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First Oscilloscope - Any advice?

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LAN_403

Xplorer

Tue Sept 07 2010, 06:43AM

Registered Member #2416 Joined: Sun Oct 04 2009, 04:23AM
Location: Oceanside, CA
Posts: 91

Looking to buy a new Oscilloscope, and this will be my first one. I don't think I need anything crazy but I definitely want it to be at least 2 channels, and I'd prefer the newer LCD digital kind. My budget is $300. I know that doesn't give me many options if I want a new one but I'm pretty set one that, I don't want a used one. Basically I'd like to know what to look for for the "high voltage experimenters" scope. I'm pretty novice when it comes to them so I just want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything. What functions do you guys often find useful in a scope for HV related projects and such. What brands do you like/recommend? Any info and links are greatly appreciated.

I came across this one and it looks pretty good, let me know what you think.

Thanks guys!

-Tony

Mads Barnkob

Tue Sept 07 2010, 07:57AM

Registered Member #1403 Joined: Tue Mar 18 2008, 06:05PM
Location: Denmark, Odense C
Posts: 1968

Xplorer wrote ...

Looking to buy a new Oscilloscope, and this will be my first one. I don't think I need anything crazy but I definitely want it to be at least 2 channels, and I'd prefer the newer LCD digital kind. My budget is $300. I know that doesn't give me many options if I want a new one but I'm pretty set one that, I don't want a used one. Basically I'd like to know what to look for for the "high voltage experimenters" scope. I'm pretty novice when it comes to them so I just want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything. What functions do you guys often find useful in a scope for HV related projects and such. What brands do you like/recommend? Any info and links are greatly appreciated.

I came across this one and it looks pretty good, let me know what you think.

Thanks guys!

-Tony

The one you linked to got a rather low real time sampling rate, if I were you I would save up another 100$ and get this:

I got that Rigol DS1052E scope and I like its features to the price, there is a handful of other Rigol owners on this forum besides me.

I have never and properly never will connect my DSO to a highvoltage probe, I got a old analog scope for those kind of more risky business where small mistakes would kill the scope. I primarily uses my DSO for building the drivers etc for tesla coils etc.

I am currently in search of some good current transformers to plug to my scope when I begin to test my drsstc, that would be the first for my DSO in measuring on circuits with voltages present near that are over 24vdc.

Bottomline is, the Rigol is not a cheap piece of crap, but a fast scope compared to the small price.

IntraWinding

Tue Sept 07 2010, 02:47PM

Registered Member #2261 Joined: Mon Aug 03 2009, 01:19AM
Location: London, UK
Posts: 581

Watch this. It's more expensive than you have in mind, but it's a good sign post to help you make a choice
Rigol DS1052E Oscilloscope Review

radiotech

Tue Sept 07 2010, 03:40PM

Registered Member #2463 Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546

Looking to buy a new Oscilloscope,

Have you ever owned or used a scope before? If not, suggest you get an OLD tube scope (virtually indestructable) and learn exactly how the display is produced and some things about magnetic and electrostatic fields .

Sulaiman

Tue Sept 07 2010, 05:34PM

Registered Member #162 Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3140

I realise that you want a nice new lcd 'scope
BUT
if you can find a used analogue 'scope cheap then buy that first.
Almost any working 'scope will do.
Even the cheapest go to >> 1 MHz.

This will give you time to learn what's important to you in your new 'scope AND you can re-sell it later
(but I bet you'll keep it for 'hazardous' duty - to 'save' the nice one)

For high voltage work 'scope bandwidth is rarely an issue,
probe voltage rating and bandwidth are more likely to be the limitations, so start looking for high voltage high frequency probes to buy or construct.

doctor electrons

Tue Sept 07 2010, 09:35PM

Registered Member #2390 Joined: Sat Sept 26 2009, 02:04PM
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Posts: 381

I actually have the owon scope from your first post. I use it all the time at home and at work, no problems!
The model i have also has the fft function (spectrum analyzer, under math functions) (fast foyer transform).
The only down side to this scope is the screen. Not exceptionally bright, but very readable. Its a scope, not a hidef
television. For a starter scope this will work fine for you. The price is right to! I also bought the lithium ion battery
for this scope. I get about 4 to 5 hrs of continuous use out of it before it needs to be plugged in. I guess the real question
is "What are you going to use it for?" That will determine if it will work for you.
Edited: Oh yea! The max voltage is 300vpp on this model, so if you are only using it like i think you will, its fine.

Xplorer

Wed Sept 08 2010, 12:12AM

Registered Member #2416 Joined: Sun Oct 04 2009, 04:23AM
Location: Oceanside, CA
Posts: 91

Thanks for the replies guys! It seems I need to research their features a bit more to understand what I'm buying, as wells as figure out what I'll need the scope for. I've only taken on a few projects in which a scope would have come in handy. That's why I don't want to spend too much on one. However, I know that will change soon, especially when I get into my EE classes.

-Tony

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