Best things to get as a Beginner - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: AndyP.
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 20, 2015, 05:59:42 pm
content: I am just beginning my career as a Hobbyist and I had a few questions on what gear I should get.I of coarse know I should probably get an multi-meter, and I am going to get one. But I wanted some advice on what i should get.I also am looking into getting an Oscilloscope but I don't know what to get. I was looking at the Sigilent SDS 1202X as it seemed like a pretty competent scope for it's price but I don't know if it is the right thing for me to get. I love having great gear and being able to tinker with it. I am the type that loves lots of features.I also am looking at getting a 3D printer to print prototype cases to house my prototype boards for my projects and little handy devices. but I just don't know what to get.what I plan on doing mainly is developing devices for android, because I develop Apps for Android devices and I love the platform very much. that and I am a PC Gaming Enthusiast and I love it! but there are times when something will breakdown but I want to know if it is possible if i can fix it myself, but I don't have the testing equipment to be-able to do such a thing. my current budget is between $2000-$3000 US dollars (Lower is better regarding price for equipment)

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2015, 08:34:48 pm
content: Welcome to the forum.Where to start?If you have little gear there is much basic stuff you will need.Basic tools, pliers, side cutters, long nose, screwdrivers, soldering iron and a selection of tips, LEADED solder, hookup wire, jumper leads, grabbers, magnifing headset? and the list goes on....The bigger items;Bench and illumination.PSU or two?Rework or hot air station.DMM or two? For US$50 there is quite a selection, study this thread for the more robust units:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hear-kitty-kitty-kitty-nope-not-that-kind-of-cat/DSO. I'd be surprised if a 100 MHz unit wouldn't meet your needs.Be aware, a DSO has only the basic probes supplied, if you need to do advanced work you may need much more expensive probes, some several times more than a DSO cost.Others will no doubt will add to that I have suggested.

author: MikeW
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2015, 08:40:44 pm
content: I don't mean to be rude but I think you personally need to narrow down your objectives a bit more before anyone can give meaningful advice on appropriate gear.You've gone from hobbyist electronics to 3d printing to android app/device development in one post. There's a whole warehouse full of stuff that could potentially apply to these fields.To be fair I skim read that a little, still, developing apps is a huge subject that could take a huge variety of gear depending on what your app is trying to achieve.

author: nbritton
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2015, 08:41:40 pm
content: Quote from: AndyP. on October 20, 2015, 05:59:42 pmRigol. A Rigol MSO2072A, on sale right now at tequipment.net for $929 with a special discount code. The Rigol 2000 series can be software hacked to 300 MHz. Alternatively if that is out of your budget get a DS1054Z, these can be software hacked to 100 MHz. Lastly if you need four high speed channels then I recommend the MSO4014, this can be software hacked to 500 MHz, this one is also on sale right now for $2594.Was the 3D printer included in your $3000 budget? If so that might not be doable without making significant compromises on quality and performance.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2015, 09:50:54 pm
content: $2000-3000 is way too much for a beginning hobbyist to spend on electronics equipment. Unless of course, someone else is paying or you have won a lottery or something along those lines.Start with the basics. A power supply and two cheap meters for less than a couple of hundred dollars is plenty. When you reach the point where you know enough to know what you need, then spend the big bucks.

author: rickselectricalprojects
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2015, 12:26:09 am
content: buy some component kits of ebay (resistors, leds, caps, diodes, etc) a multimeter or two, a power supply, soldering iron, solder, a breadboard and some tools (pliers, cutters, screw drivers)thats what i started with

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2015, 01:25:54 am
content: You've probably seen this before, but I'll put it here:

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2015, 01:28:47 am
content: Also, since you have quite a bit of money, this forum thread might be helpful for your decisions:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/mid-range-electronics-lab-setup/