In my experience, the PC-based oscilloscopes tends to be rather crappy. Their bandwidth is limited and the input amp doesn't have much sensitivity.
If you're looking for a good quality economy scope, I'd be looking at some of the older Textronix or HP scopes. I'm quite happy with my Tektronix 2215 (2-channel, 60 MHz) that I bought used over 20 years ago. A quick search of fleaBay reveals that these scopes sell for $150-ish, though, with patience you might be able to do better. The Tektronix 2465B (4-channel, 400 MHz) I picked out of a surplus pile and repaired is even better - but in used, working condition not exactly "economy". Last I checked, used prices were on the order of $5-700.
Unless you find a used scope that includes probes, you'll need to buy probes too. For tube stuff I'd recommend getting a 100:1 (100x) probe in addition to the more common 10:1 (10x). The 100x probe will allow you to measure the higher voltages present in a tube circuit.
Investing in a good tool hurts once -- when you fork over the cash. Buying a cheap, crappy tool hurts every time you use it. Buy good tools!
~Tom
If you're looking for a good quality economy scope, I'd be looking at some of the older Textronix or HP scopes. I'm quite happy with my Tektronix 2215 (2-channel, 60 MHz) that I bought used over 20 years ago. A quick search of fleaBay reveals that these scopes sell for $150-ish, though, with patience you might be able to do better. The Tektronix 2465B (4-channel, 400 MHz) I picked out of a surplus pile and repaired is even better - but in used, working condition not exactly "economy". Last I checked, used prices were on the order of $5-700.
Unless you find a used scope that includes probes, you'll need to buy probes too. For tube stuff I'd recommend getting a 100:1 (100x) probe in addition to the more common 10:1 (10x). The 100x probe will allow you to measure the higher voltages present in a tube circuit.
Investing in a good tool hurts once -- when you fork over the cash. Buying a cheap, crappy tool hurts every time you use it. Buy good tools!
~Tom
Just got this one :
UT 2042 C OszilloskopeSpektrumanalyser - reichelt elektronik - Der Techniksortimenter - OnlineShop für Elektronik, Netbooks, PC-Komponenten, Kabel, Bauteile, Software & Bücher - ISO 9001:2000 Zertifiziert
First impressions are good. The display is much faster than the Philips/Fluke Scopemeters I am accustomed to.
UT 2042 C OszilloskopeSpektrumanalyser - reichelt elektronik - Der Techniksortimenter - OnlineShop für Elektronik, Netbooks, PC-Komponenten, Kabel, Bauteile, Software & Bücher - ISO 9001:2000 Zertifiziert
First impressions are good. The display is much faster than the Philips/Fluke Scopemeters I am accustomed to.
I bought Velleman's PC scope when I was in college. I still have it and still use it. It works well for most things, but it does have some warts.
I agree with Tom, though. Invest in a real scope. I borrow one from time to time but at some point I'll take the plunge. Looks like you can get a decent analog scope from eBay these days for $200 or so.
I agree with Tom, though. Invest in a real scope. I borrow one from time to time but at some point I'll take the plunge. Looks like you can get a decent analog scope from eBay these days for $200 or so.
Troncones:
Since you are in OC, check craigslist. With a little patience, you can find an older tektronics or HP scope locally for cheap $$ ($100-$200 or so). There are enough folks in So Cal selling stuff to find virtually anything on LA/OC CL with a little patience.
2 Channel Oscilloscope, 35 Mhz
Philips/Fluke Oscilloscope - PM3320A Digital Storage WORKS
etc, etc....
Ebay is a good place to pick up probes. I bought a couple of Pomona 600V 10:1 probes off of Ebay for $20/ea. They are working fine for all of my tube power supply stuff so far. They were new, with clip accessory, so you can test HV hands free. Just make sure that the probes you pick up meet or exceed the bandwidth of the scope.
Since you are in OC, check craigslist. With a little patience, you can find an older tektronics or HP scope locally for cheap $$ ($100-$200 or so). There are enough folks in So Cal selling stuff to find virtually anything on LA/OC CL with a little patience.
2 Channel Oscilloscope, 35 Mhz
Philips/Fluke Oscilloscope - PM3320A Digital Storage WORKS
etc, etc....
Ebay is a good place to pick up probes. I bought a couple of Pomona 600V 10:1 probes off of Ebay for $20/ea. They are working fine for all of my tube power supply stuff so far. They were new, with clip accessory, so you can test HV hands free. Just make sure that the probes you pick up meet or exceed the bandwidth of the scope.
I have the afore mentioned Tektronix 465, 2215 and 2465 (actually a 2246A and a 2445 variants) and like them all.
The 465 is smaller than the others, 2ch and 100MHz, with a great trace, low noise amps and can be found with an integrated DMM.
The 2200 series are newer and have on-screen displays which are nice to have so you can glance over and see the vertical and timebase settings without having to read the knob dials. The Tek probes (and probably others) for the newish scopes have identifier buttons which is handy on a 4ch scope to see on the screen which trace is the probe in your hand.
The 2246 is a great audio scope. It (like the 465) is analog but with 4ch and 100MHz bandwidth. 2 channels are usually sufficient for audio, but occasionally I will use more.
What is your target price range?
The 465 is smaller than the others, 2ch and 100MHz, with a great trace, low noise amps and can be found with an integrated DMM.
The 2200 series are newer and have on-screen displays which are nice to have so you can glance over and see the vertical and timebase settings without having to read the knob dials. The Tek probes (and probably others) for the newish scopes have identifier buttons which is handy on a 4ch scope to see on the screen which trace is the probe in your hand.
The 2246 is a great audio scope. It (like the 465) is analog but with 4ch and 100MHz bandwidth. 2 channels are usually sufficient for audio, but occasionally I will use more.
What is your target price range?
Here's my newbie thoughts for what it's worth:
I no longer buy used ebay test equipment unless there is no low priced new choice. I too have an old tek 2215, and it's a piece of you know what. The trace isn't so thin, it's hums, and the Div knob on CH2 just started slipping. Maybe you will be lucky, maybe not? Buying in person is better, but my city didn't offer this choice.
I also have a new BK 2120B scope that cost $350. The trace will focus down nicely, knobs feel good, calibrated, warranty. It triggers and works perfect. It's my main scope now. I'm sure the Tek was better when new, but thats was 30 years ago. I also bought a 100MHZ Rigol DSO, seems pretty good for the $700 it cost, but I would get a analog scope first.
Looks like the price went up $30
BK Precision 2120B, 30 MHz Dual-Trace Oscilloscope, B+K Precision 2120-B - at Test Equipment Depot
I no longer buy used ebay test equipment unless there is no low priced new choice. I too have an old tek 2215, and it's a piece of you know what. The trace isn't so thin, it's hums, and the Div knob on CH2 just started slipping. Maybe you will be lucky, maybe not? Buying in person is better, but my city didn't offer this choice.
I also have a new BK 2120B scope that cost $350. The trace will focus down nicely, knobs feel good, calibrated, warranty. It triggers and works perfect. It's my main scope now. I'm sure the Tek was better when new, but thats was 30 years ago. I also bought a 100MHZ Rigol DSO, seems pretty good for the $700 it cost, but I would get a analog scope first.
Looks like the price went up $30
BK Precision 2120B, 30 MHz Dual-Trace Oscilloscope, B+K Precision 2120-B - at Test Equipment Depot
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Basic gear starting out, a decent DVM and a signal generator. HP 3468 meters are very good, in this respect (they can also be programmed via HP-IL.)
If just gearing up the Heath signal generators with an "18" suffix are quite good, and there are articles on how to get the THD% down.
The old Heath 'scopes are pretty good and dirt cheap. The Eico's and Knights are inexpensive as well, but I've never owned one.
I've had a TEK '2215 -- not a scope I would recommend for an undergrad college physics lab as the tube is pretty delicate.
You might want to troll some hamfests out there -- and Craig's list always has the occasional Tektronix item which some widow wants to pitch.
If just gearing up the Heath signal generators with an "18" suffix are quite good, and there are articles on how to get the THD% down.
The old Heath 'scopes are pretty good and dirt cheap. The Eico's and Knights are inexpensive as well, but I've never owned one.
I've had a TEK '2215 -- not a scope I would recommend for an undergrad college physics lab as the tube is pretty delicate.
You might want to troll some hamfests out there -- and Craig's list always has the occasional Tektronix item which some widow wants to pitch.
I recently acquired an dso nano at :
http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/dso-nano-preorder-p-611.html?cPath=11http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/dso-nano-preorder-p-611.html?cPath=11
It is usable for audio measurements..but has limited bandwith..is single channel..
But only $89.00
I upgraded it with Pauls firmware from:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://bbs.e-design.com.cn/bbs/dispbbs.asp%3Fboardid%3D5%26Id%3D8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1
This firmware allows calibration of all vertical multiplication factors..i compared it with a calibrated oscilloscope at work..
http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/dso-nano-preorder-p-611.html?cPath=11http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/dso-nano-preorder-p-611.html?cPath=11
It is usable for audio measurements..but has limited bandwith..is single channel..
But only $89.00
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
I upgraded it with Pauls firmware from:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http://bbs.e-design.com.cn/bbs/dispbbs.asp%3Fboardid%3D5%26Id%3D8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1
This firmware allows calibration of all vertical multiplication factors..i compared it with a calibrated oscilloscope at work..
Single Tektronix 2225 is for me of my oscilloscopes. Better than this is not needed at all.
Is for me a Velleman pc500 oscilloscopes.
But analogue Tek the real one for me.
You need to buy an used Tek analogue scope and thats it is.
Gyuri
Is for me a Velleman pc500 oscilloscopes.
But analogue Tek the real one for me.
You need to buy an used Tek analogue scope and thats it is.
Gyuri
Picked up a Tek 2235 off e-bay. Works pretty well, but I still preferred the old 465's.
Cheap scopes, and I have had Heath, Hitachi, and Ramsey, are not worth the frustration. That is why a cheapskate like me bought a used Tek. Tek, HP, maybe Phillips.
I have an old IG-18 and with an upgraded power supply. The big low distortion mod was never stable, so it has the original board back in it. Also a couple of Heath VTVM's. The Heath AC VTVM is actually just as accurate as my HP. Don't use the Heath generator as I bought a HP 209. PM me if anyone is interested in it cheap. I like the sweep rather than step for speaker testing. For low distortion, I use PC based generators in my spectrum analyzers.
Cheap scopes, and I have had Heath, Hitachi, and Ramsey, are not worth the frustration. That is why a cheapskate like me bought a used Tek. Tek, HP, maybe Phillips.
I have an old IG-18 and with an upgraded power supply. The big low distortion mod was never stable, so it has the original board back in it. Also a couple of Heath VTVM's. The Heath AC VTVM is actually just as accurate as my HP. Don't use the Heath generator as I bought a HP 209. PM me if anyone is interested in it cheap. I like the sweep rather than step for speaker testing. For low distortion, I use PC based generators in my spectrum analyzers.
Zelscope seems to be the best PC based scope without a custom module. Still frustrating, which is why I bought the Tek.
I am about to build my first Amp (Naim Clone) and I wonder if this little scope is suitable for measurements on an Amp like voltage ripple etc.?
Not ready to buy a proper analoge scope so this would be a perfect starter..
Svein, you have GOT to tell me where to get a 'scope in Norway for under a million, trillion Kroner 🙂
Now, all concerns aside, how good is that DSO Nano, with it's limited bandwidth and screen resolution?
Now, all concerns aside, how good is that DSO Nano, with it's limited bandwidth and screen resolution?
A student scope is good enough - look for a college equipment auction or recycle center. ~$50-80 for a 2 channel 20-40MHz scope, probably leader or some off brand, but probably quite serviceable. Don't buy if you can't turn it on and at least see a trace....
I can't say DITTO strongly enough. A 502A or 56x series will do you forever.. and they'll run that long, too. Personally, I think the 502A is the best audio scope with its differential inputs, high gain and amazingly sharp screen. Use the high contrast green filter, too.
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