I have one of the Saleae devices, and it is wonderful. I still like (and sometimes really need) my more traditional full-size equipment, but the Saleae was inexpensive and it's easy to whip out and hook up to something.

I don't know if they still have a hobbyist discount, but when I bought mine they knocked a good chunk off the price after I emailed them and told them my plans for it as a tinkerer.