Oscilloscope Suggestions

chris719 · 7th June 2006, 08:09 PM

I'm looking for a scope for around 1000-1500 usd. The Tek 465's seem popular and not very expensive, but the HP 54111D caught my eye. Has anyone had any experience with the 54111 or its relatives?

Thanks,
Chris

georgehifi · 7th June 2006, 11:29 PM

Try to get hold of a Tektronix 2236 if you can, it's a complete work station, 100mhz dual beam oscilloscope, 100mhz digital frequency counter, true rms multimeter, and temp sensor, all in one neat package, I love mine.

Cheers George

chris719 · 8th June 2006, 05:10 PM

The Tek 2465B looks good but I am concerned by the failure of ICs U400 and U800 being so common. Does anyone have any comments on the failure rate of the 2465s?

anatech · 8th June 2006, 05:23 PM

Hi Chris,
We're both looking then!

I looked at a 54600 years ago (like about 10 or so). It was the best DSO on the market that I saw (didn't check out LeCroy). Display detail wasn't good enough though.

I will be looking at the new Tek 'scopes, and the new HP products. All the HP test equipment I have owned has been more than reliable. Stay away from Philips.

The 54111D you listed looks interesting. You should try a similar model out first if you can.

-Chris

poobah · 8th June 2006, 05:28 PM

2465B's have cult status... even dead ones go for big bucks... might be risky.

Joseph K · 8th June 2006, 05:44 PM

Chris,

Not that I would have a lot of experience with a big batch of units;
in our job here I take care of three pieces of the 2465B. In the past 10 years and some abuse [they are occasionally exposed to physicists ] there were 5 failures happening; none of them were the u400 / u800, but the input amplifier [we are measuring ~ 10mV fast pulses sitting on top / decoupled from 1500 Vdc!!].

I think [have read so] that the U800 was rather a problem in the 2465A models, where it failed due to overheating. That seems to be resolved with the 2465B.

This scope rules!

And no, our institute will rather buy second hand ones than give them away..

Good luck, George

Ps: And also I liked very much the 2236, too. The 2235 is not so well equipped but a real workhorse.

PsPs: also this might have some interest:

http://www.epanorama.net/phpBB2/view...5649c9977c0caf

chris719 · 8th June 2006, 07:50 PM

Thanks for the replies, looks like I'll go with a 2465B and hopefully all will be well.

poobah · 8th June 2006, 07:57 PM

Keep your eyes peeled for an organ donor.

I work with a dinosaur Tek 11403.. which STILL cost a fortune.

Picked up a dead one for $200 not too far back.

tortello · 8th June 2006, 07:59 PM

... you can tame down the Horizontal IC failure with a custom heatsink.
Good luck!

Marcello

7th June 2006, 08:09 PM	#1
chris719 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Connecticut	Oscilloscope Suggestions I'm looking for a scope for around 1000-1500 usd. The Tek 465's seem popular and not very expensive, but the HP 54111D caught my eye. Has anyone had any experience with the 54111 or its relatives? Thanks, Chris

7th June 2006, 11:29 PM	#2
georgehifi diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Manly Australia (Jewel of the Pacific)	Try to get hold of a Tektronix 2236 if you can, it's a complete work station, 100mhz dual beam oscilloscope, 100mhz digital frequency counter, true rms multimeter, and temp sensor, all in one neat package, I love mine. Cheers George __________________ Avatar : Production Lightspeed Attenuator www.lightspeedattenuator.com

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8th June 2006, 05:10 PM	#3
chris719 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Connecticut	The Tek 2465B looks good but I am concerned by the failure of ICs U400 and U800 being so common. Does anyone have any comments on the failure rate of the 2465s?

8th June 2006, 05:23 PM	#4
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi Chris, We're both looking then! I looked at a 54600 years ago (like about 10 or so). It was the best DSO on the market that I saw (didn't check out LeCroy). Display detail wasn't good enough though. I will be looking at the new Tek 'scopes, and the new HP products. All the HP test equipment I have owned has been more than reliable. Stay away from Philips. The 54111D you listed looks interesting. You should try a similar model out first if you can. -Chris

8th June 2006, 05:28 PM	#5
poobah diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	2465B's have cult status... even dead ones go for big bucks... might be risky.

8th June 2006, 05:44 PM	#6
Joseph K diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: gran sasso	Chris, Not that I would have a lot of experience with a big batch of units; in our job here I take care of three pieces of the 2465B. In the past 10 years and some abuse [they are occasionally exposed to physicists ] there were 5 failures happening; none of them were the u400 / u800, but the input amplifier [we are measuring ~ 10mV fast pulses sitting on top / decoupled from 1500 Vdc!!]. I think [have read so] that the U800 was rather a problem in the 2465A models, where it failed due to overheating. That seems to be resolved with the 2465B. This scope rules! And no, our institute will rather buy second hand ones than give them away.. Good luck, George Ps: And also I liked very much the 2236, too. The 2235 is not so well equipped but a real workhorse. PsPs: also this might have some interest: http://www.epanorama.net/phpBB2/view...5649c9977c0caf

8th June 2006, 07:50 PM	#7
chris719 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Connecticut	Thanks for the replies, looks like I'll go with a 2465B and hopefully all will be well.

8th June 2006, 07:57 PM	#8
poobah diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005	Keep your eyes peeled for an organ donor. I work with a dinosaur Tek 11403.. which STILL cost a fortune. Picked up a dead one for $200 not too far back.

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