My Purchase and review of Micsig T202A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2016, 03:48:26 am
content: Summary ReviewI have been searching and reading about handheld and portable scopes for a while now. The plethora of what is available and what features to choose versus what one can afford well, you know. I even went as far as the possibility of buying used. During this endeavor, I came across MICSIG. One of their hand-held scope models have been recently reviewed on eevblog.I ended up buying the MICSIG tBook T202A and placing my order through Amazon on December 18.I received the scope on Dec 28 to the USA. The scope came well packaged in a double box with no damage evident. The accessories and power supply were in separate boxes but enclosed in the same packaging.Upon visual inspection, I found the fit and finish quality beyond what I had expected. The scope has a beautiful 10-inch screen with a resolution of 1024*600. Including, touch screen support along with optional mouse support. I tried a Logitech Wireless mouse with no problems. I did upgrade the standard battery for the 13,000 mAh, and that lasted for 7 hours. Figured out screen brightness has a considerable effect on battery performance.The manual pretty well thought out with plenty of visuals. However, I was able to navigate easily the intuitive menus without it. I did go to Youtube and viewed some videos available there from users and Micsig.Waveform captures can be performed up to 500K wfms with a memory depth of 90Mpts and sampling rate of 2GSa/s. Storage of waveforms has no limitation, as they are stored on an external USB storage device. The scope allows you to enter a waveform name through an on-screen keyboard. The scope has one feature I like, and that is the ability to use “Reference” waveforms. You can have up to four.The scope comes with 23 automatic measurements of which all or some are selectable with five mathematical operations.For additional features, please go to “http://tinyurl.com/jaxt9b “ for more info.TestingTesting of this product performed with a Yokogawa DL 7100 Oscilloscope (calibrated 11/15), Siglent SDG 1025 ARB, and BK 1856 3.5Ghz Frequency Counter (Because it's all about frequency accuracy).Sine wave*Testing of ?Hz, and mHz not tested. Results of MHz frequency tests are within .02 - .06 average of **DL7100. Results of kHz frequency tests are within .02 - .04 average of **DL7100. Testing of Hz frequencies within .002 average of DL7100.* Sine wave baseline test of Amplitude and Frequency from 1 kHz to 10Mhz with an Amplitude pk-pk from 1 volt to 20volts.MISCSquare, Ramp, and Plus wave measurements all within .02 - .04 of **DL7100** Yokogawa DL7100 Oscilloscope – Calibrated 11/2015.Sine wave baseline test of Amplitude and Frequency from 1 kHz to 10Mhz with an Amplitude pk-pk from 1 volt to 20volts.Findings1. You are required to utilize an external calibration device to sync the probes.2. When charging the battery, the display charge icon status is very bright. Possible eventual burn-in of this icon on LCD screen – Brightness control has no affect. However, when charging is complete the screen blacks out.3. Recommend the software is either available on a full-size CD/DVD or a flash drive. It is shipped with one of those mini CD. However, it is available on the Micsig website as a download.4. Annoying click upon shutdown thru speakers – Volume control has no effect.5. There is a non-slip surface on the bottom of the scope but still slides easily on my bench.6. I was able to connect a wireless mouse (Logictech M185) and use the scope with no issues.7. 5 Math operator:+,-,*,/,FFT.FFTcan add Rectangle, Hamming, Hanning, Blackman-Harris window function.8. Reference waveform setup took me a couple of try’s.9. No Help Screen – you must refer to user guide for assistance. Future firmware release to be included.10. Channel one and channel two are independent channels. The T202A model shares the same AD converter.11. Maximum voltage measurement pp is 50 volts with a 1:1: probe, 500v with a 10:1 probe.12. Simultaneous measurement of channel 1 and 2.13. Waveform updates are 500k wfm/s.14. Real-time capture of waveforms available in two modes.Wish List1. You are required to utilize an external calibration device to sync the probes.2. When charging the battery, the display charge icon status is very bright. Possible eventual burn-in of this icon on LCD screen –3. The rear stand needs to be of heavier material. I do not see this lasting in an outside or lab environment for very long.4. Fix existing non-slip surface to keep the unit from sliding on the desk.5. A screen protector similar to a Zagg glass screen protector.http://www.zagg.com/us/en_us/invisibleshield/microsoft-surface-3-screen-protector/glass-microsoft-surface-36. A thick rubber enclosure to protect the scope.7. Allow rubber side cover to close with wireless mouse dongle still inserted.8. Information needed in startup guide on first-time use – such as battery charging; probe setup, reset, calibration, etc.9. A full manual covering scope advance use. I am still discovering features.10. Self-Test status on startup.11. Waveform grid snap ability.

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2016, 12:32:29 pm
content: You have tested it and measured waveform update speed 500kwfm/sCan you show any detailed documentation about this test, images and exact description about test.

author: Mark_O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 08:40:38 pm
content: Quote from: Docholiday on January 16, 2016, 03:48:26 amDoesn't exist.QuoteDo you think that perhaps having some Units designated might be helpful? Are these supposed to be %, or Hz, or MHz, or what?QuoteThis will also negatively impact the speed at which the unit charges. So there are multiple reasons this was a bad choice.QuoteToo much of this was nothing more than a cut & paste of the Findings. But thanks for posting your initial impressions.

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 07:18:40 am
content: I have a TO204 model on hand that I've been meaning to do a review of, but haven't had the time yet. There's no trigger out capability for measuring the actual waveform update rate. If you have a pulse generator, could you test the -3dB bandwidth for us?

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 09:16:55 am
content: LCDs don't "burn in" - what's very bright is the backlight, and the reason for that is they probably have the PWM turned on full at the beginning and then rely on software later to set it to the persisted value the user set. I have an Android phone that does a similar thing - during bootup and before main OS has loaded, screen is at full brightness.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2016, 12:54:15 pm
content: Sorry, I have not replied. Had a family member that has finally passed away after a long and painful battle. I am in travel mode at the moment waiting for my last flight home. It has been a long 12 hours of flight time with 6 more hours of flight time left.I dont even know what day or time it is anymore - Iam exhausted!

author: Micsig_support
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2016, 03:43:22 am
content: Quote from: Docholiday on January 18, 2016, 12:54:15 pmHello, how are you recently? is everything ok?

author: Micsig_support
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2016, 10:45:11 am
content: Quote from: nidlaX on January 18, 2016, 07:18:40 amAs to your question about test “-3dB bandwidth”, pls refer to below picture.You test 200MHz sine wave by 200MHz tBook, The signal amplitude output is 1.2V, the test value is 1.19V by tBook, it is much better than -3dB(0.707 times)

author: Mark_O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2016, 03:33:57 am
content: Quote from: Micsig_support on February 19, 2016, 10:45:11 amThat is true. However, I suspect what they wanted to see was at what frequency is the output actually 3dB down?

author: Micsig_support
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 09:15:26 am
content: Quote from: Mark_O on February 20, 2016, 03:33:57 amHere is another photo you can see the frequency output is 387 MHz, is much bigger than 200MHz when signal ratio attenuation is 3dB, which we input 1.2V sine wave.

author: Performa01
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 10:28:40 am
content: Nice demonstration.That raises the obvious question: why do you announce it as a 200MHz scope, when it's actually more like 350MHz?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 11:12:07 am
content: These kind of measurements also depend on the terminationattenuationotherwise you can get all kinds of effects due to reflections. Also the anti-aliasing filter may have peaking at certain frequencies. Without specifying a reference frequency, the test setup and doing a proper sweep there is no way to tell what the screendump says exactly.edit: typo

author: Performa01
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 11:36:03 am
content: @nctnicoDon't be a killjoy! Your objections are certainly valid and it is hard to believe that any company would specify a scope at little more than half its actual useful bandwidth, so there's most likely a rub. But I would have been curious to hear (read) what Micsig_support has to say on this...

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 11:49:29 am
content: My Keysight "1GHz" active probe actually has a tested bandwidth of >2GHz. It's right there on the cal cert.I say fair play to any manufacturer making products that actually exceed, rather than struggle to meet, the published spec.

author: Docholiday
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2016, 03:45:06 pm
content: Hello Everyone,Its good to be back, have been out due to my grandmother passing away and then my grandfather passing away 2 weeks later from a broken heart. These events hit me really hard as they both raised me from 3 yars old to adulthood. Anyway I see this thread is still alive and doing well. I am hoping to see if not to expensive and take this Micsig to calibration shop for a review but wont know until late next week. Micsig released a new firmware upgraded has anyone upgrade yet?

author: Micsig_support
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 09:07:42 am
content: Quote from: Performa01 on February 24, 2016, 10:28:40 amAccording to our design, the trigger bandwidth is 200MHz.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 09:23:33 am
content: Quote from: amyk on January 18, 2016, 09:16:55 amThey don't "burn in" in the same sense as say a CRT or a Plasma, however even LCDs suffer from the problem that static images that are displayed for an extended period of time retain even when the screen content changes. This effect is commonly referred to as "ghosting".However, unlike real burin-in, ghosting is reverse-able.