Should I Trade-in my ActiveTwo for the Active3 or convert to the Active2.5?

The ActiveTwo (produced until 2024) was made with MK2 electrode connectors.
Unfortunately, the company producing those connectors (Tyco) stopped producing them.
As a result, BioSemi was forced to use the MK3 type connector for all new systems (Active2.5 and Active3)
Electrode sets with MK2 connectors (ActiveTwo) will no longer be available from winter 2026.
Also: upgrades for ActiveTwo and Active2.5 systems (extra channels, extra sensor inputs, conversion to daisy or high-speed, etc.) are no longer available from start 2026.
- ActiveTwo systems with serial ADC16 or higher can be kept operational in their present configuration until 2035, provided they are converted to Active2.5 (for use with Active3 electrode sets).
- Systems with serial ADC15 and lower (produced before 2010) are not supported anymore (only neccesary repairs will be offered, but no upgrades)
- All ActiveTwo systems - regardless of age and condition - can be traded-in for a new Active3 system with a 40% discount (discount percentage may decrease after end 2026).

 
ActiveTwo: Serial ADC15 or older
ActiveTwo/Active2.5: serial ADC16 or newer
Active3
Conversion to Active2.5 possible?
No Yes (untill 2030)  
Trade-in for Active3 possible?
Yes Yes  
Repairs offered?
Untill end of stock Yes (untill 2035) Yes
Install extra channels
No No Yes
Install extra sensor inputs inside AD-box
No No 6 AUX inputs are already pre-installed

Replacement sensor cords
Untill end of stock Untill end of stock Yes
Replacement electrode sets
Untill end of stock Yes, provided converted to Active2.5 Yes
Replacement Batteries, optical fiber and Charger
Yes (untill 2035) Yes (untill 2035) Yes

 



We offer 2 good upgrade paths:

Trade-in for: Active3 (Trade-in your ActiveTwo or Active2.5 and get 40% discount on an Active3 Base system and same number of channels)

- Latest AD-box technology
- Support and ActiView software updates for at least the next 10 years.
- Trade-in gives 40% discount on an Active3 Base system with the same amount of channels as the traded-in system.
- Trade-in offer remains valid untill end 2027 (discount percentage may decrease after end 2026)

Currently, we offer a very attractive trade-in for all our users: a trade-in of their old system for the new Active3 system.
With this 'swap', the old system (ActiveOne, ActiveTwo, Active2.5) needs to be returned to BioSemi in exchange for a new Active3 system with 40% discount.
Because most MK2 electrode sets are not compatible with the Active3, you probably also would need to buy new electrode sets. Check compatibility here.
Your current headcaps, you can continue to use.
The following 3 examples you can use for a rough estimate of the price for a Trade-in with different configurations:

Trade-in 32+8: If you currently have a system with 32+8 channels, then you will get a 40% discount with a trade-in for an Active3 system with 32+8 channels.
An Active3 Base system with 32+8 channels is priced at 20.000 Euro. With the 40% trade-in discount, that price becomes 12.000 Euro.
You probably also would need new electrode sets (1280 Euro each)
If your system currently has extra sensor inputs (respiration belt, photosensor, plethysmograph etc) then you would also need to buy Active3 versions of those sensors.
Trade-in 64+8: If you currently have a system with 64+8 channels, then you will get a 40% discount with a trade-in for an Active3 system with 64+8 channels.
An Active3 Base system with 64+8 channels is priced at 26.400 Euro. With the 40% trade-in discount, that price becomes 15.840 Euro.
You probably also would need new electrode sets (1280 Euro each)
If your system currently has extra sensor inputs (respiration belt, photosensor, plethysmograph etc) then you would also need to buy Active3 versions of those sensors.
Trade-in 128+8: If you currently have a system with 128+8 channels, then you will get a 40% discount with a trade-in for an Active3 system with 128+8 channels.
An Active3 Base system with 128+8 channels is priced at 39.200 Euro. With the 40% trade-in discount, that price becomes 23.520 Euro.
You probably also would need new electrode sets (1280 Euro each)
If your system currently has extra sensor inputs (respiration belt, photosensor, plethysmograph etc) then you would also need to buy Active3 versions of those sensors.

With the return of the old system, we will give a 40% discount on the purchase of a new Active3 Base system, including the same number of modules as the traded-in system (but not on the electrode sets and headcaps). After you let BioSemi know which electrode sets and which headcaps you need, we can make a quotation for you.
Existing headcaps can be used with the Active3, but most older electrode sets are not compatible with the Active3 system.
You can check if your electrode sets are compatible with the Active3 system here.

If you decide for a Trade-in for Active3, then let BioSemi know if you need additional sensor cables for your Active3:
- ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) input and electrode set 1600 Euro)
- Audio Optical A3. The Optical interface gives the possibility to connect mains powered signals to the Ergo inputs. (1000 Euro)
- GSR (500 Euro)
- HyperScanning (500 Euro per AD-box)
- Microphone (200 Euro)
- Photo sensor (200 Euro)
- Plethysmograph sensor. Finger clip model (200 Euro)
- Respiration belt (500 Euro)
- Response switches (200 Euro each)
- Temperature sensor (200 Euro)

The 6 AUX inputs on the Active3 AD-box are pre-installed and auto-detect, so any combination of sensors may be connected (for example: 6 GSR cords, or 2 Respiration belts and 4 Temperature sensors)

 

Convert to: Active2.5 (possible for ActiveTwo systems with serial ADC16 or newer)

- Active2.5 system is technically the same as the ActiveTwo system, it just has a new housing and MK3 connectors.
- Cheaper than a Trade-in for an Active3
- Less advanced system than the Active3
- Total costs 1500 Euro
- Not upgradeable with extra channels or extra sensor inputs (for example: not possible to add a new Respiration input to an Active2.5 AD-box)
- Servicing, repairs, electrode sets, replacement sensors and repair parts (batteries, optical in and outputs, etc.) will remain available until at least 2035.
- Upgrades (extra channels, extra sensor inputs, high-speed etc) are no longer available for the ActiveTwo and the Active2.5 -

The conversion of an ActiveTwo system to an Active2.5 system involves the following:
- Change all MK2 connectors to MK3 connectors (new TOP PCB and new housing for AD-box)
- Change all MK2 connectors of your electrode sets to MK3 connectors (only possible for electrode sets with red PCB's)
- Remove the CMSDRL from every A-set and supply a CMSDRL PIN cable for every A-set where we removed the CMSDRL from.
The 1500 Euro includes all the above, regardless of how many electrode sets need to be converted to MK3 connectors.
Only electrode sets with red PCB's can be converted to MK3 connectors. Electrode sets with green PCB's can not be converted to MK3 connectors.
If you currently have many electrode sets with green PCB's, then first use those electrode sets until they are finished before converting to Active2.5 or Trading-in for an Active3.

The Active2.5 system (and also the new Active3 system) do not support electrode sets with integrated CMSDRL.
So if an A-set that you currently are using in your ActiveTwo system has an integrated CMSDRL, then we will remove the CMSDRL and supply a separate "CMSDRL PIN A2" cord free of charge. The conversion to Active2.5 takes about 2 weeks.

We will keep on servicing ActiveTwo and Active2.5 systems as usual. But many upgrade parts already are and in the future will no longer be available for those older systems:
https://www.biosemi.com/accessoires_A2.htm.

 

 
How about the CMSDRL? (integrated in the A-set, or with a separate cable on the front)

The Active2 offered the possibility to have the CMSDRL electrodes to be integrated in the A-set, or to have the CMSDRL as a separate cord.
The active2.5 and Active3 systems can only accept the CMSDRL as a separate cord.
When you decide to have BioSemi convert your Active2 to an Active2.5 system, then BioSemi will also replace all the MK2 connectors of your electrode sets with the new MK3 connectors. If an electrode set currently has the CMSDRL integrated in the A-set, then we will cut-off those electrodes and provide a separate CMSDRL PIN cord. If you want to convert your Active2 AD-box into an Active2.5, then your ActiveTwo AD-box should have a CMSDRL input on the front, because with the Active2.5 (and also with the new Active3) it is no longer possible to have an A-set with integrated CMSDRL. The whole conversion is done for a fixed price of 1500 Euro, regardless how many electrode sets need to be converted to MK3 connectors.
Ordercode for Active 3: CMSDRL PIN A3 Has P4 connector on top of AD-box EUR 200,- available
Ordercode for Active 3: CMSDRL FLAT A3 Has P4 connector on top of AD-box EUR 200,- available
Ordercode for ActiveTwo and Active2.5: CMSDRL PIN A2 & A2.5 Has DIN4 connector on front of AD-box EUR 200,- available
Ordercode for ActiveTwo and Active2.5: CMSDRL FLAT A2 & A2.5 Has DIN4 connector on front of AD-box EUR 200,- available
This link shows the differences between the Active3, Active2.5 and the ActiveTwo systems.
 
 
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