Tektronix TDS 210 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: a1976888
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 04:36:23 pm
content: Hi,I'm buying my first oscilloscope and I think that the new Rigol 1054Z is the best deal at the moment.However I searched for used oscilloscopes and I found a Tektronix TDS 210 at the price of 200€. Probably I can have it for something less.What do you think about this particular model? Is it any good compared to Rigol 1054Z?Thanks!

author: xwarp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 04:49:04 pm
content: Something to check out:http://www1.tek.com/service/safety/tds200/

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 04:51:49 pm
content: Quote from: a1976888 on November 21, 2014, 04:36:23 pmNot even close.I have a TDS210, had it since the 90s, it's a fineVERYbasic scope that was good/ok when introduced. If you could pick one up for about $50 bucks then I'd say do it. Otherwise, save for the 1054.However, the 210 has no fan and is completely silent, which is why I continue to use mine, almost daily.

author: mij59
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 04:54:17 pm
content: Check out this review

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 06:58:10 pm
content: The TDS210 was very popular in a classroom environment in this country.It is a sound, no nonsense stable old DSO with a very limited feature set compared to modern scopes.Good basic first scope if it can be found cheap.Last time I looked they were still demanding good money on the bay.There was a safety recall for earthing asxwarphas pointed out.This can be checked with Tek by serial number. All of those mods should have been logged with Tek as repaired.IME I had one with a failed backlight oscillator that was fixed with a 30c cap.The other common fault was loose/broken BNC input sockets.They are onle a 2 pin PCB BNC socket and known to break.A proper repair involves replacement and soldering a copper strap over them to prevent this happening again.Any movement in the BNC sockets point to this fault.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 07:11:05 pm
content: I own a 210 and must agree with others. Unless it is very cheap, go for a more modern DSO of decent quality. The Rigol would not be a bad choice IMHO.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 07:34:32 pm
content: Ugh, I'd rather have a 465 over one of those crusty DSOs!If you need bandwidth, shopping for older units can be a good deal. If you need all-around functionality and value, you're going to have a hard time beating something like a 1054Z at any price or age.Tim

author: a1976888
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2014, 08:28:59 pm
content: Thank you very much for all your answers!So I will go for a new Rigol like I initially thought.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2014, 02:10:44 am
content: The Rigol is the smartest choice. The TDS210 is a piece of crap. Better burry those in the landfill where they burried the old Atari games.