USB Curve Tracer

[barclaycon]

I've been looking to buy a curve tracer for a while, but up to now they've all been very expensive.
However Circuit-Ed produced a USB version which looked like it would fit the bill:
Circuit-Ed - Electronic Development Products
When I tried to buy one it said they were no longer available. I emailed them for info but - no reply.
One of the guy's here said that Circuit-Ed were working on a new version (?)

I've noticed that Elektor have produced a kit for a USB Curve Tracer:
Transistor Curve Tracer - ELEKTOR.com | Electronics: Microcontrollers Embedded Audio Digital Analogue Test Measurement
Again, this looks like it might be just the thing.
Anybody here checked this out ?

[MikeBarton]

I havn't tried this myself, but there is some useful feedback in the elektor forums from those who have here.

Seems that a little perserverence is required

[barclaycon]

Thanks for that Mike. That's why this forum is great!
You wouldn't find that kind of info so easily anywhere else.

I'm glad I didn't buy the Elektor thing. If there's one thing I don't need it's test equipment that needs testing!

But I'll keep looking - I really would like a decent curve tracer.
Maybe Circuit-Ed will eventually prodjuce an updated version.

Thanks again.

[funkytek]

Keep us posted.
A USB curve tracer would be really sweet.

[barclaycon]

I was hoping that wds would post something about this (I believe he was involved with the design).
Also ilardi said that Circuit-Ed were working on a CT-200 - but, no news on that either.

[Stefanoo]

I called Circuit-ED this morning and they don't make that anymore...out of stock out of production.

[barclaycon]

Stefano.
Maybe you could ask them about the CT-200 which Circuit-Ed said they were working on.
It's supposed to be an improved version of the CT-100 which, as you said, they don't make anymore.
It would be nice to know if they are going to go ahead with it.
I would really like one!

[Stefanoo]

no they are not going to.
They said they don't have any curve tracer on stock or prodcution and maybe by the end of the year who knows.
I was looking into curve traer last year too and I spoke with the technician who said the same thing....i.e. by feb, march of last year they would have had one ready.
Now more than a year later, they say end of the year.
I don't think they are going to release anything in my lifetime ahahhahaahah...so I am looking nto another solution.
Is there any suggestion in this regard?

[barclaycon]

Very frustrating!
I wish they would make a decision one way or the other.

I did look into buying the Elektor kit version but was told by a few people here that it didn't work properly and the last thing I need is test equipment that doesn't work reliably!

I guess we'll just have to keep looking.

[error401]

If you folks are trying to get a DIY effort going, I'd be interested in helping out with the computer interface/control side. But you really need the basic analog design done first from the DAC out.