cheap scopes, limited use, what kind of 'upgrade' would this hantek be? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: NCC74656
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 28, 2019, 11:13:07 pm
content: i work in car audio, we use scopes to check wave forums coming out of amps for clipping. thats pretty much it... i bought a jyetek dso138 diy kit for 12.00 and built that, salvaged an old cell phone and made it portable. it works great so far for the limited work we do. knowing that is my base line....im trying to get into amplifier and power inverter repair (all 12 volt). so far the 138 scope has worked fine for checking the switching frequencies of the fets but i really want a 2 channel scope and i do NOT want a bench scope. battery and portable is a requirement for me.i found a hantek dso1600h for 220.00 local that looks like WAY more than i need (im offering 150 for it and we will see where i get).i also found a hantek 2c42 2 channel scope on ebay for 100.00i 'think' these are MORE than i need but im not certian, i dont want to waste the money if they are only a small upgrade from the diy scope i currently use. i also do not want to spend 800 or even 500 on a scop that is overkill for work and that im just using as a 'hobby' for now at home.what are your thoughts?

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2019, 11:38:48 pm
content: QuoteAn old fashion 1 to 2 channel convertor based around something like a cd4053.

author: NCC74656
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 28, 2019, 11:53:20 pm
content: oh, so your saying the hantek is about as good as such a device?ive seen some reviews of hantek that show them as pretty terrible and others that show their more expensive products holding up against some flukes from yesteryear. not sure what to make of them. i know the pocket dso's are pretty crap and even worse when factoring in the price. my little jyetech was sub 20 bucks so it is a win for 'getting what you pay for'. i just dont want to spend a couple hundred on a product that is worse value per dollar.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2019, 01:22:13 am
content: Try one of the MicSig TO1000 scopes (model TO1072 for example). These are comparable to bench oscilloscopes when it comes to features but they are portable and battery operated. The MicSig scopes have mature firmware which just works.

author: NCC74656
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 29, 2019, 02:21:14 am
content: those have much higher sampling rates and memory depth. they look nice. im not sure im ready to spend 400 on a scope, i think 250 is kinda my cap at the moment. maybe its something i save up for, so many other things to buy right now and this is ultimately more for a hobby than for work.

author: dave j
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2019, 09:06:56 am
content: Someone produced a hardware mod and new firmware to add support fordual channels on the DSO138. If you're happy with the performance of the DSO138 and just want another channel it might be worth looking into.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2019, 09:41:59 am
content: If you can spend about $170 then theDSO Quadswork well. Definitely a massive step up from a DSO138.Small, battery powered, open source firmware, good up to about 10MHz.Their only real downside is the very fiddly user interface.

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2019, 10:36:21 am
content: Look out for used Tek THS710 / 720, or a Fluke/Philips scopemeter (can't remember the number). With one of these you get a real scope intended for portable use (you might have to replace the battery). Or the MicSig as pointed out, that's the same class of instrument, but new.Once you've used a real scope, you'd never want to use these simple pocket scopes again ...

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2019, 10:53:28 am
content: There's a thread about the 2C42:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/hantek-2c422c722d422d72/

author: NCC74656
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 30, 2019, 11:32:54 pm
content: thanks. it seems the hantek is rather medioker and on the 1000 versions, have poor firmware. maybe not a huge issue given what im doing but it would be nice to have confidence in my meter.