Designed & Made in the USA Since 1983
The MobileCollect RS-232 Remote is a USB-powered wireless transmitter for stationary RS-232 measurement instruments. It captures serial measurement data from the connected device, transmits it wirelessly over MicroRidge’s RM2.4 protocol to a paired MobileCollect Base Receiver, and delivers that data to any connected PC application — SPC software, Excel, a LIMS, or a custom data collection system. Because it runs on USB power, there is no battery to monitor, replace, or manage.
The RS-232 Remote is the correct transmitter when the instrument doesn’t move: bench scales, height gages at a layout station, surface roughness testers in a dedicated inspection fixture, hardness testers, and any other fixed RS-232 device where running a serial cable back to the measurement PC creates a cable management or workstation layout problem.
For RS-232 instruments that require mobility, see the RS-232 V2 Mobile Module.
Compatible Gages – RS-232 devices
Wireless Range – Up to 140 ft
Power – USB powered – 5VDC USB AC adapter (included)
Baud Rates – 600 to 38.4K baud
Data Parsing – Up to 3 independent parse groups
Read Modes – Single, Continuous, TIR
Dimensions / Weight – 3.63″ × 2.61″ × 1.10″ / 2.70 oz
Certifications – FCC, IC, CE, RoHS2, REACH
Gage Connector – Sold separately
Origin – Designed & Made in the USA
$450.00
The RS-232 Remote connects to a stationary RS-232 instrument via the DB9 male serial port on its front panel, pairs with a MobileCollect Base Receiver, and wirelessly transmits measurement data from the instrument to the connected PC — without a serial cable running across the workstation, lab bench, or inspection area. USB power from the included AC adapter means the unit is always in its fully operational state at the start of every shift, with no battery voltage to monitor.
The RS-232 Remote occupies a specific position in the MobileCollect product line: it is the fixed-station transmitter for RS-232 instruments, and it provides substantially more capability at the instrument-interface level than a simple wired serial-to-wireless bridge. The local read switch input on the rear panel accepts a wired foot switch or hand switch directly at the unit, giving the operator hands-free control of three distinct trigger functions — each configurable to match the behavior of the connected RS-232 device. When the application also requires Base-side triggering or software-orchestrated measurement collection, those paths are available simultaneously.
Before the RS-232 Remote can transmit data, it must be configured with the correct serial communication parameters for the connected instrument and paired with a Base using the Extended Setup Program. Once configured, day-to-day operation requires no software interaction.
From a quality system perspective, the RS-232 Remote supports a controlled measurement process — trigger event → instrument acquisition → wireless transmission → data record — with the trigger originating at the instrument via a wired foot or hand switch, at the Base, or from the process software, depending on which fits the measurement workflow.
MobileCollect offers four wireless transmitters for measurement data collection. The RS-232 Remote is specifically designed for stationary RS-232 instruments at fixed measurement stations where USB power is available and the instrument will not be moved between readings.
Use the RS-232 Remote when your instrument:
Do not use the RS-232 Remote for:
The RS-232 Remote supports the broad class of stationary precision measurement instruments that output serial RS-232 data. Common applications include:
Bench Scales and Precision Balances — OHAUS, Mettler Toledo, A&D, Sartorius, and similar instruments with RS-232 serial output. Scales frequently output data continuously; the RS-232 Remote’s read switch gating captures only discrete, operator-triggered readings from the continuous data stream, eliminating spurious capture between measurements. Wireless transmission removes the serial cable to the PC, which simplifies clean-room layouts and workstation organization.
Height Gages at Layout Stations — Trimos, Mahr Federal, Mitutoyo, Starrett, and other electronic height gages with RS-232 output at dedicated surface plate or layout stations. When the gage is fixed and parts move to it, the RS-232 Remote eliminates cable management at the measurement station without the battery maintenance of a mobile transmitter.
Surface Roughness Testers in Dedicated Fixtures — Stationary profilometers (Mitutoyo SJ series, Mahr Perthometer, Taylor Hobson) where the part is brought to a fixture. The RS-232 Remote transmits Ra, Rz, and other roughness parameters directly to SPC software without manual transcription.
Hardness Testers — Bench-top Rockwell, Brinell, and Vickers hardness testers with RS-232 output. Wireless data collection eliminates the serial cable to the SPC workstation, which is particularly useful when the tester is positioned for access to large or heavy parts.
Torque Analyzers and Force Gages — Bench-top RS-232-equipped torque testers and force measurement systems used in assembly verification or final inspection. Results route directly into the data collection system on read switch press.
Process Measurement and Environmental Monitors — Instruments that output measurement data as a continuous RS-232 data stream. The read switch gating function captures a single reading from the stream on demand rather than flooding the host application with unsolicited data.
Legacy Instruments with RS-232 Output — Any fixed RS-232 instrument where replacement is not cost-justified. The RS-232 Remote extends the useful life of legacy measurement equipment in a connected quality system by providing wireless serial data collection to current SPC and LIMS platforms.
If your RS-232 instrument is not listed here, contact MicroRidge with the make and model. Compatibility is broad across the RS-232 instrument landscape; the three-group parsing architecture accommodates complex and non-standard output formats.
The RS-232 Remote supports two independent trigger paths: a switch connected directly to the unit’s rear-panel read switch input, and a command issued from the Base via a switch at the Base or a serial command from the host computer. These paths are independent and can coexist — the local switch at the instrument handles one function while the Base switch or software handles another.
A foot switch or hand switch connected directly to the 2.5mm read switch input on the RS-232 Remote’s rear panel gives the operator hands-free control of data capture at the instrument itself. Three trigger functions are available, each configurable via the Extended Setup Program:
Accept Reading on Switch Press — For RS-232 devices that output data continuously, the switch gates data acceptance: a reading is captured only when the switch is pressed. All other output from the instrument is discarded. This is the correct configuration for scales, process monitors, and other instruments that transmit continuously — the operator controls exactly which data point enters the measurement record. Appropriate for any inspection workflow where the operator must observe the reading before committing it.
Set Handshake Line Low — Asserts the handshake line (DTR, Pin 4) low for a configurable duration (50–1,000 ms), triggering a data send on RS-232 instruments that use hardware handshake signaling to initiate transmission. Used when the instrument responds to a DTR signal rather than a front-panel button or serial command. The assertion duration is set to match the instrument’s response window.
Send a Serial Command to the RS-232 Device — Transmits a user-defined command string of up to 25 characters directly to the connected RS-232 instrument, prompting it to output a measurement. Used when the instrument requires a specific serial command to initiate a data send and has no front-panel button that serves the same function. The command string and any required control characters (including {CR} and {LF}) are programmed via the Extended Setup Program and dispatched to the instrument automatically when the switch is pressed.
All three local switch functions support auto-repeat: the configured action repeats at a user-defined interval (250 ms to 60 seconds) for as long as the switch is held. This supports sustained data capture workflows — batch sampling, trending during a process run, or time-series collection from a continuously operating instrument — without requiring repeated switch actuations.
A foot switch or hand switch connected to the Base’s read switch port — or a serial command from the host computer via the Base — provides a second independent trigger path to the RS-232 Remote:
Send Command to RS-232 Remote — The Base transmits a user-defined command to the specified RS-232 Remote, which passes that command to the connected RS-232 device. This functions identically to the local command string trigger above, but with initiation from the Base rather than the instrument. Appropriate when the operator is positioned at the Base rather than at the instrument, when triggering must be coordinated across multiple instruments from a single actuation point, or when measurement collection is orchestrated by process software.
Host Computer Serial Command — The Base accepts the full MobileCollect command set via its USB Serial or RS-232 port. SPC software, an MES, or a custom application can programmatically trigger reads on the RS-232 Remote by channel and manage operational parameters without any switch actuation. For IATF 16949 SPC workflows, this closes the loop between the statistical software and the measurement collection event — readings enter the SPC database at the moment of acquisition without intermediate handling.
Many RS-232 instruments output data packets containing more than the measurement value: units designators, stability flags, date/time fields, gross/net/tare labels, and instrument status codes. If these fields pass through unmodified, the SPC or LIMS receiving the data must perform its own parsing, or the data arrives in a format the application cannot accept.
The RS-232 Remote resolves this upstream, in the transmitter, before the packet reaches the Base. Up to three independent parse groups are applied in sequence. Within each group, the following operations are available:
Match String — Searches the packet for a specific string. If found, the packet is processed and passed to the next step; if not found, the packet is discarded or forwarded to the next parse group. Used when an instrument outputs multiple packet types — for example, gross weight and net weight packets from a scale — and only one type is needed.
Character Positions — Extracts a defined character range and discards the rest. Used for fixed-length packets where the measurement occupies a known character range.
Character Removal — Strips specified character classes (control characters, alphabetic, numeric, extended ASCII, or specific characters) from the packet. Used to remove units designators, flag characters, or other non-numeric fields.
Find First Numeric Field — Scans the packet for the first numeric string of at least three characters, with optional decimal point requirement. Used when the measurement value is the first or most prominent numeric field in an otherwise mixed-content packet.
Output Format — Reformats the parsed measurement: pass-through, right-justified 10-character field, Mitutoyo MUX10 format (01A+001.1755), or GagePort Printer format. Prefix and suffix strings — including control characters such as {CR} and {TAB} — can be prepended and appended to the formatted output.
This architecture accommodates instruments ranging from simple single-value outputs to complex multi-field packets with non-standard delimiters, without requiring any parsing logic in the host application.
Automated collection of RS-232 measurement data directly supports the data integrity requirements of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, and 21 CFR Part 820. Manual transcription of measurement values from a display to a paper form or keyboard entry field is a documented nonconformance risk — introducing transcription errors, omissions, and operator-to-operator variation that cannot be fully controlled through procedural means alone. The RS-232 Remote eliminates manual entry as a process step, routing measurement data from the instrument directly to the host application via wireless transmission.
Under ISO 9001 Clause 7.1.5, IATF 16949, AS9100D, and 21 CFR Part 820 Section 820.72, the requirement extends beyond instrument calibration to control over the measurement process — including collection timing, data routing, and record integrity. Base-side and software-commanded triggering place measurement initiation under system control rather than operator discretion, supporting an auditable, repeatable measurement sequence. USB power removes battery failure as a process nonconformance source. The configurable parsing architecture ensures only the intended measurement value reaches the host application, eliminating malformed or extraneous output fields as a data quality risk.
The RS-232 Remote requires initial configuration using the Extended Setup Program. Configuration is performed with the RS-232 Remote connected to the setup PC via the USB port on the rear panel; this same USB connection powers the unit during setup.
Before setup, the following information must be known from the connected instrument’s technical documentation:
If AutoBaud will not be used, also obtain:
Configuration is performed across the Home Setup tab (communication parameters and description), the RS-232 Remote Setup tab (EOP identifier, read switch function, command strings if applicable, and parse group activation), and up to three Parse tabs.
AutoBaud — If the connected instrument can transmit a data packet via a front-panel button, the RS-232 Remote can automatically detect the baud rate and communication parameters from a sample packet. Press the Reset button on the rear panel, wait for AutoBaud mode to activate (all six LEDs illuminate for approximately 5 seconds), then press the instrument’s Send or Print button. If a complete multi-character packet is received during the AutoBaud window, the Remote sets parameters automatically. Parameters persist until changed by another AutoBaud cycle, the Extended Setup Program, or a cold start command.
Two pairing and configuration paths are available:
Pair-on-the-Fly — Uses the Pair & Test button on the RS-232 Remote and the Reset button on the Base. If AutoBaud is also used to detect the instrument’s baud rate and communication parameters, the RS-232 Remote can be fully configured and paired without any software. Appropriate for standard single-read deployments where the instrument has a front-panel Send or Print button.
Extended Setup Program — Provides access to all configuration parameters including baud rate, EOP, read switch function, command strings, parse group configuration, output format, prefix/suffix, and pairing. Required for any configuration beyond basic single-read operation.
Once configured, day-to-day operation requires no software interaction.
The RS-232 Remote communicates over MicroRidge’s proprietary RM2.4 protocol, operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band with 32-bit encryption on all transmissions. RM2.4 was purpose-built for factory floor measurement data collection — prioritizing data integrity, RF noise resilience, and reliable range in environments where fixed RS-232 measurement stations are typically located: production floors adjacent to welding equipment, variable frequency drives, and dense Wi-Fi infrastructure.
Pairing is transmitter-driven: the RS-232 Remote stores the target Base’s unique identifiers and includes those identifiers in every transmitted packet. The Base processes only packets from paired transmitters. In facilities running multiple MobileCollect systems simultaneously, this eliminates cross-contamination between data streams regardless of physical proximity between Base units. Any hardware bearing the RM2.4 logo is compatible with any other RM2.4-capable device, across both Legacy and EVO product generations. For a detailed technical comparison against Bluetooth, see Why Bluetooth Fails in Manufacturing.
The RS-232 Remote provides six LED indicators for real-time operational status:
Power On LED — Illuminates when the unit is powered and operational.
Wireless Data Packet Received LED — Indicates that a measurement packet was successfully transmitted to the paired Base.
Received Signal Strength (3 LEDs — High, Mid, Low) — Displays RF signal strength of the most recent wireless transmission. All three LEDs illuminated indicates maximum signal strength. A single Low LED indicates marginal signal; reposition the Base or RS-232 Remote if only the Low LED illuminates consistently. Minimum acceptable performance is two LEDs illuminated.
Full LED code reference — covering AutoBaud mode, pairing status, and error conditions — is documented in the MobileCollect Hardware User’s Guide.
RS-232 Remote firmware is field-upgradeable via MicroRidge’s firmware update utility. The update procedure is designed to prevent incorrect firmware from being loaded into any MobileCollect device. Firmware updates are available on the MobileCollect firmware update page.
The RS-232 Remote is compatible with all MobileCollect Base Receivers. For applications using foot or hand switch control from the Base, full-size Bases are recommended — they provide read switch connectors and dedicated Reset buttons that simplify pairing and operational control.
EVO Wedge Base — Desktop Base with selectable USB Serial and USB Keyboard Wedge output. Supports read switch input for foot/hand switch control of the RS-232 Remote from the Base. Recommended for workstation deployments where data routes into Excel, web-based SPC, or Power BI via keystroke output.
EVO RS-232 Base — Desktop Base with USB Serial and DB9 RS-232 output. Well-suited for PLC-controlled measurement systems and RS-232-to-Ethernet networked applications.
MicroBase EVO USB-A / USB-C — Compact dongle-sized Bases with USB Serial and Keyboard Wedge output. Compatible with the RS-232 Remote. MicroBases do not have read switch connectors, so Base-side triggering requires host computer serial commands. The local foot or hand switch input on the RS-232 Remote itself remains fully functional regardless of which Base is used.
All MobileCollect transmitters can be paired to a single Base simultaneously, so any combination of the transmitters below can operate together within the same data collection system.
RS-232 V2 Mobile Module — The battery-powered equivalent of the RS-232 Remote for mobile applications. Use when the RS-232 instrument must move with the operator or cannot be located near USB power. Supports the same RS-232 device landscape with a compact form factor optimized for mobility. The correct choice when portability is a requirement; the RS-232 Remote is the correct choice when it is not.
Digital Remote — The fixed-station transmitter for digital gages (Mitutoyo-compatible, Ono Sokki, CDI, Federal Maxum outputs). Use when the stationary instrument outputs a digital data/clock signal rather than RS-232. USB-powered with the same local foot/hand switch input architecture as the RS-232 Remote.
Command Mobile Module — Use when the digital gage application requires portability combined with Base-commanded or software-commanded triggering. Battery-powered. Supports remote read triggering but has no foot or hand switch input at the unit.
Mini Mobile Module EVO M3E — Use when the operator initiates each measurement by pressing the Read button on the module. No remote read capability and no local switch input. The recommended transmitter for standard handheld measurement collection where operator-triggered data entry is acceptable.
What instruments are compatible with the RS-232 Remote?
— Any stationary instrument that outputs RS-232 data at standard voltage levels (typically ±5V to ±8V) and connects to a PC via a DB9 serial port. Compatible instruments include bench scales, precision balances, height gages, surface roughness testers, hardness testers, torque analyzers, force gages, process monitors, and legacy measurement equipment with RS-232 outputs. For portable RS-232 instruments, use the RS-232 V2 Mobile Module. Contact MicroRidge with your instrument make and model to confirm compatibility.
What is the difference between the RS-232 Remote and the RS-232 V2 Mobile Module?
— Both transmit RS-232 measurement data wirelessly to a MobileCollect Base. The difference is power architecture and use case. The RS-232 Remote is USB AC adapter powered, designed for fixed measurement stations where the instrument doesn’t move — it eliminates battery management entirely and adds three configurable local switch trigger functions with auto-repeat. The RS-232 V2 Mobile Module runs on a CR2 battery for portable, untethered operation with handheld or mobile instruments. If the instrument is stationary and USB power is accessible, the RS-232 Remote is the correct transmitter.
What is the difference between the RS-232 Remote and the Digital Remote?
— Both are USB-powered fixed-station wireless transmitters with the same physical enclosure and local foot/hand switch input. The difference is the gage interface. The RS-232 Remote connects to instruments that output full RS-232 voltage signals via a DB9 serial port. The Digital Remote connects to instruments that output digital data/clock signals (Mitutoyo Digimatic, Ono Sokki, CDI, Federal Maxum) via a 10-pin Digimatic connector. The RS-232 Remote also includes three-group data parsing capability, which is not required for digital gage outputs.
How is a reading triggered on the RS-232 Remote?
— Three local switch functions are available via the rear-panel read switch input: accept a reading from a continuously outputting device on switch press; assert the handshake line low for a configurable duration to trigger a hardware-handshake instrument; or send a user-defined serial command string directly to the instrument. All three support auto-repeat while the switch is held. Additionally, the Base can issue a command to the RS-232 Remote — passed through to the instrument — via a foot or hand switch at the Base or a serial command from the host computer.
Does the RS-232 Remote require setup software?
— Not always. If the connected instrument has a front-panel Send or Print button, AutoBaud can detect the baud rate and communication parameters automatically, and Pair-on-the-Fly can pair the unit with the Base — no software required for basic single-read operation. The Extended Setup Program is required for advanced configurations: EOP identifier overrides, read switch command strings, handshake timing, parse group configuration, and custom output formatting.
What is parsing, and why does the RS-232 Remote support three parse groups?
— Many RS-232 instruments output data packets containing more than the measurement value — units, stability indicators, date/time, gross/net labels, and status flags. Three independent parse groups applied in sequence allow the RS-232 Remote to extract the target measurement value, remove extraneous fields, and format the output before transmission — so the Base and host application receive only the clean measurement value. This is performed in the transmitter, requiring no parsing logic in the host application.
How does AutoBaud work?
— Press the Reset button on the rear panel. After initialization, the unit enters AutoBaud mode for approximately 5 seconds — all six LEDs illuminate during this window. Press the Send or Print button on the connected instrument to transmit a sample data packet. If a complete multi-character packet is received, the Remote detects and sets the baud rate and communication parameters automatically. Parameters persist until changed by another AutoBaud cycle, the Extended Setup Program, or a cold start command.
Does the RS-232 Remote require a battery?
— No. The RS-232 Remote is powered entirely by the included 5VDC USB AC adapter. There is no battery to replace or monitor — a significant operational advantage in fixed measurement station deployments where battery maintenance across a fleet of transmitters represents ongoing overhead.
Can the RS-232 Remote be triggered remotely by the PC or SPC software?
— Yes. The Base accepts the full MobileCollect command set via its USB Serial or RS-232 port. SPC software or a custom application can send a command to the Base to trigger the RS-232 Remote, which passes that command to the connected instrument — without any switch actuation at the instrument or Base.
What wireless protocol does the RS-232 Remote use?
— The RM2.4 protocol operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band with 32-bit encryption. RM2.4 was designed specifically for industrial measurement environments. For a detailed technical comparison against Bluetooth, see Why Bluetooth Fails in Manufacturing.
Does the RS-232 Remote support ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 measurement data collection requirements?
— The RS-232 Remote directly supports measurement data integrity requirements under ISO 9001 Clause 7.1.5, IATF 16949, AS9100, and 21 CFR Part 820 by eliminating manual transcription as a process step. Base-side and software-commanded triggering place measurement initiation under system control rather than operator discretion. USB power removes battery failure as a process nonconformance source. The three-group parsing architecture ensures only the intended measurement value reaches the host application, reducing data quality risk from complex or multi-field instrument outputs.
What are the physical dimensions and weight?
— 3.63″ × 2.61″ × 1.10″, 2.70 oz.
What are the operating environment limits?
— 32°F to 122°F (0°C to 50°C), up to 90% relative humidity non-condensing.
RS-232 Remote (MC-REM-RS232) Specs | |
|---|---|
Part Number | MC-REM-RS232 |
Dimensions | 3.63″ × 2.61″ × 1.10″ (L × W × H) |
Weight | 2.70 oz |
Wireless Protocol | MicroRidge RM2.4, 2.4 GHz ISM band (2.4000–2.4835 GHz) |
Encryption | 32-bit |
Wireless Range | Up to 140 ft (40 m), line-of-sight indoors |
Power Requirements | 5VDC USB AC adapter (included) |
Compatible Gages | RS-232 devices |
Transmitter Connection | RS-232 serial DB9 input, male (front panel) |
Baud Rates | 600 to 38.4K baud |
Local Read Switch Input | Single 2.5mm input, rear panel — accepts wired foot switch or hand switch at the unit |
Read Trigger | Local foot/hand switch at unit; foot/hand switch at Base; host computer serial command via Base |
Read Modes | Single, Continuous |
Parsing | Up to 3 independent parse groups |
LED Status Indicators | Power On; Wireless Data Packet Received; Received Signal Strength (3 LEDs) |
Output Format | Configured via Extended Setup Program |
Configuration | Extended Setup Program (for read mode, output format, and read switch function); factory defaults operable without software |
Firmware | Field-upgradeable |
Operating Temperature | 32°F to 122°F |
Operating Humidity | ≤90% RH, non-condensing |
Certifications | FCC (ID: 2ACNQRM2), IC (12298A-RM2), CE, RoHS2, REACH |
Country of Origin | Designed & Made in the USA |
Base Receiver Compatibility | All MobileCollect RM2.4 Base Receiver models (Legacy and EVO) |
