Should I ... acquire a Tektronix 2232? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: ChrisG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2018, 02:52:33 pm
content: Dear forum,Owning a Hameg 204 and a DS1054z I'm seeking your advice if it's worthwhile to acquire a Tektronix 2232 for a reasonable price. They seem to be still doing well on 2nd hand sites. Any thoughts, considerations or do's and don'ts? Thanks, Chris

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2018, 03:32:02 pm
content: I wouldn't think it's any better than the DS1054Z, unless you simply need more machines to do work with.Tim

author: ChrisG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2018, 03:48:00 pm
content: Agree it's just the additional machine. Although the footprint is what I do not like

author: particleman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2018, 04:06:31 pm
content: Peak detect is a nice feature on the 2232. I think it operates much differently than the Rigol.

author: GeorgeOfTheJungle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2018, 04:11:18 pm
content: I would, definitely, it's a pretty good old-ish analog scope, among the best ever, that turns into a DSO (*) at the push of a button, and it's a pleasure to work with because there's a proper, separate knob or direct button for each and every function (has a lot). I love it.That said, a good, modern Agilent "InfiniiVision" or later DSO is of course better, obviously. But that was to be expected.(*) Somewhat lacking by today's standards (100 MSa/s), but usable and very, very well done.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2018, 07:14:24 pm
content: Your Hameg 204 covers analog operation and your DS1054Z covers digital storage so the only thing you would gain with a Tektronix 2232 is 100 MHz analog operation and digital storage.You could replace your Hameg with the 2232 and lose nothing.The 2232 form factor is not that bad when you consider that you can stack another instrument on top of it or place it on another instrument. Or if tilted up by its bail, the area under the 2232 becomes available.Is there some reason you do not want to hack your DS1054Z to 100 MHz?The 2232 has better transient response than a DS1054Z but most users will never notice.

author: ChrisG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 01:07:22 pm
content: Thank you all for your feedback and guidance. I'm still going to try to get it...

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 01:16:28 pm
content: Go for it! In the end, it's a Tektronix scope. Everything else is just something else...I have a Tek 485 and it too has a poor form factor for use on a bench. I stand it on the floor and push it under the table when I'm not using it.

author: Wh1sper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 01:29:38 pm
content: I've have a 2232 for several years, too. I'm very happy with it. Operation is very simple. Up to now I have not missed a feature of a more modern DSO as a hobby user.Which of course is up to me :-) Only the fan bothers me a little, but it's not always on.Take it.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 04:33:30 pm
content: The fans on my 2232s and 2230s are almost completely silent so yours may just need maintenance.

author: Wh1sper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 05:22:30 pm
content: The fan does not sound like bearing damage, but simply as if a small fan were turning much too fast...

author: ChrisG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2018, 07:53:32 pm
content: so the only question now is what is a reasonable price?

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2018, 01:51:45 am
content: In the Netherlands? I have no idea. Used test equipment prices outside the US at least for Tektronix instruments are higher making them less economical.

author: ChrisG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 31, 2018, 02:27:33 pm
content: About 200€ so let's say 230$ it seems to be in very very good condition.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2018, 06:09:34 pm
content: I paid $300 for a refurbished one with a warranty and later $80 for one in excellent condition which was rack mounted. I would say up to $200 is reasonable for one which is working and in good condition without a warranty.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2018, 07:21:19 pm
content: Quote from: ChrisG on August 31, 2018, 02:27:33 pmToo high. I sold my Tektronix 2230 for €175 over 8 years ago. Remember these oscilloscopes are very old and likely to develop problems sooner than later. I'd start at €100 and see where it goes but then again the 2232 doesn't have any advantages over your Rigol DS1054Z. At €200 I'd save some more money and buy a more capable DSO. A 500MHz Tektronix TDS500 or 700 series is a much nicer buy but these are also getting old.

author: Floopy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2018, 07:46:42 pm
content: I bought my Tektronix 2230 for 110$ shipped. I've been very happy with it, I like how it has both a digital and an analogue mode. Although the scroll knob is not working well and finding a replacement is out of the question.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2018, 08:56:55 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 31, 2018, 07:21:19 pmI don't know about Holland's prices, but here they tend to fluctuate a bit - probably dependent on videos from certain bloggers or just sheer interest. However, I agree that 200 is quite a lot of money when compared to what you already have in hand (I am assuming you have the DS1054Z and the 204).

author: Wh1sper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2018, 06:24:37 am
content: I think I paid 230€, 4 Years ago.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2018, 11:37:57 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 31, 2018, 07:21:19 pmI would not say that. The 2232 has higher bandwidth which does not vary with vertical sensitivity (except for a minor loss at 2mV/V where a gain stage is switched), better transient response, a higher resolution display, an averaging mode which actually produces higher resolution, dual delayed timebase, alternate triggering (albeit difficult to use), analog operation for when it is advantageous, peak-to-peak automatic triggering, and it is fully documented and repairable.The DS1054Z has a higher acquisition rate (lower blind time) and problematical automatic measurements and serial decoding but if these are a requirement, then there is no choice between the two.But I agree that the 2232 is old and more likely to have reliability problems despite how well it was built. I do not recommend one to anybody who is not in a position to repair it.

author: ChrisG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 02, 2018, 02:09:50 pm
content: I’ve decided to acquire it. I can afford it and if it fails in the future and I can not repair at least I can make an enother enthousiast happy with it.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2018, 03:44:56 am
content: Quote from: ChrisG on September 02, 2018, 02:09:50 pmJust make sure that EVERYTHING in it works before you buy. In my experience, the Tek scopes have huge problem with electrolytic caps failing, particularly if they've been sitting unused for any amount of time. Not sure about the 2232 but the older models like the 465 were absolutely crammed FULL of components and used a LOT of small filter caps which were a real PITA to replace. I grew up using Tek scopes and I really like them but they don't seem to age well. OTOH my old LeCroys just keep running and running!

author: ChrisG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 12, 2018, 07:24:00 pm
content: Hi everybody, I've got the Tek 2232 in house an hour ago and ran through some of the simple paces. Passes all the self-tests. The whole thing is in near immaculate condition. The best 30 year old equipment I've seen ever. Two new (mint) passive P6109 probes included and a very good (near mint) manual too. So far I'm pretty chuffed with it!

author: GeorgeOfTheJungle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2018, 08:36:45 pm
content: Try this :-)https://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/anablog/4310840/Tektronix-scope-secret-splash-screens