New Electronics Lab

[silar]

1st post and been browsing here for a bit.  I'm a programmer by trade but I've been really getting into electronics lately so I've started setting up my own small electronics lab.  I work in oil and gas and program the control systems for plants and pipelines within the company I work for.  I started programming when I was in the 5th grade (now 43 years old) and have my MCSD in Visual Basic, but work in many other languages including C++.  I've just recently started setting up my lab and have accumulated a few pieces of equipment so far.  I'm eyeing a new Rigol DS1054Z to add to my collection but wondering what else I may need.  As you can see, so far I've got an Instek Analog 100mhz scope, bench multimeter (have a few others), frequency genterator/counter (I know it's cheap, but it works for what I use it for), power supply, soldering/hot air rework station (this thing is pretty awesome), etc.  Also went ahead and bought a high temp ESD 2 layer mat..  I've got some components, but need to order a few more. 

I've been playing around with the arduino's (since I'm a programmer), but will be delving into a lot more.

[EEVblog]

Nice basic lab.
A digital scope is a must.
A PC based USB logic analyser like the Saleae can be handy.
You can never have too many power supplies. Building them yourself can make a good project.

A recent video:

[silar]

Thanks!  I definitely need a DSO!  That's why I'm looking at the Rigol..

[Cupcakus]

The Rigol 1054Z is amazing and all, and even though I own one, I have yet to use it in a way that your analog scope couldn't also accomplish.  I guess it depends on what you want to do, but don't fall into the trap of buying things you don't need, that's money that can go into things you don't know you need yet until you do.

[silar]

I thought so, but that would probably be the one only 'Want' thing for me..  At least in the near future.  A logic analyzer is the next thing for me to get as Dave put (I think that's who replied earlier).  I'll also be getting the Rigol in the near future. 

I'm a big proponent of 'Tools by Necessity'.  Finding out you need a tool to do what you want to do then having to purchase it.  That seems like my life, but is also a good way to build up what you need over time. 

What got me to this point?  I'm a musician and want to build my own custom effect pedals.  I've also got a 1982 Ford F-100 truck that I'm tinkering around with.  I've pretty much completed restoration of the interior, but what got me into playing with Arduino's is I decided to challenge myself to build a complete digital dash using some Nano's and a couple of Mega's.  I've now got a nano programmed as Fuel and DC Volts gauges using OLED's that's precise enough over each of their ranges.  The coolant temperature and oil pressure are next, which will be the same as the fuel (10-75ohms over the range), and then of course the Tach and speedo.  Next thing I know, I've got the bug..

BTW.. Dave, thank you for having your Youtube channel to inspire myself and others!  Not sure my wife's so happy about it, but she'll live.. 

[rstofer]

Thanks!  I definitely need a DSO!  That's why I'm looking at the Rigol..

DSOs bring a lot to the dance.  I added the DS1054Z to my Tektronix 485 just for the extra features, most notably 'single shot' mode.  The decoding is handy from time to time and the measurements capability is a really important feature.  I really wanted 4 channels to display complete SPI transactions.  It works well!

Still, if need be, I could continue on with my analog scope indefinitely.  There hasn't been a project that I couldn't complete without a DSO and I have been doing this stuff for a very long time.

[silar]

Thanks!  I definitely need a DSO!  That's why I'm looking at the Rigol..

DSOs bring a lot to the dance.  I added the DS1054Z to my Tektronix 485 just for the extra features, most notably 'single shot' mode.  The decoding is handy from time to time and the measurements capability is a really important feature.  I really wanted 4 channels to display complete SPI transactions.  It works well!

Still, if need be, I could continue on with my analog scope indefinitely.  There hasn't been a project that I couldn't complete without a DSO and I have been doing this stuff for a very long time.

That's why I went with analog first..  It's only 2 channel and doesn't have storage capabilities, but would be fine for what I'm doing right now.  I can see though how this could be my new 'Expensive' hobby.. 

[eugenenine]

A digital scope is a must.

For starting out why is digital a must?

I had an analog scope in college and use analog in college.  Mine was stolen after and I went years without a scope at all and finally got a $40 Tektronix last summer.

For simple stuff like audio or arduino its enough.

What I've found in general for any tool (not just electronics) buy something simple to start out with.  Then if you keep a notebook of any issues or features missing and eventually you then know what you want/need in a better model and keep the old one or pass it on to someone else starting out.

[rstofer]

A digital scope is a must.

For starting out why is digital a must?

For starting from scratch, either analog or digital will be helpful.  You simply MUST see what is going on.  It may be cheaper to start out with a used analog than a new digital and, in fact, the analog may have far superior high frequency performance (like my $200 350 MHz Tek 485) but having used a DSO with 4 channels, single shot mode and decoding, I think I would rather leave the 485 behind if I could only keep one.

The advanced triggering, math and decoding are what make the DSO worth the cost.  There are things you can do with a DSO that simply can't be done with an analog scope.  The two questions are:  Are those things important?  Can you work around them?  The probable answer to both is yes.  There was a time before DSOs and, during one such interval of time, we landed on the Moon 6 times.  So, sure, you can work around the shortcomings.

But why?  Entry level DSOs are pretty cheap and they're fun to play with.

I'm coming around to the idea that buying a used scope is high risk.  There have been a number of threads where the purchaser of an eBay special has been underwhelmed by what they actually got.  I was lucky, my 485 has worked perfectly but my results are not indicative of the broader market.  The DS1054Z is so inexpensive that it may not be worth taking the risk of buying a higher performance analog scope.

In the end, it's just a decision.  There are lots of them...

[GoneTomorrow]

I only have a non-storage CRO and I sorely miss single-shot captures. I do quite a bit involving power supplies and being able to capture and view one-off events like switch-on and full load to no load transients would be really nice.

For looking at repeating waveforms the CRO works OK

[tautech]

I only have a non-storage CRO and I sorely miss single-shot captures. I do quite a bit involving power supplies and being able to capture and view one-off events like switch-on and full load to no load transients would be really nice.

Exactly, this where a DSO shines.......Oh what, that capture wasn't at a fast enough timebase setting to see the detail............just crank it up, be it timebase or vertical. 

[mikeys]

Hill sets his students off on analog scopes until they get the hang of whats going on, just because the interface is simpler and a bit more intuitive. I want a Rigol too but I'm holding off until I need the single shot for something, or a good deal on a used one pops up. Whichever comes first.

OP I can't see any in the shot but in case you haven't got any you should get a roll of decent masking tape. I was reworking a board the other day and using some old dried up stuff to hold it down that was less than ideal and it was a bit of a nightmare.

[EEVblog]

That's why I went with analog first..  It's only 2 channel and doesn't have storage capabilities, but would be fine for what I'm doing right now.  I can see though how this could be my new 'Expensive' hobby.. 

You don't have to spend $400 for the Rigol, almost any modern-ish DSO will add that all-important single shot capture capability that analog scopes don't have.

[silar]

That's why I went with analog first..  It's only 2 channel and doesn't have storage capabilities, but would be fine for what I'm doing right now.  I can see though how this could be my new 'Expensive' hobby.. 

You don't have to spend $400 for the Rigol, almost any modern-ish DSO will add that all-important single shot capture capability that analog scopes don't have.

I was looking at the Hantek DSO5072 2 channel 70mhz until I saw the Rigol.  I figured the Rigol was the one that in the future I wouldn't go "Man, I wish it had this" and need to upgrade again..