When I use the modern DSO oscilloscope and when I use the analog tektronix - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jcrubin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2018, 01:36:18 pm
content: Ive put together a video which is more of an opinion piece which discusses when I choose between the modern and vintage oscilloscopes, both out of choice and necessity, and why I do so.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2018, 05:13:58 pm
content: Is there a summary of your points that I can speed read in 15s?That would enable me to determine if it might be worth my while spending 60* more of my (little) remaining life on your video?Thanks

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2018, 05:25:57 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on January 08, 2018, 05:13:58 pmDon't bother because he is using a very cheap Hantek DSO. Besides that the video is about 2 decades too late anyway.

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2018, 05:57:18 pm
content: Think you can summarise it as this: Both are ok, digital is nice if you have to deal with finding rare glitches. Analog scopes on the other hand can show you "misbehaving" signals (too high frequency) which a digital scope might not. Also if you're working on mains voltage analog scopes are sometimes nicer, since they to be easier if you want to repair the frontend you inevitably blow up. (Which we've all done in our early years, don't deny it.) Overall for the average user though, digital is the way to go simply for the automatic measurements and advanced trigger capabilities.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2018, 03:17:41 am
content: Quote from: HalFET on January 08, 2018, 05:57:18 pmSorry, I've never blown up the front end of an analog (or any other type of Oscilloscope).I can't remember ever seeing a 'scope where this has happened, in over 40 years as a Tech.QuoteI always feel that automatic measurements allow people to test things without having any real idea of what the results mean.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2018, 06:34:51 am
content: The automatic measurements are nice, but I'm glad I spent years using an analog scope so I know what the measurements are really doing. I feel like I've earned the right to be a bit lazy now.

author: Terry01
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2018, 08:30:00 am
content: I found the video very interesting although I am new into electronics. Some good information there for beginners.I had an idea about your points in the video but your clear explanation of things helped me understand better when to use what instrument.Thanks for sharing.

author: snoopy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2018, 11:59:43 am
content: When a digital scope is just not good enough !

author: lem_ix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2018, 01:39:07 pm
content: In the US an analog scope seems like a nice entry point for a new hobbyist. Here the price of a pretty average analog scope gets close to a new rigol/siglent scope. Not really worth recommending if the price difference is 100e.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2018, 01:49:33 pm
content: Interesting. I haven't touched my digital scope for about a month now. Using a Tek 2225 or my wits more than it at the moment. Just feels more attached to what you're working on

author: blacksheeplogic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2018, 02:16:22 am
content: So, you buy the cheapest nasties digital scope you can find to show how much superior an analogue scope is.... A better title might be 'Why I have to use analogue scope'.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2018, 05:53:46 am
content: True, that is a high end analog scope vs a low end DSO that is probably about the same price new as the analog scope is worth 20+ years old.I've transitioned to using my DSO almost exclusively although I did pull out the 465B the other day to work on a vector arcade board, the XY mode on the DSO is nearly useless.

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2018, 07:37:47 am
content: Quote from: james_s on January 10, 2018, 05:53:46 amAnd that is exactly why I ended up going out and buying an old 2235TonyG

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2018, 11:45:10 pm
content: Quote from: blacksheeplogic on January 10, 2018, 02:16:22 amOr maybe, "If you already have an analogue 'scope, you can get away with a fairly poor DSO"

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2018, 12:02:39 am
content: Quote from: snoopy on January 09, 2018, 11:59:43 amGee, he makes a great fuss about checking AM modulation.We did this all the time to set up AM Mod Monitors back in the day----it's not rocket science.The best way to do it is using the trapezoidal method, in XY mode,where you feed the modulating signal to the 'scope X input & the modulated RF signal to the Y input.The RF levels are a lot easier to see than with the conventional envelope.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2018, 06:58:07 am
content: Just marking a spot so I remember to reference this on my next DSO vs Boat Anchor rant