New Owon tablet scope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2020, 12:12:48 am
content: Just spotted this on Aliexpress, a possible competitor to the Micsig perhaps?https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001162695389.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.71516101K6U1p3&algo_pvid=459c0a59-b9bd-40a0-b998-cf7a406388c2&algo_expid=459c0a59-b9bd-40a0-b998-cf7a406388c2-7&btsid=2100bde116042755453614418edc71&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2020, 01:45:37 am
content: Interesting. I'm glad to see more companies chasing this niche market. But I'd still prefer (and will likely buy in the next few months) the fully knobbed version of the Micsig. I'm just not a fan of the shared rotary control user interface. At least there ARE rotaries on this Owon, but the Micsig just looks easier to use. I'm saying that without ever having touched one, so I could be completely off base.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2020, 07:22:07 pm
content: More details from the Owon site...https://www.owon.com.hk/products_tao3000_series_4ch_8%7C14bit_tablet_oscilloscope

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2020, 09:07:30 pm
content: 14 bit A/D's with an 800x600 display. Hmmmm. I suppose if you were zooming in REALLY tight on a captured waveform.EDIT: Just checked, the Micsig's display is the same size and resolution. I can't find any Micsig A/D resolution data on their website, but 14 bits in a scope like this still surprises me. Maybe they're playing specsmanship a bit... it only uses all 14 bits when running a single channel, etc.

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2020, 09:27:22 pm
content: It does say 8/12/14 bits so maybe the greater bit depth only works at slower sample rates.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2020, 09:39:31 pm
content: Yepp,Have a look at the datasheet - Samplingrate lowers down to 100MSa/s in 14 bit mode.But nevertheless, a interesting device for our servicemen - If it have isolated channels, but it don´t and so I´m still waiting for an portable AND cheap solution with isolated ones.(Won´t come, isolating the channels costs what it costs)

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2020, 10:42:22 pm
content: 8-bit scopes are like CGA graphics - looking at the world through flywire.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2020, 10:53:59 pm
content: But still the scope-world is dominated with 8bit models, at every price...

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2020, 11:19:48 pm
content: Quote from: Martin72 on November 02, 2020, 10:53:59 pmExactly. And it's generally sufficient. The allure of razor-sharp, non-jaggy traces is strong, but doing that requires a high res screen. While it seems every laptop has 15+ inches of full 4K these days our scopes don't generally follow suit. So the true usefulness of a >8 bit A/D (active per channel) is questionable, unless you're downloading the data for post-analysis.I'll be first in line to buy a tablet-based dedicated scope that has a 12+ inch, 2K+ screen. That would justify at least 10 bit A/D's and my bench scopes would look downright shoddy in comparison. It would also fit nicely next to my Engineering laptop in my backpack. {grin}EDIT: Yes, I know I can have that with Picoscopes and such. But that's not the same as a true tablet form-factor scope with integrated display that runs for hours on an internal battery.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2020, 11:35:50 pm
content: Quote from: Circlotron on November 02, 2020, 09:27:22 pmThey probably utilized theHMCAD1520in the front end. Even at 100MSa/s it may be a very interesting piece of gear for audio or sensor jobs, especially when considering the battery-operated mode and thus eliminating all odds of ground loops. Let's hope someone will soon publish a review.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 12:55:07 am
content: Quote from: IDEngineer on November 02, 2020, 09:07:30 pmIt is no surprise. Analog Devices sells an oscilloscope front-end + ADC chip which has 14 bits in hardware although at a reduced samplerate and that is exactly what Owon is using. 14 bits does offer a competitive edge even with the reduced samplerate.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 08:22:14 am
content: I took a quick look through user manual.It sounds good at first, but it is simpler product than Micsig.For instance, Micsig has filtering for every CH at all times, and those doesn't slow down scope. Owon claims filtering, and it has it as math ch function, which you have one..There are many things like this.It it works reliably, it wouldn't be a bad thing, but shouldn't cost as much as Micsig.. High res might be useful for some use.Until someone actually gets one and puts it through the paces, nobody knows how useful it really is..

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 10:27:52 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on November 03, 2020, 08:22:14 amYep. Specs don't mean much, it's all down to the firmware.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2020, 10:58:43 am
content: 12/14 bits only applies to "A" model, the OP link is not "A" model (attached is samplerate from the link). price must be different. with $500 tag, i'll continue my plan to mod my DS1052E into portable unit.