Loto OSCA02 usb oscilloscope - is it at least as good as Owon VDS1022i? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: cosmin1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2020, 04:49:49 pm
content: As i mentioned in the Owon topic, what do you think about this device?I'm not an expert, that's why i ask your opinion about it.Is it any good?I would compare it with the most discussed oscilloscope in this category - the Owon VDS1022i.A picture of the OSCA02:

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2020, 07:51:58 pm
content: Thanks for opening up a new thread on this cosmin1.Just to paraphrase and expand on my reply in the VDS1022i thread...I found a review thread on it herehttps://youtu.be/O9sUpl1PCDAand there's a 50 minute introductory video (requires patience) from the manufacturer herehttps://youtu.be/mUM9R6rnH90which I think is on the s/w as it applies to the whole product range.From the review I gleaned that:It is 100Msps like the Owon (don't know if that's per channel or shared) 30MHz I think. It adds basic 6 bit logic analyser / GPIO capability, data logging (which could be useful), and a 48k buffer (Owon is 5k). Basic edge triggering only. I don't think it has galvanic isolation.The review video isn't great, or particularly knowledgeable. He raves about the UI in the video, comparing it only with the Hantek 6022, I don't think he mentioned the Owon at all (probably hasn't used one). I'm not a fan of on-screen virtual knobs, but that's a personal preference thing. It looks fairly understandable though. It has FFT and Autoset button (the reviewer seems to think they are unique features in a USB scope!)It has a kind of weird case construction, it looks as if it ought to separate into two parts but there are no visible fixings. In the manufacturer video, they warn about teardowns voiding the warranty (obviously) but also the danger of damaging some delicate connectors (between the two halves?).Again, from the manufacturer video, there is a VGA style D-sub connector on the front panel, which can be used for 6 bit logic analyser clips, but also add-on modules including a signal generator board and an isolated (differential? but single BNC input). It looks as if fitting any of these options obscures one of the analogue channel inputs (design limitation). I'm also not clear whether these modules can be used on all of their scopes (I think the OSCA02 is the bottom end one).The manufacturer video also shows a bit more of the data-logging capability, together with the ability to pull up a seemingly endless number of spot readings on the screen in addition to the normal X and Y measurement cursors. It wasn't easy to follow due to speed and language issues, but they seem to have gone overboard on bells and whistles.A few final impressions..+ Adds 6 logic channels (at the expense of 1 analogue channel when used?) I think with some protocol decode capability?+ Datalogging could be a real advantage in some applications.+ Slightly larger buffer than the Owon (48k vs 5k), both small by bench standards.+ Add-on module capability.+ Lots of UI bells and whistles (useful?)- Basic edge triggering only.- No galvanic isolation (but may be possible for single channel if you purchase the add-on adapter, price?)- The LA capability could probably be bettered by a low cost ebay LA and Sigrok.- UI bells and whistles, virtual knobs etc. (either love/hate).- More expensive.- Nobody's done a teardown yet!

author: cosmin1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2020, 12:26:19 pm
content: Thanks for informations you share.I also find this classification:https://www.amazon.com/Oscilloscope-2-Channel-Bandwidth-4-Channel-Resolution/dp/B07RP9N2BZ?SubscriptionId=AKIAJLED3XJOSH6WNO7A&tag=popular048-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07RP9N2BZA negative point could be - no square generator. But maybe after calibrating the probes, you don't need it.Positive point: - very nice Android interface.I'm still evaluating this tool.Since there's no teardown, if i will buy it, i could try to take apart and show some pictures. Maybe together we solve this mistery.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2020, 01:02:19 pm
content: That Android UI looks nicer than the PC one (hopefully they will finish translating the buttons).Not missing the point that it is actually supported on Android!P.S. The Amazon Ad implies that it is capable of 8 or 13 bit resolution (possibly if just one channel is used?).EDIT:QuoteIt looks as if 1kHz square wave is available on pin 6 of the 'VGA' connector - it's in one of the pictures in the Amazon listing.

author: indman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2020, 04:40:17 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on February 23, 2020, 07:51:58 pmThese factors are already enough to not buy this device!Also look at the following characteristics compared to OwonVDS1022I:–Time range: 50ns/div ~ 2s/div(VDS1022 - 5ns/div-100s/div)–Input sensitivity 50 mV/div to 2 V/div(5mV-5V VDS1022)It looks like a child's toy compared to the capabilities of OWON!VDS1022 can also work perfectly on Android running HScope 2.2.5http://hscope.martinloren.com/

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2020, 10:41:28 pm
content: Quote from: indman on February 24, 2020, 04:40:17 pmDamn, I can't remember if I knew that or not. Such is age!Useful anyway.

author: cosmin1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 03:05:58 am
content: Quote from: indman on February 24, 2020, 04:40:17 pmIf they could only add a menu to change those trace colors in Owon... i don't like them att all. It doesn't leave the impression of a real oscilloscope.Or if we could find some other skins. Or to make one, like in the old Winamp...

author: indman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 06:57:07 am
content: Quote from: cosmin1 on February 25, 2020, 03:05:58 amcosmin1You are not carefully read the topic respected Gyro - because of the skill and experience of the people (especially successful works florentbr and camomille) now OWON shell, you can choose any color for the channel trace, cursors, the FFT, mathematics!As well there is the option in PeakTech shell White background color-PeakTech_VO_S2_2.0.16_Setup.rar.https://www.peaktech.de/productdetail/kategorie/pc-oszilloskope/produkt/p-1280.html

author: cosmin1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 08:54:16 am
content: I read most of the topic, but did not finished and i missed the information about the Owon shell. If those settings are available now, we have a winner from my point of view too.Quote from: indman on February 24, 2020, 04:40:17 pmYou are right, i did not see that.Thanks for all information.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 10:01:53 am
content: Quote from: indman on February 25, 2020, 06:57:07 amHuh? Who me? I'm already using florentbr's s/w with colour choices!You suddenly seem to have a problem with me (what's the respected Gyro crap?)

author: indman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 10:27:38 am
content: Gyro, I do not understand what you are complaining about? All OK!I sincerely wish you good health and good luck, do not worry.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 12:05:02 pm
content: Thanks Indman. Your post seemed to be (was?) saying that I hadn't read the thread properly and didn't know about the colour options in florentbr and Alain's excellent s/w versions. [Edit: I see you corrected it, thanks.]I think what cosmin1 was trying to say was "If they(Loto)could only add a menu to change those trace colorslikeOwon (new s/w versions)..." [EDIT: Oh, I'm not sure now. I will try to avoid putting words in his mouth. Translation into English must be such a pain!]No worries, I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding between us.EDIT: I'm so glad that I'm a native speaker, otherwise you would probably see nothing from me!

author: indman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 12:46:44 pm
content: GyroOh, forgive me for my imperfect English.Sorry! My words about the owon color scheme were addressed only tocosmin1. I see that it is properly understood me.

author: cosmin1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 05:32:24 pm
content: I don't use google translate, i speak/write pretty well without it and understood from the start that Indman was talking to me.I wanted to say, i would like Owon had different trace colors, but Indman enlightened me. Didn't get to read the whole Owon thread, to see the SW mods available.Thanks again, you where very helpful i already ordered the Owon VDS1022i.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 08:15:14 pm
content: Glad it all worked out (it sounds as if you've got some reading to do now).

author: cosmin1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 09:39:57 pm
content: Quote from: indman on February 25, 2020, 06:57:07 amWhat am i doing wrong?The oscilloscope is not here yet, i just installed the official software and now i'm using yours. But no colour option.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2020, 10:19:24 pm
content: Ah, you installed Camomille's S/W, he did a specific modification to change Ch1 from the original Red to Green (plus other helpful changes).To get customisable colours, you want to install florentbr's version of the software (reverse engineered from a later version of the Owon s/w too)....https://github.com/florentbr/OWON-VDS1022