Choosing between data acquisition recorders usually comes down to one question: what kind of experiment are you running? Here, two used systems from National Instruments and Axon Instruments take very different approaches. One is a full acquisition bundle with a desktop setup; the other is a dedicated recorder for specialized lab work. The listed prices also sit far apart, so the decision has a real budget component. If you are outfitting a lab, knowing which role each system fills matters more than the headline numbers.
Quick verdict
Pick the Axon Digidata 1320A if you need a focused, lower-priced recorder for specialized lab work. Pick the National Instruments system if you need broad acquisition and want the supporting desktop gear included; it is the more complete bundle at a higher listed price. The two are not really rivals for the same experiment-they serve different benches.
Side-by-side comparison
Here is how the two systems compare on listed price and core specs.
| Product | Listed price | Price bar | Core specs |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Instruments High Frequency Data Acquisition System | USD 1,500.00 | PCI-6251 1 MHz A/D board with 16 channels; PCI-4474 102.4 kHz A/D board with 4 channels; BNC-2110 signal box and cable; desktop tower, ViewSonic monitor, keyboard, mouse | |
| Axon Instruments Digidata 1320A 16-Bit Data Acquisition System for pClamp Lab | USD 99.99 | 16-bit acquisition designed for electrophysiology and patch-clamp recording; compatible with Axon pClamp (Clampex, Clampfit); used unit |
Where each system wins
The National Instruments system wins when your acquisition needs span multiple sampling rates. The PCI-6251 board samples at 1 MHz across 16 channels, while the PCI-4474 board runs at 102.4 kHz with 4 channels. That combination makes it a broad high-frequency station, though it is the higher-priced system of the two.
The Axon Digidata 1320A wins for labs that need a purpose-built recorder for patch-clamp work. It is a 16-bit acquisition system, and its listed price is the lower of the two by a wide margin.
Product notes
National Instruments High Frequency Data Acquisition System
This is the system to choose when you want a complete acquisition bundle rather than just a recorder. The system includes the BNC-2110 signal box and cable, plus a desktop tower, ViewSonic monitor, keyboard, and mouse, so you are looking at a full workstation around the acquisition hardware. The reason to favor it is that breadth: all the pieces for a working acquisition station in a single package. The limitation is the listed price of USD 1,500.00-the higher-priced option in this comparison.
Axon Instruments Digidata 1320A 16-Bit Data Acquisition System for pClamp Lab
This one earns its place when your workflow already revolves around Axon pClamp. The reason to choose it is that direct software fit, plus a listed price of USD 99.99 that sits far below the National Instruments bundle. The limitation is scope: it is a specialized recorder rather than a general-purpose acquisition station. If your bench work stays inside that discipline, it is a practical pick.
Final choice by use case
Choose the National Instruments system when you want high-frequency acquisition with the supporting gear included. Choose the Axon Digidata 1320A when a dedicated recorder at a lower listed price is the priority for your specific workflow. Match the recorder to the experiment, and the right choice becomes clear.
