Advice regarding used analog oscilloscopes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: tedsorvino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 06:24:37 am
content: Hi everyone.After having used my ok Gould - Advance Instr. 10 mhz analog scope for around 5 years, i’ve decided to upgrade, because it’s quite unreliable, it needs some major maintenance and anyways it’s not that great.From what I’ve read in here (very very trustworthy experienced forum members) I think for my use and considering value for money it would be better to remain in the used analog domain (50mhz +) since I mainly work with audio, but occasionally I would like to be able to test around (older) digital chips in audio devices (synths - dsp - dac- clock etc).I don’t want to spend more than 100-150 euros.But still I want something straightforward to operate (not that I’m scared of menu diving, but I don’t need it), reliable (that’s why I want to avoid cheap digital modern stuff) and repairable ( another reason to avoid modern stuff and prefer simpler devices).I’ve made a list of what well known can be found in the eu market within my price range (incl. shipping)Tektronix 2225Tektronix 2213ATektronix 2220 (analog - digital old? Bad era for digital maybe?)Tektronix 475 (464-466 can be found easier than 465 and 485)Tektronix TDS 340. (analog - digital old? Bad era for digital maybe?)Hameg hm 605 (604 can be found too)Philips Pm 3215Philips Pm 3050 (analog-digital? Bad era for digital maybe?)Kikusui Cos 6150Some older digital-analog Hitachi can be found too, but they are older analog-digital.I didn’t include any hp models since it seems like they are either prone to malfunction or hard to operate and maintain.I would like your opinion and advice on any of the models i include if you have any work experience on them. Or similar modelsPlease don’t advice to stretch my budget because I wouldn’t like to do it. And I will not go with modern cheap digital or usb devices, in anyway (unless somebody give me one for free).Thanks in advancePs. I modified a bit the original post just to clarify things and make the field of answers a bit narrower.

author: PGPG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 07:22:52 am
content: Quote from: tedsorvino on July 22, 2025, 06:24:37 amI want to go out of that list but with suggestion to try to find used oscilloscope the other (cheaper) way.Something about 25 years ago I have bought Hameg HM1507 (150MHz analog/digital scope).Even digitally it was very poor (2k samples buffer) 99% of time I was using it in digital mode.When it was about 2 years old all its knobs begin to not work properly - when you rotated them scope know that you rotate, but it didn't know the rotate direction. It was practically not possible to correctly set anything.I have disassembled scope and got into these parts. Without desoldering them I managed to take off their covers and found that there are to much of grease in them with the effect that two contacts rotating on "sun shape with rays" had a problem with contact so a problem with detecting rotation direction. After reducing amount of grease it then was working correct for years.About 5 years ago I had got the new scope so decided to give my old oscilloscope to 'good hands'. I found an electronic student and gave it him (free).My suggestion. Search near you all electronic companies (small and big) and dare to go to them and ask if they have any spare, no longer used oscilloscopes.There is a big chance that you will find one and the price comparison can be like between these my HM1507 and its offers you can find.

author: tedsorvino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 08:11:08 am
content: Thanks for the reply. I’m always on the look out. This is how I found my old one more or less. But in general realistically can’t expect much.So still looking for input on the list (or similar stuff).

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 08:43:16 am
content: Quote from: tedsorvino on July 22, 2025, 06:24:37 amDo you really think a 40 year old CRO is more reliable than a modern DSO? I would seriously doubt that.If you want to repair something, why don't you repair your Gould and buy a used or even new DSO with the €150 you save?I bought an oldHamegfor CHF 30 this year.It's in good condition, but I wouldn't pay more for it.I love it, but 99% of the time I end up using my cheap Chinese Hantek DSO.

author: tedsorvino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 08:56:04 am
content: Thanks for your input. I somehow believe so. Especially the durability and maintenance part of it. Cheap (under 200 euros new) digital technology seems like it’s made not to be repairable and long lasting.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 10:15:55 am
content: Quote from: tedsorvino on July 22, 2025, 08:56:04 amThis discussion is held from time to time.Time is moving on.Just one example:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/looking-to-buy-a-used-analog-scope-which-are-reliable/

author: PGPG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 10:37:05 am
content: Quote from: tedsorvino on July 22, 2025, 08:56:04 amBeing not repairable you can consider as a side price for being cheap.If you are interested only in analog than you need not high MHz.What about new USB scope.I see (local distributor) Hantek6022BE 2x20MHz for about 70 Euro. I didn't read more details.Buying new you get guarantee (I don't know how long). But you have a big chance it will work longer, and when if will break it is rationale to replace with new, better one than try to repair it.Advantage of USB scope is that you can (if needed) run it with laptop working from battery and avoid that way ground loop if you look at signals in mains powered device (in analog word I expect many such devices).

author: tedsorvino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 10:52:53 am
content: No usb. Too much hassle. I have to admit I believe in dedicated tools. Actually i would consider the iPad versions but still expensive.Without complaining and being ungrateful I would ask if possible to limit the suggestions just to the analog or analog-digital scopes in the list or similar ones.

author: tedsorvino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 10:55:29 am
content: This discussion is held from time to time.Time is moving on.Just one example:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/looking-to-buy-a-used-analog-scope-which-are-reliable/Maybe I should have been less broad to my question and just ask if there are opinions and advice on only the models included in my list or similar.

author: tedsorvino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 11:00:20 am
content: Quote from: Aldo22 on July 22, 2025, 10:15:55 amMaybe I should have been less broad in my initial post and limit my question to opinions and advice from users of the scopes in the list or similar ones. My mistake.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 06:03:01 pm
content: Tektronix 2225Here in the US, almost all of these were sold to schools, so they are usually beat up from student use. Don't know about Europe.Tektronix 2213AThis could be a good choice - a very simple scope that should be easy to maintain. I would prefer a 2215A though.Tektronix 2220 (analog - digital old? Bad era for digital maybe?)The digital part adds size, weight, and complexity/unreliability.Tektronix 475 (464-466 can be found easier than 465 and 485)464 is too old466 has dim CRT, and is extra large/heavy/noisy, so avoid unless you really want (analog) storage.I never liked the 475 for some reason - maybe the CRT? Middling reliability, not easy to repair.Tektronix TDS 340. (analog - digital old? Bad era for digital maybe?)It is just digital. Fine if you don't mind the soft button based UI. Has NVRAM time bomb, but they last a long time if you leave the scope plugged in.Hameg hm 605 (604 can be found too)Philips Pm 3215Philips Pm 3050 (analog-digital? Bad era for digital maybe?)Haven't used these.I think the PM3050 is analog only. It has the LCD display that is a bit prone to failure and unobtainable.Kikusui Cos 6150I've never seen one of these, but the COS6100 is pretty nice and easy to repair. CRT is mediocre (like Tek 475).

author: tedsorvino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 06:23:39 pm
content: Really thank you eDavid for the reply. This clarifies things a lot. Other users may pop in and clarify things for the other models or add opinions on yours. Really helpful and to the point.

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 06:28:03 pm
content: Quote from: tedsorvino on July 22, 2025, 08:56:04 amLook it at from a different angle: It is *that* cheap, it's not worth your time fixing it. Still they are very much worth their money, even while being cheap.I as well suggest to get one of those and just fix your old scope.

author: tedsorvino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 06:38:31 pm
content: Thanks for the reply but I won’t do it.

author: EvgenyG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2025, 12:41:22 am
content: I would pick Hameg over Tek, mostly because you can still get original parts through Sky-Messtechnik.Model numbers wise, I'd recommend HM407, HM507, HM1507, HM400, HM1008, HM1508. The rotary encoders on those can be easily cleaned without desoldering and will last you for years after that.Those Hamegs listed above have amazing roll mode, offer some basic measurements and have a super sharp trace. They are also fanless design. Also, the HM407/507 use only 2kV acceleration voltage, which makes the scope somewhat safer to fix. Service / adjustment manuals available too, and guys at Sky Messtechnik are super helpful.

author: tedsorvino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2025, 02:24:39 am
content: Thanks for the good advice Evgeny. I will definitely check and compare all the models you suggest, but I think all of them are more expensive than I can afford. Around 300 - 400euros.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2025, 02:42:24 am
content: Quote from: Aldo22 on July 22, 2025, 08:43:16 amIndeed.I would not pay more then EUR 50 for any analog scope, regardless of it's bandwidth or other features. It seems this thread is mostly driven by a fear of DSO's and OP is devising excuses to stay in prehistoric time. And that's fine.I once had a PM3295 (400MHz version) myself. Definitely not recommended because of it's complexity, size and weight.I also don't really understand the price cap. A quite decent DSO (or other, whatever) can be bought for around EUR300 to EUR500, and it will likely last for 10 to 20 years. So that is an average somewhere between EUR 15 to EUR 50 per year. or less then EUR 1 per week. Not really worth to make much of a fuss about, although saving up some money if you're on a tight budget is a bit of a nuisance.

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2025, 03:38:02 am
content: Quote from: tedsorvino on July 22, 2025, 06:24:37 amI personally wouldn't spend 150 euro on an analog oscilloscope unless it was something special. For that money I would be looking for a used basic but legit benchtop DSO. I know used markets vary quite a bit but I would really look to see if you can get something in this range.

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2025, 03:49:06 am
content: Quote from: Doctorandus_P on July 23, 2025, 02:42:24 amEveryone has a different budget so I don't like to say it's no big deal. But if my budget was EUR150 and I couldn't find a bargain used DSO in that price range, I wouldn't get an oscilloscope. There are better ways to spend that money on an electronics hobby: parts, power supplies other tools. Or just save the money. Save up to buy a scope in the future or just to save the money.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2025, 04:38:24 am
content: I'll secondedavidon the Kikusui--if it is cheap enough and works it is a good choice IMO. They use a linear power supply which is heavy and inefficient but durable and easy to repair.

author: tedsorvino
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2025, 05:35:39 am
content: I absolutely agree with you bdunham7 on the linear supplies. Actually I have built several linear ones myself and have repaired switched ones in many devices (easy to burn things in there) imho if space is not an issue, no comparison.The only obvious consideration with the Kikusui is that both 6150 and 6100 are 5 ch scopes ( in a way )and seem quite crowded inside. Price wise they are fine.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2025, 10:05:34 am
content: Quote from: EvgenyG on July 23, 2025, 12:41:22 amThat's true, but it's actually quite unrealistic in terms of price.Sky Messtechnikhas a minimum order value of €35 excluding shipping.I paid €30 for my fully functional HM-203-4.It's better to look around for a second device for spare parts if you want to repair the old unit at all.I mean, it's like with old cars: if you enjoy repairing them, you don't look so much at the cost, but if you're short of money, it's often not worth it.

author: EvgenyG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2025, 12:07:12 am
content: Quote from: Aldo22 on July 23, 2025, 10:05:34 amAll of my orders were always more than that and shipping costs were very reasonable, something like 20 EUR to Australia. Getting a second unit for parts here in Aus would be very difficult.

author: EvgenyG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2025, 12:25:24 am
content: Quote from: tedsorvino on July 23, 2025, 02:24:39 amYou may actually ask Sky Messtechnik directly if they have secondhand units for sale. Their website does not reflect what they have in their inventory. Those scopes will be in really decent shape. Also, keep an eye on ebay, these things don't tend to last long if listed for right price. Don't look at the higher end side, you want something that is 100Mhz or less, like 20-40Mhz. The lower the bandwidth, the easier it is to fix. Have a look at Pintek and its rebrands, the 10Mhz-25Mhz models, nice and compact and no fan. Check the specs for HV section, I would pick 2kV scope over 15kV scope.Those low end Tek scopes are not bad, but from memory they all have fans.For higher bandwidth, get a decent DSO instead.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2025, 04:03:15 am
content: A no name Chinese AliExpress "scope" is in many ways significantly more useful than those boat anchors in 2025. And I'm a collector of boat anchors (but mostly power supplies and meters).Get a used rigol ds1000z.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 24, 2025, 06:42:20 am
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/short-list-of-used-analog-scope-any-experience-please/msg5987115/#msg5987115If you want to move a thread please contact a moderator. Starting a duplicate, um well you see what happens.