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Any expert of oscilloscope?

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volunteers

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I will add a new oscilloscope to the lab and the budge is $800-$1000 for this unit. Any suggestion?

I also plan to add DC power supply, functional generator and others for the electronics lab. Any suggestions or the links are appreciated.
 
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firworks

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What are you planning to do with it? What kinds of measurements do you need to take? For a basic hobbyist 800-1000$ is a pretty high budget. For a research lab, it's a pretty low budget. Are you planning to work at a bench only? Will you want to take measurements on engines / ECMs and have it be portable or ruggedized?
 
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volunteers

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firworks said:
What are you planning to do with it? What kinds of measurements do you need to take? For a basic hobbyist 800-1000$ is a pretty high budget. For a research lab, it's a pretty low budget. Are you planning to work at a bench only? Will you want to take measurements on engines / ECMs and have it be portable or ruggedized?
Click to expand...
It's bench oscilloscope only for hobbyist, the measurement targets are home consumer electronics, such as developer board.

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dogdog

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Not expert but I bought mine from these ppl...
http://www.tequipment.net/oscilloscopes/

Rigol seems to be the more popular brand for hobbyist... I jump on to that band wagon... I think the past few years , almost all major brand have these lower grade produced now.

I got my 2072Z (2 channel 70 MHZ ) from them pretty good so far... more functions than I ever needed....and all features unlocked running 200MHZ (not sure if the unlock still works).... but would have done me better with a 4 channel 100MHZ 1104Z... their 1054Z seems to be more popular for hobbyist for about $400.... ( 4 channel 50MHZ)

I think they also offers a 10% discount if you are member of EEVBlog, if you find that code some where on their forum...

or if you wanted the old fashion CRT models , you can search through ebay for a good used tektronix ones, I think certain vendors (south of NJ area) sells it as calibrated... for about $400-ish to $500 ish....
 
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American Locomotive

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The Rigol 1054Z is basically the hobbyist-standard oscilloscope now. $400, 4-channels 50 MHz with a ton of features. It shook up the industry pretty hard.
 
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theoldwizard1

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Rigol is BY FAR, the Best Bang For The Buck ! Specifically the DS1054Z. 4 channels, 50 Mhz bandwidth. Under $400 ! Can be easily hacked to 70 MHz or 100 Mhz.

The bad part is, it uses a 8 bit A-to-D with a sample rate of 1 Gs/sec over all 4 channels. I would like to see a 10 or 12 bit converter and for a 100 Mhz (front end) 'scope I think you really need 1 Gs/Sec per channel.

EDIT: Be careful on any DSO that claim 10 or 12 bit accuracy ! Many are using 8 bit A-to-D converters and are "over sampling" to achieve their claim 10 or 12 bit accuracy.
 
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CoogarXR

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I bought a used Tektronix. It's an older CRT-based unit. But I don't use it a whole lot, so it doesn't matter much. It's a 2-channel 100mhz. I think I paid about $250 for it on ebay.
 
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Codejack

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Wow.

I am actually a (ex-)professional electronics tech and physicist with a concentration in electronics.... and I can't remember the last time I touched an o-scope. Last year of college, probably.

If I were going to buy one in the price range you specified, though, I would probably go with a USB unit:

http://www.analogarts.com/products/usb-oscilloscope/sa985-1-ghz-bandwidth-oscilloscope

264205449.jpg


USB%20Oscilloscope%20Analog%20Arts%20SL987,%20Spectral%20analysis%20of%20a%20modulated%20signal%20using%20the%20zoom%20view.jpg



2 channels
1 GHz analog input bandwidth
100 GS/s effective sampling rate, 250 MHz real sampling rate (125 MHz/ channel)
Rise time: 500 pS
1 nS to 365 days/division (data logger)
Vertical Division: 20 mV to 20 V (10x probe), 2 mV to 2 V (1x probe)
Input Range: ±80 mV to ±80 V (10x probe), ±8 mV to ±8 V (1x probe)
10-bit ADC
1 Megabyte data record length
Custom API to control all features
No external power supply required
Intuitive application software with an assortment of features
Size: 3X5 inches, 7.5X12.5 cm - Weight: 8.5 oz, 240 g
Upgrade options: AW Function Generator, Logic Analyzer & Pattern Generator
Click to expand...


Of course, most of the things that I would be using it for I would want data logging for analysis, later.
 
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firworks

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I have a Siglent SDS1102X. I got it because in watching many video reviews of it and the Rigol DS1054Z it looked a lot quicker and less laggy. I don't really have a great need for 4 channels, so it suited me just fine. I think I got it for around 350$, and most of the year they run a deal where you get the decode options (CAN, LIN, RS232) free with purchase.
 
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tym

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volunteers said:
It's bench oscilloscope only for hobbyist, the measurement targets are home consumer electronics, such as developer board.

Sent from my LON-L29 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I think you could find a used Tektronix 'scope for a reasonable price. Two-channel, digital storage, 100 MHz should cover most hobbyist uses.

Don't forget the probes.

I got a 4-ch analog Tek 'scope for free once. It was going to be thrown away and worked perfectly! Still have it. I think I turn it on about once a year. ;-)
 
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exmaxima1

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tym said:
I think you could find a used Tektronix 'scope for a reasonable price. Two-channel, digital storage, 100 MHz should cover most hobbyist uses.

Don't forget the probes.

I got a 4-ch analog Tek 'scope for free once. It was going to be thrown away and worked perfectly! Still have it. I think I turn it on about once a year. ;-)
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+1
I rarely use my TEK 2465 scope anymore, but it always works perfectly when I turn it on. I see them all the time for $200 or so, which is a bargain for a quality instrument like that. No need to spend much more than that for DIY use. Mine looks like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tektronix-T...991967&hash=item4668fcb7d3:g:c5kAAOSw8GhZihj~
 
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theoldwizard1

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tym said:
I think you could find a used Tektronix 'scope for a reasonable price. Two-channel, digital storage, 100 MHz should cover most hobbyist uses.
Click to expand...
Unquestionably, Tektronix is the Cadillac of oscilloscopes. Good luck finding one with those specs for under $1000 !
 
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theoldwizard1

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Codejack

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theoldwizard1 said:
IMHO, it is overpriced.

The other thing with all USB 'scopes is the software. Some of it is pretty sketchy. Improving software cost real $$$ and who really wants to pay for an update service for their 'scope.
Click to expand...

...which is when I start to think, "Well, write your own!"

But that's silly for anything other than pure research.
 
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rattle_snake

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The new Chinese scopes (Rigol and others) are a great bang for the buck. I would get one over a used Tektronix. I use both.
 
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Jazzman442

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It all depends on what accuracy you need. Tektronix is the best hands down. But you pay for the best. I have one that I have been using for many years and would not have anything else. If it is just for a hobby then there is a lot of other scopes or add on's for a computer out there.
 
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theoldwizard1

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One of the BIG problems with 'scopes these days is what I call "specs'manship". Or how marketing can bend the truth. But part of that is how the 'scope is going to be used.

If you are working on equipment that puts out a continuous signal, then you don't really need a digital storage 'scope. An old analog scope will work just fine.

However, more and more often, we are looking at signals that are NOT continuous. They are either occasionally missing, under/over sized or "extra". This is where a DSO really shines. Some tips for rookies while your shopping for a DSO.

Bandwidth : Looks good on paper, but not that important. Bandwidth is the capability of the 'scopes analog front end to capture the wave BEFORE it is digitized. Most of the Rigol low end 'scopes have software selectable front ends and can be hacked to much higher frequency.

Sample Rate : What it sounds like. The number of samples per second, but be careful of the term "effective sample rate". This is averaging and only works on continuous signals. Typically the sample rate is divided by the number of channels being used. Sample rate is very important because this really determines what I call the "usable" bandwidth. Despite what theory say, the usable bandwidth for capturing non-continuous signal is roughly 1/10 the sample rate. So a 1GS/s channel 'scope has a usable bandwidth of of about 25 Mhz.

A-to-D bits/sample : Again, watch that term "effective', because it means it is averaged. 8 bits is common, which is OK. Personally, I would like to see 10 or 12 bits.

Another "interesting" spec is the maximum allowed input voltage. Many low end 'scope have no builtin attenuation or the capability to use 10X probes. If you are working with automotive signals, you need to be somewhat careful of signasl that would exceed your 'scopes rating and use an external attenuator. Any inductive load that is turned on and off quickly (ignition coil primary, injectors) can have a very high back EMF.
 
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WDJ

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There are several Tektronix DPO (Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope) units on that website that sells everything for that sort of price right now. As someone above pointed out, don't forget about probes. I have a Tek 2235 that I picked up years ago that just keeps going. Its mostly used for audio work. But it really depends on what you have used in the past and what you wan to be able to do. I've tried a couple of the USB units and they are pretty interesting
 
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bob15

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theoldwizard1 said:
Unquestionably, Tektronix is the Cadillac of oscilloscopes. Good luck finding one with those specs for under $1000 !
Click to expand...

Jazzman442 said:
It all depends on what accuracy you need. Tektronix is the best hands down. But you pay for the best. I have one that I have been using for many years and would not have anything else. If it is just for a hobby then there is a lot of other scopes or add on's for a computer out there.
Click to expand...

I don't believe the are the best out there. Have either of you looked or used a Yokogawa?

Try using this 8 channel DLM4000 Yokogawa: http://tmi.yokogawa.com/us/products/oscilloscopes/digital-and-mixed-signal-oscilloscopes/dlm4000-mso-series/
 
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iron block

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Given that nice budget, my suggestion is to buy **two** scopes And not just because this is GJ and more tools is always better. :)

Actually, digital scopes can be a mixed blessing. While they are unbeatable for some things, like looking at low-repetition rate signals, they can display misleading results if the user is not on the watch for sample-rate-related issues.

The latter issues can include things like sine waves that display perfectly but appear to be at a sub-harmonic of their actual frequency. Or narrow pulses that cause the display to trigger a sweep, but that do not show up on the screen because they are too narrow for the selected sweep speed.

The more modern the digital scope, the better these issue will have been addressed. But my point is that digital scopes are not perfect. So you really ought to think about getting an analog scope as well.

An old, used analog scope will be strong where the digital scope is weak (and vice versa). The waveform it displays is pretty much going to be exactly what it should be. No subharmonic issues. And if the tiny trigger pulse isn't visible, why just crank up the brightness until it is. :)

So how about a shiny new Rigol DS1054Z, plus a used Tek scope like a 465B or a 2200-series unit. Through in some probes and you should still be well within budget.
 
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Jp267

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iron block said:
Given that nice budget, my suggestion is to buy **two** scopes And not just because this is GJ and more tools is always better. :)

Actually, digital scopes can be a mixed blessing. While they are unbeatable for some things, like looking at low-repetition rate signals, they can display misleading results if the user is not on the watch for sample-rate-related issues.

The latter issues can include things like sine waves that display perfectly but appear to be at a sub-harmonic of their actual frequency. Or narrow pulses that cause the display to trigger a sweep, but that do not show up on the screen because they are too narrow for the selected sweep speed.

The more modern the digital scope, the better these issue will have been addressed. But my point is that digital scopes are not perfect. So you really ought to think about getting an analog scope as well.

An old, used analog scope will be strong where the digital scope is weak (and vice versa). The waveform it displays is pretty much going to be exactly what it should be. No subharmonic issues. And if the tiny trigger pulse isn't visible, why just crank up the brightness until it is. :)

So how about a shiny new Rigol DS1054Z, plus a used Tek scope like a 465B or a 2200-series unit. Through in some probes and you should still be well within budget.
Click to expand...

I actually have one analog scope, a mixed domain scope and a digital scope. I share the same sentiments as iron block. That Rigol is really nice for the price! I have a Tektronix 4 channel analog which I love. A Tektronix Mixed Domain. And a Rhode and Schwarz 4 channel digital. My business is doing AI work and received a good chunk of change in capital. So it was sky's the limit! (Probably not the best idea) Now we've buttoned down our finances a bit.

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