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· I have been looking into getting a PicoScope kit. Why would I buy from you when I can get a better deal elsewhere?
· Do you offer educator discounts on PicoScope or The Nerd Series CD set?
We do have a modest quantity discount on 5 or more kits but no special discounts for educators.
We elected not to offer special discounts to anyone but instead to offer the best value possible to everyone. We did this for several reasons, but no one ever gripes about someone else getting a better deal. No one ever gripes about the value they get with Autonerdz either:
http://www.autonerdz.com/picousers.htm
Here at Autonerdz, we decided long ago to set a new standard for automotive dedicated technical support. Each PicoScope kit we sell comes with this support package. The training and support system has evolved and expanded since we started it in 2002. This support has been called the best in the industry. Combined with the stellar Pico factory support, there is no equal. We blazed the trail for Pico in the automotive market and since then, they have rocketed to the top of the heap in automotive scopes. The concept was new in 2002 and it has taken time and effort to accomplish this. Pico's forward thinking was in tune with the automotive industry development in this area and their entry in to the automotive field was timely. We knew that support and training was key to product acceptance and, well, you know the results.
As the automotive industry leader for PicoScope, we often get coattail riders. Might be another distributor trying to reinvent the wheel by attempting to copy our business model, or trying to grab sales on a popular product by slashing prices. So....you will find a better price. I won't name any other distributors, but when you see this price cutting, it's because that's all they have to offer. We have a large happy global users group. The only unhappy PicoScope users didn't purchase from us.
If you do want the cheapest price, just be sure to compare apples to apples. All our kits have additional hardware in them that kits from other suppliers don't. Our PicoQuad kit has several hundred dollars worth of added hardware. So, check kit contents. Also, if you do want our PicoScope support and training system later, it will cost you $650 per year. It costs zero dollars when you purchase from us. We don't sell equipment; we sell an experience.
As for The Nerd Series on CD, the same applies. This kind of training cannot be found anywhere else. Besides, where else can you get nearly 30 hours of any training for $600? We do customarily send out the set when Nerd I is purchased. Then keys for the remaining CDs can be purchased later. No waiting...just unlock and go. This helps spread out the cost over time.
· I purchased an older 212 series from you years ago. I have upgraded to the 3000 series now but got a screaming deal from another supplier. I thought your support system never expired. How come you won’t help me anymore?
Duh. Obviously the support system is meant for equipment you purchased from Autonerdz. We are not in the business of subsidizing other suppliers. When you choose to upgrade from another source, the support system no longer applies to you. You may have gotten a screaming deal, but the price was cheap for a reason. Probably because that’s all they have to offer. It’s not fair to expect me to support your choice to go elsewhere for your new model PicoScope. You should have at least contacted us first. Loyalty is well rewarded.
· I see that you have done many ‘Nerd Series’ training classes all over the USA but I don’t see much on your schedule since 2005. Why is this? How can I get hooked up with some of this training?
In January 2006, we released ‘The Nerd Series’ on CD. This is nearly 30 hours of virtual classroom. Techs are now getting the CDs. It’s less expensive; you can train on your schedule, and can watch them over and over. In the words of one user, “You have no idea how nice it is after spending so many years sitting in folding metal chairs in the back of someone's garage for training what it is like to be home in my comfortable chair, while my wife makes dinner, and to be getting great training.” It’s also getting more expensive to travel and this drives up the costs of classes. It’s also much more difficult and time consuming to fly these days. Especially when you voted wrong in the last election and were put on the “Terrorist Watch List” ;-) To fully appreciate the humor, it helps to know that The Department of Homeland Security is one of my customers ;-p
· Tom, I have an older PICO scope-the parallel port 2 channel ACD212. I was told me you have a CD that gives good instruction on using PICO scopes for advanced users. Is this true? If so, how do I acquire one?
One of our Canadian customers put it best: "The Tom Roberts support is easily worth as much as the scope."
· What are the PC system requirements for PicoScope?
There are PicoScope 5.xx versions, for any Pentium class PC that runs windows 98 SE or higher. For best performance, we recommend a USB 2.0 port. USB 1.1 works fine and sample rates are not affected but screen updates in Block Mode are not as fast.
For PicoScope 6.xx we recommend more RAM, CPU speed and disk space. 512MB of RAM, GHz processor, and 350MB for the installation. The largest part of this is the required Microsoft .NET Framework needed for this software. Also, a USB 2.0 port is required for the high speed streaming capabilities. Things that are needed by OS:
Windows XP Service Pack 2 and .NET framework 2.0
Vista 32bit and .NET Framework 2.0
If your PC needs any of the components listed, the PicoScope 6 installer will try to go get them off the Internet. This takes a while the first time through and, if you are not connected during the install, it will fail to complete.
· I am a member of iATN and I have benefited from your posts there but I don’t see as many as I used to. What’s up?
I have been a member of iATN since the early days before there were any forums and have enjoyed very much sharing there over the 10+ years. As my career evolved, however I found that I was unable to share there as freely as I had been in the past. This has to do with my position in the industry now and the iATN guidelines. I still contribute and join in discussions occasionally, but have limitations on what I can say, link to, share, etc. This is as it should be, but I get easily frustrated.
Enter The Autonerdz Community Forums. Here I can and do share freely as I wish and you can find me and other Nerdz from all corners of the world there in a comfortable relaxed atmosphere based on learning and mutual respect.
If you are not a supporting member of iATN, you should be. It’s the best money you will ever spend.
· What is your service territory and when do you do PicoScope classes?
Autonerdz territory is global. We have customers on every continent except Antarctica. That doesn't happen by accident.
The Autonerdz PicoScope support and training system, which is included with each PicoScope kit, is an ongoing growth experience for users, as long as they own the equipment. PicoScope class happens whenever you want it to.
The Autonerdz PicoScope support and training package can be purchased separately, on a subscription basis, and many of those who have purchased Pico from another supplier do just that. There are good reasons for this.
Autonerdz has a track record as a national lab scope trainer and now globally via digital media.
Besides his Indian name "Burps at Bears" Tom Roberts is called 'The Picotologist"...among other things ;-p
Those who do their PicoScope homework before they purchase avoid costly mistakes, saving time and money.