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Low end PC-compatible Logic Analyzer suggestions
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MathWizard:
Ok what I want it for is general purpose hobby repair/tinkering, like reading what a MCU/eeprom are saying. I have a Siglent scope that can decode I2C, but so far, if I'm doing it right, I find the time base is way too short to capture what's going on, using single shot. Like on a MP3 player or monitor I was working on. For figuring out what a MCU is doing on a mobo, the more channels the better.

I bought a $20 LA ages ago, but it got lost in the mail.

So yeah more than just a logic analyzer, I'd want software or an MCU to do the common protocol analyzing. And yeah I don't want a standalone thing, I'd want to use it with PC.

I see there's people with Arduino LA projects. That's interesting too, but in a week or 2, I'm going to order something, even if it is just a $20 LA again, I could use it for now on big MCU's like on a mobo.


What about Hantek models, they seem to have cheap hobby level stuff that's PC compatible, and not total garbage.
nctnico:

--- Quote from: MathWizard on September 05, 2022, 04:53:04 pm ---Ok what I want it for is general purpose hobby repair/tinkering, like reading what a MCU/eeprom are saying. I have a Siglent scope that can decode I2C, but so far, if I'm doing it right, I find the time base is way too short to capture what's going on, using single shot. Like on a MP3 player or monitor I was working on. For figuring out what a MCU is doing on a mobo, the more channels the better.

--- End quote ---
You likely need to use zoom mode to force a longer capture on your Siglent scope. In normal mode, it doesn't use all the memory even if you manually set it; just enough to fill the screen (unlike oscilloscopes from other brands).
MathWizard:
Yeah I should hookup my ardiunio and make it blink an output a know # of times at a known rate, etc, and figure out what the scope does.

I see the Hantek4032L, something like that is probably a good fit for me. I've been learning a lot more about 4-bit breadboard computers, and for when I'm learning MCU's, it would also be nice to have a LA/PA show me what's happening, on my computer screen.
switchabl:

--- Quote from: MathWizard on September 05, 2022, 04:53:04 pm ---What about Hantek models, they seem to have cheap hobby level stuff that's PC compatible, and not total garbage.

--- End quote ---

When you buy a USB logic analyzer, you are also paying for the software, which can make big difference in practice. Hantek does not exactly have a great reputation in that regard, although I do not know about the logic analyzers specifically. But you can usually download a demo version that you can explore without hardware. It is highly recommended to do that before buying and compare. Other brands to potentially look at are DSLogic, Zeroplus, Ikalogic, Saleae Logic, as well as Digilent's Digital Discovery.

For the non-brand 10$ gadgets, you will likely be using the open-source software PulseView. It has support for a lot of other devices but some work better than others (even if they are technically listed as "supported").
nctnico:
Agreed. The software is what makes or breaks a good device. For most modern day test equipment the hardware is pretty simple; it is the software that makes it worth the money (or not).
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