2 scopes for the bench? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Wmacky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 05:43:37 am
content: As I posted previously. I just purchased a Rigol 2072a scope, ( No I didn't need it, but that's never stopped me!) but I still have my old 1102E scope that I happened to pay the full $800 price for.Given the original price, I will really take a bath if I sell! I'm just a hobbyist / tinkerer, and was wondering it I should just consider keeping the 1102 since the new scope is 2 channel only? On the other hand, a sale of the scope would sooner fund a Siglent 1025 Function generator!What say you?

author: Smith
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 06:57:16 am
content: If one has an external trigger (both probably do) you could even use it as a 6ch scope, or with one ground removed you could take differential measurements (taking precautions of course)For serial/parallel busses 4 channnels are probably a must. So i would definetly keep it. Besides you need a scope to repair a scope

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 07:56:14 pm
content: Actually with both scopes being 2 channel, he would have a 4 channel system.There is some utility in having two scopes.One can look at four different signals of course. This can be a bit problematic if you need to move away from both scopes showing the capture at the trigger point. Keeping both scopes lined up away from that can be a bit tedious.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 08:25:19 pm
content: I never used two scopes at once but I do keep an extra scope as a backup. In my case that is handy because I need a scope to make a living.

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 08:42:17 pm
content: Quote from: Wmacky on March 18, 2015, 05:43:37 amGoogle "sunk cost fallacy".The past is over. The price you originally paid for the scope is history, and has little to do with its current value. Like it or not, the scope has already depreciated. The only decision you can make now is to determine whether having the scope on your bench is worth more to you than the cash you could get for it.If the cash you could get for a sale would go a long way toward funding a more useful piece of gear, it would be reasonable to sell. But it would be fine to keep if you think you might use it, if you hate dealing with the hassle of marketing/finding a buyer/shipping/etc., or if you value it for the nostalgia factor.It's completely your value judgment. Do you have space for it on your workbench? Would you use it? Do you want to keep it as a backup in case your newer scope has a problem?

author: DanielS
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 08:46:16 pm
content: If you have more channels available, you will probably find uses for them.Simply the convenience of not having to move probes around anywhere near as often is already reason enough to get four channels in my book. I have two DS1054Z and that lets me use one to monitor power while I use the other to probe stuff, so I often end up using 5-7 channels. It is there, may as well use it.One simple way of using extra channels when doing DC power troubleshooting is using one channel for DC-coupling to measure voltage changes and use another AC-coupled channel to keep an eye on noise. If you have three rails to monitor, that's six channels used.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 09:58:44 pm
content: In the US the 1052Es are still selling fairly well used, typically in the over $200 range. The longer you wait the less it will sell for, so don't think about it too long.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 11:53:19 pm
content: Keep it unless you can get enough for it to notably help fund your function generator.

author: RJFreeman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2015, 12:08:44 am
content: You only have 2 'Scopes??I don't think you could ever have too many.....

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2015, 12:38:54 am
content: If you haven't used it in 6 months, sell it. Buy something that gets used.

author: Wmacky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2015, 01:01:35 am
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on March 19, 2015, 12:38:54 amActually I also have a newish BK 30 MHZ analog scope as well as an older Tek with 1 flaky channel! I think I'm pretty scope rich for a hobby guy!Thanks for the replies, I'll think it over. So far the best reason I can think of to keep the other scope is my inexpereince. When the new scope does something I don't understand, I can try the other scope to make sure "It's supposed to do that"!!

author: LektroiD
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2015, 01:09:28 am
content: I have an analogue and a digital on my bench.As for the depreciation, don't worry about it. I spent £3k on a Mac Pro for my recording studio 6 years ago, you can pick them up on evilBay now for around £500. If you had the use out of it, you've had your money's worth.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2015, 05:12:51 am
content: Quote from: Wmacky on March 19, 2015, 01:01:35 amActually that's a pretty good reason to keep it; it can help you gain confidence and/or isolate problems by having a second version of the same type of test equipment to help you verify that you can or can't reproduce a particular result.