of lithium. For this reason when returning any lithium battery powered Radio loggers to us they must be sent without their batteries.

Shipments containing more than four loggers

When transporting more than four loggers (each containing one lithium metal cell) by ground or air the following additional shipping instructions must be adhered to*.

  • Pack loggers in strong, rigid outer packaging to protect them from damage (e.g. a ridged cardboard box).
  • Attach a Lithium Mark to the package. Please note, this label must be printed in black and red as shown in the link. The minimum size is 120 x 110mm, and the telephone number of someone knowledgeable about the shipment must be added.

* Shipping instructions given here are general guidelines. Some carriers may have additional requirements (e.g. declaring the hazard on the Consignment Note as partially regulated lithium metal batteries in equipment UN3091/P.I. 970 Section II). Customers are responsible for checking their local regulations and any carrier specific requirements. Micron Meters no longer provides or ships replacement batteries for the Gemini Tinytag Data Loggers. Batteries can be sourced at Battery Center, Battery Part Numbers are listed on the Logger Data Sheets.

Question about Flashing Lights

Most data loggers are fitted with a red flashing LED.

The red flashing LED is part of the logger's alarm feature. If it starts to flash, this means that environmental conditions have fallen outside the range that has been chosen during set up in the Tinytag Explorer software.

The red LED is not a warning of a low battery: most recent data logger models - Talk 2, Ultra 2, Plus 2, View 2, Aquatic 2 and Splash 2 - have a feature in the Tinytag Explorer software to warn when the battery in the unit is getting flat.

Most data loggers are fitted with a red flashing LED.

The red flashing LED is part of the logger's alarm feature. If it starts to flash, this means that the upper ppm level that has been chosen during set up in the Tinytag Explorer software has been reached. The flashing LED also indicates if the mains power supply has been interrupted.

The red LED is not a warning of a low battery.

Miscellaneous Questions

Recommendations for using loggers in a vacuum.

We recommend units from our Tinytag Ultra 2 range for use in low pressure applications.

This advice only applies to Tinytag Ultra 2 loggers fitted with the supplied SB-AA02 battery (if required you can purchase a service kit which includes them).

The SB-AA02 battery has been tested at 11.6K Pa (116 mBar/1.68 PSI) for a period of six hours at 20°C, in accordance with UN regulations on the transportation of lithium batteries.

What to do if the display on your Hand-held Thermohygrometer is blank.

The Hand-held Thermohygrometer needs to be turned on in order for the display to show. If the display is blank after turning it on, you need to check the battery.

However, you will get advance warning when the unit's batteries are getting low as a low battery indicator will light on the display. There is also a feature in the Tinytag Explorer software to warn when the battery in the unit is getting flat.

When the Hand-held Thermohygrometer is started in Tinytag Explorer, the software checks the unit's battery status and advises if it needs replacing. If the battery is very low, the software will prevent the user starting the unit so that data is not lost.

Remember, you can check the battery status at any time simply by performing a current reading in Tinytag Explorer.

With typical use, all data loggers will have a battery life of at least one year. Many logger batteries will last two to three years.

The unit takes 2 x 1.5V AA alkaline batteries (user-replaceable). Before replacing the batteries the data logger must be stopped. Data stored on the logger will be retained after the batteries are replaced.

The Hand-held batteries are user-replaceable.

The TH-2500 Hand-held uses 2 x 1.5V AA alkaline batteries. Before replacing the batteries the data logger must be stopped. Data stored on the logger will be retained after the batteries are replaced

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