Which oscilloscope for analog sensors, audio and power supplies ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jemangedeslolos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2020, 02:05:17 pm
content: Hello,I already have a scope but more high speed digital stuff oriented.I will have several projects this year with low sensivity analog sensor and high end analog to digital audio converter.I was looking for another kind of scope and I found the Picoscope 4262 :https://www.picotech.com/oscilloscope/4262/picoscope-4262-overviewVery limited BW and sample rate compared to modem DSO but with incredible low noise analog front end.Do you know any other kind of device like this one ? I would not want to exceed 1000€Thank you for your help

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2020, 03:40:27 pm
content: Blueskull gave you good advice for your use case.I have 4262, and it is awesome low noise low bandwidth scope..But if you specifically want to test audio equipment, audio analysers will have better specs and will have many measurements ready made in software..If I worked more on audio I would get QA401..AD2 will also have many measurements that are very useful, like impedance measurements, frequency response etc..

author: Sighound36
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2020, 04:16:45 pm
content: I have a Picospcope 4262 it has its uses for sure.The AD discovery 2 is EVFM and is a multitude of tools in one PC.I am fortunate we have a R&S UPV with a very decent options plus a very respectable impedance analyser for audio.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2020, 04:34:03 pm
content: Analog discovery 2.

author: jemangedeslolos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2020, 09:54:33 am
content: Hello,Everyone seems to agree on Analog Discovery 2.I have to admit that I never looked at this small device but it seems to be a great multi tool.I will buy one tomorrow !I'm going to work more on analog sensors and small DC-DC converters than audio so I'm going to have to wait a little longer to know which tool to buy.It is the first time in my life that I will spend less money than initially planned.You are far too reasonable.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2020, 04:13:23 pm
content: Some things to know:There are options for the AD2 and I recommend them all. The breadboard adapter is particularly handy. The description doesn't mention it but the adapter does come with a breadboard. When you stick the breadboard down to the PCB, make sure not to cover the legends around the header. Don't follow the white board outline on the PCB.When you use the BNC adapter, you lose differential measurement capability. That isn't a really big deal because most scopes don't even have differential inputs. I don't tend to use my BNC adapter very often, probably because I have a couple of real scopes.Starting at reply 52, I did 4 simple experiments with the AD2 using only a 10k resistor and a 0.1 ufd capacitor. The AD2 is simply magic!https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/starter-scope/50/The Impedance Adapter is a pretty interesting gadget and if you want to do a bit of curve tracing for diodes and transistors (FETs too) then there is an adapter for that as well:https://knack.supply/product/ad2ct/I haven't been able to get the curve tracer app to run on Win 10. I'm sure it works for everybody else on the planet but not for me. The Linux version works well.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2020, 04:21:04 pm
content: For the AD2, note the voltage limitations. You really don't want to let the magic smoke escape.I bought a pair of fixed X10 scope probes from ProbeMaster which have the effect of expanding the voltage range far beyond what I will ever use. Actually, I tend to use the flyleads and the voltage limits aren't an issue because I seldom work at anything beyond 12V.If there is any doubt about what you are probing, check it with a DMM first. Also, watch Dave's video