Oscilloscope Suggestions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: yashrk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2017, 05:55:19 pm
content: First of all good news guys, I will be completing my EE this year and I have landed on a job as embedded systems design engineer and I would like to thank all of the members of the forums who from my first year of engineering have help me though my projects, corrected and guided me though many of my silly mistakes. And also a great thanks to Dave.Coming back to the question, the company I am working for is in automobiles industry and my boss is starting build an electronic lab in our new office and he has asked me to shortlist few oscilloscope models, I personally don't own an oscilloscope (not at least a working one). Right now we mostly work on embedded systems and don't do any fancy stuff. I am thinking to get oscilloscope which is crammed with multiple features.As this is the first electronics test gear which will be coming in the office I am not sure what budget will be passed so i will ask you give two options mid-range one and low-end one.Also do tell your views about buying all in one oscilloscope or getting basic oscilloscope and then buying other gear as we need.As it will be used in embedded lab so serial decoder will be awesome. BTW I am in India.Thanx guys,Yash RK.

author: beenosam
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2017, 06:58:09 pm
content: Quote from: yashrk on April 12, 2017, 05:55:19 pmThe question about which oscilloscope to buy has been asked many times on here. A quick search will return the results that you want.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2017, 07:26:06 pm
content: I think the Pico scope line is geared toward automotive industry.

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2017, 07:52:56 pm
content: Mid-range:Keysight DSOX1102AR&S HMO1002 (http://shop.rohde-schwarz.com/in/hamegrhmo1002.html)Low-end:Siglent SDS1202X-ERigol DS1054Z (Hacked)imho.

author: ollihd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2017, 07:57:18 pm
content: One vote for the Rigol DS1054Z (Hacked)

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2017, 07:57:31 pm
content: I thought something like the 3000 models would be considered mid range

author: Keysight DanielBogdanoff
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2017, 10:30:08 pm
content: Here's a link for the DSOX1102A mentioned above:http://bit.ly/1000X-SeriesIt's a good cheap oscilloscope and has options for protocol decoding.I've found the all-in-one tool thing to be reasonably useful if you just need some basic functionality, but if you're getting into more complex use-models it's often better to also have a stand-alone DMM, function generator, etc.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2017, 01:55:20 am
content: Quote from: yashrk on April 12, 2017, 05:55:19 pmStill, money does matter, what ever features or capabilities of the scope, all talks and discussions will be useless as people don't have any idea what those mid and low end level translate into dollars.A US $1000 probably means nothing at developed country if its for business, but in India, does US $1000 fall into mid or low ?As you set your flag from India, even you have found the ideal scope, will it be easily bought in India ? Does it have authorized distributor, as this will be used for business, warranty is important, unless your boss has other idea that your company can afford to buy an "Aliexpress" type scope deal that came with shady warranty ?Now, back to "money" talk, even at the end of discussion, you've found the ideal scope, and the "budget", but will that number still applicable at India ? As I'm aware, these kind of electronic stuff has heavy import tax there, also the mark-up price by distributors will be high too as the market is quite small there.You need to give the hard number, other wise all of this is just useless chit-chat.My 1/4 watt resistor worth of advice.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2017, 02:23:13 am
content: You should first figure out what it is you wish to use the scope for, who is going to be using it and what sort of information do you wish to gain from it? What is your budget? Oscilloscopes can be a few hundred dollars or less all the way up to >$100k, but for general purpose use something at the lower end of that spectrum is often suitable. Whatever scope you get, take the time to read the manual and learn to use it properly, the best scope in the world is useless if nobody there really knows how to use it.

author: Andreas
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2017, 05:04:22 am
content: Hello,You do not write wether you are doing software or hardware development.And "automotive" is a wide field from ECUs to entertainment systems.with best regardsAndreas

author: yashrk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2017, 08:59:59 am
content: Thank you guys for the replies?.I just wanted it to have all the necessary basic features currently I needed a serial decoder the most.I suggested my boss above oscilloscopes but apparently company has a high budget because he himself was looking on getting DSOX4104ASo do suggest oscilloscope accordingly

author: TheAmmoniacal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 13, 2017, 09:01:50 am
content: Quote from: yashrk on April 13, 2017, 08:59:59 amWith that budget you can get whatever features you want, just tick them all

author: Luminax
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2017, 01:11:45 pm
content: Just for preparation on your embedded system designer journey, might look at getting the MSOX mixed signal version from the start.That version eluded me and I'm using the DSOX2014A now... but I'm... "getting by" *cough* *cough*

author: dcbrown73
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2017, 02:24:37 pm
content: Quote from: Luminax on April 13, 2017, 01:11:45 pmI thought about this before I bought Rigol DS1104Z Plus, (I'm just really starting to get into this stuff) but I read and I believe David noted in a video that while it's okay and does offer side by side viewing of signals. That you're probably better off purchasing a separate logic analyzer which run about the same price and more likely will get better quality results from it.That said, the DS1104Z Plus is capable of being upgraded. So, I suppose it's always an option.

author: yashrk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2017, 02:51:23 pm
content: Quote from: Luminax on April 13, 2017, 01:11:45 pm

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2017, 07:10:43 pm
content: If you are going to work under the hood... a picoscope is a very useful tool (laptop -> battery powered / isolated... be careful of input ratings... still, crapton of automotive decoders, extensive analysis options built in the computer software)Also don't forget the appropriate probes (voltage/current/differential if needed).Let me also say don't waste money and time on b-brands for work (especially because you have the budget for good tools)If we didn't have a pico a dsox 3000t is the minimum i would get for this job (has all the appropriate options)But you didn't say what you will be doing with cars, did you?

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2017, 12:25:41 am
content: For working on actual cars I think I would go for something like a Scopemeter or other handheld ruggedized oscilloscope. I've had a USB Bitscope for years and have never been all that impressed by it. Having the scope and laptop separate is cumbersome, hard to find a place to set a laptop under the hood of a car, need to keep the scope from dangling into moving parts. In my case it has USB isolation issues that cause the bus to lock up but the newer ones are isolated IIRC. All in one dedicated instrument is far more convenient.

author: daybyter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2017, 01:56:53 am
content: https://www.amazon.com/Hantek-Automotive-Diagnostic-Oscilloscope-Programmable/dp/B00BSR98KWLow-cost 8 channel option?

author: cvriv
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2017, 05:30:23 am
content: You should really try and found out what the budget will be first. They will help narrow down the possiblities. That's what I'd do:)What degree did you earn? Im working on getting my associates at the moment and everyday I wonder if O'd be able to get any kind of job with it. I kind of hate the job I have now, but it does pay the bills and put me through school. Anyways, congrats!

author: Luminax
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2017, 05:01:58 am
content: My workplace just bought a Tektronix TBS1102B for 'automation process' project... I get to test it before it goes into production floor to be mangled beyond any reasonable doubt but man... I've been spoiled by Keysight...The only other path I can see in my oscilloscope journey is up, 3000x, 4000x, and beyond!

author: yashrk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2017, 11:51:12 am
content: Quote from: Luminax on April 19, 2017, 05:01:58 amThat the fear