Looking for a beginners low cost scope

[tantulatum]

Just getting started in electronics (just built my first DC power supply) and I'm looking for an oscilloscope.  Dave seems to strongly advise against USB scopes and those pocket DSOs.  I only need 2 channels. I'll be working with mainly audio and power.  Are there any semi decent scopes under $200 USD or preferably a DSO under that price?  Thanks,

T

[Shock]

Just getting started in electronics (just built my first DC power supply) and I'm looking for an oscilloscope.  Dave seems to strongly advise against USB scopes and those pocket DSOs.  I only need 2 channels. I'll be working with mainly audio and power.  Are there any semi decent scopes under $200 USD or preferably a DSO under that price?  Thanks,

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/digital-oscilloscope-comparison-chart/

Under $400 the Rigol DS1054Z (3 year warranty) is best bang for buck. It may be more than you are after but has 4 channels and can be "user" unlocked to enable 100Mhz bandwidth and a handful of other features. It costs about $375 from tequipment.net with the eevblog discount and free shipping, you may be able to get a further discount being a student.

New bench DSOs start at about $250 and for that little bit extra you get so much more. It was the top selling scope of 2015 for this reason.

[Simon]

Now that USB 3.0 is out and widely adopted USB scopes might be more usable. I seem to remember the main problem being the slow USB 2.0 connection and possible computer power.

[Howardlong]

Now that USB 3.0 is out and widely adopted USB scopes might be more usable. I seem to remember the main problem being the slow USB 2.0 connection and possible computer power.

Almost always it's the software and UI that lets them down in my experience, even trying to operate a Keysight scope with their remote tablet software is a lesson in why this doesn't work.

The best USB scope I've used remains the Analog Discovery, and it fits the OP's requirements on price and channels if they can get the academic discount. I would recommend the BNC daughter board and a proper pair of probes too though. The bonuses of the dual channel signal generator and LA plus digital signal generator make it quite a compelling buy. It looks like MicrochipDirect no longer have their "special" pricing I'm afraid. The only difference I'm aware of in the V2 Analog Discovery is variable power supplies (V1 was fixed +/-5V only).

In short, the Analog Discovery is the _only_ PC based scope I have that doesn't sit gathering dust in a drawer.

Having said that, a proper bench scope is always the preferred tool, mostly down to ergonomics of the UI.

[KL27x]

DSOs start at just a bit over $200 these days. So if you want to get a DSO, you will have to open up your budget, a little.

Under $400 the Rigol DS1054Z (3 year warranty) is best bang for buck.

True, and compared to prices a year ago, this is a great deal. But prices on DSO like this are going one direction, and it's not up.

I'd suggest you get a starter scope at $250 or under. And by the time you would have needed anything it's lacking, you can buy the "under $400 best bang for your buck scope" at that time, and you will have more features and/or less buggy firmware. And then you'll also have two scopes, which can come in handy.

[tequipment]

Under $400 the Rigol DS1054Z (3 year warranty) is best bang for buck. It may be more than you are after but has 4 channels and can be "user" unlocked to enable 100Mhz bandwidth and a handful of other features. It costs about $375 from tequipment.com with the eevblog discount and free shipping, you may be able to get a further discount being a stud

ps its tequipment.net

cheers
Evan
TEquipment.NET

[tantulatum]

you may be able to get a further discount being a stud

Oh?  How does one go about doing that? 

[usrnm]

Thanks Mr Evan, just got Rigol DP832 and DS1054Z from tequipment.net with forum member discount - very thoughtful.

You list the best prices on Amazon and still offering discounts, I bet you are selling more Rigols than all Rigol's resellers combined...

I started researching equipment 6 weeks ago, got a quote from Latoya and went shopping around. And I am back. Lucky I stumbled upon Latoya again - she was a web-chat sales rep and she was super awesome, best experience ever. And it is amazing you are a Vice President finding time for an outpost in the heart of professional community - such accessibility is invaluable. Looks like Tequipment is full of positive and motivated people!

I wish you could have more Weller in stock, at least positions that you list as best sellers. Pity I got only Rigols today, but I got perhaps the best deal possible and it's inspiring. My shopping list is $5K+, if I shop at Tequipment and get 5-6% discount on everything the DS1054Z will become free of charge. This is just perfect.

Happy New Year
Mark