Mid-budget USB Logic Analyzer 2024 ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 12:18:14 am
content: I have 1 of those $20 8-CH USB LA's and it's ok, but now I want a good one, still USB tho. Something with no less than 32CH, that would be fast enough to monitor some chips on a motherboard, or something similar when doing hobby/repair work. And I want something that should last me well into the future, I won't be using it that much anyways.(I have a Siglent SDS2204X-plus, can that be turned into a MSO and do everything a LA can do ? ...otherwise)After reading a few older threads, I'm looking at the DreamSource DSLogic U3Pro32. I really don't like USB cables/jacks much. I wish they'd at least use the big A type, but that's it.That's just over 2x the price of a Hantek 4032L, but I gather it performs better.Really the U3Pro32 is more than I want to spend, but is there anything else as good, near that price ? What about something not as good, but with 64CH ?? I could get 2 Hantek's, but then I could get a 2nd U3Pro later too.Do either of them easily work in serial with a 2nd one ?

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 12:53:11 am
content: Your Siglent is a capable MSO, but it's only 16 digital channels (D0 - D15). The logic probe is expensive for it, but you can get or make a DIY version that still works well.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 02:20:28 am
content: A USB logic analyzer is typically going to have a lot more decoding and analysis functionality than what you get from most MSO's.You are limited by USB speeds, so might need USB 3.0 if you want multiple channels at high sample/clock rates.A boat anchor logic analyzer (e.g HP 16xxx, or Tek TLA) would be better if you need many channels at high speed, synchronous clock, complex triggering, and more.The MSO solution will be best if you need to time correlate digital and analog signals, but often is limited in the triggering/decoding/analysis, and let down by the UX.I'd say the DreamSource U3Pro32 is likely to be one of the better options based on your needs. Maybe also take a look at the Kingst LA5032.I don't use either of the above, and actually use a Saleae Logic 8 and Logic Pro 16. And I have some early HP boat anchor stuff in storage.

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 04:19:54 am
content: Yeah I'm just looking at the DIY LA probe page for Siglent scopes. Yeah I don't want to buy the factory ones. But I'll have to make something sooner or later, I want that functionality, even if I loose some BW with cheap materials.Yeah I'm thinking you could record more data on some of the separate USB LA's, than the scope. But also for big data, I'd like to see it on PC, and not wear out my eyes or the scroll knobs on the scope.So yeah I'd still like a USB LA, and for the extra few bucks I guess I'd get the U3pro over the slower LA5032. I like it's case a lot better tho, and a pinout pic on it.So what's so great about the slower, 8CH Saleae's , that are around the same price as the faster and 32CH DreamSoucre or Kingst LA's ??

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2024, 11:02:41 pm
content: Does anyone know if the DreamSoucre shop is in USD and if they accept Paypal ? I emailed them but no reply yet, and they have a sale on. The only other place I've checked for the U3pro32 is Amazon, and IDK if it's a copy, or the real thing, but I'd rather buy from the source.For the SDS2204X-plus, I found a PCI-E 1X cable, and a twisted pair cable, for the LVDS's to the panel inside an LCD monitor. IDK enough about characteristic impedance, but it looks about the size of 28AWG wire.So I'm going to make 2 PCB's probably just with trough-hole for now, and try a few channels. If it works any good, I'll have to crave up some wood or plastic, and /or glue something together, to make a jacket for the male PCI-E jack, so it would fit nicely in the port.I went ahead and ordered the DSlogic U3pro32, they list in USD and take paypal. It was $100 off reg price.I'll keep them in mind for someday when I get a USB scope.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 02:22:24 am
content: Quote from: MathWizard on November 08, 2024, 04:19:54 amI like the Saleae software, and it is handy how small the Logic 8 is. I've had my Logic 8 since 2010, so I have got a lot of use out of it.I rarely need to look at more than 8 channels or more than 100MS/s, but the Saleae Pro is handy as it has the analog inputs for some mixed signal use.But based on your requirements, I don't think the Saleae is a good fit.I do have one the early DSLogic devices in a drawer somewhere, but never took a liking to it. Maybe if I tried it again with the latest software.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2024, 02:28:38 am
content: Saleae was a reference, now cloned at some levels and others took it's place, and other are very competitive features vs priceDslogicKingst scopes etc ... even some nucleo boards or the fx3 can do the job ...but the software play the biggest part in all of theses

author: BBBbbb
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 02:52:20 pm
content: Anybody using Sigrok Pulseview and knows what is the status of it now? i.e. is it maintained?I'm thinking of getting a capable LA, but I don't feel like paying 1k for Saleae. Don't get me wrong - it is a wonderful device, and I use one at work, but for an occasional hobby use, it's hard for me to justify it.Also I don't like being locked into the SW by a "risky" manufacturer's SW that could lose support any day, so I'm inclined to look into the ones listed as supported by Sigrok.