miniLAB 1008 and the LabJack U12

We have had many people ask us if the miniLAB 1008 (now called PMD-1208LS) is made by LabJack Corporation (no it is not), so we made this page.

10/1/2002 - In an advertisement in the October 2002 issue of Sensors, Measurement Computing Corporation (MCC) has announced a knockoff of the LabJack U12. According to MCC, their miniLAB 1008 sells for $149 plus at least $9.50 S&H, and is not expected to be available until at least the end of 2002. The LabJack U12 sells for $119 plus $8 S&H, and has been available since August of 2001. The LabJack U12 includes all drivers.

The miniLAB 1008 (TM) from Measurement Computing is not made by LabJack. There is no relationship between LabJack Corporation and Measurement Computing.

The miniLAB hardware design, firmware operation, enclosure, documentation, and even advertisements, are all blatant copies of our stuff. We are flattered for ourselves, and embarrassed for Measurement Computing Corp. See the photos and links at the bottom of this page.

The advertisement for the miniLAB 1008 touts a price of $99, but the very small print at the bottom shows that the price is actually $149.

3/1/2003 - miniLAB 1008 advertisement changed such that it now touts a price of $79, although the very small print clarifies that the single quantity price is still $149.

5/1/2003 - miniLAB 1008 starts shipping around this date. After 7 months of advertising this LabJack U12 knockoff, actual units have started to ship. It is unknown exactly what software and drivers are included.

5/19/2003 - miniLAB 1008 apparently discontinued after just a couple weeks. It is repackaged and now called the PMD-1208. Probably an attempt to hide the obvious relation to the LabJack U12. A new revision of the spec sheet (V1.1) has also been released. This revision has the same updates we have made to the LabJack U12 specifications, and believe it or not, a couple specs that they came up with on their own.

We are not sure what exactly is included with the PMD / miniLAB. The LabJack U12 includes cable, screwdriver, all available drivers including LabVIEW, example applications, and the great support and backing of LabJack Corporation.

 

Look familiar? Pictures of the LabJack U12 and miniLAB 1008:

Although the names (labeling) have been changed slightly, the screw-terminal pinouts are identical.

Here are the LabJack U12 specifications released by us 1/2002 (Appendix A of LabJack U12 User's Guide V1.02), and the miniLAB 1008 specifications V1.0 released by Measurement Computing 10/2002. Great minds think alike???

Here are the LabJack U12 specifications released by us 11/2002 (Appendix A of LabJack U12 User's Guide V1.04), and the PMD-1208LS specifications V1.1 released by Measurement Computing 6/2003. Notice that the LabJack U12 specifications changed for analog input range, analog input INL/DNL/Repeatability, and counter high/low times. Strangely enough, the PMD specifications (compared to miniLAB 1008 V1.0) reflect the same changes 7 months later.

 

Here are pictures of the PCBs inside of the enclosures. First is the LabJack U12 and then the miniLAB 1008:

The parts are rearranged a little, but basically all the same. The main difference is the 82C55 chip seen on the left side of the minilab picture. This chip allows the minilab to connect to stock breakout boards from Measurement Computing, but does not allow setting the I/O direction bit by bit.