A comparison of commercial auditory evoked potential units: the midpriced and luxury units

This report represents the second of two providing a consumer-oriented comparison of commercially available auditory evoked potential units. The units compared here were those whose basic price was between $10,000-$30,000 ("midpriced"), and greater than $30,000 ("luxury"). The midpriced group included the Amplaid MK15, Bio-Logic Navigator and Traveler LT, Cadwell 5200A and Quantum 84, GSI-50, Nicolet CA-2000 and Compact Auditory, Nihon-Kohden Neuropak IV Mini, Madsen ERA2250, Siegen (Dantec) Neuroscope, and Tracor Nomad. The luxury units comprised the Bio-Logic Brain Atlas, Cadwell Spectrum 32 and Nicolet Pathfinder. Descriptive information and the names and addresses of users were solicited from the manufacturers for each of the above units. Questionnaires were sent to the users asking them for information on how their unit was used and to rate some of its features. The midpriced and luxury units offer more flexibility and options than less expensive (i.e., "economy") units. However, the basis for a given unit's price versus another's was not always apparent by a comparison of features or options. In general, users of the midpriced and luxury units rated the majority of their instruments' features highly. The lowest ratings were received for some aspect of the printer or print-out, and portability.