Whether you are replacing a failed input stage on a lab board or assembling a complete measurement station, the first fork in the road for data acquisition recorders is price versus integration. The options here start at a five-chip set and climb to a used standalone instrument, with the least expensive listing sitting 98% below the most expensive. The practical question is not which one is cheaper; it is which one you can actually connect to your signals and your computer.
Quick take
If you want a used sampling front end with a computer connection, the DATAQ DI-720-USB is the middle-priced option. If your work is built around digitizing, the Axon Instruments DigiData 1322A is a dedicated recorder with both analog and digital I/O. If you need parts for a board-level project, the five-piece MAX197 set is the only board-level offering. The DATAQ DI-500-16 is the highest-priced listing, a fit for a shopper who wants a complete DATAQ-branded instrument and is willing to accept an as-is used unit.
Listed price comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DATAQ INSTRUMENTS DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM DI-500-16 | USD 635.00 | Used, US origin | |
| DATAQ DI-720-USB Data Acquisition System w/ DI-5B Amplifiers & MESA Interface | USD 349.99 | Used, includes DI-5B amplifiers | |
| Axon Instruments DigiData 1322A 16-Bit Data Acquisition System SCSI USA | USD 249.99 | Used, 16 analog inputs, SCSI | |
| 5pcs New MAX197BCNI MAX197BENI data acquisition system imported chip | USD 15.00 | New, five chips |
Decision matrix
- Choose the DI-720-USB when you want the mid-priced system.
- Choose the DigiData 1322A when you need explicit channel and interface specifications.
- Choose the DI-500-16 when you want the highest-priced complete DATAQ listing.
- Choose the MAX197 set when you need the chip package.
Product notes
DATAQ INSTRUMENTS DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM DI-500-16
This used, US-origin instrument is the most expensive listing in the group, so choosing it means prioritizing a complete DATAQ-branded system over the lower price of the other used units. The listing text focuses on an as-is, no-warranty policy rather than on operation. If your bench setup calls for a DI-500-16 specifically, this is the listed unit that matches that need. A shopper who prefers the lower-priced DATAQ bundle would look at the DI-720-USB instead.
DATAQ DI-720-USB Data Acquisition System w/ DI-5B Amplifiers & MESA Interface
The DI-720-USB is the option to choose when you want the amplifier hardware bundled with the digitizer rather than sourced separately. The title itself lists the DI-5B amplifiers and MESA interface, so bundled signal conditioning is part of the deal. The catch: the unit came from surplus in a university setting, was described as dusty, and the listing says it was not tested. If you are comfortable cleaning and inspecting a used instrument before powering it up, this bundle is a practical middle path between a bare instrument and a board-level chip set.
Axon Instruments DigiData 1322A 16-Bit Data Acquisition System SCSI USA
This Axon unit is the most specification-heavy listing in the group. It spells out 16-bit resolution, 16 analog input channels, two analog output channels, 16 digital input lines, 16 digital output lines, and a SCSI computer interface in a rack-mount configuration. The listing also says the unit powers on with the POWER and READY indicators lit. The limitation is the SCSI connection: you will need a computer or host that supports SCSI, so plan for that before you buy. It is a strong fit for electrophysiology and biological signal recording applications.
5pcs New MAX197BCNI MAX197BENI data acquisition system imported chip
At the low end of the price range, this set of five new MAX197-family chips is the only chip-level option in the comparison. Instead of a complete instrument, you get the integrated circuits themselves. The title identifies MAX197BCNI and MAX197BENI imported chips in a five-piece count, and the condition is listed as new. The limitation is that you have to supply the supporting board, power, and computer interface. If your need is a replacement part or a custom front end, these chips are the least expensive path; if you want a ready-to-run recorder, they are not.
Final recommendation by use case
- DATAQ DI-720-USB - when bundle completeness matters more than the price difference.
- Axon Instruments DigiData 1322A - when the recording application calls for the listed channel and interface specifications.
- DATAQ DI-500-16 - when a complete DATAQ-branded instrument is the priority.
- MAX197 chip set - when the job is a replacement part or a custom front end.
