The actual model I got was more like £150 when postage is taken into account but yes, it is cheap for the spec.
Being a newcomer to them I'm not qualified to comment greatly on spectrum analyzers in general but I think some of the shortcomings to lurk beneath the surface. One of the shortcomings I have noticed is that the lower frequency operation is poor / non existant. It seems Ok for use in the MW band but with a bottom limit of 50 / 100 kHz (I have seen different figures) the lower bands are poorly addressed. I do wonder about the display sweep time too. It seems quite lengthy. It's perhaps par for the course but, as compared with an SDR on which operation is effectively instant, it may be a bind with a large range sweep, taking longer than 10 seconds. I know that is their mode of operation but wonder how that compares with a more expensive instrument. For general puroses though neither seem to compromise use though.
One thing that does show itself in both implied in the website instruction manual and several video's is that it appears very fragile to overload damage. I imagine more upmarket models are better protected. One way in which they are, I think, is with their front mounted sockets . The tiny models have the sockets on the side. There is maybe no other way but I imagine quite a few have been damaged by being knocked. This would be even more likely if you fitted an extension or attenuator.
Another point may well be the screen size / resolution.
Just a few points which I have thought of although I have not used it much yet. I am looking at attenuators, and playing in LTSpice to get a feel for things. From the foregoing I can see that a setup for both mechanical and electrical protection would be a good idea. A reduction in portability but I don't work in the field anyway.
Edit: Some additional info in a comparison review I found: https://www.signalintegrityjournal.com/b...m-analyzer
Tracy
Being a newcomer to them I'm not qualified to comment greatly on spectrum analyzers in general but I think some of the shortcomings to lurk beneath the surface. One of the shortcomings I have noticed is that the lower frequency operation is poor / non existant. It seems Ok for use in the MW band but with a bottom limit of 50 / 100 kHz (I have seen different figures) the lower bands are poorly addressed. I do wonder about the display sweep time too. It seems quite lengthy. It's perhaps par for the course but, as compared with an SDR on which operation is effectively instant, it may be a bind with a large range sweep, taking longer than 10 seconds. I know that is their mode of operation but wonder how that compares with a more expensive instrument. For general puroses though neither seem to compromise use though.
One thing that does show itself in both implied in the website instruction manual and several video's is that it appears very fragile to overload damage. I imagine more upmarket models are better protected. One way in which they are, I think, is with their front mounted sockets . The tiny models have the sockets on the side. There is maybe no other way but I imagine quite a few have been damaged by being knocked. This would be even more likely if you fitted an extension or attenuator.
Another point may well be the screen size / resolution.
Just a few points which I have thought of although I have not used it much yet. I am looking at attenuators, and playing in LTSpice to get a feel for things. From the foregoing I can see that a setup for both mechanical and electrical protection would be a good idea. A reduction in portability but I don't work in the field anyway.
Edit: Some additional info in a comparison review I found: https://www.signalintegrityjournal.com/b...m-analyzer
Tracy
