Leader LS-8106 scope

[BDixon]

I've been reading the forum and was planning to purchase a used scope. I've run across a Leader LS-8106 which is local to me so I won't have to have it shipped.

My problem is I see lots of posts recommending the Tectronix scopes but nothing about Leader. For a first scope should I really stay with something that seems more common?

I was looking at a 23xx or 24xx Tectronix unit if it matters.

Also my son is showing an interest in electronics so I'd like to get something that's not way above our heads(I've never used a scope before, seen them used though) but something that should be able to handle most anything he'll want to do.

Thanks,
Brad

[rcavictim]

A Leader is a good general purpose scope and would be great for a beginner. I am referring to an older analog type. If you are speaking of a newer digital Leader (do these exist?) then I have no knowledge. I would not recommend a new digital scope for a beginner. You can get a good used dual trace 70's vintage analog 20-100 MHz scope for $50-$100 US if you shop around.

I just noticed the model number of the Leader in your post and googled it. These 3 channel 100 MHz analog scopes are going for $2K so they must be pretty current. That is a lot of dough to spend on a begiiner instrument, even a car.

[BDixon]

Yeah it's an analog scope.

From looking at ebay you can find 10Mhz scopes for around $20-$40. From what I've read here these would work fine for most things.

The thing I'm having trouble with is should I spend an extra $100 and get a newer unit.

Thanks,
Brad

[BDixon]

You edited your post while I was replying. The Leader scope is through a friend. He's said he picked one up at a garage sale. It doesn't have any probes or anything though. I'm gonna try to find a place locally so I can have them check it out.

Brad

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally posted by BDixon
My problem is I see lots of posts recommending the Tectronix scopes but nothing about Leader. For a first scope should I really stay with something that seems more common?

Generally it's people in the USA who recommend Tectronix scopes, and usually that you need at least a 100MHz bandwidth one.

While an expensive scope might be nice, it's by no means essential - a 20MHz scope will do 99.99% of what a 100MHz one will do. It's highly likely that you will never need a 100MHz scope at all, generally it's a lot more money for very little reason.

This isn't to say it wouldn't be nice to have!

At home I have two scopes, a GW 20MHz double beam and an Hitachi 30MHz double beam - I use either interchangeably, with no thought for which might have a higher bandwidth.

At work I use a Grundig 50MHz scope - which is fine, personally I think that a storage scope (as well as an analogue one!) would be of far more use than 100MHz bandwidth.

[anatech]

Hi Brad,
Leader 'scopes are pretty good. I bought them for my shop. I am pretty sure I had one of those too. It's a nice 'scope.

Kenwood is the current OEM for Leader to the best of my knowledge. Get good 100 Mhz probes for it.

-Chris

[dce]

Hi,

I agree with chris. Leader is a good brand.
I use leader at work newer model, and I use kikusui here at home but its old 60 mhz.

dan

[Jack Crow]

You guys forced me to admit something.

Ive got a fairly good collection of Leader test gear back home.

A low distortion audio osc. ACvm, and one of their scopes.

They are very solid gear. Other than blowing out the input of my frequency counter by accident, they are good units. Simple and sturdy.

On the subject of scopes, buy the best you can afford. The Leader would make a good choice.

In the early 2200 series there was a nasty little problem. The rods in the CRT would shatter if the unit was put down a little too firmly on it's tail. This would make an uneven spot and make focus impossible. The only fix was to replace the CRT. Not cheap from Tektronix. I don't know if that was ever fixed.

Ages ago I used to do calibration and instrument repair. We saw lots of Tek, HP, Boonton, and Fluke, but very little Leader items.

In for calibration yes, but not for repair.

Think about that for a while.

Go for it.

Be well
Jack Crow
TDY Kuwait
Camp Arifjan.