Designed & Made in the USA Since 1983

GageWay Pro2

SKU GW-PRO2 Category

The GageWay Pro 2 connects two digital or RS-232 gages to a PC through a single USB port. Both USB keyboard wedge and USB serial (virtual COM port) outputs are built in — no configuration required to switch between them, and no external AC adapter needed. Supports Mitutoyo, Mahr Federal, Ono Sokki, Fowler, INSIZE, Starrett, Sylvac, and any gage with Mitutoyo-compatible output, plus RS-232 devices via the GW-LC Level Converter Cable.

Gage Inputs – 2
Output –  USB Keyboard Wedge + USB Serial (VCP) — both built in
RS-232 Support – Yes — all front panel ports (GW-LC Level Converter Cable required)
Power – USB powered — no AC adapter required
Configuration – Free Windows Setup Software (GageWay Pro Setup)
Expandable – No — see Pro4 or Pro8 for chaining
Gage Compatibility –  Mitutoyo, Mahr Federal, Ono Sokki, Fowler, INSIZE, Starrett, Sylvac, CDI, and others
Origin – Designed & Made in the USA

$505.00

Two Gages. One USB Port. Both Output Modes Built In.

Most two-channel gage interfaces force a choice at purchase: keyboard wedge output or USB serial output — not both. The GageWay Pro2 eliminates that constraint. Both output modes are built into the same unit. Connect via the keyboard wedge port to stream readings directly into Excel, Google Sheets, or cloud-based SPC platforms. Connect via the USB serial port for direct integration with SPC software such as MeasurLink, InfinityQS, DataPage+, or any application that monitors a COM port. Switching between output modes requires only moving the USB cable to the appropriate port — no hardware changes, no additional purchases, no different model required.

The keyboard wedge port requires no driver installation — plug in and it works immediately, with no IT involvement required. The USB serial port requires a one-time FTDI VCP driver install, available free from MicroRidge. The keyboard wedge transfer rate defaults to approximately 72 characters per second and can be reduced to 30 or 8 characters per second for applications or systems that cannot keep pace at the default rate.

Also included: ComTestSerial, a free serial communications test program that displays exactly what data is being sent from your gages and the GageWay Pro interface. It is the fastest way to verify a connection, debug a new gage setup, or confirm RS-232 communication parameters before deploying to production.

Broad Gage Compatibility — 3,500+ Instruments Supported

The GageWay Pro2 supports digital gages from Mitutoyo, Mahr Federal, Ono Sokki, Fowler, INSIZE, Starrett, CDI, Sylvac, and any manufacturer using Mitutoyo-compatible Digimatic output. RS-232 devices from Ohaus, Mettler Toledo, and other serial instrument manufacturers are supported on all front panel ports via the GW-LC cable. MicroRidge supplies cables for over 3,500 gage models — interface and cable ship from a single source, simplifying AVL management for quality departments.

Not sure if your gage is supported? Contact MicroRidge — we’ll confirm compatibility and identify the correct cable before you order.

RS-232 Support on Every Front Panel Port

Digital gages plug directly into the 10-pin front panel connectors. RS-232 devices — scales, force gauges, height gages, and other serial instruments — connect to the same front panel ports via the GW-LC Level Converter Cable. The AutoBaud feature automatically detects baud rate and communication parameters for any RS-232 device connected through a GW-LC Cable, eliminating manual COM port configuration. A rear-panel Multifunction Serial Port (DB9) accepts one additional RS-232 serial device as an input — useful for mixed-instrument stations where one device doesn’t fit a front panel port. The Pro2 does not include a DB9 RS-232 output port to the PC; all PC-side output runs through the two USB ports. If a DB9 RS-232 output connection is required, the GageWay Pro4 or Pro8 is the correct model.

Triggering Readings — Foot Switch, Hand Switch, and Host Commands

Every front panel channel on the GageWay Pro2 has its own dedicated read switch port. Each port accepts a foot switch or hand switch independently, giving each gage its own trigger — critical for two-gage fixture applications where gages are measured in sequence or independently by the operator.

Foot switch and hand switch trigger modes — per channel:

  • Single reading — trigger one reading on the connected channel
  • Continuous read (press and hold) — hold to read continuously; release to stop
  • Continuous read (set count) — execute a defined number of readings on the channel
  • Continuous read (press to start / press to stop) — first press starts acquisition; second press stops it
  • Single read — all channels — trigger one reading across both channels from a single switch press
  • TIR reading — collect min, max, range, and count over a defined measurement sweep

Custom read switch sequences allow a single switch press to execute a programmed series of reads across both channels in any defined order — for example: read Channel 1, pause, read Channel 2, read Channel 1 again. Up to four sequences can be configured and stored in the interface. Custom sequences are defined in the GageWay Pro Setup Program and saved to non-volatile memory.

Host computer commands (USB serial port only) give the host application direct control over every read function. Key commands include:

Command
Function
<RA
Read Channel 1 (A)
<RB
Read Channel 2 (B)
<R*
Read all channels
<BA
Begin continuous read — Channel 1
<CA00025
Get 25 continuous readings — Channel 1
<I1A
Begin TIR read — Channel 1
<SA
Stop continuous read — Channel 1

Host commands are compatible with any application that can write to a serial COM port, including SPC software, custom LabVIEW or Python scripts, and PLC serial interfaces. This makes the GageWay Pro2 suitable for automated two-gage fixture stations where the host application controls measurement timing and data routing. The commands listed above are a representative sample only — the full command set is documented in the GageWay Pro User’s Guide.

Dedicated Processor Per Gage Channel

Each gage input on the GageWay Pro2 has its own dedicated processor — separate from the communications processor managing the host connection. This architecture eliminates channel contention: both gages can be polled simultaneously without throughput degradation. The result is deterministic measurement collection, a requirement in applications governed by SPC control plans or where measurement cycle time is a constrained variable in the production process.

Configuration Without Disassembly — Free Windows Setup Software Included

Every GageWay Pro2 ships with the free Windows-based GageWay Pro Setup Program. All parameters — read modes, output format, data parsing, RS-232 channel settings, keyboard layout, and trigger behavior — are configured through a graphical interface with on-screen help text on every control. No DIP switches. No terminal commands. No cover removal.

For most digital gage applications, default settings work out of the box and no configuration is needed at all. When advanced setup is required, the Setup Program detects the connected interface, reads its current configuration, and lets you modify and push changes in a single operation. Completed setups save to file — useful for documentation, backup, and replicating a configuration to a replacement unit. Firmware is field-upgradeable via the USB serial port at no charge from the MicroRidge GageWay firmware updates page.

When to Choose the GageWay Pro2

The Pro2 is the correct interface when:

  • Two gages must be connected to a single PC with a single USB cable
  • Both keyboard wedge and USB serial outputs are required, or the downstream application may change — both are built in, switching requires only moving the USB cable
  • One or both gages are RS-232 devices requiring baud rate configuration or AutoBaud detection
  • The inspection station requires a rugged, field-configurable interface with field-updateable firmware
  • The application is governed by a control plan under ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100D, or 21 CFR Part 820 where measurement system traceability and process integration are defined requirements

For single-gage applications: see the GageWay KW (keyboard wedge) or GageWay SM (USB serial). For four or eight gages, or applications requiring interface chaining up to 72 total inputs: see the GageWay Pro4 or GageWay Pro8.

Further Reading

Not sure which interface or output mode is right for your setup? How to Connect a Digital Gage to Your Computer →

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the GageWay Pro2 require an external power supply?

— No. The GageWay Pro2 is powered entirely through its USB connection to the host PC. No AC adapter or separate power supply is required.

Q: Can I use both the keyboard wedge output and the USB serial output?

— Not simultaneously — both outputs are built into the unit, but you connect one USB cable to either the keyboard wedge port or the USB serial port depending on your application. Switching between them requires only moving the USB cable to the other port. No hardware changes, no additional model required.

Q: Can I connect RS-232 gages to the GageWay Pro2?

— Yes. RS-232 devices connect to the front panel 10-pin ports via the GW-LC Level Converter Cable. The rear-panel Multifunction Serial Port can accept one additional RS-232 serial device. AutoBaud detection is available on front panel ports (with current GW-LC Cable). Note: the Pro2 does not include a DB9 output serial port — all PC output is via USB. If DB9 RS-232 output to a PC or downstream device is required, the GageWay Pro4 or Pro8 is the correct choice.

Q: What gage brands are compatible with the GageWay Pro2?

— Mitutoyo, Mahr Federal, Ono Sokki, Fowler, INSIZE, Starrett, CDI, Sylvac, and any gage with Mitutoyo-compatible Digimatic output. RS-232 devices from Ohaus, Mettler Toledo, and others are supported via the GW-LC cable. MicroRidge supports over 3,500 gage models.

Q: How do I configure the GageWay Pro2?

— For basic digital gage use, no configuration is required — default settings work out of the box. When advanced setup is needed, use the free GageWay Pro Setup Program — a Windows GUI application that connects to the interface, reads its current configuration, and lets you set all parameters including read modes, RS-232 settings, output format, and keyboard layout without opening the unit. Settings save to file for backup and can be pushed to replacement units. No DIP switches or terminal commands involved.

Related Products

Also in the GageWay Family:

  • You’ll also need a gage cable. The GageWay Pro2 requires an interface cable matched to your specific gage model. MicroRidge stocks cables for Mitutoyo, Mahr Federal, Ono Sokki, Fowler, INSIZE, CDI, Starrett, and others. See the Gage Cables tab above, or contact sales@microridge.com to find the right cable for your gage.

    Need to connect RS-232 devices? The GW-LC Level Converter Cable enables any front panel port on the GageWay Pro2 to accept RS-232 serial devices with full AutoBaud detection. Shop GW-LC →

    Only need one gage? The single-gage GageWay interfaces are a simpler, lower-cost solution:

    • GageWay KW — keyboard wedge output, plug-and-play, no setup required
    • GageWay SM — USB serial (VCP) output for SPC software that monitors a COM port
    • GageWay SMR — RS-232 DB9 output for legacy serial port connections

    Accessories:

Product Specifications

GageWay Pro2 (GW-PRO2) Specs
Part Number
GW-PRO2
Number of Gage Inputs
2
Input Protocol — Digital
Mitutoyo Digimatic 10-pin (Type D Male)
Input Protocol — Serial
RS-232 (front panel via GW-LC Level Converter; rear Multifunction Serial Port)
Output — USB Keyboard Wedge
Yes (HID, no driver required)
Output — USB Serial / VCP
Yes (driver required)
Output — DB9 RS-232
No (Pro4 and Pro8 only)
Rear Multifunction Serial Port
Yes — additional RS-232 input only; not a PC output port
Keyboard Wedge Layouts
USA/Canada (default), UK/Australia, Mexico/Latin America, French, Belgian, German
Keyboard Wedge Transfer Rate
~72 chars/sec (default); adjustable to ~30 or ~8 chars/sec
Enclosure
Rugged metal
Firmware Updates
Field-upgradeable via USB
Compliance
RoHS 2 / REACH
Compatible Gage Brands
Mitutoyo, Mahr Federal, Ono Sokki, Fowler, INSIZE, Starrett, Sylvac, CDI, Ohaus, Mettler Toledo, and others
Warranty
12 months from date of purchase
Origin
Designed & Made in the USA