Tektronix 7000 or 11000 series or ..?

[Speedman]

Hi.

I'm at the lookout for a nice scope. I've been looking a lot at the Tek 7000 and 11000 series, and the the DSA602 as well.

I really dig the vast selection of plug-in modules for it, and the size of it doesn't really bother me much.

What I want is a scope that I can use for everything that a scope can be used for.. I'll use it for audio and education, as well as troubleshooting on kinda complex equipment.

But I'm a bit unsure which model I should choose. The Tek 7854 look good, as well as 11301, 11403 and DSA602..

Anyone out there who could give me some advice? I'd really appreciate it.

[Speedman]

At the moment I've got a Huntron Tracker Model 1000, a nice Fluke Multimeter and a Tek' 2235, but I want a bit more functional scope.

I'll get a Curve Tracer also when I get the money for it, but the 7CT1 plugin could fill that place temporarily.

[jackinnj]

The 7100 series was used to test the timing devices for nuclear weapons.

[Speedman]

Okey, thats cool. But I can't find any on eBay.

What about the rest of the 7000's? And how would the 11000 or DSA be in comparison?

[jackinnj]

I have had a couple of the Tektronix 7000 series scopes. I believe that the mainframe that they sold in greatest quantity was the 7700. I had a 7600 and put it back for sale on EBay.

The 7100 and 7900 series were very high end and remain pretty expensive. The 7800 had math functions -- I don't know how useful this would be today -- you can capture data from a new DSO via ethernet, gpib or serial, dump it into excel and make up your own polynomials.

The one plug in I would suggest is the 7A22 Differential Amplifier -- this will get you down to microVolts and you can filter the inputs. It is really useful. The 7Lxx spectrum analyzer plug-ins will get you into the gigaHertz if you want. These aren't particularly abundant anymore.

Just put 770* in the EBay search engine and you'll find some nice devices, reasonably priced, many with all the plug-in's you'll ever use.

and with all this hot air -- I note that Jim Williams at Linear Tech seems to still prefer the old Tektronix 545 or 547 -- can't tell which from the pictures.

[Speedman]

The 7900 or 7100 does seem to fit my budget. I'm still curious of the DSA600's though, and the 11300's. Anyone tried one of those? Maybe I'll get on of each (11/DSA and 7) in time..

[hifimaker]

Also consider Agilent's scopes. They are similarly priced to the Tektronix and have a much higher screen resolution and better sampling rates.

-David

[Speedman]

Any spesific Agilent model I should take a look at?

I do like those Tek's though..

Should be fast for real-time at least. Not sure if I want a digitizing scope either..

[Speedman]

seems I just bought a 11302 and some plugins. 7A22 amongst others. ;D I have a tiny crush on a HP/Agilent 51100D also. might buy one of those as well after a while.

[Speedman]

Correction. Been looking at the following digital scopes:
TEKTRONIX TDS360
LECROY 9310M
HP/AGILENT 54601A
HP/AGILENT 54110D
HP/AGILENT 54501A
HP/AGILENT 54502A
HP/AGILENT 54100D

Any specific recommendation for a digital one?