"N-in-1" what does it mean for a scope?

[Sylvi]

Hi

Just like the subject line:

What does "N-in-1" mean on a scope?

I've been looking at all kinds of DSOs, mostly interested in 2-ch, no need for digital inputs or protocol decoding. None of the data sheets or product information I've read says what the N-in-1 means. The only thing that comes close to an answer is that they consider the EXT trigger input as a "third input"?

Thanks

[ataradov]

Do you have a link to the specific scope?

There is no generic meaning behind this.

[jeroen79]

If I google it I find some OWON product:

http://www.owon.com.hk/products_owon_xds_series_n-in-1_digital_oscilloscope

n-in-1
functions as data logger, and multimeter with data logging function,
and dual-channel 25MHz / 50MHz arbitrary waveform generator,
furthermore, battery pack, and WiFi module supported

[ArthurDent]

Besides being what you think of as a regular scope, it can be a DMM, a datalogger, function generator, etc., making it a 'n-in-one device. More a marketing point than anything else.

It's like considering a voltmeter that also reads current and resistance as AVO, VOM, or 3-in-one. 

[jeroen79]

Besides being what you think of as a regular scope, it can be a DMM, a datalogger, function generator, etc., making it a 'n-in-one device. More a marketing point than anything else.

It's like considering a voltmeter that also reads current and resistance as AVO, VOM, or 3-in-one.

A meter that can measure multiple things:
A multimeasurer.

[ArthurDent]

"A meter that can measure multiple things:
A multimeasurer."

That's how I like to view myself! 

[dmills]

It means you are reading the stuff written by the marketing departments fluffer and not the proper datasheet.
The correct solution is the go and find a real datasheet(From a different vendor if necessary).

Regards, Dan.

[Sylvi]

Hi

Yes, it was OWON XDS3102A that says it is N-in1 and it has a multimeter with jacks on the rear, a wave generator and a frequency counter in addition to doing scope things.

I had a look at the other N-in1 models I saw earlier and they all have the meter etc.

OWON's description does not really clarify the N-in-1 term, which I thought they might do since they have a whole range with this designation. Their data sheets don't clarify it either.

Thanks

[tautech]

@Sylvi
It's called feature creep.
The modern DSO can do many things further than just being a scope.
While many inbuilt features aren't as good as dedicated instruments there are indeed useful to some degree.

What you need to evaluate is what additional inbuilt features will be useful for you, not just now but what you may have a need for in the future.
Some examples:
FFT = poor mans spectrum analyser
MSO/LA = Logic analyser
FG = inbuilt or optional AWG
Bode plot/FRA capabilities
Decode
And so on and on.

[jeroen79]

OWON's description does not really clarify the N-in-1 term

n is just short for 'number' or, in this case, 'multiple'.
So a oscilloscope-functiongenerator combination would be 2-in-1.
Add a multimeter and you have 3-in-1.
Add something else, well, you get it.

@Sylvi
It's called feature creep.

Or jack off all trades, master of none.

I think this isn't really feature creep but done on purpose.
Having several devices in one box will appeal both to people who want something compact and people who want to save money.

[Sylvi]

Thanks for all the responses!

I don't need the extra stuff since I have multimeters and a generator, so got the simpler scope that's just a scope.

[KissAnalog.com]

I think all scopes have FFT now and a frequency counter so you are going to get a 3in 1 anyway;). I agree about getting the multimeter and function generator.

I’d recommend taking a close look at Siglent.