Help with Oscilloscope Choice! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Ross_mini
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 02, 2014, 02:23:17 pm
content: Hello there! This is my first post to you guys so please be gentile!I have been watching and looking at the forum and videos for over a year now but I have finally signed myself up!My main work is on automotive stuff, installing ECU’s on kits cars and electrical diagnostic on cars and LCV. I’m getting back in to hobby electronics now that the kids are a bit older and I have a bit more time! I have a City & Guilds is both Electronics and also Electronic servicing, but I am a bit rusty!What I’m looking for is something replace my stone age Velleman HPS-5 Scope after 16 years of use, It still works! I use it for crank/cam signals, Abs, TPS signals etc etc…. But I on many occasions it would have been nice to have two channels and a clearer screen!I was looking at another portable scope like something from Hantek. But I can’t find many good reviews on them. As I also want to use for my electronic hobby projects too, would I be better off with a lab type scope like a Rigol 1052? It would be a bit more of a pain in arse to use a lab type scope in the garage, but I guess I can continue to use the Velleman unit for the simple stuff. I’m looking around the £300 mark or do I need to spend more for something better that will last?I know ideally I would need two scopes (lab and portable) but funds (wife) won’t allow that at the mo!I appreciate your input guys!Ross

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2014, 03:01:53 pm
content: i have the Hantek DSO1102B portable/handheld scope and I'm quite happy with that one. but be aware that the handhelds are less comfortable than the bench-top ones, because you got no knobs... only buttons for everything.And of course the bench-top versions of the "same" products Rigol,Owon are cheaper . basically all those Chinese scopes are more or less the same hardware with different firmware and brand stickers (within the same generation of course).

author: M0BSW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2014, 04:22:24 pm
content: I've just recently bought my first Digital storage oscilloscope, mine is the siglent 100 MHz SDS1102 CNL, which I believe has a slightly smaller memory than the other versions, it's what I could afford. I like the storage on it and the FFT function. It has opened a NEW world to me, compared to my 10MHz CRO. So for me a hobbyist who has sort of fallen into repairing now ,its just marvellous, my siglent cost me £208.00p post free and arrived within 2 days of buying.Hope this helps a bit

author: Ross_mini
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 02, 2014, 07:44:54 pm
content: Okay, cool.I do like the idea of knobs (pardon the pun!) after all these years of using the Hps5.Is eBay a good place to buy?

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2014, 08:27:02 pm
content: well, it depends. if you buy on ebay from a seller based in your country then probably yes. i wouldn't buy expensive items from overseas through e-bay - but that's my very personal opinion. i like shopping in local stores (for more expensive items like a scope is), i bought my scope in a store (probably 100Eur more expensive than a new one on e-bay) just to have the 2 years warranty.here in EU if you buy something and it breaks down withing the 2 years of warranty, then they have to repair/replace withing 30 days. if they fail to do so, they have to give you the money back.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 02, 2014, 09:23:17 pm
content: workshop use then maybe a nice Fluke 124 2 channel 40MHz scopemeter?http://uk.farnell.com/fluke/fluke-124/scopemeter-uk-version-fluke-124/dp/4383450As new, with charger, set of two scope probes and meter probes.Personal sale, £400 including shipping UK only

author: Ross_mini
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 04:18:27 pm
content: Now there is a spanner in the works!That is a replacement for the old HPS-5! The trouble is I have just ordered a lab scope last night, but I’ll give you a shout at the end of the month (pay day) and I think I’ll have that off you!I really should have two scopes as the lab type scope wouldn’t be very practical in the workshop. Stupid question does fluke uses standard BNC connections?I’ll send you a PM (once I worked that out!)Ross

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 04:36:33 pm
content: Quote from: Ross_mini on June 03, 2014, 04:18:27 pmNo, this model uses some crazy arsed recessed things. But i'm selling it with a brand new pair of the correct ones.