USB Scope - Real scope and not too expensive

Algar_emi · 2nd March 2010, 04:02 PM

Very nice little two channels scope that plug on USB, great to use on a laptop.
It even includes the schematic, and how to right the code... At 249$ it is quite reasonable. Can be the solution for you guys working in your basement

See Parallax Home website:

PropScope

trd1587 · 7th March 2010, 12:37 AM

Does 10v seems low for 120 watts troubleshooting?

Marc

Enzo · 7th March 2010, 02:23 AM

That might be iffy for mains, but for low power solid state stuff, it should work. A x10 probe on that 10v input max means you can measure 100v circuit points. And x100 probes are on the market for even larger range.

trd1587 · 7th March 2010, 02:29 AM

K thanks

star882 · 7th March 2010, 03:09 AM

The sample rate is a bit low for the price.
Open source logic analyzer - Hack a Day
Add a high speed ADC and front end to it to make an oscilloscope.

tomchr · 9th March 2010, 06:38 PM

PC scopes tend to be very limited. Especially their front ends are limited with 200 mV/div as the highest sensitivity. Measuring higher voltages is easily accommodated with an attenuating probe 10x, 100x, 1000x are commonly available. But there is no substitute for a good analog front end. For $250 you could get a pretty nice used Tektronix scope. That would be my choice any day. But hey... Maybe I'm just old fashioned...

~Tom

bill_a · 10th March 2010, 12:41 AM

I dunno know, like tomchr says - I bought a Tektronix 2225 (2 channel, 50MHz) on eBay for $100. Granted you don't get waveform capture, but its a real 'scope. Just make sure you get a return policy, but there's a ton of used stuff out there for a lot less $.
Bill

tomchr · 10th March 2010, 06:17 PM

Unless you absolutely need the raw data, a digital camera works fine for waveform capture on a real oscilloscope. It's been done that way for decades -- starting with Polaroid film back in the day... Love the old Tek scopes. My 2215 (2-ch, 60 MHz) and 2465B (4-ch, 500 MHz) are still ticking.

~Tom

bill_a · 13th March 2010, 01:19 AM

Amen, bro!
Bill

parb · 13th March 2010, 01:56 AM

what about the RIGOL DS1052E digital scopes? They are just a tad bit more expensive at $400 from hong kong and they seem to have rich functionality. I used old tek analog scopes when i went to school 20 years ago, but i don't know how keen i'm at buying one of those old bricks on ebay. The new scopes smaller footprint is very attractive to me, and i kind of like to have a new scope with warranty over something 15-20 year old which i don't know if i could fix myself if needed.

2nd March 2010, 04:02 PM	#1
Algar_emi diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Canada, Qc	USB Scope - Real scope and not too expensive Very nice little two channels scope that plug on USB, great to use on a laptop. It even includes the schematic, and how to right the code... At 249$ it is quite reasonable. Can be the solution for you guys working in your basement See Parallax Home website: PropScope

7th March 2010, 03:09 AM	#5
star882 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	The sample rate is a bit low for the price. Open source logic analyzer - Hack a Day Add a high speed ADC and front end to it to make an oscilloscope. __________________ "Fully on MOSFET = closed switch, Fully off MOSFET = open switch, Half on MOSFET = poor imitation of Tiffany Yep." - also applies to IGBTs!

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7th March 2010, 12:37 AM	#2
trd1587 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Thurso, Quebec, Canada	Does 10v seems low for 120 watts troubleshooting? Marc

7th March 2010, 02:23 AM	#3
Enzo diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lansing, Michigan	That might be iffy for mains, but for low power solid state stuff, it should work. A x10 probe on that 10v input max means you can measure 100v circuit points. And x100 probes are on the market for even larger range.

7th March 2010, 02:29 AM	#4
trd1587 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Thurso, Quebec, Canada	K thanks

9th March 2010, 06:38 PM	#6
tomchr diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greater Seattle Area	PC scopes tend to be very limited. Especially their front ends are limited with 200 mV/div as the highest sensitivity. Measuring higher voltages is easily accommodated with an attenuating probe 10x, 100x, 1000x are commonly available. But there is no substitute for a good analog front end. For $250 you could get a pretty nice used Tektronix scope. That would be my choice any day. But hey... Maybe I'm just old fashioned... ~Tom

10th March 2010, 12:41 AM	#7
bill_a diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seattle	I dunno know, like tomchr says - I bought a Tektronix 2225 (2 channel, 50MHz) on eBay for $100. Granted you don't get waveform capture, but its a real 'scope. Just make sure you get a return policy, but there's a ton of used stuff out there for a lot less $. Bill

10th March 2010, 06:17 PM	#8
tomchr diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greater Seattle Area	Unless you absolutely need the raw data, a digital camera works fine for waveform capture on a real oscilloscope. It's been done that way for decades -- starting with Polaroid film back in the day... Love the old Tek scopes. My 2215 (2-ch, 60 MHz) and 2465B (4-ch, 500 MHz) are still ticking. ~Tom

13th March 2010, 01:19 AM	#9
bill_a diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seattle	Amen, bro! Bill

13th March 2010, 01:56 AM	#10
parb diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Asia and United States	what about the RIGOL DS1052E digital scopes? They are just a tad bit more expensive at $400 from hong kong and they seem to have rich functionality. I used old tek analog scopes when i went to school 20 years ago, but i don't know how keen i'm at buying one of those old bricks on ebay. The new scopes smaller footprint is very attractive to me, and i kind of like to have a new scope with warranty over something 15-20 year old which i don't know if i could fix myself if needed.