ACtracer VS. Huntron Tracker : your thoughts please.

gregatron

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ACtracer VS. Huntron Tracker : your thoughts please.

So, I use a Huntron Tracker at work quite a bit and I love it.
It has found many problems for me and I am really used to using it.
I've been looking to buy a decent one on the Bay and am always outbid.
I'm wondering if any of you electronic dudes have ever tried an ACtracer? http://sites.google.com/site/aaadiag/movie
If so, how does it compare to the good ol' time tested Tracker?
better, worse, junk,?
I'm thinking about buying one but I've never used one to compare.
I have several scopes with X/Y capability so I figured it woulld be a cool add on that takes virtually no space on the testbench.





Just for fun, here's a couple pics of one of my scopes being used to test a Black Widow board in X/Y mode.




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I only use the Huntron Tracker so I have no experience with the other device.

The Huntron Tracker and my ESR capacitor meter are the most valuable pieces of test equipment I own. Can't get along without them.

EDIT:

After looking at that "other" device, I would definitely NOT get one. It does not appear to have any way to change the test current/voltages like on the Huntron Tracker. Stick with the Huntron in my opinion.
 
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I only use the Huntron Tracker so I have no experience with the other device.

The Huntron Tracker and my ESR capacitor meter are the most valuable pieces of test equipment I own. Can't get along without them.

EDIT:

After looking at that "other" device, I would definitely NOT get one. It does not appear to have any way to change the test current/voltages like on the Huntron Tracker. Stick with the Huntron in my opinion.


Good point Ken, I didn't even think about that.
 
You can built a basic curve tracer with very little parts....Randy Fromm wrote a how to guide. You use your scope in XY mode just like the ACtracer. I built mine with about $5 in parts....and maybe twenty minutes. Now, I don't have the various "modes" (hold, compare, rate) that the ACtracer has....most of those I don't really need, anyway. I see no use for hold.....compare is simple enough to get by without (I just jumper the two boards grounds together...then, alternatingly, probe the same componet on each board....watching the scope monitor for any changes. I don't know what rate is used for. I didn't dig too deep into the web site to find out...might be useful?..might not?.

Edward
 
With the Huntron Tracker, I can set the test voltage/current to "low" with the pushbutton switch so that I can test IC chips and LED's safely. Most transistors I check with the pushbutton switch on "medium". High power audio output transistors and regulating transistors I check on "high" so I can see if they break down under a load.

I remember seeing Randy Fromm's "octopus" article years ago. Here's how to build it:

http://www.ionpool.net/arcade/tech/octopus.pdf
 
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