Need help picking budget DSO. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: chinoy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 08:48:46 am
content: My requirements is to have 10 Usec resolution dual channel.I had a look at the stuff on aliexpress and what is sold locally in my country.Being portable is not critical. But budget is my main restraint.What DIY / DSO would you recommend that matches my requirements.My Fluke 105b. Keyboard has packed up. And importing spares is absurdly costly to my country. Esp from USA hence Im looking at the pocket options out of china.Something open source would be best.Thank you for your time.

author: Chriss
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 09:15:20 am
content: Hi!I don't know what is your goal and budget, but here are 3 dso's what I had and played with them.1.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DSO138-2-4-TFT-Digital-Oscilloscope-Kit-DIY-200KHz-Tester-1Msps-Bandwidth-Probe-Electronic-Production-Suite/32740256548.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.1.4e68791dgYUVln&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10307_537_536,searchweb201603_52,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=65d45031-5a34-4488-ac9d-1345f2bc8215-0&algo_pvid=65d45031-5a34-4488-ac9d-1345f2bc8215&transAbTest=ae803_52.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Fully-Assembled-Orignal-Tech-DS0150-15001K-DSO-SHELL-DSO150-DIY-Digital-Oscilloscope-Kit-With-Housing-case/32826373665.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.282.4e68791dgYUVln&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10307_537_536,searchweb201603_52,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=65d45031-5a34-4488-ac9d-1345f2bc8215-42&algo_pvid=65d45031-5a34-4488-ac9d-1345f2bc8215&transAbTest=ae803_53.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DSO203-30S-s-72MS-s-Sampling-Rate-4-Channels-DS203-Mini-DSO-Pocket-Size-Digital-Oscilloscope/32813867618.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.225.2bea72efHWNtZJ&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10307_537_536,searchweb201603_52,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=95d7282d-ae5a-4018-8909-301ce208eeb8-37&algo_pvid=95d7282d-ae5a-4018-8909-301ce208eeb8&transAbTest=ae803_5All 3 dso's are low cost and for hobbyist but I had really nice time with them.They are all working as described and are good for general home hobbyist'sI hope I helped you.

author: DDunfield
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 09:49:03 am
content: The old Fluke scopemeters use a flexible "foil" for the keypad which breaks over time. Keys just "stop working".I've seen reports of people repairing them with conductive paint, although I don't know how long that would last.There is a US company "http://scopemeterrepair.com/" that makes a thin PCB that replaces the keypad foil to permanently fix the issue. I used this in my Fluke97 and it worked well.Dave

author: Old Printer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2019, 04:02:36 pm
content: How about listing an actual budget? Inexpensive/cheap/low cost mean different things to different people, where as " under $300 US" is pretty descriptive.

author: chinoy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2019, 07:19:53 pm
content: Thanks guys.Budget was about 350$ - 400$ because this is what I spent on my previous Flukes. Prior to this I had a Fluke 97. When that keyboard packed up I got a 105B. That keyboard also packed up.Yeah I saw that board 80$ plus shipping & duty =150$. Not an option. Thats half my budget. I could have that made for a few bucks locally worst case. If I can find somebody to do it.Anyway a friend dropped over we tried making our own conductive ink using graphite but it did not work. In the end we used kitchen foil. And sticky tape to press down on it. The key started working. The previous owner had used a blob of dry solder paste I guess to get it out the door on ebay.It would seem this is a known issue with all Fluke Scopes. Even the new ones.A few guys are offering a hard board on ebay even for the newer meters.Thanks I will go thru the ones you have listed on aliexpress and order one.Ps: There is a nice deal on a 100Mhz 105B for 100$ on ebay which is the cheapest I have ever seen. But I think Im done with Fluke for now. I called their local service partner they never got back to me after multiple calls and e-mails.Anybody could provide me with a service manual for the 105B would be obliged.I just setup a basic function generator using my android phone. Which connects to a bluetooth amp.Ps: Should have mentioned budget 350$. Need to have 1 Usec resolution and need 2 channels. China source prefered as no duty on imports from china. I see a wealth of reviews and posts so busy reading.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2019, 07:38:59 pm
content: In that price range you have the GW Instek GDS1054B or the (older and lesser specced) Rigol DS1054Z. Both can be hacked using a key generator to have 100MHz bandwidth, decoding and other features.