Choosing a data acquisition recorder usually means weighing readiness against flexibility. The two units here are priced closely but offer very different paths to getting useful signals recorded.
At $325.00, the Pico Technology USB TC-08 Thermocouple Data Logger (Model PP222) is the safer pick if you want a complete, open-box instrument that can start logging after a USB connection. At $349.99, the DATAQ DI-720-USB Data Acquisition System w/ DI-5B Amplifiers & MESA Interface is a used, as-is system with a more modular feel. The difference in price is about $25, but the difference in condition and setup effort is much larger.
Quick verdict
If your work is thermocouple temperature tracking or low-voltage logging, the Pico TC-08 is the more reliable starting point. It is an 8-channel logger with USB connectivity, and the open-box kit is complete. If your work involves building around a data acquisition front-end with signal conditioning, the DATAQ DI-720-USB offers an amplifier-equipped system, but you must accept that it is used surplus sold as-is.
Quick comparison
| Product | Price | Condition | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| DATAQ DI-720-USB w/ DI-5B Amplifiers & MESA Interface | $349.99 | Used, as-is | Acquisition system with DI-5B amplifiers and MESA interface |
| Pico Technology USB TC-08 Thermocouple Data Logger (Model PP222) | $325.00 | New/open box | 8-channel temperature and voltage logger with USB |
Where the Pico TC-08 wins
The Pico TC-08 is the plug-and-log choice. It is listed as new/open box, and the kit includes the logger unit, USB cable, software disc, installation guide, calibration certificate envelope, and original box. That makes it decisively easier to set up than a used surplus unit. It also costs less, so you are paying $325 for a device intended for the task.
Where the DATAQ DI-720-USB wins
The DATAQ DI-720-USB wins when you need a more configurable acquisition system. The DI-5B amplifiers and MESA interface show that this is not a single-purpose logger but a data acquisition system you can integrate into a larger bench setup. At $349.99, the premium over the Pico is modest, and for someone who already has signal conditioning needs, that extra money buys a different class of hardware. Just keep in mind the condition: used, from surplus, and sold as-is.
Product notes
Pico Technology USB TC-08 Thermocouple Data Logger (Model PP222)
The Pico TC-08 is the device to choose when you want a complete temperature and voltage logging package. The open-box kit includes the logger unit, USB cable, software disc, installation guide, calibration certificate envelope, and original box. It is an 8-channel thermocouple logger, and it measures temperature and voltage. At $325.00, it is also the lower-priced option in this pair. The main limitation is focus: it is a dedicated thermocouple logger, so if you need a more general acquisition backplane or a different set of input types, this is not that tool. For the stated task-tracking temperature and low voltage-it is ready for work.
DATAQ DI-720-USB Data Acquisition System w/ DI-5B Amplifiers & MESA Interface
The DATAQ DI-720-USB is for shoppers who think of data acquisition as a system rather than a single instrument. It includes DI-5B amplifiers and a MESA interface, so it belongs in a larger bench setup. The $349.99 price is about $25 higher than the Pico, which makes sense if you need that amplifier-based front-end. The limitation is significant: it is a used unit sold as-is, acquired from a university surplus with dust that may need cleaning. It has not been tested, so there is no guarantee of operation until you power it up. That makes it a candidate only if you are comfortable with surplus electronics and have the time to clean and verify the unit.
Final choice by use case
Choose the Pico TC-08 if you need a ready-to-run, multi-channel thermocouple logger and want the reassurance of an open-box complete kit. Choose the DATAQ DI-720-USB if you are building a custom data acquisition setup with DI-5B amplifiers, are comfortable with as-is surplus hardware, and want to spend about $25 more to get that system-style platform.
