TradeStation: How well it keeps up with real time data feed is a function of # of symbols in the portfolio, size of memory, speed of computer, speed of hard disk, video card performance and any data compression from the real time feed (DBC Signal over cable used to and may still compress data for less liquid securities to conserve bandwidth - they had to settle a lawsuit related to this). Suffice to say unless you run a 2000 symbol portfolio on a 486 you will be able to find an acceptable trade off.
The number of windows/pages you can have open is a function of memory.
I was with DBC Signal/Cable, have switched to BMI/Satellite (BMI is a division of DBC now), would also consider SP/Comstock Satellite.
I am currently running my charts on a GW2k P5-180mmx (P5-90 w/mmx overdrive to 180) and 64megs of memory. Will soon buy a PII-300 or higher with 128megs and scsi hard drive.
Only downside is a trader also needs Nasdaq Level II - which is not something that I think anybody has figured out how to present graphically, and probably just doesn't integrate with charting even intraday. That is my current techie project: picking a Level II provider. Any recommendations on level II would be greatly appreciated.
On the Omega homepage, you can download their freeware which is a stripped down TradeStation. Also, DBC and BMI will (at least they did recently) ship you the Wall Street Analyst/SE CD (aforementioned freeware) with a datafeed trial.
I have been running tradstation since 3/95, plan to continue. I can't speak to whether or not TS is suited to you and your trading, please make you own analysis and decision.
If you are heavy into options, you might want OptionStation rather than TradeStation ... but I am fuzzy on whether or not OptionStation is a stand-alone or an add-on to TS.
If you get a lessor package, you may find yourself considering upgrading to TS. If you go with TS, you can't blame the chart package for your trading. Good luck! |
