Vintage miniature oscilloscopes - how many were there? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: cvanc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 02:26:07 pm
content: Hi all-I'd like to compose a list of the 'good' miniature scopes that were made back in the day. From recent posts on this forum I discovered the Leader LBO-325 which is, let's face it, cute as a button. And I know there were some tiny scopes made by Sony, or was it Sony/Tektronix?Did anyone else make this kind of thing? It would be cool to post photos of the respective models if possible.Is there one or two of them that is still considered decent stuff? I feel a nostalgia buy coming on

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 02:33:06 pm
content: The soviet C1-94 scope. Tiny, completely transistored, with very nice documentation and quite repairable. (have repaired two of those for friends so far).I have also some other soviet mini scopes at home, but they are real garbagge. Leader LBO-325? I do not consider that small. That seems a usual size. So what is your goal here?

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 02:36:21 pm
content: Thandar SC110

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 06:33:01 pm
content: They don't come cuter than the Tek 200 series and especially the 222. Quite advanced too, with digital storage and on-screen displays.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/vintage-tek-restoration-pictures-by-martin/msg590298/#msg590298http://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/222I have a Philips PM3010. With a screen magnifier.https://www.flickr.com/photos/11328208@N00/6116336628

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 08:59:23 pm
content: How small is miniature ?Aaron BS310S 95mm CRO.Thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/aaron-bs-310s-cro-mini-teardowm/

author: buck converter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 09:08:47 pm
content: eBay auction: #152653465446not sure if this qualifies as 'good', but is small!

author: Andy Watson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 09:15:04 pm
content: Quote from: artag on August 30, 2017, 06:33:01 pmVery true. I have a 222 and I find it surprisingly useful.Back in the day I used to lust after one of those Sinclair, SC110 (?) but (perhaps fortunately) never had the means to procure one.

author: RandallMcRee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 10:09:40 pm
content: Non-Linear Systems ms-215, 230https://wa5znu.org/2007/09/miniscope/

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 10:12:59 pm
content: Here are some to consider:B+K 1420 15MHz 2chHitachi V059B 7MHz 1chHitachi V209 20MHz 2ch 3"Hitachi V509 50MHz 2chIwatsu SS-3510 50MHz 2 chLeader 313A 20MHz 2chLeader LBO-315 60MHzLeader LBO-324 40MHz 9lbLeader LBO-325 60MHz 9lbNLS 215 15MHz 2 chNLS 230 30MHz 2 chNLS MS-15 1 chPanasonic VP5610A 100MHz 3ch w/readoutPhilip PM3010 5Mhz 2chTektronix 211 500kHz 1chTektronix 212 500kHz 2ch 6x10 CRTTektronix 213 1MHz 1ch w/TRMS DMMTektronix 214 500kHz 2ch storage 6x10 CRTTektronix 221 5MHz 1chTektronix 222 DSO 10MHz 2chTektronix 222A DSO 10MHz 2chTektronix 222PS DSO 10MHz 2ch "PowerScout"Tektronix 335 35MHz 2 ch 11lbTektronix 335A 35MHz 2 ch 11lbVuData 2521 25MHzVuData PS935 2chVuData PS940B 2chVuData PS950A 50MHz 2ch

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 10:14:03 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on August 30, 2017, 08:59:23 pmI think a 3" CRT is the largest that can be considered miniature.

author: kalel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 11:20:01 pm
content: Quote from: Yansi on August 30, 2017, 02:33:06 pmJust out of curiosity, how much do they go for?I would rather have one of those cheap USB scopes as a first scope these days, so as I said, strictly curious.

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 11:46:15 pm
content: The Tek/Sony 323 (4 MHz) and 324 (10 MHz) might be the ones you're thinking of. They're pretty cute, too. Add-on modules for them include the Tek 1401/1401A spectrum analyzer and 1501 TDR.

author: texaspyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2017, 02:02:45 am
content: Tektronix SC501 FTW! 5 MHz single channel. Takes one slot in a TM500 series mainframe.Also the SC502 (10 MHz), SC503 (10 MHz storage), and SC504 (80 MHz) dual wide modules. The SC504 is my "go to" analog scope.http://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/SC501http://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/SC502http://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/SC503http://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/SC504

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2017, 08:34:07 am
content: From:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/saved-a-tek-7503-tek-455-and-bk1420-from-storage/?allA tiny portable BK Precision 1420. It is about the size of a modern bench multimeter (like a Keithley 2000) and has a little 2in x 2in display. This is more of a novelty.http://www.bkprecision.com/downloads/manuals/en/1420_manual.pdf

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2017, 08:35:21 am
content: Quote from: kalel on August 30, 2017, 11:20:01 pmNo idea, you have to google for it. But guessing no more than 40$, otherwise it should be considered as a steal!

author: trueblue2k2
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 21, 2021, 06:52:01 pm
content: Sony/Tektronix 326. 10Mhz Dual Trace. Originally had 12 VDC internal Nicad pack and bulky matching external 110V supply-charger mounted to back of scope. Added rear DC jack to use 2.5 amp wall wart. Li-ion battery pack option. Faceplate is 7"W by 3"H with 3 1/4" diagonal CRT.

author: graybeard
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 12:32:53 am
content: Quote from: texaspyro on August 31, 2017, 02:02:45 amI have an SC501 in excellent condition that works well. however I have not used it in years except to check to see if it was still working. It does have a beautiful bright trace. I do have a one slot frame, but I unusually use it for my current probe amplifier.If I want to use an analog scope I use my HAMEG HM303-6 or TEK 7904 since it is on a cart and easy to move to where ever I need it.

author: justanothername
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 07:05:51 am
content: There is also the Thandar SC110A with a tiny screen.

author: dr_dan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 09:13:07 am
content: Also: Black Star 1502 2 channel 15MHz

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 09:45:36 pm
content: I repaired one of these mini Tek's last year..

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 11:06:19 pm
content: Tek 321A next to a larger Tek 310A on an optional fan mount.

author: 5065AGuru
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2021, 12:42:00 am
content: Check this guys collection on antique radio forums!Wow some cool old tech!!!

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2021, 11:48:39 pm
content: If the Tek/Sony 300 series counts as "miniature", I'ld like to add the 314 10MHz analog storage scope. Due to the fragile storage tube, its getting harder and harder to find (or assemble) a unit in full working order. When in good shape, they produce a really crisp and detailed picture despite the low acceleration voltage of 2kV total. The storage mode unfortunately comes along with reduced contrast since the flood guns slightly illuminate the whole screen. Nevertheless, I'm quite happy I've been able to save such a cute little piece of history from the dumpster and extend its "life" by a few decades...

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2021, 05:33:48 am
content: The smallest I own is a Thandar SC110A which has a 1 1/2" diagonal size CRT.I do remember seeing one in either Radio Shack or maybe Maplins in the early 90s or so, which was "pen" shaped, with a tiny LCD dot matrix screen, probably no more than an inch diagonal.

author: Ground_Loop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2021, 11:42:51 am
content: Behold the Tektronix dual beam 3-trace miniature oscilloscope.

author: graybeard
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2021, 06:37:54 pm
content: Tektronix SC501 miniature oscilloscope, FG503, DM501, DM502A, & SG503 in a TM515 portable powered enclosureclick on image for a full sized versionChris

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2021, 10:57:25 pm
content: Could you call 2007 vintage ?14mm x 36mm LCD display.ST3 Smart Tweezers Trace mode: 1M Ohm input+8V p-p maxPeriod measurements available in another mode.

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2021, 01:21:45 am
content: Memories of BattleStar GalacticaI'm trying to build up a collection of TM instruments. For me it is one of those technologies that needs to come back in a modern form. I do have to admit that a modern scope replaces much of what use to go in a TM mainframe but the concept was cool to me.Quote from: graybeard on April 24, 2021, 06:37:54 pm

author: alextwin007
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2021, 05:16:50 pm
content: So I may have used this thread as a collection guide, oopsNLS 215NLS 15Waterman S10Tek 323Tek 314