Recommendation for battery powered 12 bit oscilloscope suitable  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: MDA!85
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 05, 2025, 03:57:59 am
content: New member here but I am a 68 year old EE with a fair bit of experience. I just went through lousy situation with a Rigol DHO814 purchased from Amazon. It worked for about a month and suddenly started taking longer and longer to boot up until it would not boot. I sent it in to Rigol for warranty repair. They returned it two weeks later and it still wouid not boot. Fortunately Amazon agreed to accept it for a return and refund outside of the 30 day return window when I explained I tried the warranty repair process without success. I like the size and features of the DHO800 and 900 series and the price is right. I don't want to waste more time with a company that has lousy quality control and even worse warranty service. Is there any other brand out there that makes a 12 bit portable scope in this price range? Ability to be powered from a USB power bank or internal battery is important because I use it for automotive work where it is desirable to be isolated from the AC power mains. I had an ancient Fluke 97 8 bit scope that I just gave away because I thought the Rigol would be a good replacement. Regretting that decision right now.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 05, 2025, 04:43:31 am
content: Don't hate me... probably not what you want....SDS800XI know it is not battery powered, but it can be converted to with a little of EE love... there is a service manual somewhere.Ah you need a big battery for 80W max power... eh eh....And I see there are many people (from Siglent) active in this forum, in case you needed something.Definitely not RigLOL level.

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2025, 05:01:55 am
content: Micsig Mho1.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2025, 09:31:33 am
content: @MDA!85: Why do you think you need a (cheap) 12-bit oscilloscope for automotive work?Wouldn't an 8-bit scope be sufficient?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2025, 10:01:06 am
content: Quote from: MDA!85 on August 05, 2025, 03:57:59 amWhy ?A mains powered DSO allowed me to diagnose a faulty race ignition in a mates drag car and no isolation from mains was needed or required.It had troubled them for several meets when it lost power at max output and max turbo boost yet would run just fine off the line but ran outta puff in the higher gears.One ignition channel was low output at all conditions but enough to light the fire until boost pressures got high then the fire went out.....

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2025, 12:56:07 pm
content: For automotive 12 bit is not really needed.To replace old Fluke 97, you could replace it with a scope that is same type (scopemeter type) like Siglent SHS810X or Siglent SHS1102X (that has fully isolated channels).Or buy an automotive tablet scope like Micsig VATO2004 (that is used with Android tablet) or Micsig ATO2002 or Micsig ATO1004.Siglent scopemeters will also decode protocols like CAN and LIN (that old Fluke didn't). These are proper and professional modern (much more powerful) replacement for your old FlukeSpecialized automotive Micsig scopes will also have specific automotive testing added.For you description I would recommend Micsig ATO2002 or Micsig ATO1004. These are real tools.Everything else is just waste of your time.After some protracted wasted time trying to fit square peg in a round hole, you eventually end up buying right tool.Or if an improvisation ends up filling your need than you didn't need proper tool in a first place.Even Hantek 2D82 Auto will be better for automotive work in a garage than something improvised from a bench scope.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2025, 04:46:59 pm
content: Micsig make portable 'scopes with automotive functions and they come with automotive leads and probes.https://www.micsig.com/ATO/

author: egonotto
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2025, 10:24:53 pm
content: Hello,pico Technology also has automotive USB scopes.https://www.picoauto.com/Best regardsegonotto

author: Phb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2025, 01:35:51 am
content: HI.I bumped into this when browsing AliEx - OWON HDS2102A. Handheld 100Mhz.Details herehttps://owon.com.hk/products_hds2102a_automotive_diagnostic_oscilloscopeOther than the ancillary connectors/probes.... this seemed interesting...I admit, I do not quite know how it would show in the scope.

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2025, 01:14:56 pm
content: Decide what segment you want.* DMM class with scope. (often very limited but ruggedized, and many of the dual channel ones tend to be isolated)* Hybrid scope (A mobile scope that can also double as a bench scope, with close to the full palette of basic features)* Bench scope. (like the Rigol you had, that can run on external power, though with that approach, you can also get more or less any entry bench scope of choice incl. fx SDS800XHD as there are tons of ways you can supply external AC power, as these powerbanks with inverters are getting quite common)For a modern scope with built-in battery, I would look at Hybrid variants, like fx some of the Micsig models.Got an older Micsig myself, STO1104C, and its been a pleasant companion over the last handful of years, I enjoy the mobility... The older it gets, the more I appreciate it, - kind of weird, as it's usually the other way around, things go in my perception.They do have an Auto-optimized scopeline, as mentioned above.. often with an "A" in the model naming.It gives access to features' like these..