Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquisition of downhole well data such as bottomhole pressure, bottomhole temperature, etc. which is utilized in conjunction with other well equipment such as gravel packer tools especially for data acquisition at well depths that are ordinarily rendered inaccessible by tools and other equipment located within the well. An instrument housing is fixed to other well equipment and is provided with equalizing ports which are normally closed by a sealing collet element. As the instrument is run into the well and into the instrument housing its upper end establishes sealing with the instrument housing to isolate the data acquisition chamber thereof from the flow passage from the well servicing tool. As it is run into the housing, a collet actuator mechanism unseats the collet to equalize pressure internally of the instrument housing with the external fluid pressure environment.