Just guaging interest in trying to get a group buy going. I have no connections or discounts. I'm just interested and wondering whether anyone else also is? I'm thinking a digital 'scope with good isolation like the Tektronix, a nice interface to a better PC monitor, probes appropriate for tube and transistor audio work. Some kind of knobs instead of UP/DOWN buttons. Maybe a foreign off-brand in the 3xx.xx USD range? Or is that just wishful thinking?
nope, only 2MHz, no isolation, USB power, no usefully low noise analogue inputs, no use for tubes, limited voltage even for solid state. its really more for digital by the looks and its too slow for that.
It's fine for it's intended use, which is general troubleshooting, education and field tech service. I don't understand the complaints about it. 2MHz is good enough bandwidth for audio circuits, for example.
you dont understand a preamp stage powered by USB, so noise will be a limiting factor and likely will have quite a bit of bleed from the PC its used with? for a higher budget i'm sure it could be made to work, but i'm pretty sure this wont be great. a voltage pretty much limited to testing line level?. that it has a bandwidth of 2MHz does not mean it can be sufficient to show much about 2MHz signals. It will tell very little about common mode noise bandwidth (pretty important in todays world and considerably higher speed) wont say much about a reasonably fast feedback loop or opamp instability, wont touch clock speeds. etc etc.
educational and basic troubleshooting only for limited circuits, I dont think its suitable for a real diagnostic tool.
it could however be used in conjunction with an older fast analogue scope. unless you really need the USB and data logging there are better options for the money on the used market
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Instead of bashing this one, perhaps you could show us one that meets your specifications and costs less than $200? (this one costs $189)
I'm sure there are plenty of mega-buck scopes out there that would meet your needs, and you're free to buy one, but I still think this is pretty good for the money.
Think used.
Here's a 60MHz scope for $300:
Tektronix TDS 210 Scope | eBay
It's digital and can capture and store waveforms. I've got the FFT and GPIB modules that interface with a PC. Not the quietest thing, but plenty good for my needs.
I also have a couple analog scopes, which for general audio work are more useful than a digital scope, and you can get those all day long on ebay for pennies on the dollar:
Tektronix 475 250MHz Dual Trace Digital Oscilloscope 2 CH Scope Tested Working | eBay
Before I'd buy a chinese scope of questionable quality, I'd be all over one of the thousands of used Tek scopes on ebay. Also check HP, who made some fine scopes, but are not quite as well known, and thus deals can be had. HP had some lemons, so do your homework.
Personally I'm looking for a LeCroy WaveRunner...
Sheldon
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A secondhand analog scope is a good idea but buyer beware! I have two junked ebay scoped to prove this.There's loads of dubious sellers on EBay - look out for the people who claim that they are unable to verify proper operation and try to buy from sellers who guarantee that the scope is fully operational and tested. Calibration is another questionable area- many so called calibrated scopes are not really calibrated and sellers count on the buyer not being in a position to verify calibration. Also make sure you can obtain service manuals for S/H scopes before buying one. 20 year old scopes don't last forever and you will at some point need to do some repair work.
Also, don't write off all Chinese scopes as being cheap and suspect. Do your research first. Rigol is reputable and has built some budget scopes for Agilent.
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I have the Rigol it is a nice value for the money but I thought I would replace my analog scope with it but no way. In truth though I have yet to use the more advanced features .To look at analog waveforms I prefer my old scope. I have become spoiled using 2 scopes as I can monitor power supply and output at the same time.
Bill
Bill
...or a really good dual-trace...
My old solid-state analog drifted all over the place.
I like that some of the new Tektronix digital scopes have truly well-isolated probe inputs, and though I know there's no such thing as idiot-proof, I prefer idiot-resistant to feeling like one after an expensive mistake.
My old solid-state analog drifted all over the place.
I like that some of the new Tektronix digital scopes have truly well-isolated probe inputs, and though I know there's no such thing as idiot-proof, I prefer idiot-resistant to feeling like one after an expensive mistake.
It's only $189.00
I wasted more on bad eBay buys than $189.00. That's one reason I do not like
to purchase used equipment from eBay. You never know what you are getting or
whether it works or not. Must eBay stores don't have the equipment to repair and
calibrate scopes and other electronic equipment. It takes a lot of money to set up such
a lab.
Maybe some one could talk to the Pico people about a group buy thru them.
I think they are one of the best digital PC scope but they are very expensive.
A large group buy might lower the cost. Any other ideas?
I wasted more on bad eBay buys than $189.00. That's one reason I do not like
to purchase used equipment from eBay. You never know what you are getting or
whether it works or not. Must eBay stores don't have the equipment to repair and
calibrate scopes and other electronic equipment. It takes a lot of money to set up such
a lab.
Maybe some one could talk to the Pico people about a group buy thru them.
I think they are one of the best digital PC scope but they are very expensive.
A large group buy might lower the cost. Any other ideas?
Group buy for Rigol 2072 would be a best option. Their 1000 series is at rock bottom price already.
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