Fluke Scopemeter 199C question ! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: tphares
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 12, 2022, 05:05:14 am
content: Hi folks,I recently got tired of toting my Agilent bench scope out into the field, and bit the bullet and bought the Scopemeter 199C I'd been pining for for years.Getting used to its quirks. One question for folks that are experienced with this unit: Most (every?) DSOs that I've used have a facility for zooming both amplitude and timebase on e.g. a single-shot trace after capture has stopped.With the Scopemeter, the "zoom" button lets me scale the timebase, but there doesn't seem to be a way to scale traces vertically to zoom in on detail post-capture.Is that just a limitation of this unit, or am I missing something?Thanks in advance for any insight!

author: commongrounder
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2022, 06:31:54 pm
content: The up/down buttons of the four way keypad serve the vertical zoom in/out function when acquisition is frozen (in zoom mode). Of course you are limited by the scope 8-bit resolution when zooming small captured signals.

author: asis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2022, 09:17:43 pm
content: Hi,You get these features if you install FlukeView FW on your PC and purchase an OC4USB cable for Scopemeter.The only condition is that after measuring and storing data in the internal memory of the device, the time of their storage depends on the state of the battery and the degree of its charge.Cursor measurements and the information block at the top right of Fluke View will help you report.

author: tphares
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 14, 2022, 07:53:14 am
content: Indeed they don't! Unless I'm missing something--perhaps you can provide some more detail about how to make that work? And to be clear, this is a 199C with firmware 8.04.Thanks!

author: tphares
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 14, 2022, 08:04:25 am
content: Thanks for the suggestion! For sure, I could move the data off the 'scope and do whatever I'd like with it. But I feel like that destroys the convenience of a hand-held unit. I was hoping there'd be some more immediate means available for zooming in on a trace on the unit itself.It's frequently the case, especially with one-shot captures, that the vertical gain isn't ideally set up at the time of capture. This happened to me just today working under the hood of a car out in the street (not a place where I'd want to be balancing a laptop).I'm getting the feeling that this very common function is just not supported on these 'scopes for whatever reason.Thanks again for the help.

author: asis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2022, 12:51:13 pm
content: Hi,You try to make measurements in recorder mode (TrendPlot).Recording samples can be very long (at least for a day).You can use two channels at the same time and connect PV350(pressure), 80TK9( thermo),80i-110s (AC/DC Current probe) to them or any other exotic in combination.The main task is to learn how to use all this and understand what you are doing and how, and what you want to see.I would advise you to take your time and master all scopemeter features.Read user manual.

author: commongrounder
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2022, 10:35:12 pm
content: Yes indeed, you are quite right. I checked the zoom function on my 199C and do see that the up down buttons zoom in on the horizontal time scale, not vertical. My apologies. I clearly haven’t used that function for some time! I suppose Fluke assumes you have captured the waveform at full vertical scale before zooming in on the time scale.The 199c is a great scope, and has some special features, especially surrounding its isolated inputs, but it’s showing it’s age. In many respects my inexpensive Siglent 1104x-e is far superior, just because technology has marched on. Yet I still find the scopemeter to be the safest way to approach some devices that are not mains isolated, and require battery powered operation.

author: tphares
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 15, 2022, 01:21:33 am
content: Thanks for the clarification. Yes, this unit def. has its strengths, but the UI is a bit old fashioned.

author: tphares
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 15, 2022, 01:34:23 am
content: @asis: Thanks for the further reply. I previously tried vertical zoom with trend plot but that doesn't seem to be supported either. So I'm not sure I understand your suggestion.It really looks like you need to set up the vertical gain correctly at the time of capture or you're out of luck.The user manual wasn't very enlightening either: it provides plenty of information about how to zoom timebase, but manages to leave out any mention of amplitude zoom. (I suppose that makes sense, given that it's an apparent omission from the product!)

author: tphares
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 15, 2022, 07:31:56 am
content: Update!I've found thatChannel A vertical menu -> input options -> polarity -> Variableachieves what I was looking for. The functionality is pretty limited:- Only works on channel A- The vertical scaling is limited to 2.5x- When active you lose indication of volts/divisionbut at least it works!Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions.

author: asis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2022, 09:49:34 am
content: In my opinion you have the ability to use an external trigger for two channels at the same time.Although the trigger level has two limits (0.12V & 1.2V), it's all surmountable.

author: commongrounder
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2022, 03:33:30 pm
content: Ah, yes! I actually do use the variable feature to achieve a full vertical waveform display - of course it’s for live acquisition, but as you say, it gets you in the right range for further zooming.Enjoy your Scopemeter!