'Scope - is it worth buying?

spzzzzkt · 19th November 2006, 07:36 AM

i"m looking at getting a basic ocilloscope and have seen a few things in my price range around. current options are:

Kikusui COS5020 (20Mhz)
"HP 181A Oscilloscope, Storage, c/w HP 1801A, 50 Mhz Vert & HP 1821A 50 Mhz Horiz P/Ins, Status unknown"
Iwatsu DS-6121A (100mhz)

are any of these thinking seriously about for a first scope on a budget. Tek 465's (which seem to be a diyaudio.com fav) are a bit more $$ than I want to spend when they do turn up.

cheers
Paul

gerhard · 19th November 2006, 10:21 AM

I have bought a new Iwatsu SS-5712, 4 CH, 200 MHz abt 20 years ago which is still OK.
Only fault during this time was a TO-5 transistor in the X-deflection which was easy to fix
because all circuit diagrams are in the user manual.
Other than switches and the tube no exotic parts. Very bright.
It was a good buy.

Gerhard

jarthel · 20th November 2006, 10:29 PM

i think a scope is worth buying if you're going to use it regularly. if you're going to DIY once every few years, I think it's not worth it.

SUE · 7th June 2007, 09:58 PM

I also have a iwatsu scope and I like it very much.I don't have an operators manual but I am trying to figure it out.

I_Forgot · 7th June 2007, 10:31 PM

A scope is an "enabling" technology. That means that once you have one, you find all sorts of uses for it that you didn't think of before you got a scope. This is especially true if it is a decent scope. 100 MHz BW is definitely decent and useful for many things.

Avoid "audio bandwidth" scopes. They are nearly useless because very little that is interesting happens at audio speeds/frequencies. On the other hand, if you want it for a prop that shows wiggly lines on the screen that bounce to the music, they are really great.

Make sure you get probes that match or exceed the BW of the scope. Switchable 10x probes are really useful. Be sure they are trimmable and the capacitance range matches the scope input capacitance, often marked on the front panel of the scope. Tektronix's web site has at least one good app note explaining how to choose scope probes. I suggest you read it before buying probes.

I_F

Christer · 7th June 2007, 11:36 PM

I bought my Iwatsu close to 30 years ago, and it still works. Nothing fancy, though, just 2 ch and 15 MHz.

XEAGLEKEEPER · 8th June 2007, 12:43 AM

A good working Tektronixs can be had pretty reasonable off of ebay..

spzzzzkt · 8th June 2007, 01:27 AM

The statement about TEK pricing is true only if you add the caveat "in the USA".

XEAGLEKEEPER · 8th June 2007, 02:05 AM

Hadn't given that any thought.And shipping to aussie would be outrageous.Guess your just going to have to move ...LOL

john65b · 8th June 2007, 03:39 AM

I bought a Textronix 5110 off ebay a year or so ago for $40 with the hopes of using it on some amps - basic stuff...

I work with a group of older electrical engineers and technicians and none of them could show me how to use it...so its been sitting in my closet the whole time...

Anyone have a tutorial site they can refer me to? I have been able to do without, but wouldn't mind learning how to use it..

Also have a PC based Oscilloscope program some where too...

19th November 2006, 07:36 AM	#1
spzzzzkt diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melbourne	'Scope - is it worth buying? i"m looking at getting a basic ocilloscope and have seen a few things in my price range around. current options are: Kikusui COS5020 (20Mhz) "HP 181A Oscilloscope, Storage, c/w HP 1801A, 50 Mhz Vert & HP 1821A 50 Mhz Horiz P/Ins, Status unknown" Iwatsu DS-6121A (100mhz) are any of these thinking seriously about for a first scope on a budget. Tek 465's (which seem to be a diyaudio.com fav) are a bit more $$ than I want to spend when they do turn up. cheers Paul

7th June 2007, 09:58 PM	#4
SUE diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2007	iwatsu ss 5712 I also have a iwatsu scope and I like it very much.I don't have an operators manual but I am trying to figure it out.

8th June 2007, 02:05 AM	#9
XEAGLEKEEPER diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: central Iowa	Hadn't given that any thought.And shipping to aussie would be outrageous.Guess your just going to have to move ...LOL __________________ Ret. USAF... AKA- Avionic * Solder slinger for hire...*

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Worth buying?	dmongrain	Parts	4	23rd June 2009 12:56 AM
First scope/buying oscilloscope probes	rockgardenlove	Tubes / Valves	9	7th November 2008 02:59 PM
is this sub worth buying ?	zuki	Subwoofers	13	18th March 2007 03:56 PM
Is the T1 worth buying?	pat99	Subwoofers	4	8th December 2005 12:47 PM
JPW AP3 -- Worth buying to repair?	wes-ninja250	Multi-Way	2	26th October 2005 10:54 PM


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

19th November 2006, 10:21 AM	#2
gerhard diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: near Stuttgart, south Germany	I have bought a new Iwatsu SS-5712, 4 CH, 200 MHz abt 20 years ago which is still OK. Only fault during this time was a TO-5 transistor in the X-deflection which was easy to fix because all circuit diagrams are in the user manual. Other than switches and the tube no exotic parts. Very bright. It was a good buy. Gerhard

20th November 2006, 10:29 PM	#3
jarthel diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: somewhere in Australia	i think a scope is worth buying if you're going to use it regularly. if you're going to DIY once every few years, I think it's not worth it.

7th June 2007, 10:31 PM	#5
I_Forgot diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, Az.	A scope is an "enabling" technology. That means that once you have one, you find all sorts of uses for it that you didn't think of before you got a scope. This is especially true if it is a decent scope. 100 MHz BW is definitely decent and useful for many things. Avoid "audio bandwidth" scopes. They are nearly useless because very little that is interesting happens at audio speeds/frequencies. On the other hand, if you want it for a prop that shows wiggly lines on the screen that bounce to the music, they are really great. Make sure you get probes that match or exceed the BW of the scope. Switchable 10x probes are really useful. Be sure they are trimmable and the capacitance range matches the scope input capacitance, often marked on the front panel of the scope. Tektronix's web site has at least one good app note explaining how to choose scope probes. I suggest you read it before buying probes. I_F

7th June 2007, 11:36 PM	#6
Christer diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sweden	I bought my Iwatsu close to 30 years ago, and it still works. Nothing fancy, though, just 2 ch and 15 MHz.

8th June 2007, 01:27 AM	#8
spzzzzkt diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melbourne	The statement about TEK pricing is true only if you add the caveat "in the USA".

8th June 2007, 03:39 AM	#10
john65b diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Chicago	I bought a Textronix 5110 off ebay a year or so ago for $40 with the hopes of using it on some amps - basic stuff... I work with a group of older electrical engineers and technicians and none of them could show me how to use it...so its been sitting in my closet the whole time... Anyone have a tutorial site they can refer me to? I have been able to do without, but wouldn't mind learning how to use it.. Also have a PC based Oscilloscope program some where too...

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read