On 14 Mar 2023, at 23:23, Chuck Guzis via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
On 3/14/23 14:48, Alexander Huemer via cctalk wrote:
Let's face it, there is a sizable number of
people who will never ever
buy a logic analyzer for north of $1000. Either because they can't
afford it or are too greedy. That is not lost revenue for the company.
Either those people buy a clone or they don't have a Saleae product, end
of story.
The other alternative is to buy a used logic analyzer. Many times,
these are available for pennies on the dollar. My HP 1663A cost me a
grand total of $47 shipped. It was complete with pods, extra "grabbers"
etc. Basically a device surplussed by a electronic test equipment rental
outfit.
You don't get that option in Europe though. Haven't seen any of the
better stuff here, like, ever. I've stopped looking, because nothing turned up for
years and years. At one point, I'd have considered selling multiple organs for one of
the later HP with all of the nice options - but I've learned to make do what I have
instead, mostly because nobody was selling. Logic analyzers are brilliant if you know what
is going wrong, and need to find proof that your theory is correct. But not necessarily
for finding out the start of the problem - well, not for me at least, I can't speak
for those who've had access to one of those mythical HP things.
About Saleae - nice physical design, but I'm not sure something with max 16 channels
merits the term 'logic analyzer'. And their stuff is way overpriced for what it
is. Not that that makes it right to steal their design, their work, their IP from them,
obvs. But there are alternatives that are way cheaper and more capable, and it seems like
it is a business strategy kind of decision for Saleae that they don't choose to
compete on the technology front. If anything, I'm amazed that took them as far as it
apparently has.
--
Sytse