Joe - How often is it faster to go from NY to Chicago "directly" vs. going via Atlanta? I put "directly" in quotes - because, as you know, anything going over the internet isn't going directly anywhere, and could go via just about anywhere at anytime.
Yes - you are right that's why one set of logs isn't going to tell you squat. It really is very variable. How often? That usually depends on how much volume is being traded at any given time. But you can see from any given day's volume peaks when and where the delays are likely to have been. How much slower/faster? That was a shocker to me. We once had a lag of 10 minutes (that's not a typo) between a quote being delivered to one of the CSV's screens. That, of course, was exceptional and lead to their heated meeting with the CME. Things have improved since those days but there are still some times when the quotes are behind by a minute or two and a few seconds off is more common. Again, this isn't going to matter to about 99% of traders but it is so.
If you KNOW that it's horseshit and that your quotes can never be sixty seconds behind the market, then it must be so. There is no point in pursuing this discussion.
I for one thank Joe D for the info. All points he makes are valid, and very well articulated to boot.
Joe D, I have used esignal for a month, alongside two other different real-time quote systems for ES. I never saw esignal experience a severe lag such as 60 seconds. That type of lag would be completely unacceptable on a reoccuring basis. If there system has a glitch, perhaps it may go down or lag -- but on a reoccuring basis? How many people use esignal and wouldn't there have been issues brougth forward about this? What is your proof about the 60 second delay? I would be very interested in hearing about this. aphie
Aphie, A month isn't a long enough sample. Also the primary issue JoeD raises is execution speed, not quotes. If one is going to truly "scalp" or trade size, where speed and cost are paramount, then there is no argument against Globex direct being the only way to go. IB is great for me, but not nirvana for all traders or methods.
What other quote systems? Have you even funded an account yet? Why do you think he owes you proof?. If your going to jump in and trade fast markets, I hope you will do your own testing and make sure you have the fastest connection available. I've used esignal, qcharts and future source. During heavy volume, they can all lag Jtrader. Sometimes by a surprising long time. I'm glad Joe D shared the results he found, it was interesting, and brought up good points to consider.
1. Does GL have charting capability? Quotes are hard to use if not displayed on charts. 2. Does it support multiple accounts? Thanks.