DSO for automotive use? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Lazydayz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 11:05:19 am
content: Would like a DSO for automotive diagnostics. Chasing opinions and recommendations for handheld units. 2ch and 1gs/s would be nice. Not lower than 100Mhz. Bonus if it has dmm functions as well.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 11:07:33 am
content: What kind of budget, I can guess if you have not found an option yet, it probably means what you have found is not in your price range.Handheld with DMM functions always seem to attract a $1000 markup

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 11:11:42 am
content: MicSig TO1000 series comes to mind. It is a full blown oscilloscope in tablet form (and it has mature firmware). Most 'regular' portable oscilloscopes are not that versatile.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 11:25:43 am
content: R&S have a series of handheld scopes for automotive use (battery operation, isolated channels.. altough not isolated between each other and some automotive decoders you will only find in their RTA scopes at 10x the price.. even though it is really a stripped down RTB/RTM. Stupid marketing choices.)but it kinda sucks. i mean, it's slow as hell to operate, the UI is meh with the +/- buttons instead of dials but i get why they made it that way. Also weighs a ton.Depending on the task at hand we either use a Picoscope, a TPS 2000 or any other bench scope. But i'd love to try the micsig someday.** A microsoft surface + a picoscope could be an interesting combo. The fact that you are using a windows tablet means that you can also run other software in parallel without having to also bring a laptop, such as diagnosis software

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 12:02:57 pm
content: Two options come to mind, Picoscope automotive (not cheap, needs PC, very advanced features), and Micsig tablet scope.Picoscope needs to be automotive version, general purpose ones don't work with automotive software, and are less robust than automotive.Micsig will obviously have more handy form factor (no PC to worry about, long lasting battery, just grab tablet and go--), and now they even have an automotive version (it same scope just with added software). Didn't try automotive one so no opinion how more useful it is compared to just plain Micsig tablet scope. But Micisg tablet scope (some kind) is on my "to get" list...

author: fkfaraz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 12:22:21 pm
content: hello.i second the MICSIG tablet o'scope. also if u want to take a look on another tablet o'scope with 100mhz(), dual channel with 1 GS. there is this this one from china( Although i don't know if it can be used in automotive application)there was a discussion about it on eevblog too.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/fnirsi-1013d-100mhz-tablet-oscilloscope/new/?topicseen#new

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 12:22:01 am
content: Most people I know doing auto repairs use the Modis. I can't think of any that would know how to use a scope.I'm not sure why you would need 100MHz on a car but Fluke does offer one. I have a couple of Fluke 97s that spent their life in a garage. Their in rough condition but still functional after that level of abuse.

author: maginnovision
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 01:34:50 am
content: You don't need high sample rate or high bandwidth for automotive specific uses. An older fluke handheld is probably your best bet(97, 98, 99). Low cost and reasonably tough as long as you get the holster with it. If you "need" something new I'd probably recommend the hantek since they're low cost and work. The auto versions come with presets for measurements and some additional adapters for measuring depending on version.Don't buy the Chinese garbage toy scopes(fnirsi). Get them near gas and they might start to melt.

author: TK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 01:52:03 am
content: Look for the Micsig ATO1102 or ATO1104 that provides automotive measurement and includes some probes that are more appropriate for automotive use

author: maginnovision
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 01:55:49 am
content: I wouldn't recommend anything touchscreen for purely automotive purposes.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 04:35:38 am
content: How do you plan on using it? Automotive diagnostics covers a wide range of things. Are you working as an automotive repair technician? I used a Fluke 98 for years doing just that, but I had other things as well. A Fluke 98, a Picoscope with a laptop or tablet and a dedicated ignition scope all have different functions and capabilities. I have no idea why you want 100MHz unless you are trying to read data buses directly--and in that case a bog-standard 4 channel bench DSO would be the way to go.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 07:02:08 am
content: Not handheld, but ... Picoscope makes stuff that's designed around "automotive use" so it has specialist software for that.https://www.picoauto.com/Edit: No, I don't have personal experience with them.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 09:26:35 am
content: Quote from: maginnovision on May 18, 2020, 01:55:49 amWhy not? A touchscreen is easier to clean compared to knobs.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 10:55:11 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on May 18, 2020, 09:26:35 amAnd you can maybe get a screen protector and change it once in a while.

author: jemangedeslolos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 12:58:36 pm
content: I think it's a capacitive screen on the micsig.I don't know how it reacts with gloves and/or oil on the hands.But if it works well, it will be much more practical than carrying around a laptop IMHO.

author: TK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 01:27:52 pm
content: The micsig is very portable if you add the battery option.

author: maginnovision
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 05:37:29 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on May 18, 2020, 09:26:35 amCapacitive screens can quickly go haywire with adhesives, oils, and other conductive garbage you come in contact with when working on cars. Even if you're just working on interior electrical you're bound to get tape adhesive on your hands. It's pretty annoying having to replace gloves, wash hands, wash tools every time you need to use a tool. At BMW we had resistive touch screens for every piece of diagnostic gear with a touch screen. So yea, it'd be fine to clean but not as fine to actually work with. You have to do the same thing with a phone, clean it, your hands, replace gloves or deal with it going dicky. That's just my opinion OP can absolutely do what they like.One more addition... The flukes I recommended are also pretty tough and essentially have screen protectors but heavy duty not touching the actual screen. I never worry about it when I'm working. I own a micsig and I will say they're not the same level of tough.