Which oscilloscope? / General Science and Electronics / Forums

Forums

4hv.org :: Forums :: General Science and Electronics

« Previous topic | Next topic »

Which oscilloscope?

1 2 3 4 next last

Move Thread

LAN_403

PhilGood

Sun Jul 08 2012, 12:54PM

Registered Member #3806 Joined: Sat Apr 02 2011, 09:20PM
Location: France
Posts: 259

Hey All,

I would like to buy a scope, (I never used one).
A real digital lab scope is too expensive for me ($500 to $1000)

I saw on Ebay handheld DSO scopes, some of them seem to have decent performances and nice features, prices are from $100 to $300.

For exemple:

$176.80 - DSO203 Nano V2/Quad Pocket Digital-Oscilloscope (30MHz(?) - 2 analog + 2 digital channels)

What do you think of these devices ? Are they reliable ?

Do they meet our needs for:
- Tesla Coiling, all kinds of coils (with appropriate probes if required)
- Logic/software dubuging like Arduino projects?

I feel a bit lost there, any advice would be much appreciated :)

LuceÅ¡

Sun Jul 08 2012, 02:47PM

Registered Member #4108 Joined: Sun Sept 25 2011, 11:43PM
Location:
Posts: 149

I realy like look of the handheld one

Although durability might be an issue. It looks like it has alot of features for a pretty cheap price.
I have a really old scope with lamps in it, the X-axis frequency is not metered so it is imposible to calculate the frequency, and it only has 1 channel, I payed $50 for mine. I think as long as you are careful the scope on ebay would be a good option.

mikeselectricstuff

Sun Jul 08 2012, 04:00PM

Registered Member #311 Joined: Sun Mar 12 2006, 08:28PM
Location:
Posts: 253

Bear in mind that with 72MSPS sample rate it won't be much use above about 5MHz

Ash Small

Sun Jul 08 2012, 07:29PM

Registered Member #3414 Joined: Sun Nov 14 2010, 05:05PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4245

I picked up a 40 year old (1975) UK Tektronics (Telequipment D61a) 'scope on Ebay for Â£20.

It was a bit of a gamble, but it works ok and is good for 10MHz and has two channels.

These were designed for TV testing in the '70s, and there are plenty around quite cheap these days.

I figured if I blow it up, or if it packs up, and I can't fix it, it's only Â£20, but it's lasted me three years so far....................

Paul_J.

Sun Jul 08 2012, 09:11PM

Registered Member #5436 Joined: Sun Jun 24 2012, 01:44AM
Location:
Posts: 39

Hi,

I would recomend a good 1970s,1980s scope, not a cheap Chinese one. I, for example, have a HP 1740a which I bought for about $100. Its a 2 channel, 100 MHz scope. Also, all the old tek scopes are very good, however I would not recomend ash small's choice. The 465 is a good, sold choice, and has only discrete components, no ICs. If you want something newer, the 23xxx series is also great, but has Tek special ICs which you will never be able to find replacements for.

Ash Small

Sun Jul 08 2012, 09:46PM

Registered Member #3414 Joined: Sun Nov 14 2010, 05:05PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4245

Paul_J. wrote ...

I would not recomend ash small's choice. The 465 is a good, sold choice, and has only discrete components, no ICs.

Here is the service manual/operating manual for the D61a. It has no IC's, only discretes.

]d61a.pdf[/file]

I don't understand Paul's comment, unless he's referring to the fact that it only has a 10MHz range.

EDIT: I was pointing out that you can get a useful 'scope for peanuts.

2Spoons

Sun Jul 08 2012, 10:17PM

Registered Member #2939 Joined: Fri Jun 25 2010, 04:25AM
Location:
Posts: 615

If that thing runs on batteries I see that as a major plus. That mains ground connection on most scopes can be a real PITA. One of the guys here at work has some experience with these types of chinese scopes, and thought they were good for the money. Bear in mind they are CHEAP - don't expect miracles.

Paul_J.

Mon Jul 09 2012, 01:18AM

Registered Member #5436 Joined: Sun Jun 24 2012, 01:44AM
Location:
Posts: 39

Hi ash,

Yes, I was referring to the 10Mhz range. To make accurate measurements, you should only measure signals 1/10 the bandwidth.

Patrick

Mon Jul 09 2012, 02:27AM

Registered Member #2431 Joined: Tue Oct 13 2009, 09:47PM
Location: Chico, CA. USA
Posts: 5639

for noobs, sampling rate seems to be the goofing point.

PhilGood

Mon Jul 09 2012, 04:37AM

Registered Member #3806 Joined: Sat Apr 02 2011, 09:20PM
Location: France
Posts: 259

Thanks all for your advices and comments

I understand that a good old 70'-80' scope is a lot more stronger and suitable especially when working with high voltages and strong em fields.

But there isn't much choice in France, at least on Ebay, and they are often overpriced...

mikeselectricstuff wrote ...

Bear in mind that with 72MSPS sample rate it won't be much use above about 5MHz

yep, I had a doubt about announced bandwidth

2Spoons wrote ...

If that thing runs on batteries I see that as a major plus. That mains ground connection on most scopes can be a real PITA...

That's true, there's a nice tutorial about ground problems with scopes here:

Well, the good thing with this chinese scope is it will be always available and can only improve, so I can take some time to think about it

Btw I found the same one, with a black aluminium case instead of a plastic case, for $10 more :

PS: What do you think of this one : Tektronix 5441, very good condition, 170â‚¬

Seems really cheap for such a scope (well actually 170â‚¬ is not the price but the higher bid, bids end in 12 hours)

1 2 3 4 next last

Moderator(s): Chris Russell, Noelle, Alex, Tesladownunder, Dave Marshall, Dave Billington, Bjørn, Steve Conner, Wolfram, Kizmo, Mads Barnkob