I got this information from Proboard about their $199 logic analyzer,
in response to questions prompted by someone else's experience with
the unit. It sounds like many of the shortcomings have been addressed,
and I intend ordering one.

Proboard are e-mailable at proboard1@aol.com.

Forwarded message:

  1)  The programmable triggering circuitry on our standard unit only reads the
  first 8 inputs and compares them to your software selected 8 bits to control
  its triggering.
  You can either use the external trigger, the external clock, or additional
  attachments to the hardware to gain a full complement of 24 programmable
  samples.

  Incidentally, one of our past customers has developed a simple expansion to
  his unit which not only provides the full complement of 24 programmable
  triggers, but also a multi level triggering feature!  He will be providing
  this expansion as an accessory after it is completed.

  2)  The hardware has jumper settings to control whether it samples before
  your pattern, or after your pattern.  However, we have not yet implemented
  the software to utilize the pre-condition sampling feature.  Regardless, we
  have still had several users who have made elaborate arrangements with this
  sampling feature.  I would be glad to provide you with the documentation to
  experiment with this option.

  3)  I am not sure what you mean by real time monitoring.   I believe perhaps
  you are comparing this with an oscilloscope that will provide a still image
  with a repetitive wave form.  This logic analyzer can make repetitive
  samples, and display them.  However, the beauty of a logic analyzer is to
  store data and capture it before it is gone!   If your data is repetitive,
  then you can probably get away with a simple scope!

  4)  We now have a 115K baud data transfer rate.  Our new software uploads
  data in the background, so the user can conveniently analyze the early part
  of the data while the remainder is being uploaded transparently.  Thus, the
  typical time between trigger ing and viewing data on the screen is less than
  0.25 seconds.

  5)  The standard system comes with 8 micro caesar clips which are very
  versatile, even for attachment to surface mount leads,  along with 16 berg
  clips,   which are handy for attachment to header.   All clips are in sets of
  8, and are attached via a rainbow color coded ribbon cable and a female
  socket that plugs into the board.  You are free to attach other connections
  to the standard 0.1"  headers on the board.

  6)  The inputs are buffered via an array of 74LS245's.  These are socketed,
  and can be easily replaced.

  7)  Yes, one of the most popular features is the external clock option which
  we provide free of charge.  This allows users to capture each individuaL
  sample only when their external clock is brought low.




--
 Clyde Smith-Stubbs       | HI-TECH Software,       | Voice: +61 7 3300 5011
 clyde@hitech.com.au      | P.O. Box 103, Alderley, | Fax:   +61 7 3300 5246
http://www.hitech.com.au  | QLD, 4051, AUSTRALIA.   | BBS:   +61 7 3300 5235
                    HI-TECH C: Compiling the real world...