Want to buy 1st Oscilloscope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ashley.hughes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2011, 01:06:05 am
content: Hi,I am looking to buy my 1st oscilloscope for my electronics hobby, building up my tools and gear. (Lastest purchase my Hakko FX-888 Soldering station AWESOME!)Looking for maybe (Recommendations please)dual channel50MHz (More or less not that sure yet)Ability to save wave forms would be nice for study (Although I have a mac so software can be an issues unless I run on my ancient windows laptop)I am mainly going to use it with various digital projects (I2C bus, PWM) some amp and power supply projects, and what ever projects I get inspired to try out. Starting my Electrical engineering degree next year so hopefully many little projects to help my understanding as well.Was looking at the little Digital Oscilloscope DIY Kithttp://www.sparkfun.com/products/9484but the more I read about it the more I get turned off, low sample rate problems displaying the full waveform and just under spec'ed for future workhttp://www.sparkfun.com/products/10806100MHz Digital Storage Oscilloscope - 1102CML Looks awesome but didn't really wanna spend that much money. By the time I find some one with it in Australia.So really I want to know is there any specs or features that I should look for and any models you can recommend for me that are cheaper in the range. Been looking on eBay but they all seam to be around 40MHz and brands I have never heard of. Price isn't a major thing as long as I can justify it that said it's my 1st scope for a hobby.

author: Joshua
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2011, 02:14:35 am
content: Eevblog #1. Rigol ds1052e comes as 50 MHz can be hacked to 100mhz. Search the forum. I suspect one of the best user bases for that scope is here in this forum.

author: ashley.hughes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2011, 04:16:34 am
content: Just checked out eBay for the model found this one which is $80AU cheaper SDS1062C would that be better being 60MHz or better to grab the 1052 and hack it at a later dateIf I was going to spend $400 almost dollars I would grab the one from sparkfun from a local supplier like little bird electronics when that start carrying it

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 01, 2011, 05:53:25 am
content: Do not get anything with less than 1M of memory if you want to work on serial buses (and just in general anyway).That is probably the "big spec" for a digital scope, apart from analog bandwidth. All have a decent enough sample rate these days.Don't get those toy DIY or handheld scopes.The Rigol is the same price (+GST) from Emona in Oz with full warranty.https://secure1.ozhosting.com/emona/shop/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=72There is also a cheapie from TrioSmartcal:http://triosmartcal.com.au/1764-uq2062c-digital-oscilloscope-60-mhz-500-msas.htmlTell'em Dave sent you if you get either.In Oz you can save a bit maybe if you import direct (not nearly as much as you used to), but you lose any warranty.Few have gone wrong with the Rigol, it's a well proven unit for the price. The other brands less so, but there are reviews and user reports in the forum archives.Dave.

author: ashley.hughes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2011, 06:01:58 am
content: Thanks for the info, I'm heading more towards the DS1052E (Might hack it maybe). Just looking around for a price at the moment, might be able to get it wholesale through family it not I will see if Emona might do a price on it but there contact us link isn't working at the moment so I will try that later

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 01, 2011, 07:58:41 am
content: Quote from: ashley.hughes on October 01, 2011, 06:01:58 amEmona might do you a better price if you mention the EEVblogBut I don't think they will try and price match gray market imports.Dave.

author: sqkybeaver
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2011, 01:29:37 pm
content: Quote from: ashley.hughes on October 01, 2011, 01:06:05 ami have one by the same company, they are on par with rigol.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2011, 07:44:39 pm
content: Quote from: ashley.hughes on October 01, 2011, 04:16:34 amSearch the forum for Siglent. Someone had a bad experience with the 100MHz version.

author: ashley.hughes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2011, 09:22:20 am
content: I am 95% set on the Rigol 1052E just waiting on a price, can wait to get my hands on it kinda slowing down on two of my projects. I think its really gonna help with my understanding of a few circuits which I have working but want to make better

author: ivanjh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 16, 2011, 11:47:26 am
content: Quote from: ashley.hughes on October 04, 2011, 09:22:20 amWell, there's cheap DS1052Es on Ebay at the moment.http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250911441425Maybe a little wait during shipping, but that's less than AU$290 delivered.

author: johnboxall
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 23, 2011, 06:46:30 am
content: Quote from: ashley.hughes on October 04, 2011, 09:22:20 amDo yourself a favour and get it from Emona. Then you have a warranty supported by a local company with an Australian phone number answered by local people who speak English. Trying to save $50~100 on eBay or dealyumcha.com may initially feel like a good idea - but will bite you real hard on the wallet if something goes wrong.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 23, 2011, 10:18:43 am
content: Quote from: tronixstuff on October 23, 2011, 06:46:30 amYeah, I'd second that.When the price difference in Oz was $500+ it was really worth the risk importing direct, but now there really isn't much in it, so worth buying here now I think.Dave.

author: ashley.hughes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2011, 08:31:45 pm
content: I got my new scope the DS1052E working great haven't used it on the project that I wanted to yet as I need to reassemble that project up.Thanks for all the help. Its a beautiful piece of kit.

author: Joy at MCS
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2011, 01:14:49 pm
content: glad you like it.Have fun with your new toy :-)