Just a general question for the community - What free SW from other instrument vendors do you like or have you liked in the past ( besides HP/Agilent ) ?
Hello Sid
I am using the Keithley KickStart software, which is free in the basic version and works for me with the 2450/2460 SMU and 7510 DMM
Also free for me was:
- BK-Precision, DC Load software
- Maynuo, DC Load software
I think people here on eevblog have a valid point, complaining about the BV licensing.
For many years, Keysight has released lots of videos on YouTube, pointing out the
free BenchVue software.
Before BenchVue, it was very complicated for most people to get any data or even a screenshot from an instrument.
LXI also did not work most of the time, until one spent hours in configuring JAVA (So stupid).
With BenchVue, this has become almost child's play and suddenly Keysight was the only major manufacturer
of test equipment, that offered a simple way to connect the PC with the lab gear.
By offering a free (but limited) version, you opened the door to many newcomers, to play with instruments and software.
This door was closed with the new licensing system.
I think, the people/companies who can afford a full license, will buy it anyways.
And those who start with a free license, will eventually or possibly also buy a full license.
But I have a hard time to believe, that you will loose any sales of a full license, because you are offering a free but limited license.On the other hand, Keysight will most likely sell many more hardware instruments with a free BV software to get the user started and "hooked".
It might be time to re-think the BenchVue strategy.