DIY Oscilloscope Kit

[bumba000]

Hey All,
            I've built a project I found through youtube for a sound card based oscilloscope. I've used it several times over the past week or so and it works. I guess pretty well for what it is and my skill level. Now, I've been eyeballing up this DIY kit from ebay for a week or so and would like your opinions. I understand it's 200kHZ limitation, but aside from that, what do you think?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SainSmart-DSO138-2-4-TFT-Digital-Oscilloscope-Kit-DIY-Parts-Kits-1Msps-Probe-/121657211184?hash=item1c5355b930:g:~AIAAOSw-vlVi8OL

Thanks, John

[zapta]

It worth the money even if just for the soldering practice.

[Daniel_Reyes]

It worth the money even if just for the soldering practice.

Agreed,  i learned a lot skill wise putting the 0805's on.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

[daybyter]

I guess just the parts are worth the price.

What irritates me is the 1 M sample. I'm playing with the 10$ scope project from here atm:

http://stm32duino.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=107

and it seems they got 2 M samples just by clever coding?

[bumba000]

See, that's why I'm asking you guys/gals about this. What does that mean - 1M sampling - ?

Thank you, John

[tec5c]

IMO, waste of money if you're serious about electronics.

What does that mean - 1M sampling - ?

What do you think it means?

[Aodhan145]

See, that's why I'm asking you guys/gals about this. What does that mean - 1M sampling - ?

Thank you, John

Its how frequently the sample the waveform voltages. The diagram should explain it. So for 1M sampling it should sample every 0.000001s or 1µs.

[bumba000]

Oh I see. So I guess I'll be looking for more of an actual pro oscope then. =0)  Thanks for that!

[SteveLy]

1Msa/s is enough for 200kHz bandwidth if the analog input is bandwidth limited and the digital output is being processed properly for display. Probably not. Worst thing about these is not the BW or sample rate but the slow display update, response, the controls and UI in general. They are not at all practical. But if you don't expect too much from it, you could have a bit of fun with it. Treat it as a ~100kHz BW toy scope. For <$30, it's a pretty cool toy.

[Simon]

if you want something really cheap and want the experience then go for it. But if you want to move onto more exiting stuff then get a proper oscilloscope and save the money for that. Making your own test gear only works if it's for a very bespoke application.

[bumba000]

if you want something really cheap and want the experience then go for it. But if you want to move onto more exiting stuff then get a proper oscilloscope and save the money for that. Making your own test gear only works if it's for a very bespoke application.

Yes, again thank you. My last post I had said that I would steer away from the DIY and I would start looking for a pro scope. Thanks...

[daybyter]

I think building a (very simple) scope on your own furthers the understanding of the concept of a scope. So the benefit is in the learning experience. Not money saving, or so.

[Simon]

The user has decided to leave.

[nowlan]

why leave?

[nbritton]

For $10 more sainsmart offers another kit (link below) with 1MHz analog bandwidth and 20MSa/s sampling rate. If your goal is to learn how to solder these would be good to get, however, if your goal is to get a scope then I would not waste your money. Save up your money until you can afford a Rigol DS1054Z. If you're a student I alternatively recommend Digilent's Analog Discovery: http://www.digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?Prod=ANALOG-DISCOVERY

http://www.sainsmart.com/mini-1mhz-analog-bandwidth-20msa-s-oscilloscope-diy-kits.html

[crispy_tofu]

I'm planning on getting one of these (even if it's just for soldering practice), so following! 

why leave?

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/hello-world/msg780489/#msg780489 

[SteveLy]

Given that it's "very easy to weld" I might get one as well and while I wait I'll dust off them welding goggles. I've never done any surface mount welding before so this could be valuable practice. Better order two.

$US19 for a red PCB version: http://www.gearbest.com/development-boards/pp_208067.html

And it's not just a scope!:
"... it can be changed to Millivoltmeter, data loggers, and so on (we don't supply any technical support about that)."

Honestly, for what this thing costs, it does seem amazing. I'm getting one to see what they're like. If it works even only up to <100kHz, it could make a good present for kids with Knack. I would have died and gone to heaven if I got something like this as a kid.

I'm planning on getting one of these (even if it's just for soldering practice), so following! 

What's to plan? Just get one! We can compare notes. It'll be fun!

[Ian.M]

For $10 more sainsmart offers another kit (link below) with 1MHz analog bandwidth and 20MSa/s sampling rate. If your goal is to learn how to solder these would be good to get, however, if your goal is to get a scope then I would not waste your money. <snip>
http://www.sainsmart.com/mini-1mhz-analog-bandwidth-20msa-s-oscilloscope-diy-kits.html

That looks interesting.  ATMega64 based, with an ICSP header, firmware source code, and a logic level serial port and some spare I/Os on another header.   For that price, its obviously not the best 20 megasample/s scope in the world, but if you need something scope-like to embed, it could be a good place to start from.

[Fat]

What the heck! They took all the fun out of it.  The main IC is pre-soldered on the kit's board.   

[crispy_tofu]

I'm planning on getting one of these (even if it's just for soldering practice), so following! 

What's to plan? Just get one! We can compare notes. It'll be fun!

Alright! Now to save up... 

[Daniel_Reyes]

It worth the money even if just for the soldering practice.

Agreed,  i learned a lot skill wise putting the 0805's on.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

Just wondering, does this kit even have SMD components? 

No, i made it up..........   

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

[crispy_tofu]

No, i made it up..........   

Welp, looking closer at the photos there are SMD components. I stand corrected, sorry.
(but they look presoldered, and on some boards they're missing altogether and not in the included components either) 

maybe someone that has the actual kit can clear this up, I'm still confuzzled   

[crispy_tofu]

Been reading up a bit more on this kit, looks like there are fakes being sold:
Source: http://www.jyetech.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=497

eBay Sellers:

- t-happy
- trade_spotting
- anderlink
- ttmallzone365
- tomtop_auction
- tomtop_shop
- domecool
- tykb-buy

AliExpress Sellers:

- Wireless module Fans
- excellbay
- dependonu
- Shenzhen huaqiang electronic co. LTD
- nogap4us
- First Love 123
- beyond your imagination
- aseasylife
- QualityEx
- LiteTeck
- DealPark
- Magic sky
- T-Best Wholesales Outlet
- Hakuna Matata ^_^
- NewConcept
- Shops No. 1
- Shenzhen Tomtop Technology Co., Ltd.
- franchise house
- Buying

Amazon Sellers:

- SainSmart
- KKmoon
- ilastore-eu

Others:

- DX.com
- Gearbest.com
- - SainSmart

Interestingly, SainSmart is on that list, which is the link that the OP provided. So it's fake?

[Daniel_Reyes]

Been reading up a bit more on this kit, looks like there are fakes being sold:
Source: http://www.jyetech.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=497

eBay Sellers:

- t-happy
- trade_spotting
- anderlink
- ttmallzone365
- tomtop_auction
- tomtop_shop
- domecool
- tykb-buy

AliExpress Sellers:

- Wireless module Fans
- excellbay
- dependonu
- Shenzhen huaqiang electronic co. LTD
- nogap4us
- First Love 123
- beyond your imagination
- aseasylife
- QualityEx
- LiteTeck
- DealPark
- Magic sky
- T-Best Wholesales Outlet
- Hakuna Matata ^_^
- NewConcept
- Shops No. 1
- Shenzhen Tomtop Technology Co., Ltd.
- franchise house
- Buying

Amazon Sellers:

- SainSmart
- KKmoon
- ilastore-eu

Others:

- DX.com
- Gearbest.com
- - SainSmart

Interestingly, SainSmart is on that list, which is the link that the OP provided. So it's fake?

I have this kit....

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

[Cliff Matthews]

I'm in. Low cost and likely helps out SMD soldering skills. Julian Ilett has 4 well recorded YT video's: