Portable 'scope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: theoldwizard1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2019, 07:31:57 pm
content: Looking for recommendation on a portable 'scopeMinimum 2 channelsMinimum 100 MS/sec (preferably per channel)Minimum 8 bit resolutionSome mechanism for coping waveforms to a PCUnder $200, but I would exceed that it there were significant improvement over similar models (i.e. larger display, higher sample rate, etc)Currently high on my list is the new(ish) SainSmart(or whatever Chinese company who manufactures it)DSO213

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2019, 07:42:08 pm
content: Consider this one -https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hantek-2c422c722d422d72/it is ok for what it is.

author: exe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2019, 07:57:06 pm
content: Do you need a display or usb scope is also fine?Anyway, I could recommend a micsig, it's a "real" oscilloscope, 1Gsps, 100+MHz bw, 2-4 channels, big screen, 5h battery, etc. But costs much more. I had in the same position as you, wanted to buy only cheap stuff, but one day just bought "real" equipment and don't regret. Although I now mostly use analog discovery 2, which is a PC oscilloscope.So, one thing is what you want, and another one what you really need.

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2019, 08:51:49 pm
content: Important question: what do you want to measure with it? Do you need isolated channels? What?

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2019, 11:27:55 pm
content: If you can invest in something better than the SainSmart, I think the Micsig models bring a lot for the price - although they start about 4x the Saintsmart and at the same level of a standalone model.Another brand that tends to have good products is Picoscope - although I know nothing about their entry level models 2204A or 2205A. They are just slightly higher priced than the Saintsmart.(edit: my mind conflated USB scopes with portable.)

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2019, 07:24:12 am
content: What do you consider portable? My old TDS340 is "portable" and most ordinary DSOs on the market now are smaller and lighter. Or do you mean handheld and battery powered?

author: theoldwizard1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2019, 05:20:13 pm
content: Quote from: Ice-Tea on February 24, 2019, 08:51:49 pmLow end bench scope and automotiveThe perfect solution would be a battery operated Rigol 1104Z !

author: theoldwizard1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2019, 05:24:23 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on February 25, 2019, 07:24:12 amAhhh ... what century are you living in ? That is "portable" compared to a 555 or 7000 series !Quote from: james_s link=topic=171366.msg2223651YES

author: theoldwizard1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2019, 05:44:36 pm
content: Quote from: exe on February 24, 2019, 07:57:06 pmI did not know V2 had come out. Very impressive ! I have grandkids and that would be a good "starter" combo for them in a few years !If they had a 4 channel version that would be AWESOME !

author: tsman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2019, 07:29:04 pm
content: If you want something small & battery powered then the handheld Hantek linked by ataradov meets all of your requirements and is within budget. It is far better than the various pocket DSOs models such as the DSO213 which have a very low bandwidth.If you're willing to spend more then I'd also suggest the Micsig. The TO1000 range has automotive diagnostic features as well. It has a toggle in the settings which sets it to be automotive or regular scope mode. It is a licensed feature though but Micsig were giving out free license keys for it a while back. No idea if they still do that.Quote from: theoldwizard1 on February 25, 2019, 05:44:36 pmThe AD2 has nearly identical specs to the AD1. The main difference is the integrated power supplies which are capable of higher current. The scope has the same specs but how they state the specs is different which is why they don't match up 100%.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2019, 08:52:10 pm
content: Quote from: theoldwizard1 on February 25, 2019, 05:24:23 pmIt's plenty light and compact to carry around, it's much more portable than my daily driver TDS784. I don't upgrade my test equipment often, if I wanted a modern more portable scope I'd look at the popular Rigol or Siglent DSOs. Most of the stuff smaller than that are toys.

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 10:18:15 am
content: Tektronix THS720 might also be interesting for you: portable, fairly rugged, decent specs, isolated. I'm not unbiased though, as I have one for sale

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 12:09:38 pm
content: Quote from: theoldwizard1 on February 25, 2019, 05:20:13 pmThe MicSig TO1104 is exactly that.

author: L_Euler
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 05:41:34 pm
content: Here's one a bit over your budget, but it also includes the comm/math, FFT module. Front line brand, 100MHz, 1 GS/s, dual channel. Stores waveforms and I believe waveforms can be output through the serial port.https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tektronix-TDS220-Digital-Oscilloscope-with-TDS2MM-FFT-Module-TESTED/264185219719?epid=96937465&hash=item3d82aa8a87:g:YaoAAOSwSudcONXU:sc:USPSPriority!30238!US!-1:rk:4:pf:0

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 09:39:54 pm
content: The Tektronix TDS220 is about the worst scope out there and the price they ask for it is a complete joke! You have to pay people $100 to take a TDS220 of your hands.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 09:41:11 pm
content: I was not going to comment to not piss off Tek fanboys, but yes. This scope is a piece of junk. It is really not worth the ewaste disposal fee.Even Rigol DS1054Z at this point costs the same and provides way better value. And newer offerings from Siglent are probably better, but more expensive.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 10:00:43 pm
content: I wouldn't call it junk, but it is arguably obsolete and offers nothing over the modern low cost DSOs beyond the Tek name. If it was $50 I would say it's a bargain, maybe even $100 is fair, to someone on a tight budget $100 vs $400 could be the difference between having a scope and a scope being completely out of reach. They seem to sell for considerably more than that though which I don't really understand, *shrug* they're worth what someone is willing to pay I guess.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 10:16:18 pm
content: Isolated channels are the winner - Does Micsig have them ?We´re looking for a true portable scope for servicing, with isolated channels.

author: tsman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 10:28:36 pm
content: Quote from: Martin72 on February 26, 2019, 10:16:18 pmThe TO1000 mini tablet ones aren't isolated. The only isolated scopes they do are theMS300andMS500. They're completely different architecture to their bigger scopes. Dave did a teardown of a MS310. Not cheap but isolated handheld scopes aren't cheap anyway.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 10:28:59 pm
content: Micsig has isolated classic handhelds, M300 and M500 series. They are not that cheap, almost brand name category.Regards,

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 10:46:47 pm
content: Wow that´s a big step in price - And only 2 channels and a smaller display, comparing to the 1000s...Are the isolating so expensive...I couldn´t believe that.Then it would be better to buy a 1000 model and differential probe.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 11:02:15 pm
content: Quote from: Martin72 on February 26, 2019, 10:46:47 pmPretty much if you don't mind that is is a bit more fiddly handling external diff probes. I think (if somebody tried they can set me straight) you might be able to power Micsig diff probes from scopes USB..But I think you might need to ground the scope in that case for diff probe to work properly...

author: tsman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 11:03:55 pm
content: Quote from: Martin72 on February 26, 2019, 10:46:47 pmThere will be some increase due to higher average pricing of an isolated scope but there is a lot more you need to do as well to make it isolated & safe at the specified CAT rating. Watch Dave's teardown video.Quote from: Martin72 on February 26, 2019, 10:46:47 pmTheEEVblog HVP70or the MicsigDP10013are both good options for a high voltage differential probe.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 11:08:36 pm
content: QuoteWe got battery-powered probes.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 11:10:27 pm
content: For isolated, Hantek has the DS1000S series.https://www.amazon.com/Hantek-DSO1152S-Isolation-Oscilloscope-Multimeter/dp/B01ETCPEI2https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/which-scope-with-isolated-inputs/

author: tsman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2019, 11:16:01 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on February 26, 2019, 11:10:27 pmOh nice. That is a really good price for an isolated scope. If it works okay and there isn't too much Hantek weirdness then its a no brainer decision to go for that over an expensive Micsig.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2019, 01:10:13 am
content: Quote from: tsman on February 26, 2019, 11:16:01 pmIn case you weren't aware Siglent do a couple of models too but they're not too cheap:https://www.siglenteu.com/handheld-oscilloscopes/shs1000-series-isolated-handheld-digital-oscilloscopes/

author: exe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2019, 07:53:25 am
content: Scopes with isolated inputs are not mainstream. They come with a high price and low user base (although, aforementioned hantek looks to be nicely priced, but that's an exception). I wouldn't expect them to be as feature-rich and polished as more popular gear.

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2019, 09:39:05 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on February 26, 2019, 09:41:11 pmEven if practical value of TDS220 scope today is close to nothing (for some), we shall give it some respect. 22 (!) years ago it defined how DSO's looks and feels today. For < 100$ I better take this "ancient piece of junk" rather than "prehistoric analog boat anchors" sometimes advised here in this forum.

author: 0culus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2019, 06:33:39 am
content: Quote from: ogden on February 27, 2019, 09:39:05 amI would far rather have a fast analog 'scope over an early DSO.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2019, 05:03:48 am
content: Quote from: 0culus on February 28, 2019, 06:33:39 amThat depends on whether you need a lot of bandwidth, or the ability to capture single shot events. When it comes to older gear, there are things either one can do that the other can't.

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2019, 10:59:02 am
content: Quote from: james_s on March 01, 2019, 05:03:48 amObviously we shall compare apples to apples, 100MHz BW scopes. BTW speaking of early DSO (TDS1012):

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2019, 01:45:37 am
content: Well he said "fast analog" which implies something somewhat exotic, perhaps >150MHz vs "early DSO" which might be 100MHz bandwidth at a relatively low sample rate. In that era there were things that one could do that the other couldn't. These days it's largely moot, I still use my analog CRO any time I need XY mode because the XY mode on my 1GHz DSO is hopeless. For just about everything else though the DSO wins hands down, but even just 20 years ago a DSO like this would have been FAR out of my price range.

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2019, 03:22:33 am
content: Quote from: james_s on March 09, 2019, 01:45:37 amWell, Mr.Obvious... faster scope obviously is "kind of better" than slower scope. This is why I said about comparing strawberries to strawberries.

author: 0culus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2019, 03:46:49 am
content: Well, he does have a good point about features. If you need to be able to do single shot captures, decode digital protocols, and all that sort of thing, all the analog bandwidth in the world won't help. My scope is a Tek 2465B. I love it! The instruments from the good old days before on screen menus polluted everything are way more user friendly IMO. But, I do admit that the features of a DSO are nice to have and I plan to add one to my collection.My original point stands though...if given a choice between a high bandwidth analog scope and a first generation DSO...I'll take the former every time.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2019, 03:52:18 am
content: Quote from: 0culus on March 09, 2019, 03:46:49 amEven if you needed to capture single shot events or decode digital protocols?That was my point, the choice used to depend on what you needed to do. If you need the features offered by a DSO then you need a DSO, analog bandwidth is no substitute. If however you have a task that needs high bandwidth, the fancy abilities of a DSO are no substitute for adequate bandwidth.

author: 0culus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2019, 03:57:57 am
content: Nah, if I needed to do that, I'd prefer to just save some $$ and get a modern one.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2019, 04:04:05 am
content: Ok well that's beside the point. If one has the budget to buy a modern scope then the DSO will win every time outside of some edge cases like XY mode. For those with lower budgets and/or specific needs that is not always an option.

author: 0culus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2019, 04:35:35 am
content: At least something not from the first generation. I suspect you could find something more modern but not bleeding edge for less.