|
 |
Comparing Interferometry Software: Durango vs Competitor
We would prefer to not acknowledge our competition, but when a Google™ search of "Durango Software" or "Diffraction International" displays a sponsored link to a competitor's home page, we must respond with our own Google™ link. That is how you landed here.
We ask that you consider the following before selecting any interferometry software:
Best
Icon
Face it. Our goofy yellow dog is cuter than a leaf.
Intuitive User Interface
More than a few users familiar with both Durango and our competitor's product have told us that Durango's interface is easier to learn and use. One user told us we had done a great job of "providing 1000 features without cluttering the interface or making it difficult to find things." Our removal toolbar provides an always visible indicator of which aberrations have been removed from the interferogram maps. Usability remains a high priority as we continue to add new features and capabilities.
We find our competitor's user interface confusing. It is seldom clear which aberrations have been removed. Their spreadsheet windows are only marginally legible.
Of course, we may be biased, so don't take our word for it. Download both Durango and our competitor's product. Explore the sample interferogram data and the features that most interest you. Then make your own comparison.
Comprehensive Help Documentation
Durango uses HTML (.CHM) Help, the Microsoft help standard since Windows 98, providing you with a graphics-rich help document.
Durango's use of the What's This? help
tool 
provides concise and always available documentation of user interface features
and dialog fields.
Durango includes a direct link to online help for those with an internet connection. You can ask support questions, check for updates, check the status of known issues, make suggestions or report suspected bugs.
Our competitor's software uses the older, uncompiled WinHelp (.HLP) standard. Their help documents are mostly text-based and include no field-level, What's This? or online help.
Again, download both and make your own comparison.
Cost of License, Boards, Support and Upgrades
Don't be misled by our competitor's claim of, "No Hidden Costs: Everything you need to get started is included". Software, framegrabber and DAC controller are not everything. Obviously, you also need an interferometer and a computer. You may even need to add a camera or a phase shifter. One size does not fit all. Diffraction International offers the hardware options you need, with prices clearly posted on our website.
The graph below compares the 3-year costs of Durango vs our competitor's product. To make the comparison equivalent, we have added to Durango prices the cost of frame grabber and DAC controller boards. But look out for the hidden cost of support and upgrades. Durango prices include a full year of support and upgrades, whereas our competitor offers only 3 months.
Upgrade Path
We find that most interferometer users can benefit from both static fringe analysis AND phase measuring capability. Because some users cannot immediately afford the full software and phase measuring hardware, Diffraction International offers Durango with a static-only (non-phase-measuring) license. We do not offer phase measuring software with static fringe analysis disabled because this only deprives the user of a useful feature with no associated cost savings to us.
To upgrade a Durango license from static-only to full phase measuring AND static fringe analysis, you pay only the license price difference plus associated hardware costs for a controller board and/or phase shifter.
Our competitor's price for a full (PE) license is considerably higher than for Durango, and the associated annual support costs are higher too. Curiously, our competitor charges more for their PE license and support than for LE-1 plus LE-2; we suspect that you do not get the second framegrabber either.
True Portability
Durango is fully functional on any notebook computer running Windows and equipped with our 10-ounce Laptop Hardware Kit. Our competitor claims that "true portability" is achieved with a "luggable" computer—as if you could still find one of those.
Don't overlook data portability. Because Durango documents use intelligent lossless compression, they are approximately 1/3 the size of our competitor's documents. There is no need to "zip" a Durango document before sending it electronically.
Interferometry Expertise
Diffraction International is not just a supplier of interferometry software and hardware. We are the leader in designing and implementing aspheric null tests for precision optics manufacturers worldwide. We understand interferometry and use Durango Interferometry Software ourselves, almost every day, to perform exacting optical metrology.
Because we are not an interferometer supplier, we can maintain collaborative relationships with multiple interferometer hardware manufacturers. We can connect you with appropriate sources of new or used interferometers or offer advice on building your own interferometer.
Download Policy
To download and review our competitor's product, you must submit your name, affiliation, job title, address, email, phone and fax to obtain a username and password.
To download Durango Interferometry Software, we require only your name and e-mail address. We are confident that you will be favorably impressed when you install Durango on your computer and explore the sample data files. If you have questions, we are always available by phone or e-mail.