Choosing between two data acquisition recorders can feel less like comparing features and more like deciding what kind of lab you are running. The Axon Digidata 1550B is built around low-noise signal capture, while the Keithley DAQ6510 data acquisition / DMM6500 multimeter system is designed for multimeter-style measurements. Their prices sit at opposite ends of a $5,900 spread. Both are used units, so the real question is which job you need to do first.
Quick verdict
For typical multimeter-based logging, the Keithley DAQ6510 is the more balanced pick: it offers a DMM6500-style system at the lower end of the price range. The Axon Digidata 1550B is the go-to when low-noise signal acquisition matters more than budget.
How to decide
Start with the signal you care about most. If you are recording very small analog signals and noise rejection is the main concern, the Axon's low-noise configuration is the feature that matters. If you are collecting ordinary multimeter-style readings, the Keithley's DAQ/multimeter design is closer to the tool you need.
Side-by-side comparison
Here is how the two data acquisition recorders compare at a glance.
| Product | Price | Price bar | Condition | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axon Digidata 1550B Low-Noise Data Acquisition System plus HumSilencer 1 ANC | USD 7,500.00 | Used | Low-noise signal capture | |
| Keithley DAQ6510 Data Acquisition DMM6500 Multimeter System | USD 1,600.00 | Used | Two-slot multimeter-style logging |
Where each product wins
The Axon Digidata 1550B wins when experiments demand low-noise signal capture. The unit is described as mint and fully operational. The Keithley DAQ6510 wins when you want a multi-slot DAQ in a single unit that can also handle DMM6500-style multimeter readings. Its price bar sits well below the Axon's.
Product notes
Axon Digidata 1550B Low-Noise Data Acquisition System plus HumSilencer 1 ANC
Listen for a low-noise recorder and this is the one that jumps off the page. The Axon unit is described as mint and fully operational, and the HumSilencer 1 ANC is included in the package. That makes it a serious candidate for labs that want clean analog signals without layering in extra noise-reduction gear. The trade-off is the used unit carries a $7,500 price-the top of this price spread. You are paying for a specialized acquisition system rather than a general-purpose logger. If your work is centered on low-noise recording, this is the stronger fit; if you only need occasional multi-channel logging, the price may be hard to justify.
Keithley DAQ6510 Data Acquisition DMM6500 Multimeter System
The Keithley DAQ6510 data acquisition DMM6500 multimeter system takes the opposite approach. It is a used two-slot DAQ unit, and the model number points to a DMM-style multimeter system rather than a dedicated low-noise recorder. That makes it a practical choice when you need flexible signal routing and multimeter-style readings in one box. The practical limitation is on the precision side: if your projects hinge on ultra-clean analog capture, this two-slot DAQ/multimeter orientation is less obviously suited to that task than the Axon's low-noise configuration. For a lab that mostly logs standard measurements, though, the Keithley offers a more accessible entry into data acquisition recorders, with the lower end of the price spread on its side.
Final choice by use case
If your priority is low-noise signal acquisition, the Axon Digidata 1550B is the right recorder. If you need a data acquisition system for multimeter-style measurements and the Keithley's price fits your budget, choose the DAQ6510.
