I need an oscilloscope

[srmofo]

for auto repair. Im at an independent repair shop so I get anything and everything from land rovers (rare) to cobalts. Im in chevy/ford land mostly, but we have many stores and theres always a possibility I could be moved to bmw/lexus/porsche-ville.

Whats the big thing right now? bang for the buck?

I would like it to be 4 channel.

I like this idea but I would have to run it with a laptop and the price is kinda steep considering I provide my own screen.
http://www.picoauto.com/diagnostic-kits.html

Ive also looked at the solarity

I have a genysis now and I hate it, the last thing I want to do is tie myself to it further so the otc module is out.

 

[Stick]

Not 4 channel, but I've got a Vantage Pro that I love, especially when you pair it with low and high amp probes. Setup is straightforward, enter in your vehicle you are working on, select the component you want to test, and it gives you connector pinouts and locations, and usually an example signal to compare to. You can also go straight to the scope menu, set up a test yourself, and set the channel to automatic to get the signal on screen and adjust from there. I've only found a couple times that I wish I had two more channels, but if you are set on four, a used Modis runs about $3k on ebay, and Vantage Pros run $900-1200 or so.

The Pico is a pretty sweet piece of equipment, and I've heard nothing but good things about them. Pair the interface with a cheap $300 netbook and it's reasonably portable (I've even seen the interface velcroed to the back of the screen). You can demo the Pico software before you buy it, just download it from the website.

If I had to do it over again, I'm not sure what I'd pick. The Snap-on stuff is nice, and works well together, and connector views and locations are nice, but the Pico is a far more advanced scope with a more complex interface to match. If you ever go as far as sharing captures, the Pico wins hands down. Whatever you pick, avoid OTC equipment, they don't even begin to compare to anyone else. We have the scope module for the genesis at my shop, and I'd grab a meter and trouble trees before I'd work with that piece of ****. It's why I bought my Vantage Pro.

How much scope work have you done, if any?

 

[srmofo]

How much scope work have you done, if any?

None on autos, but I keep finding more and more instances where I need a scope and while I can kinda cheat on certain things by switching to AC and watching for a signal I have no idea what the signal looks like, only that it is there.

CAN is also starting to creep in, but since Im at an independent, the newer stuff takes a few years before I see it to perform any repairs because of warranties.

Im not dead set on a 4 channel I just figured while Im buying expensive equipment I might as well get something I dont have to upgrade later down the road. And as far as my next scanner, I think Im set on the auto-eginuity, which will require a laptop, so the pico might be the right choice as long as its not over complicated.

 

[jwx]

I've used PICO stuff before, and it is VERY NICE. If you have the money for it, I'd say buy it.

Last shop type place I worked in had a two channel model, and it was more than enough for most things on a car. The only problems we had were when we were proto-typing EMS stuff, as it would have been helpful to have the ability to monitor more than two things at a time.

 

[babzog]

Forgive the clueless noob question, but, what would you use a scope to diagnose on a car?

For interest's sake, Canadian government surplus has a boatload of older scopes and other misc equipment on offer right now. Min bid $500.

 

[Griff93]

I have two techtronics lab scopes that I use. They make a smaller portable 12V powered lab scope. If you can use a real lab scope then these are the way to go. There's tons of them around left over from the electronics manufacturing business. They can usually be had for around $100-150. Sometimes less. Most are only two channel though. What do you want to use 4 channel for? I've been using a scope doing auto repair for 6 or 7 years and I've yet to run into a need for a 4 channel scope. Two channel is really nice for comparing the signals of stuff sometimes.

 

[scofo]

I've got a Solarity and a older Vantage. The Vantage is used very often. The Solarity was a bad investment in hindsight, screen too small and long boot time. Have not used a Vantage Pro, but the first one I plaved with had a somewhat long boot time.The old Vantage turns on right away and goes to work.

If it dies I'll go Pico or something laptop based. I'm sick of paying big money for tiny screens.

Like the little inspection cameras all the tool guys sell. I want one with a USB plug and software, I'll take care of the monitor.

 

[Stick]

Forgive the clueless noob question, but, what would you use a scope to diagnose on a car?

Anything electrical or computer controlled. You can do relative cylinder compression tests in about 30 seconds, charging system analysis, check injectors, primary ignition, what's actually coming out of sensors, etc.

Once I get off work, I'll try to dig up some captures and try to explain what's going on in them.

 

[babzog]

^^ Cool! That would be very interesting to see!

 

[terabyte]

Anything electrical or computer controlled. You can do relative cylinder compression tests in about 30 seconds, charging system analysis, check injectors, primary ignition, what's actually coming out of sensors, etc.

Once I get off work, I'll try to dig up some captures and try to explain what's going on in them.

That would be cool. If you could explain how to use the tool to perform some tests it would be much appreciated. I'm trying to get into designing electronic circuits for fun also and I have been looking into a scope. I would NOT get a laptop one. They are clunky and a pain to deal with.

If you think 60mhz is enough for work you are going to do on a car this seems to be one of the better deals right now.
http://www.tequipment.net/InstekGDS-1062A.html
2giga sample and 2 mega record length which i understand helps makeup for the somewhat lower bandwidth.

If you want 100mhz get this; http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.30573 even though its 50mhz there is a firmware hack you can do to overclock it to run as if it were the 100mhz model.

Rigol review -

Rigol teardown - http://www.eevblog.com/2009/10/12/eevblog-37-rigol-ds1052e-oscilloscope-teardown/
Rigol 100mhz hack -

 

[srmofo]

Anything electrical or computer controlled. You can do relative cylinder compression tests in about 30 seconds, charging system analysis, check injectors, primary ignition, what's actually coming out of sensors, etc.

Once I get off work, I'll try to dig up some captures and try to explain what's going on in them.

Another cool thing is #1 ign wire and the amp probe to the starter wire. Its a great way to diagnose a mechanical failure inside. You can watch the current draw of the starter and determine which cylinder has the has the miss by synching the 2 signals. and if you have a well enough trained eye you can also determine if the issue is intake or exhaust just from the pattern.

I also want to get the fluke pressure transducer, That thing is badass.

 

[terabyte]

catch any of those videos?

 

[srmofo]

I honestly didnt even see them the first time around, Ill watch them now.

-WOW- thats a hell of package right there and the price is hard to beat especially for some quality internal components. Im going to compare some specs tonight and see if will work for me. Ive got a buddy that builds all of sorts of electrical circuits, Im still a newb at this type of stuff, besides the little bit Ive picked up at training seminars. Thanks for the links