Yes, $38 for the higher resolution part would make sense.
http://www.ams.com/eng/LinearSensorArrayAnyone up for doing a quick estimate of what a sensor like this could do?
Let's say 400-1100nm, which would spreading 700nm over 1536 elements. Not an optical person, but would guess some spillover into adjacent elements, even with a monochromatic source. Still, getting within+/- 5nm would be pretty good (?)
Then on to dynamic range. Anyone care to hazard a guess on the general ballpark?
other random questions:
Slit dimensions?
http://bwtek.com/spectrometer-part-1-the-slit/Mirror quality and coatings?
Diffraction grate quality & sourcing?
Any existing COTS that can be repurposed/leveraged?
How much better than the (most clever) public lab offerings could be realized for say <$150 - 200US?