Comparing Digilent Analog Discovery 1 and 2

Presented is a comparison of the similarly specified Analog Discovery 1 and 2.
In short, they have almost identical scope analogue bandwidths in a controlled measurement test, but the Mk 2 has a +/- variable power supply to 5V, each supply independently controlled whereas the Mk 1 has a fixed +/- 5V supply. The Mk 2 also has the option of increasing power supply current with an external 5V wall wart supply.
The Mk 2 sports a slightly larger and fancier enclosure too.

[@grantedwd]

Very useful and well done. It certainly confirmed that there's no need for me to "updgrade" from a v1 to a v2. :)

[@tomkirbygreen]

Very useful video, thank you for sharing. I’m in the market for a Discovery 2 so this was timely.

[@ruhnet]

Great video. Thank you!!!

[@marccoffey291]

Thanks, very informative video! However aside from portability how do these devices actually compare to say a low end bench oscilloscope and a dedicated logic analyser? Also is the spectrum analyser any good? I mean even an economically priced spectrum analyser is in the region £400-500.

[@nezbrun872]

As far as a low end USB Swiss Army Knife of EE tools, both are without equal for the money. Do I use it on the bench? Not much, except for the arbitrary digital signal generation capabilities: I have a reasonably well-equipped bench though. The ADs are quite low bandwidth devices, and don't have a lot of memory. Plus, I personally don't much like using a PC UI to operate most test equipment. Once you have used a bench scope, the knob and button interface is so much better than mouse clicks. If I was only looking for a bench scope, it's hard to find better value than the Rigol DS1054Z at the moment. But the ADs aren't just a scope, they both include a logic analyser, dual channel signal generator and digital signal generator, and as far as PC based instruments go their UI is about as good as it gets. If you're into Arduinos I am sure that either AD will suffice for the vast majority of use cases. I also highly recommend them for tinkerers and EE students, as well as them being a very compact and handy tool for the embedded systems engineer when travelling.

[@nezbrun872]

Regarding its use as a spectrum analyser, this is just a software derived FFT from the scope front end. Whether that's any use for you depends on the application. It's of little use for most RF applications for example.

[@marccoffey291]

Detailed answer. Thanks for taking the time to message me back, your reply has helped me make up my mind regarding whether to buy an AD2. Thanks again! Regards, Marc

[@tejeshwvardhan1165]

are they using same spartan6?

[@gerardzi7930]

Do you think if 100 dollars IS cheap for Analog Discovery 1 first version ? Great video , Thanks

[@nezbrun872]

If it's in full working order, I would say yes. The variable supply of the 2 is a nice to have, but these units are great anyway. I still use mine regularly.

[@mrnoiz23]

Latest software seems to have dropped record to .wav?

[@crocellian2972]

Thank you for your review. I am sort of curious if you read the data sheets. Maybe try that and redo this video.

[@nezbrun872]

Crocellian Thanks for your comment, and I am sorry for my late response. What particular facets of the datasheets are you referring to? (A key point of the video was to show that despite apparently different specifications on the surface, apart from superficial and minor functionality changes, they are essentially the same).