Onset
Onset Computer Corporation, founded in 1981 and a LI-COR subsidiary, manufactures the HOBO line of research-grade environmental data loggers and remote monitoring systems, serving environmental research, agriculture, water management, building performance, and cold-chain customers across 60+ countries through distributors and direct sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersBournemouth, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Onset does
Onset Computer Corporation, founded in 1981 and headquartered in Bourne, Massachusetts, designs and manufactures the HOBO family of research-grade environmental data loggers and remote monitoring systems, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of LI-COR Environmental. The company sells a broad hardware portfolio spanning Bluetooth and USB data loggers, sub-GHz 900 MHz wireless mesh sensor networks (HOBOnet) supporting up to 50 sensors per station, cellular remote monitoring stations (RX3000 and MicroRX), and dedicated sensors for water level, water quality, soil moisture, weather, light/PAR, energy, and occupancy monitoring. Software and services include the HOBOconnect mobile app, HOBOware Pro desktop software, the LI-COR Cloud (formerly HOBOlink) platform, recurring cellular data plans, and calibration/tune-up services. Pricing is predominantly unit-based, ranging from roughly $165 for entry-level Bluetooth loggers to over $1,000 for multiparameter water quality systems and complete HOBOnet configurations, with quote-based pricing for enterprise deployments.
The company targets a diversified set of verticals: environmental research and academia, agriculture and horticulture, water resource management, building performance and facilities, cold chain and healthcare (via the InTemp sub-brand), museum preservation, data centers, and shipping/storage. Go-to-market is hybrid, anchored by a network of 60+ authorized distributors across 60+ countries supplemented by major industrial and scientific resellers (Grainger, VWR, Omega, Cole-Parmer, MKS) and a direct e-commerce storefront for SMB buyers, with quote-based enterprise sales for complex HOBOnet deployments. Brand heritage, distribution depth, and an integrated hardware-to-cloud ecosystem are the primary commercial assets, while the absence of disclosed AI/ML capability and reliance on legacy sensor-and-logger form factors are the principal constraints.
Onset firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Onset
- Legal name
- Onset Computer Corporation
- Website
- https://onsetcomp.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Onset Computer Corporation, founded in 1981 and a LI-COR subsidiary, manufactures the HOBO line of research-grade environmental data loggers and remote monitoring systems, serving environmental research, agriculture, water management, building performance, and cold-chain customers across 60+ countries through distributors and direct sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Onset industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Monitoring Equipment
- NAICS
- Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)
- SIC
- Auto Controls For Regulating Residential & Comml Environments (3822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Quality Monitoring (Surface Water, Stormwater, Drinking Water) (EUAHACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Temperature data loggers & probes (in-transit and storage) (TLAEALAA), Humidity & dew point monitoring sensors (TLAEALAB), Water Quality & Contamination Monitoring (Lead/Chlorine/pH/TDS) (HSAHAGAC)
Keywords
Where Onset is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bournemouth
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Onset business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Product Sales: One-time sale of data loggers, sensors, wireless stations, and accessories. Products range from simple temperature loggers ($90) to advanced multiparameter systems ($1,000+). Includes replacement sensors, batteries, and mounting accessories.
- Cellular Data Plans: Monthly or annual cellular data plans for remote monitoring stations to transmit data to LI-COR Cloud. Required for RX3000 and MicroRX cellular station functionality.
- Software Licensing: HOBOware Pro software for data logger configuration and analysis. Subscription or perpetual license model for professional data management features.
- Service and Support: Tune-up and repair services, calibration services, and technical support. Battery replacement centers for authorized service.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time | Entry-level Bluetooth data loggers |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Advanced temperature/RH monitoring with cellular |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Multiparameter water quality loggers |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Weather station systems |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Remote water level monitoring station |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Solution Kits |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enterprise/system configurations |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Onset product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Onset manufactures and sells research-grade HOBO data loggers, multiparameter water quality sensors, and wireless remote monitoring systems for environmental, agricultural, water resource, building performance, and cold chain applications. The portfolio includes standalone USB/Bluetooth loggers, cellular remote monitoring stations (RX3000, MicroRX), HOBOnet sub-GHz mesh wireless sensor networks, and supporting software (HOBOware Pro, HOBOconnect app, LI-COR Cloud).
Product overview
Onset's HOBO brand is a comprehensive portfolio of research-grade data loggers and remote monitoring solutions organized around the core HOBO Data Logger platform, with multiple product sub-brands and sensor categories designed for environmental, water, agricultural, and building performance monitoring. The main product lines include: the HOBO MX800 Series multiparameter water quality loggers (Bluetooth, interchangeable sensors for DO, CTD); HOBOnet scalable wireless sensor networks (sub-GHz mesh, up to 50 wireless sensors, cellular RX stations, LI-COR Cloud); dedicated weather stations (RX3000, U30, H21-USB); temperature/RH loggers and sensors; light/PAR monitoring; water level and water quality loggers; soil condition sensors; energy monitoring loggers; and occupancy/runtime trackers. Data access varies by series: stand-alone USB loggers use HOBOware Pro software; Bluetooth MX series use the HOBOconnect mobile app; cellular RX stations stream data to LI-COR Cloud for real-time dashboards and alerts. The InTemp sub-brand serves cold chain pharmaceutical/vaccine monitoring. The portfolio is distinguished by NEMA 4X-rated enclosures, research-grade accuracy (±0.05% FS for water level), and deployment options spanning indoor, outdoor, and underwater environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HOBO: Primary brand for data loggers and environmental monitoring solutions
- InTemp
- HOBOnet
Products and services
- HOBO Data Loggers The primary brand of data loggers and remote monitoring solutions for environmental monitoring across water quality, weather, soil, energy, and indoor/outdoor/submersible environments. Available in USB, Bluetooth, and cellular connectivity options for researchers, growers, and facilities professionals.
- HOBO MX800 Series Water Data Loggers Bluetooth-enabled, fully submersible multiparameter water quality data loggers supporting interchangeable sensors for conductivity, temperature, depth (CTD) and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements. Available in fully submersible (MX801) and direct-read (MX802) models for water quality researchers and aquatic ecologists.
- InTemp Cold Chain Monitoring System Cold chain monitoring sub-brand for healthcare product and vaccine storage, life science shipping and logistics, and clinical trials applications. Designed for pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare providers, and logistics companies requiring temperature-controlled storage monitoring.
- HOBOnet Remote Sensor Network Award-winning scalable wireless sensor network platform using 900 MHz sub-GHz mesh technology that streams data from up to 50 wireless sensors to a cellular HOBO RX monitoring station, with data accessible via LI-COR Cloud. Available for indoor and field/outdoor monitoring applications for enterprise deployments.
- HOBO Weather Stations Research-grade, rugged weather monitoring stations and sensor kits measuring temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, rainfall, leaf wetness, soil moisture, PAR, solar radiation, barometric pressure, water level, flow, and evapotranspiration. Includes RX3000 and U30 series stations for environmental researchers and agricultural operations.
- Water Quality Monitoring Data Loggers Multiparameter water quality loggers measuring dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, salinity, pH, temperature, depth, and underwater PAR for streams, rivers, lakes, coastal waters, coral reefs, wetlands, and groundwater monitoring. Targeted at environmental researchers and water resource managers.
- Water Level Monitoring Data Loggers Submersible pressure transducer-based water level loggers including MX20 (research-grade), MX20L (value), MX2001 (high accuracy), U20L optical loggers, HOBOnet wireless water level sensors, and MicroRX Water Level Station for real-time cellular monitoring. Used by hydrologists and water resource managers.
- Energy Monitoring Data Loggers and Solutions Data loggers for monitoring energy use, including AC/DC voltage loggers, time-of-use loggers, plug load loggers, and kWh monitoring solutions for building commissioning, energy audits, and facility management professionals.
- Temperature/Relative Humidity Sensors and Data Loggers Indoor and outdoor temperature and relative humidity monitoring sensors and data loggers including MX1101, MX1104, MX2301A, MX2302A, and RX2100 series, with accuracy levels from ±2% to ±2.5% RH and Bluetooth or cellular connectivity. Used across building performance, agriculture, and research applications.
- Occupancy/Runtime Monitoring Data Loggers Standalone data loggers for monitoring motor runtime, light on/off, room occupancy, state changes, and water/gas flow using time-of-use loggers including UX90 series models. Targets building performance and facilities management customers.
- Soil Conditions Monitoring Sensors Soil monitoring sensors and data loggers measuring soil temperature, volumetric water content (VWC), soil electrical conductivity (EC), and soil water potential using HOBOnet wireless sensors and MX230x soil moisture loggers. Targets agricultural growers and researchers.
- Light Monitoring Sensors and Data Loggers Sensors and data loggers measuring photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), solar radiation/pyranometer, and underwater PAR for applications in controlled environment agriculture, greenhouses, underwater/aquatic ecology studies, and solar energy assessments.
- HOBO RX3000 Remote Monitoring Station Cellular remote monitoring station supporting up to 10 wired and 50 wireless sensor inputs, 32 MB memory (2 million measurements), solar or battery power, NEMA 4X-rated enclosure, and HOBOnet wireless compatibility for field and weather monitoring deployments.
- HOBO MicroRX Station (RX2100/RX2105/RX2106) Compact cellular monitoring station available in multiple variants (RX2100, RX2105, RX2106) supporting up to 5 or 10 wired and 50 wireless sensor inputs, with solar or battery power options, for indoor, outdoor, and water level monitoring applications.
- HOBO U30 USB Weather Station Rugged USB weather station for remote locations with up to 10 sensor inputs, 512 KB memory (~330,000 measurements), solar power, and NEMA 4X-rated enclosure for stand-alone offline data collection.
- Evapotranspiration (ET) Monitoring Solutions Weather station-based solutions for calculating evapotranspiration using the FAO/ASCE Penman-Monteith equation via LI-COR Cloud, requiring temperature/RH, wind speed, and solar radiation sensors. Designed for agricultural irrigation management and water resource applications.
- LI-COR Cloud (formerly HOBOlink) Web-based cloud monitoring software platform for remote access to HOBO RX station data, providing customizable dashboards, alarm notifications, Google Maps integration, and evapotranspiration calculations using the FAO Penman-Monteith equation. Subscription-based service for enterprise and research customers.
- HOBOware Pro Software Desktop software for configuring, launching, and analyzing data from HOBO data loggers, featuring time-saving logger setup tools, data visualization and plotting, and a Water Level Data Assistant for barometric compensation. Available via subscription or perpetual license.
- HOBOconnect Mobile App Free mobile app enabling Bluetooth wireless setup and data offload from HOBO MX series loggers, supporting logger configuration, alarm settings, bulk data download, graphing, and data export and sharing.
Quantifiable outcome
- 600m (2,000 ft) line-of-sight wireless range for indoor HOBOnet networks
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Onset
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Onset technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature12 records
Onset partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major and minor.
- LI-CORflagshipLI-COR Environmental acquired Onset Computer Corporation. HOBO products now operate under the LI-COR Brand umbrella. LI-COR Cloud is the primary cloud platform for HOBO remote monitoring solutions. The acquisition combined HOBO's data logger expertise with LI-COR's sensor technology (particularly PAR quantum sensors).
- NEWA (Network for Environment and Weather Applications)coreIntegration partnership connecting HOBO RX weather stations to NEWA's disease risk and insect pest models for agricultural decision support. Enables growers to access NEWA's crop management models directly from HOBO monitoring data.
- AkribiscoreAuthorized distributor for Argentina, providing sales and support for HOBO products in the Argentine market.
- OneTemp Pty LtdflagshipGold Distributor and Authorized Battery Replacement Service Center for Australia and New Zealand. 1300 number and comprehensive local support.
- Hoskin Scientific LtdcoreAuthorized distributor for Canada with offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec providing coast-to-coast coverage.
- BMC Solutions GmbHcoreAuthorized distributor covering Austria, Czechia, and Germany from offices in Puchheim, Bavaria.
- ENEXYS EAST MED OFFSHORE SALcoreHOBO MEA Order Desk serving Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and UAE from Beirut, Lebanon headquarters.
- Beijing North River Instruments Co LtdcoreSpecialty distributor for China focused on outdoor and underwater monitoring applications.
- Tempcon Instrumentation LtdcoreAuthorized distributor for United Kingdom and Ireland, serving environmental and industrial monitoring markets.
- GraingermajorMajor industrial distributor offering HOBO products through grainger.com, providing wide market access for US customers.
- VWR InternationalmajorLaboratory and scientific products distributor offering HOBO products through us.vwr.com for research and laboratory customers.
- Omega Engineering IncmajorProcess measurement and control equipment distributor offering HOBO data loggers through omega.com.
- Zoro ToolsminorOnline industrial supply distributor offering HOBO products through zoro.com.
- USA BluebookminorCatalog distributor serving government and municipal water/wastewater markets with HOBO water monitoring products.
- TranscatminorTest and measurement equipment distributor offering HOBO products through transcat.com brand store.
- Floyd Bell AssociatesminorRegional distributor for Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
- Cole-ParmerminorLaboratory equipment and supplies distributor offering HOBO data loggers throughcoleparmer.com.
- MKS InstrumentsminorMeasurement and control equipment distributor offering HOBO products through mksinstruments.com.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Onset competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Sensirion: Sensirion is a leading supplier of micro-electromechanical humidity, temperature, gas, and flow sensors used inside data loggers and industrial monitoring equipment. Sits inside Onset's supply/value chain as a sensor component provider rather than a direct logger competitor, but adjacent in measurement technology.
Direct peers
- YSI (Xylem brand): YSI is a key direct competitor in the MX800/DO/CTD water quality logger space, offering handheld and continuous water quality monitoring instruments (dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, turbidity) used by researchers and water utilities. Same multiparameter sensor approach and similar aquatic monitoring customer base.
- Davis Instruments: Davis Instruments is a direct peer in the weather station / consumer-to-prosumer environmental monitoring space, including Vantage Pro wireless stations and WeatherLink online platform. Overlaps with HOBO U30 and HOBOnet systems for hobbyist, agricultural, and light-commercial use cases.
- Hach: Hach is a major water quality monitoring company (part of Veralto/Danaher) selling multiparameter probes, sondes, and continuous water monitoring systems to municipalities, utilities, and industrial customers. Direct overlap with Onset's HOBOnet water level and water quality product lines in the compliance/utility segment.
- Campbell Scientific: Campbell Scientific is the most direct peer to Onset - both manufacture research-grade environmental data loggers, wireless sensor networks (CSI mesh), and weather stations used by universities, government researchers, and agriculture customers. Strong overlap in water level, water quality, soil, and meteorological monitoring with similar B2B/B2G distribution.
- ELPRO Group: ELPRO provides temperature, humidity, and environmental monitoring solutions for cold chain, pharma, and regulated industries (InTemp's direct competitive set). Overlaps with HOBO temperature/RH loggers and with InTemp's vaccine and pharmaceutical storage focus.
Broad incumbents
- Thermo Fisher Scientific (Environmental Instruments): Thermo Fisher's environmental and process instruments division offers a broad portfolio of air quality, water quality, and laboratory monitoring products sold globally to research and regulated industries. Overlap is partial but global distribution and field service footprint dwarf Onset's.
- Vaisala: Vaisala is a globally dominant industrial environmental monitoring company offering humidity, temperature, weather, and carbon measurement instruments and continuous monitoring systems to industrial customers. Overlaps with HOBO in weather stations, indoor air quality, and cleanroom monitoring but at larger enterprise scale.
Emerging players
- Atlas Scientific: Atlas Scientific is an emerging player focused on water quality sensing components and breakout boards for OEM and educational customers, including pH, dissolved oxygen, EC, and temperature sensors. Tangential overlap in the chemistry/biology/research markets where HOBO MX800 multiparameter loggers are deployed.
- Aquaread: Aquaread specializes in portable and field-deployable multiparameter water quality probes and sondes, including CTD, DO, pH, turbidity, and chlorophyll sensors used for spot sampling and long-term deployment. Overlaps with HOBO MX800 series in environmental monitoring of streams, lakes, and aquaculture.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Onset social profiles
Digital presenceOnset financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Onset leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Onset funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Onset M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Onset
What does Onset do?
Onset manufactures and sells research-grade HOBO data loggers, multiparameter water quality sensors, and wireless remote monitoring systems for environmental, agricultural, water resource, building performance, and cold chain applications. The portfolio includes standalone USB/Bluetooth loggers, cellular remote monitoring stations (RX3000, MicroRX), HOBOnet sub-GHz mesh wireless sensor networks, and supporting software (HOBOware Pro, HOBOconnect app, LI-COR Cloud).
Is Onset a public or private company?
Onset is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Onset founded?
Onset was founded in 1981. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Onset based?
Onset is headquartered in Bournemouth, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Onset make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are cellular Data Plans, software Licensing and service and Support.
Who are Onset's main competitors?
Sensirion is listed as an others. Direct peers are YSI (Xylem brand), Davis Instruments, Hach, Campbell Scientific and ELPRO Group. Broad incumbents are Thermo Fisher Scientific (Environmental Instruments) and Vaisala. Emerging players are Atlas Scientific and Aquaread.
Does Onset have an API?
No public API is recorded for Onset.
What industry is Onset in?
Onset's product category is Environmental Monitoring Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAHACAC, Water Quality Monitoring (Surface Water, Stormwater, Drinking Water), with a secondary code of TLAEALAA, Temperature data loggers & probes (in-transit and storage). Its NAICS code is 334512 and its SIC code is 3822.