First Oscilloscope what to chose ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Rabit0
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 29, 2021, 12:17:56 am
content: I wish to buy my first Oscilloscope and I wonder if mentioned below will be worth its price.I find a Hameg HM407-2 for 55 Euro with seller says have a issue after powering showing horizontal line but after some time line change for 2 dotsHe also provided some photosWhat are you thoughts ?Also I managed find service manual for this unit * Full diagram.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2021, 03:54:32 am
content: The price is too high. If it worked well, that would be different. You could offer to take it and see if you can repair it, at which time you could make him an offer. Broken oscilloscopes aren't worth very much, since good ones are so cheap.And this one is only 40 MHz.

author: Rabit0
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 29, 2021, 10:22:38 am
content: I only wonder if this issue is not only timebase setting, I must met with seller to check it myself.Anyway how about- Rigol DS1054Z 120 Euro- Tektronix TDS 1002 120 Euro- Atten ADS2202CA, 200MHz 1GS 250 EuroOr what other options I have on Aliexpress in 150 euro range ?I need it for testing real-time crystal in PC motherbaords, and other PC parts.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2021, 05:22:14 pm
content: Beginner scope threads come up about once a week. There are a couple near the top of the list right now.The answers don't change much, the Siglent SDS1104X-E (unlocked to 200 MHz) or the Rigol DS1054Z (unlocked to 100 MHz) are at the top of the list. Over in Test Equipment, there is a thread about the less expensive SDS1104X-U but nobody seems to have one (in the early part of the thread, I didn't read the whole thing).https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-1120-new-sds1104x-u-4-channel-100mhz-1gsas-economy-oscilloscope/msg3346066/#msg3346066Here's a mega-thread about a newcomer's first scope. Charlotte buys one (SDS1202X-E) around msg 150 (top of page 7) and it gets interesting from there. There's a lot of education in the remainder of that thread.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/what-an-oscilloscope-recommended-for-a-woman-passionate-about-electronics/msg3100087/#msg3100087

author: LECKO
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 29, 2021, 08:19:53 pm
content: I'm far from an expert, but my first question would be, what bandwidth do you require??I bought a "for parts" Tek 2213 last week, 60Mhz for $30 plus S/H and nearly dropped through the floor when I saw it and plugged it in!! Worked 100% on both channels. And it looked like it was brand spanking new!!! No scratches, no dings, spotless.I also have a 300Mhz four channel scope plus a Rigol 200Mhz modern scope.Bit like what pickup should I buy?? 2WD, 4WD, 1/4 ton, 1/2 ton?? Depends what you're going to be hauling.Just a few questions you should ask yourself.

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2021, 11:21:52 am
content: For used scopes they are all too expensive!!!! This even if the scope is still in production, I wouldn't pay more than 1/3rd the new price. For scopes long out of production $50 is a lot of money to spend on any 100 to 200 MHZ used scope.No don't get me wrong an old scope is a very good learning tool. The problem is modern scopes have so many features never even thought of on 30 year old models that there is very little incentive to spend a lot of money on used equipment. In some cases you are better off saving your money and buying a new scope from almost any of the players in the marketplace.Now this discussion centers around low end scopes, it can be very worthwhile to consider used high end scopes. Even so you need to be aware of the potential issues with serviceability.Quote from: Rabit0 on May 29, 2021, 10:22:38 amIf there are any serial channels to debug you will likely want a 4 channel scope that can help with serial debug and that scope should have a fairly wide bandwidth. However is a scope the right choice? You can get rather cheap Logic analyzer boards that might be a better choice.We probably should determine if this is a repair operation or are you involved in product development. When you say "testing" it could be either one. So more information on usage might help people zero in on a proper suggestion.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2021, 11:56:26 am
content: The answer to this question always depends on how the used market is where you live. In a market of plenty, I agree with others regarding the cost of the Hameg versus the benefit.Quote from: Rabit0 on May 29, 2021, 10:22:38 amIf you can get a working DS1054Z for the price you mentioned, I would certainly go for it. Beware of scammers online that will try to attract you with such low prices.

author: HB9EVI
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2021, 01:20:43 pm
content: used the proposed 3 ones are all too expensive; in general avoid Atten, it's quite a crappy stuff they produce.if entry level, go for Siglent or Rigol

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2021, 01:43:49 pm
content: Hands down a working DS1054Z. Don't bother with an analog scope unless you can check it 100% works over a period of time (like several hours).Even a new DS1054Z is less than the cost of mediocre smartphone.

author: Rabit0
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 10, 2021, 09:08:43 pm
content: Hm... I wait for next DS1054Z under 150Euro when someone put in on sale.Currently I see nothing available in my price range.