WTB (US): Modern Digital Oscilloscope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: The_PCB_Guy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2014, 01:49:54 am
content: I've decided it's about time for me to look for a full-digital (including LCD, not CRT) scope, preferably with a 100MHz or greater bandwidth. 4 channels would be a plus, but 2 channels would be acceptable, especially considering I can only spend $250USD including shipping. I have plenty of older CRT scopes whose ages range from the '50s to the '90s, but I have come across some projects that really require a higher precision. I'm currently in Boston, MA (USA) but will be moving back to my home in VT in a couple of weeks.I know I'm asking quite a bit for the price, but if anyone's willing to help me out, I would very much appreciate it!Regards,Matt

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2014, 03:04:04 am
content: When I went DSO shopping a couple of years ago with similar requirements, I found a pair of Tektronix 2230s for less than that price. With some time and care you could probably find a pair of 2232s which are much better. They do not have the automated features of a modern DSO but if you just need digital storage they have that covered.One of the reasons I avoided the lowest end of the Chinese oscilloscopes is their lack of peak detection which I consider a must have feature on a DSO. Someone else will have a better idea about what modern instruments are available in your price range.

author: The_PCB_Guy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2014, 03:09:15 am
content: Quote from: David Hess on July 28, 2014, 03:04:04 amThanks for the tips! I have some repair experience, so I'm thinking of looking for ones on ebay that may not be fully functional. I have had to repair 4 of the 5 CRT scopes I currently own, and I find it very fulfilling. Just thought I'd post here in case someone happened to have a spare one lying aroundCheers,Matt

author: The_PCB_Guy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 05:13:23 pm
content: Sorry for the double post, but just thought I'd mention--I did find a Tektronix 2230 for a decent price ($175 shipped), but having those automated features (precise, automatic frequency/duty cycle measurement, etc) is really my goal for my next scope, as well as higher precision.Currently looking at a Tek 210 on e-bay for very cheap (just needs a new backlight, I think), and I might jump on that. If it doesn't work for me, then I'll probably re-sell it, along with one or two of my CRT scopes, and buy a nice modern DSO. I'll have to wait and see what happens though. The 210 is 60MHz bandwidth, which is not ideal for me but it should work.Thanks again,Matt

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 06:06:36 pm
content: Quote from: The_PCB_Guy on July 29, 2014, 05:13:23 pmDSOs do not generally do precise measurements of anything but I agree that automatic measurements are nice. The 2230 and 2232 just have cursors to measure time, voltage, phase, and frequency. When I need automatic measurements, I use a different oscilloscope or instrument.

author: The_PCB_Guy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 07:31:18 pm
content: I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but I currently have 5 CRT scopes (vintage, range from the '50s through the early '90s), two of them are DSOs, and while they're very useful, they don't have the automatic measurements that I have found to be very useful, and even necessary in some cases.I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet and spend the extra $70 to get a Rigol DS1052E. $320 is a fair amount more than I wanted to spend, but I know Rigols are some of the best, so they would be worth it.The other thing I'm looking for is a reasonably small form-factor, as my workbench is quite full (it's a very small bench). A lightweight portable scope is really ideal.Thanks again,MattEDIT: I decided to just go for the Rigol DS1052. $330 including shipping, so I'll see how that goes. I also read on the forums here about a firmware upgrade, so I may give that a go.