Tektronix 2230 -- Worth it? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Phaedrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2014, 06:29:18 pm
content: I'm looking at picking up a Tektronix 2230 100MHz scope for around $175 shipped. I understand the digital side of the 2230 isn't great, but I'm mainly interested in the analog end. Is this a good deal, or are there better dual channel 100MHz scopes available in the <$200 range?

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 25, 2014, 07:57:10 pm
content: I have a 2235 which is analog only, 100MHz. I like the scope. I don't think $175 shipped is a bad price. It is still worth it to try to get the price down a little more. The worst that can happen is you get a no. I would say to go for it. Does it come with probes? If so, that makes a better bargain.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2014, 07:57:35 pm
content: Quote from: Phaedrus on April 25, 2014, 06:29:18 pmFor that price, you should be able to get a 2232, which has a much faster ADC.If analog only is OK, look for a 2246, 2247, or 2445.You could also consider one of the Hitachi V-1065As on eBay, I think the seller is accepting offers around $100.

author: Phaedrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2014, 08:14:48 pm
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on April 25, 2014, 07:57:10 pmComes with one probe.QuoteI'll check those out, thanks!

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2014, 08:21:47 pm
content: The 2230 is a nice scope. I used to have one for many years. Nowadays I wouldn't pay $175 for it though. If you save a little bit more money you can buy a cheap Rigol or Siglent digital scope which has a much greater value for money.

author: Phaedrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2014, 10:03:57 pm
content: Found a 2246 for $230-$250 shipped, no probes. Liiiiiitle bit rich, but it is quad channel. No probes though. Good deal or no?

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2014, 11:36:08 pm
content: Quote from: Phaedrus on April 25, 2014, 10:03:57 pmNo!

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2014, 06:29:57 am
content: Try to get it below 200 without probes, but probes are cheap.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2014, 06:56:29 pm
content: I have a pair of 2230s that I use a lot. It is a great oscilloscope within the limits of its DSO performance and the oldest DSO that I would recommend since it is one of the first if not the first to support peak detection. Note that the sample rate is 20 MSamples/second total but its equivalent time sample rate is 2 GSamples/second total.$175 shipped is at the high end of what I would consider acceptable unless it is guaranteed to be fully functional. I paid a little less than that for both of mine separately.The 2232 is superior in all respects but seems to go for about $300 if it is guaranteed to be fully functional.Things to watch out for on the 2230:1. The 20 MHz bandwidth limit does not affect DSO mode. The 2232 corrected this.2. The DSO user interface is a little odd. The 2232 is much more modern in this respect.3. The RS-232 serial and GPIB options include extra battery backed up waveform storage but do *not* backup the 2230 configuration settings which would be nice considering the odd DSO user interface.

author: Phaedrus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2014, 09:26:23 pm
content: I'm bidding on a 2246 now. Outbid, it's at $182 now. Comes with two probes and is properly tested (not just power on). Wondering how high it's worth it to go.