help to select between these two scopes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: little_carlos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2016, 05:30:23 pm
content: Hi, im going to buy an analog scope and i have two best options to buy and i need you guys to tell me the best option, my budget is very low and i cant afford any better scope, since test equipment in mexico is very expensivethe first option is a Lg Os-5020 20mhz, it comes with 2 100mhz probes, the best of that scope is that its shinning new, had very little use, everything looks brand new, 2 channels, this is $180 shippment includedthe other option is a tektronix 2215 60mhz, its older and has no calibration, comes with one probe only, 2 channels this is $250 shipment includedwhich one would you pick? those are the best options that i found here in mexico, i cant buy from other countries because its a complete mess and risky

author: alsetalokin4017
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2016, 05:44:49 pm
content: Well, it depends on whether you absolutely need the 60 MHz bandwidth of the Tek 2215. The older Tek scope has some known issues, even though it is a quality instrument. The Lg (now "EZ Digital") is much newer (replaced now with the Os-5020A model which looks quite a bit different) but I don't know anything about it, other than that TEquipment used to sell them and now sells the A model.I'm a big fan of the older Tek scopes myself but you might be better off with the Os-5020 deal, if you don't need the 60 MHz bandwidth that the Tek scope should provide.But 250 USD is kind of high for a Tek 2215, I think.

author: ShreveCC
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2016, 06:16:49 pm
content: The Tektronix 2215 is your best bet- 60Mhz bandwidth, dual trace with delayed sweep. The "used going price" is $235 U.S. Dollars on Ebay. Tektronix "early years" analog scopes are built like tanks. So here are a few basic thoughts:What are the types of circuits your going to inspect? isn't 20MHz a little too low of bandwidth? 50MHz for a "general purpose" scope should be the absolute lowest bandwidth acceptable, but that depends on the types of circuits you plan to work on.Calibration certificates matter; however used is well- used, and either scope could be out of "calibration". If you know how to use a scope; you will know if it's out a lot.Furthermore, how recent was the last Calibration on the scopes and by Who. Trace-ability is why Certificates "do" matter in Used Test purchases, but its not a deal breaker if you are allowed to test this equipment- BEFORE handing the money over.

author: alsetalokin4017
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2016, 07:37:14 pm
content: You should also be aware ("be ware") that the Tek 2215 was quickly replaced by the 2215a model.... there are some internal differences between the two even though externally they are virtually identical.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2016, 07:51:32 pm
content: Availability of a full set of manuals is the 1st criteria for old CRO's.But for that sort of money the Tek always.Don't at all consider probes as a determining factor, replacements are so very cheap. (P6100)Reallyis there nothing cheaper in Mexico?

author: little_carlos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2016, 12:30:44 am
content: Quote from: tautech on March 05, 2016, 07:51:32 pmno haha its a crap here, test equipment market is full of pure bullshit

author: little_carlos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2016, 01:53:58 am
content: Quote from: ShreveCC on March 05, 2016, 06:16:49 pmhi, thanks for your time and answering, i`ve used scopes before but never had one, i want to buy an analog first, because of two reasons, low budget and to learn more about scopes, im studying engeneering in electronics and automation and il need a much better scope in a future, so il get a digital scope in a few years more, i design and make amplifiers, switch mode power supplys and work with digital electronics such as micro controllers and also design plc`s, so i dont think im going to work with something thats bigger than 10 or 20mhz.now about the calibration detail, the lg shows more stability on the screen when showing waveforms and the tektronix shows a weird square wave( sort of rounded) while the lg shows much smoother waveforms.i think i will go for the lg, maybe il do a review of it in a future and i will show it herebtw, any good dso you might know about?

author: Vincent
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2016, 01:59:42 am
content: Both are excellent instruments. Though I'm probably a little biased toward the Tek 2215, since I have one myself.What I appreciate the most of this instrument is the delayed sweep function. You can zoom in and look at a specific part of the waveform. Very handy feature to have in certain circumstances.But it should by no means be a deal breaker. The LG 'scope is certainly a good choice as well, especially that it comes with both probes and has very little usage.

author: little_carlos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2016, 02:12:21 am
content: Quote from: Vincent on March 06, 2016, 01:59:42 amhi, thanks for your time and answering, i`ve used scopes before but never had one, i want to buy an analog first, because of two reasons, low budget and to learn more about scopes, im studying engeneering in electronics and automation and il need a much better scope in a future, so il get a digital scope in a few years more, i design and make amplifiers, switch mode power supplys and work with digital electronics such as micro controllers and also design plc`s, so i dont think im going to work with something thats bigger than 10 or 20mhz.now about the calibration detail, the lg shows more stability on the screen when showing waveforms and the tektronix shows a weird square wave( sort of rounded) while the lg shows much smoother waveforms.i think i will go for the lg, maybe il do a review of it in a future and i will show it herebtw, any good dso you might know about?