Hi ... I think there may be many options - maybe you can describe what you need it to for? Personally I use a picoscope USB oscilloscope (200 MHz) for analog oscillation detection & digital circuitries etc. whereas when I need to measure analog circuitries I use an AD7760 evaluation board with buffers which allows me to look at frequencies up to 1.25 MHz (2H <120 dB) at a high resolution.
I also remember the diya member 1audio talking about an appr. 70 MHz sampling frequency oscilloscope with a ~ 12 bit resolution that was not too expensive (to my memory USD 400). Right now I just can't remember the name of it...
But again, I reckon it depends on what you want to use it for.
Cheers,
Jesper
I also remember the diya member 1audio talking about an appr. 70 MHz sampling frequency oscilloscope with a ~ 12 bit resolution that was not too expensive (to my memory USD 400). Right now I just can't remember the name of it...
But again, I reckon it depends on what you want to use it for.
Cheers,
Jesper
The (possibly ill conceived) idea was to use a laptop as a test station, with various softwares like REW, Oscilloscope, SigGen etc. all in one lightweight piece that could be put away or carried in a laptop bag, rather than having a wall of scopes, signal generators, voltmeters, and on and on, taking up way more bench space than I like.
I did this years ago with my service kit, a standard attache case with the laptop, usb scope, soldering iron etc. nice and easy to take with me. But it's been long enough that I'm a bit out of touch with what's good and what isn't.
90% of what I would be doing is audio testing and repairs with a rare excursion into raspberry pi or arduino stuff. Probably the most arduous task would be watching the PWM strings in a power supply or Class D amp . 100mhz would probably be adequate for that.
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I have a Velleman PCSGU250 on my bench for quick and dirty measurements. It's 2 channel and has a built in signal generator. It'll even do Bode plots for you. https://www.amazon.ca/Velleman-PCSGU250-Usb-Pc-Scope-Generator/dp/B006DXCO3E
A cheap USB sound card to go along with it is a good idea if you want any meaningful distortion measurements, ect.
A cheap USB sound card to go along with it is a good idea if you want any meaningful distortion measurements, ect.
Hi, I also use the PCSGU250. Good for audio work. I like the spectrum analysis features. There is a higher resolution one from the them I forget the number now, but it goes higher in frequency and is more sensitive. No built in sig generator or Bode though (nice feature for audio sweeps). My only beef with them is that the inputs are poorly protected against over voltages. I fried one a while back. It was a fault on the ground side that did the damage. A total loss IAW the service center. Picos are great as well and I seem to recall there are some by a company like Hantac (check spelling).
I have always been impressed with the Picoscope software and this looks to be a good value: https://www.amazon.com/Pico-PicoSco..._1_4?keywords=picoscope&qid=1577758580&sr=8-4 I have a second had Picoscope that has been useful and I would not hesitate to get a used one again.
There are other USB scopes but you need to check the software. The software is the difference between a toy and a tool that stays on your bench. Pico has had an advantage here for 20 years and for good reason. And the 20 year old (Printer port interface) Picoscope will run very recent software.
Still not a replacement for an audio analyzer. They are different in key ways.
There are other USB scopes but you need to check the software. The software is the difference between a toy and a tool that stays on your bench. Pico has had an advantage here for 20 years and for good reason. And the 20 year old (Printer port interface) Picoscope will run very recent software.
Still not a replacement for an audio analyzer. They are different in key ways.
Thanks! I've heard good things about picoscope as well.
As I explained in my first post, the goal is to simplify and condense my work space. Somehow having a 3 x 6 foot bench with only a square foot or so for actual work doesn't sound very efficient. Something has to go... the question is what? The bench supply is not disposable, neither is the variac or the soldering station... the rest, well, maybe...
As I explained in my first post, the goal is to simplify and condense my work space. Somehow having a 3 x 6 foot bench with only a square foot or so for actual work doesn't sound very efficient. Something has to go... the question is what? The bench supply is not disposable, neither is the variac or the soldering station... the rest, well, maybe...
Hi,
You may have a look at Digilents AD2 (analig discovery 2).
It cerainly is not that cheap as an USB oscilloscope, but it offers alot more, as it is high resolution multifunctional device.
You can connect flyout boards to accommodate/scale up for Your requirements.
The great versatility, its tiny form factor and the amount of functionality make it a very good deal,
jauu
Calvin
You may have a look at Digilents AD2 (analig discovery 2).
It cerainly is not that cheap as an USB oscilloscope, but it offers alot more, as it is high resolution multifunctional device.
You can connect flyout boards to accommodate/scale up for Your requirements.
The great versatility, its tiny form factor and the amount of functionality make it a very good deal,
jauu
Calvin
I'll take a bargain if I find it but "cheapie" is not a prime consideration.
I carry a 14 bit Red Pitaya around with me - use it at my office in spare time and at the kitchen table at the second house. Dual signal generators good to 50 MHz. Dual scope / FFT inputs to 63 MHz.
Red Pitaya
I've used it almost exclusively for RF. The signal generator harmonics are about - 60 dB at 1 KHz, so useful for AF, but definitely not an AP. Good for lots of other stuff as well.
Red Pitaya
I've used it almost exclusively for RF. The signal generator harmonics are about - 60 dB at 1 KHz, so useful for AF, but definitely not an AP. Good for lots of other stuff as well.
One thing the Red Pitaya web site does not make clear - the oscilloscope app and spectrum analyzer app have the signal generator functions embedded.
So, you can use the generators as test signals, while simultaneously using the scope or spectrum analyzer channels to look at what's going on. Handy for two tone IMD or testing mixers.
Other all in ones may have similar capability; the RP is the only one I've used.
So, you can use the generators as test signals, while simultaneously using the scope or spectrum analyzer channels to look at what's going on. Handy for two tone IMD or testing mixers.
Other all in ones may have similar capability; the RP is the only one I've used.
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