Ensign with FXCM data feed

[torero]

Does anyone have experience he/she can share on using this software with forex data feed? I'm in the middle of finding a second source of data feed and charting in case TS goes down. Or if you have experience with Ensign only, please provide feedback as well. Much appreciated.

[Szymon]

	Quote:	torero
	Does anyone have experience he/she can share on using this software with forex data feed? I'm in the middle of finding a second source of data feed and charting in case TS goes down. Or if you have experience with Ensign only, please provide feedback as well. Much appreciated.

Hi Torero,

Why don't you try this link, it is from prorealtime.com and it's very reliable,free and a good backup datafeed in case the main one fails.

http://www.cbfx.com/charts/itfinance.asp

I have been using this for the last 2 years.

Regards

Szymon

[torero]

Thanks, it's very good for free. But I'm looking for a tick chart as well. Good to know there's a free chart out there.

[smwinc]

	Quote:	torero
	Does anyone have experience he/she can share on using this software with forex data feed? I'm in the middle of finding a second source of data feed and charting in case TS goes down. Or if you have experience with Ensign only, please provide feedback as well. Much appreciated.

Ensign with the FXCM data feed works fine. Smooth with good historical data. All currencies crosses I can think of are available. All chart types are available. I.e. Range bars, Volume bars, Time charts, Tick Charts.

I have used Ensign for a few years now. I have a friend who has used it for over 10 years. I am not affiliated with them nor know the creators personally.

Howard (the creator) is a great guy, and available to answer emails and the phone.

It is VERY rare to be able to contact the programmer of your software when you have a problem on the phone.

These guys are the real deal. Updates every day, regular tutorials in the chat sessions, very flexible programming language (the "DYO" and ESPL language) and very low CPU usage, interfaces with a wide range of data feeds.

I have used both Esignal and CQG. Without doubt, Ensign IS more powerful than both of them.

I have workspaces with 20 + symbols (charts), custom studies, etc. If you are after sophisticated and flexible charting, then it's Ensign.

If you have specific questions feel free to send me a PM.

[torero]

Sure thanks for the detailed feedback. I had just signed up last week and so far, I'm very positive. I haven't used extensively just yet, just setting up things I had on TS. But so far I've noticed the feed is actually more accurate than TS, despite it being from FXCM. As a data feed it's very good as a broker, it's another nasty story.

I shopped around looking for tick charts, it came down to RT Investor and Ensign. I ruled out eSignal because they are expensive when I only wanted forex quotes (it's premium). Ensign price was reasonable and support is actually very good, has its own chat room for support. RT Investor was a bit complicated with their data feed partners.

In the end, I got it down to $39/month vs. $99/month, can't beat that when everything I need is the same from both. I plan to get some of the codes I did on TS and recode them into Ensign. The best part is the videos to get to know the software instead of manuals of text. Great idea!

[torero]

Looks like I might staying with this platform after all. FXCM has volume on forex similar to eSignal. Double-checked with PP's charts and seems the same! Cool!

[smwinc]

	Quote:	torero
	Looks like I might staying with this platform after all. FXCM has volume on forex similar to eSignal. Double-checked with PP's charts and seems the same! Cool!

Just a heads up with Ensign, I believe for FXCM data it plots the mid point between bid and ask on the chart. It seems most software does it differently.

With the volume, remember that it's the change in ticks, not "real" forex volume. I don't know of any retail brokers who have real (reliable) volume for the forex markets.

SMW

[Anonymous]

Torero;

I am a big fan of this software. I love to go to dacharts and see all the charts posted by Ensign users. Most of them have too much stuff on them for my tastes (indicators) but they are cool to look at. I like MetaStock because the programming language is so easy. I would rather learn how to trade than learn how to program software. Let me know what think about the programming features the software has.

[torero]

I double-checked the volume, it's almost exactly as PP's eSignal. Also, I saw the change in the tick, volume jumps 10 to 20 then 5 to whatever on each of the tick change so might be different than what I imagine. Also, I checked the last price, it's about 1-2 pips off from MBTrading quotes, much better than what I see with TS quotes, freaking 3-4 off (Gain Capital feed I believe).

PP, I don't plan on doing too much programming, just enough to port over some codes I have from TS to Ensign. I trade with bare essentials but they are simple codes anyway. So far, I'm happy with Ensign.

[Poocher]

To get a feel for the evolution of the implementation of the FXCM data feed into Ensign check out the class transcripts that refer to FXCM in the titles starting from January 2007:

http://www.dacharts.org/archives/Ens...s_transcripts/