An oft-maligned trope of TV and film science fiction is when some sort of measurement is off the scale. It seems to me, though, that this is somewhat unfair. After all, by convention, what we see on the screen are the exceptional circumstances. The sensors and other measuring devices are designed for normal circumstances. If they go off the scale when confronted with a demigod, say, it's only to be expected.
The characters' attitudes to the situation should perhaps be portrayed as a bit more negative; more a sense of annoyance than awe. After all, a reading off the scale ("off-scale high" is the usual term, or "off-scale low" if it's the other way) basically means that (a) we have no idea what we're facing, other than that it's big (small) and (b) depending on the sensor, it will probably need a calibration check, possibly repair or replacement. It certainly can't be relied upon until at least a rudimentary check is made that it still works.
Even in everyday life, off-scale readings are not that uncommon. When you get in your car, most of the gauges will show off-scale low until you turn on the ignition, while the engine temperature will stay off-scale low for some minutes after starting. All measuring devices have a certain range, if you exceed that, they no longer work. Sometimes permanently. Being deafened by noise or blinded by light is the same thing; we don't even need gadgets here...
It's also important to record off-scale readings as off-scale, rather than picking the nearest number or something. After all, you have no idea how far off-scale you might be, how inaccurate. Even in our space program so far we've had a case of that; an off-the-scale temperature during ground testing was recorded as 100°F, because that was the end of the scale. That was a little high (it was supposed to be 80°F), but not too bad. In reality, the temperature was some 800-1000°F, perhaps more, severely damaging the unit. One of several links in the chain leading to the Apollo 13 explosion.
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