what the best cheap oscilloscope ! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: JacobIsHere
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 09:41:44 am
content: First off yes i have seen Daves how to set up an electronics lab. i'm thinking about the rigol DS1052E but i dont know what to geti need your helppppp!

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 09:43:12 am
content: I need to buy car. Can someone please tell me which is the best one?

author: peps1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 10:13:57 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on April 09, 2015, 09:43:12 amWay to make someone feel welcomeQuote from: JacobIsHere on April 09, 2015, 09:41:44 amHey Jacob,If you post what your budget is, along with the applications you're going to use it mainly for, I'm sure someone will give you some pointers of what you should be looking at in that price range.I got my first scope a couple of years back second hand from a forum member, so there are some bargains to be had here!

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 10:17:02 am
content: Have a look a few pages back in the Test Equipment board. There are 3 recent threads on this subject.That you are looking at a DSO is a good start.For real help you should disclose your intended use and budget.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 10:52:45 am
content: Hi, Jacob.Have you seen Dave's review of the DS1054Z? It's so much better for not a lot more than the DS1052E that there's not much point in spending serious money on the older scope.You mentioned in another post that you are 14 and live in Canberra. If you don't have the cash for a DS1054Z, are there any local schools, colleges or businesses who might have an old analogue scope you could have or borrow while you save for a decent DSO? It never hurts to ask, and you can learn a lot with one of these.

author: apelly
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 11:52:19 am
content: JacobIsHere, I suggest you slow down a bit, concentrate on what you write, and try to punctuate sensibly. Taking the time to present yourself articulately and politely will get you a lot more help and support than shouting semi-coherently.If you are actually fourteen, living in Canberra, I think you should be able to manage that.There are many helpful people here, as you can see from most of the responses to your OP.Try to make it easy for them to help you.Aaron.Also, the DS1052E is obsolete and expensive. Do not buy one new.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 12:41:11 pm
content: Quote from: JacobIsHere on April 09, 2015, 09:41:44 amIf you have the budget get a new one in the $400 - $500 range. If you don't, get a used analog scope.I've been in electronic labs most of my life, and I'm still into it, and you know what I still use for a scope? A circa 1985 analog Hitachi V-212. You can get something like that for really cheap on Ebay, and for a beginner it will be just fine for a long time until you decide you want or need something better.

author: JackP
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 01:48:35 pm
content: The problem is that most beginners get a scope to use with their arduino, which ismainlyDSO territory, to see and capture digital signals. In these cases, a cheap logic analyser will do for most things. I don't object to people getting a scope, in fact I condone it and understand there are times to use one even with arduinos (analog sensors, PWM). However, this is where application cases come in. For all I know, you repair old test gear, for which an analogue scope is perfect.If you want it for arduino (not a necessity inmyexperience) thenIwould recommend a £50 analogue scope with a £10 LA. Feel free to disagree , just trying to help.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 03:59:22 pm
content: I suppose the best cheap one would be a used 1052E from someone who bought the new model.

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2015, 06:41:50 pm
content: The DS1052E isn't a bad scope, and several years ago, it would have been a top choice. But since the introduction of the DS1054Z, conventional wisdom is that the DS1054Z offers much more capability for only a little more money. Even if your budget is fairly limited, you'd be better off saving for just a little longer and getting the DS1054Z instead of buying a DS1052E. I'd value the 1052E at somewhere around two-thirds the value of the 1054Z, maybe less, but the prices are much closer than that.As stonent points out, if you come across a very good deal on a used 1052E, that might be worth considering.The 1054Z offers four channels, a bigger screen with higher resolution, "analog-like" intensity graded display, and much more memory for storing waveforms. There are other nice things about the newer scope, but these few features alone make it worth the premium, IMO.