Buying a data acquisition recorder means choosing between two very different strategies. One approach gets you a fully featured digitizer with analog and digital I/O out of the box. The other puts you behind the wheel of a modern mainframe platform, with a price tag to match. The Axon Instruments DigiData 1322A and the KEYSIGHT DAQ970A sit on opposite sides of that choice.
Quick verdict
If your work centers on electrophysiology, patch-clamp, or biological signal acquisition and you want a complete digitizer without a huge budget, the Axon DigiData 1322A is the straightforward pick. If you prefer to build around a new open-box mainframe from Keysight and have a healthy budget, the DAQ970A is the platform to consider.
Comparison
| Product | Price | Price Bar | Condition | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axon Instruments DigiData 1322A 16-Bit Data Acquisition System SCSI USA | $249.99 | Used | 16-bit resolution, 16 analog input channels, 2 analog outputs, 16 digital I/O lines, SCSI, rack-mount | |
| KEYSIGHT #DAQ970A Data Acquisition System Mainframe | $2,600.00 | New - Open box | Modern mainframe platform from Keysight |
Where each product wins
Axon DigiData 1322A
The Axon wins on immediate capability and affordability. It offers far more built-in I/O for a much lower price. It is designed for scientific research and comes ready for rack-mount installation. If you need a full digitizer without a massive investment, this unit delivers.
KEYSIGHT DAQ970A
The KEYSIGHT wins on condition and platform direction. It is a new open-box mainframe, so you start with a clean base unit. The mainframe form factor gives you a current-generation anchor for your data acquisition setup. For labs that are building a new system and want a fresh Keysight base, this is the more forward-looking choice.
Product notes
Axon Instruments DigiData 1322A 16-Bit Data Acquisition System SCSI USA
The Axon gives you 16-bit resolution, 16 analog input channels, 2 analog output channels, 16 digital inputs, and 16 digital outputs at a listed price of $249.99. The serial number and condition details confirm the unit powers on with the POWER and READY indicators illuminated. A rack-mount configuration makes it easy to fit into a lab rack. The SCSI interface is the main obstacle: you'll need a SCSI adapter or an older computer with a SCSI card. The used condition is the other trade-off. If you can work around SCSI, this is a complete data acquisition system at a price that leaves room for the adapter and any additional wiring.
KEYSIGHT #DAQ970A Data Acquisition System Mainframe
The KEYSIGHT DAQ970A is listed at $2,600, making it the higher-priced option by a wide margin. What you're paying for is a new open-box mainframe from Keysight, with the model and MPN clearly stated. It's an unused base unit, so the mainframe is a clean starting point for a new system. The limitation is the price difference: the Axon offers built-in analog and digital channels for much less, while the Keysight is a mainframe platform centered on the base unit. If a new Keysight mainframe fits your setup, this is the one; if you need a complete digitizer out of the box, the Axon is more aligned.
Final choice by use case
Choose the Axon Instruments DigiData 1322A if you need a complete digitizer for scientific research right now, with analog inputs, analog outputs, and digital I/O built in. It's ideal for electrophysiology and patch-clamp work where the SCSI interface is acceptable.
Choose the KEYSIGHT DAQ970A if you are starting a modern data acquisition setup and you want a new open-box mainframe from Keysight to anchor it. The higher price buys an unused base unit and the mainframe form factor.
