LI-COR has announced the HOBO MX20 Water Level Logger, a Bluetooth-enabled device for continuous monitoring of water level, water depth, absolute pressure, and temperature in groundwater wells, streams, lakes, wetlands, and tidal environments. The MX20 expands the HOBO family of water level loggers with a design that emphasizes low maintenance, research-grade accuracy, and affordability for multi-site deployments.
What it does
The MX20 is available in stainless steel or titanium housing, making it suitable for harsh coastal and groundwater applications. Its narrow design fits tight wells and other constrained locations. The logger uses an absolute pressure sensor, which eliminates the need for vent tubes and desiccants, reducing maintenance requirements during long-term deployments.
Bluetooth connectivity allows users to configure the logger and offload data without removing sensors or opening well caps for extended periods. Data can be uploaded to LI-COR Cloud, where users can access and visualize results, apply QA/QC, run advanced analytics, and share with collaborators remotely.
Each MX20 includes a NIST-traceable calibration certificate, providing documented verification that it meets established measurement standards — critical for regulatory compliance and research requiring traceable, defensible data.
Pricing and availability
The MX20 is available in stainless steel and titanium models. LI-COR has not disclosed exact pricing, but describes the device as having an "affordable price point" designed for multi-site deployments, making it practical to expand groundwater monitoring across tens or hundreds of wells without scaling costs.
Tradeoffs
The MX20 complements the established HOBO U20 logger series, adding Bluetooth convenience and cloud-based workflows. However, it does not replace the U20 — users choose based on whether they need Bluetooth connectivity and cloud integration versus the U20's existing capabilities. The absolute pressure sensor design reduces maintenance but requires barometric compensation for accurate water depth readings, which is standard practice for this sensor type.
When to use it
The MX20 is suited for groundwater monitoring, regulatory studies, environmental consulting, aquifer monitoring, water supply monitoring, and research in coastal, stream, lake, and wetland environments. Its low-maintenance design and affordable per-unit cost make it practical for large-scale network deployments across many wells.
Bottom line
The HOBO MX20 brings modern connectivity and cloud workflows to LI-COR's established water level logger line, reducing maintenance overhead and enabling easier scaling of monitoring networks. For researchers and consultants already using HOBO or LI-COR equipment, it offers a familiar interface with added Bluetooth convenience.