DAQ Card Buying Guide

Analog Output DAQ Cards cater for applications where data needs to be transmitted to devices and machinery that require more than a simple on/off state. Analog Output DAQ Cards convert digital information generated by software into analog voltage or current signals which are delivered across a spectrum, allowing for accurate control of such things as frequency inverters, the partial opening and closing of valves or sliders, the brightness of lights, and other machinery controlled by motors and mechnical transducers.

N.I. PCI-6704 vs Advantech's PCI-1724U
When it comes to Analog Output DAQ Cards Advantech's PCI-1724U ticks a lot of boxes. Pitted against National Instruments' PCI-6704, it stands tall by offering the same or more functionality, bringing the same output channels, a wider voltage range and comparable output resolution at around half the price.

Analog Input DAQ Cards allow applications to transmit analog values, such as temperature readings, values from pressure sensors, etc, and store them as digital values on a computer. The readings are transmitted as voltage values, then the computer converts this voltage value into its original type (temperature, pressure, etc), and stores it in a file, either locally or in the cloud. This information can then be reported on, or alerts set up to warn of issues with machinery. 

N.I. PCIe-63x1 vs Advantech PCIe-1816 & PCIe-1816H
National Instruments' PCIe-63x1 range of 16-bit Multifunction 16-ch Analog Input DAQ cards is very popular at the moment, but Advantech's comparable cards stack up remarkably well. Here's a quick, high-level comparison of the main lines, and underneath we've compared what we class as the best of the bunch: N.I.'s PCIe-6361 vs Advantech PCIe-1816H.

N.I. PCIe-6361 vs Advantech PCIe-1816H
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N.I. USB-4431 vs Advantech USB-5801
Advantech's USB-5801 is a high-accuracy dynamic signal acquisition USB 3.0 module specifically designed for acoustic and vibration measurements. Comparing it to its National Instruments counterpart, it offers the same four simultaneously sampled, 24-bit, IEPE sensor inputs, but where they differ is Advantech's offering provides a sample rate of up to 192 kS/s over N.I.'s 102.4 kS/s. And even with additional digital input and output features available in the Advantech unit, this versatile, cost-effective USB DAQ card comes in at less than half the price of its N.I. competitor. 

RE: National Instruments NI-STC3
"Some N.I. DAQ cards offer their 'NI-STC3' function, which adds a marginal amount of accuracy to their counter/timer functionality. NI-STC3 is designed for the highest-end applications and most likely wouldn't be needed for the majority of DAQ systems."
Chris Durose, Technical Lead - Industrial Computing

The Swiss Army Knife of data acquisition, Multi-function DAQ Cards provide analog I/O, digital I/O, and counter/timer functionality in a single device. Designed for applications with varying input and output requirements, such as laboratory automation, research, and design verification, Multi-function DAQ Cards provide a mix of I/O with varying channel counts, sample rates, output rates, and other features to meet many common measurement requirements. 

N.I. PCI-6115 vs Advantech PCI-1714U / PCI-1721
While there isn't strictly a single Advantech multi-function DAQ card which compares feature-wise to National Instruments' PCI-6115, by combining the Advantech PCI-1714U and PCI-1721 you can achieve even more functionality at around a third the price (combined) of the National Instruments offering. As most DAQ cards are installed in capacious industrial computing systems with many slots, the trade-off of the addition of a second card vs the vast cost savings of the Advantech solution is a no-brainer. Furthermore, due to its form factor the N.I. card is suitable only for 4U racks, whereas the Advantech solution can fit in chassis as small as a shoebox. 

N.I. PCIE-6346 vs Advantech PCIE-1812-AE
Advantech's PCIE-1812-AE trumps the National Instruments PCIE-6346 in a few key areas. It dips a little in the sample rate (for most applications 250 kS/s is more than adequate) but comes out top with an extra 8 input & output channels and more than three times the output rate. 

Isolated DIO DAQ cards offer digital I/O with isolation protection. Isolation is a method of electrically separating the DAQ card's sensor signals, which can be exposed to potentially unpredictable high voltages, from the low-voltage backplane, ensuring protection for more expensive and vulnerable components, removal of potential ground loops, plus improved noise immunity and common-mode voltage rejection. Isolated DAQ cards generally have a voltage isolation tolerance, which can vary between manufacturers and individual isolated DAQ cards.

N.I. PCI-6514 vs Advantech PCI-1756
When comparing National Instruments' PCI-6514 to the equivalent Advantech PCI-1756, the specs speak for themselves. With key attributes matching or even bettering the N.I. card, and coming in at roughly a third of the price, Advantech's PCI-1756 is a fantastic, cost-effective alternative to its competition.

N.I. PCI-6518 vs Advantech PCI-1730U
As you may expect, the comparison of National Instruments' PCI-6518 and Advantech's PCI-1730U is much the same story as the previous 32 channel card. High quality manufacturing, with same or better stats, at a third of the price. 

N.I. PCI-6503 vs Advantech PCI-1737U
If you can't live without the jaunty angle of the PCB on National Instruments' PCI-6503 TTL DIO DAQ Card, and that's worth paying three times the price for, then Advantech's PCI-1737U will struggle to compete. But if looks aren't a factor, and functionality is what you look for in a DAQ card, then the Advantech offering hits it out of the park when it comes to key comparable attributes.

N.I. PCI-6509 vs Advantech PCIe-1753
The comparison between N.I.'s PCIe-6509 and Advantech's PCIe-1753 is one of the most clean-cut here. Just two key attributes differ: an extra five degrees on the temperature tolerance, and the price, which is (you guessed it) half that of the N.I. PCI-6509.

N.I. PCI-6501 vs Advantech USB-4751L
The main difference between the N.I. USB-6501 and Advantech's USB-4751L is the connector, with the N.I. unit offering a Phoenix Terminal and Advantech using a 50-pin box header. But don't worry — should you need it Advantech offers a discreet adaptor board which converts the box header on the PCIe-1753 into a Phoenix Terminal.