English Software and Optimization of Locky_Z Transistor Tracer

[EinErik]

Hi all,
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As you have probably known, that Locky_Z's tracer is a good transistor curve tracer; it's good for matching, testing, etc.
Locky_Z from China release first batch of the tracer in about 2013, and discontinued production for several years.
Since 2019, he began to re-start the production with many improvement of the tracer.

The Version of 2019 use a smaller case, more delicate layout and PCB assembly, although the circuitry is almost the same.
Also, the PC software of the tracer is basically the same compare to version 2013.
The software do provide 2 language interface, simplified Chinese and English.

Initially, my intention was to translate them into traditional Chinese for Taiwanese community, and they are Okay with traditional-Chinese-English combination of UI, so that's an easy task.
By 2020, as Locky_Z's production line is stabilized and providing more International orders, I noticed that translation and UI need more translation and optimization, so that every user can discuss with each other on the same basis.

Hence I started my work in early 2020.

The English term used in the UI is very confusing and sometimes misleading. So I re-translated the English with more accurate manner, fixed some bugs and optimized the UI.

I also translated the user manual into English for better understanding of operation. Most of the UI and part of the manuals are now translated, while some are remained untranslated, but I will keep them updated if I got some time. (It's a huge task to translate!)

***
I have collected most of the latest files and package them into a single file. Maybe a github place for continuous updating will be a good idea.

Hope you Enjoy the tracer!
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Akjm9FUnT5sVhqYON36ltfioCoLAxw?e=cXKY6h


More discussion and comments are welcomed.

 

[snovotill]

I beat you to it! Here are the translated manuals: https://github.com/locky-z/Curve-Tracer/pull/1/files
I also translated the ads7871_v3s.PRE file which contains all presets, so they all work now.

Yes, the locky_z curve tracer is FANTASTIC and I would recommend it to everyone and anyone!
( I have no affiliation with locky_z other than that I purchased his amazing device. )

[rsjsouza]

Sorry for reopen an old thread, but I just got my locky_z curve tracer (I bought the $179.00 version) and it is excellent! I was really considering the Peakatlas DCA75 Pro but its absolutely low voltage was a huge turnoff.

The software on this curve tracer is quite stable. The posted manuals are good - thanks everyone for the effort.

One thing I missed was a more thorough step-by-step guide from unboxing to full operation. Hopefully I get some time to create one based on my own journey with it. 

[Chris56000]

Is this still available, or is it another item that's now useless to everyone else because he's kept the code and Gerber's to himself and no longer has any for purchase?

It's not the price of his project I object to, as I can afford to get one IF it was still available, what I do object to is when these useful things disappear from sale with no alternative option to buy or make them when the developer stops selling them, leaving the internet full of useless pictures and screenshots!

The Chinese rip off innumerable other designs that people have spent many hours developing, but they refuse to help anyone else the same way by making firmware, Gerber's or microcontroller code available for their discontinued items once they've lost interest in selling it!

This was once a big problem for projects in Elektor/Everyday Practical Electronics, etc., when you could only obtain software on eproms, but nowadays the code is now available for free from their websites!

Chris Williams