How good is Analog Discovery 2's logic analyzer compared to dedicated one ?

[xani]

So I'm considering buying a logic analyzer (mostly for protocol decode, my scope can't do it) and stumbled upon Analog Discovery 2.

Seems to be very similarly priced to equivalent salae gear (biggest difference being not accepting 5V input but I can live with that) but about half of its features I have already covered in other gear (I've got scope, generator, power supply, all better than what AD2 offers), altho I will probably find use for spectrum/network analyzer in near future.

Is there any "catch" I'm unaware of ?

[MrW0lf]

Catch is called "Digital Discovery" (5V compatible if dig specs), it lacks every feature you do not need except SA

[xani]

Well if I wanted to save few bucks I'd just pick up some cheapo clone that aliexpress is filled with .

Extra analog input is a feature for me (and salae has it too), it wont replace the scope but I will certainly find an use for it.

Also, digital discovery is also max 3.3V, just 32 channel.

I was wondering more about how good the software is compared to "proper" logic analyzer

[Fungus]

You can get simple LAs for $6 on eBay/aliexpress, so... 

I was wondering more about how good the software is compared to "proper" logic analyzer

You can use sigrok with them so no worries.

https://sigrok.org/wiki/ARMFLY_Mini-Logic

[MrW0lf]

Well if I wanted to save few bucks I'd just pick up some cheapo clone that aliexpress is filled with .

Extra analog input is a feature for me (and salae has it too), it wont replace the scope but I will certainly find an use for it.

Also, digital discovery is also max 3.3V, just 32 channel.

I was wondering more about how good the software is compared to "proper" logic analyzer

Do you ever read specs in detail?
https://reference.digilentinc.com/reference/instrumentation/digital-discovery/reference-manual
"Setting the voltage to 3.3V, 5V logic inputs are tolerated but the input threshold is 1.42V. LVCMOS 3.3V output signals are compatible to most external logical circuits supplied with 5V"
Also whole unit is massively superior to AD2 in digital domain. 100MSa/s vs 800MSa/s max.
Software is good, but different to Saleae one. Download and compare.
Also is operating principle since DD has 2Gbit onboard memory while Saleae has none.

As side note I have both AD2 and DD but never use either one for decoding because so far my scope has done the job

[xani]

Do you ever read specs in detail?

No, I do not read whole huge page (with relevant info at the very end of it) of specs for device I was not interested in the first place

As side note I have both AD2 and DD but never use either one for decoding because so far my scope has done the job

sadly my Rigol 1052E doesn't even have an option to do that.

I guess I'll buy some aliexpress cheapie and see what I'll be missing

[TK]

What protocols do you work with?  Zeroplus Logic Analyzers offer over 100 free protocols.  Cannot do analog input but you already have scope for that.

[MrW0lf]

I guess I'll buy some aliexpress cheapie and see what I'll be missing

Suggest to do so because before buying something should at least understand basic type of operation and general specs. To me saying you want logic analyzer, being interested in AD2 but not in DD is just plain absurd. Unless you actually are after NA part mostly.
And why is it so?
Saleae type analyzers stream, they do not have memory. Some originals stream fast but cost too much. Clones are cheap and slow.
AD2 will stream but a laughable speed (~2MSa/s according to some forum, not checked), onboard memory is 128Kbits
DD should also stream at same speed (?) but onboard memory is 2Gbit=2097152Kbits
AD2/DD have some serial trigger but AFAIK not reliable. Saleae have none when last checked.
Only large memory can serve as bandaid.
So unless doing some very basic stuff both Saleae clones and AD2 are fairly limited. However clones are cheap and AD2 is expensive + 128Kbits is in joke class nowdays.
Maybe shall do shootout someday, I have those USB boxes more than can count - but Saleae (clone) missing from inventory - maybe should check out whats all the fuss about.

[xani]

I was interested in them in the first place because after thinking a bit of what I do the most.

A lot of times I was writing some tiny arduino code just to flip some bits in order or to send few serial commands. And that one time when I was bored and tried to control neopixels using signal generator 

I thought that ability to generate and receive signals in the same box.

Maybe shall do shootout someday, I have those USB boxes more than can count - but Saleae (clone) missing from inventory - maybe should check out whats all the fuss about.

It would certainly be interesting ones. I think the fuss is just saleae having nice and shiny software that you can download and use with your cheapie.

[MrW0lf]

I thought that ability to generate and receive signals in the same box.

DD has pattern gen also btw.

It would certainly be interesting ones. I think the fuss is just saleae having nice and shiny software that you can download and use with your cheapie.

Which a bit evil of course... But solely for evaluation purposes "16 Channel USB Logic Analyzer USB 100MHz" clones seem to suit well. 24MHz ones may be too slow even for Arduino stuff when all channels in use.

Otherwise have ADALM2000 on order since august but doubt that will see it anytime soon + software probably extra raw.