HELP ME FIND AN OSCILLOSCOPE!!!

[cybertronicify]

HI EVERYONE!

I'm a beginner to electronics and i want to buy a oscilloscope for my electronic hobby. I'm looking at under $300 USD shipped to California, USA.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Owon-PDS5022T-25-MHz-Portable-Digital-Oscilloscope-/191282316343?pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item2c89508437

I found that one for $260 but people say that the PDS5022T is a very bad scope. Can anyone please help me find a scope that suits my needs? I need a digital scope or a DPO scope because i need it to capture waveforms. Such as voltage spikes on startup from a portable power bank.

On a side note...How do you think my setup is for basic electronics.

Multimeter: Extech EX430
Power Supply: Korad KA3005D
Oscilloscope: TBA

Am i missing anything?


Thanks in advance!
Jason

EDIT:

Hows this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-OWON-SDS5032E-Digital-Oscilloscope-30Mhz-with-VGA-Port-and-FREE-OWON-CASE-/261559397071?pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item3ce627aacf

[omgfire]

Am i missing anything?

Table/chair/lighting/rack
DMM
Test leads (banana, alligator, tweezer, hook, thin)
LCR meter
Oscilloscope
Waveform generator
USB logic analyzer
Programmer
Power supply
Semiconductor analyser / Transistor-tester
Soldering / desoldering station
Hot air gun / heat gun
Solder
Solder wick
Flux
Flux cleaning
Opening tools, spudger, plastic pry bar
Vacuum sucking pen / vacuum pickup
Tweezers
Dental explorer / sickle probe
PCB holder “Helping hands”
Magnification clamp-on lamp
Rubber ESD mat
Carbon fume filter / fan
Electronics diagonal cutters
Nose pliers
Wire strippers
Crimper
File set
Model knife / scalpel
Caliper
Screwdrivers
Heatshrink tube
Gloves
Hot glue gun
Rotary Tool / drilling and milling tools
IR camera
Parts storage
Isolating transformer
Breadboard
Microscope
Scientific calculator
Electronic components

[cybertronicify]

HI,

Yes i have about 90% of everything you listed including Soldering station and the soldering stuff. Components and stuff, but i was looking at the major stuff/test equipment.

[Sebastian]

If you need a really inexpensive scope, get the Rigol DS1052E. It doesn't have a lot of functions, but the ones it has work decent.
If you can afford a little bit more get a DS1000z or DS2000 series one. They are well worth the extra cost and the Display and UI are better too.

[MattSR]

That's not a bad list actually... I will take note and ensure that I have the requisite inventory!

[cybertronicify]

THe Rigol DS1052E is a bit pricy, how big is the difference between the Rigol DS1052E and the OWON SDS5032E?

[Terabyte2007]

Am i missing anything?

Table/chair/lighting/rack
DMM
Test leads (banana, alligator, tweezer, hook, thin)
LCR meter
Oscilloscope
Waveform generator
USB logic analyzer
Programmer
Power supply
Semiconductor analyser / Transistor-tester
Soldering / desoldering station
Hot air gun / heat gun
Solder
Solder wick
Flux
Flux cleaning
Opening tools, spudger, plastic pry bar
Vacuum sucking pen / vacuum pickup
Tweezers
Dental explorer / sickle probe
PCB holder “Helping hands”
Magnification clamp-on lamp
Rubber ESD mat
Carbon fume filter / fan
Electronics diagonal cutters
Nose pliers
Wire strippers
Crimper
File set
Model knife / scalpel
Caliper
Screwdrivers
Heatshrink tube
Gloves
Hot glue gun
Rotary Tool / drilling and milling tools
IR camera
Parts storage
Isolating transformer
Breadboard
Microscope
Scientific calculator
Electronic components

That's it? 

[tggzzz]

I'm a beginner to electronics and i want to buy a oscilloscope for my electronic hobby. I'm looking at under $300 USD shipped to California, USA.

"I'm a beginner to travelling and I want to buy a vehicle costing less than X".

Obviously the first point is to outline where you want to travel, e.g. along roads, along mountain paths, along waterways. That will enable you to define what class of vehicle, e.g. town car, off-road car, bike, horse, boat. Only after that is there any point in discussing which type of car/bike/boat to buy!

So, what do you want to measure/debug - and equally importantly what don't you want to measure/debug. You may find that a cheap second-hand analogue scope is best for your requirements - or not.

[omgfire]

That's it? 

Corrections?

[DanielS]

So, what do you want to measure/debug - and equally importantly what don't you want to measure/debug. You may find that a cheap second-hand analogue scope is best for your requirements - or not.

Since OP said one of the things he wants to measure is turn-on transients, that rules out analog scopes; he needs a DSO of some sort at the very least.

[Sebastian]

THe Rigol DS1052E is a bit pricy, how big is the difference between the Rigol DS1052E and the OWON SDS5032E?

I've never seen an Owon scope in person, but spec-wise the Rigol is far superior:
100MS/s vs. 1GS/s
25MHz bandwidth vs. 50MHz (100 with hack)

The DS1000E is already on the very low end, but it is proven to work fine for what it is. I wouldn't give up that certainty for not even $100 difference.

[Wuerstchenhund]

Can anyone please help me find a scope that suits my needs? I need a digital scope or a DPO scope because i need it to capture waveforms. Such as voltage spikes on startup from a portable power bank.

As other said forget analog boat anchors and get a decent DSO. I know your limit is $300 but if you can stretch a bit then a Siglent SDS1102CNL could be a good starter scope:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SIGLENT-SDS1102CNL-Digital-Oscilloscope-100MHz-2Ch-1GS-s110-240V-USB-7-TFT-LCD-/290900765039?pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item43bb09696f

[JonnyBoats]

So, what do you want to measure/debug - and equally importantly what don't you want to measure/debug. You may find that a cheap second-hand analogue scope is best for your requirements - or not.

Since OP said one of the things he wants to measure is turn-on transients, that rules out analog scopes; he needs a DSO of some sort at the very least.

Why can't one measure turn-on transients using an old Tektronix analog storage scope with a single shot trigger?

[ximac]

Hi,

As you are starting out, you can't be expected to have the full suite of gear/tools so don't take too much notice of what your don't have and just gather things together as you find a need. As I expect that you have a soldering iron and some tools, I would suggest the next items would be a solder-less breadboard and some form of waveform generator (usually called a function generator). The later need not be elaborate but you will find a use for one quite soon. As for components, you should be able to get loads of them at a 'knock-down' price from eBay.

One last thing - if you possibly can, go for a better scope, say 60-100MHz - you will find the need for it as you go along and it is better to get one now than have to change sometime in the future. It would appear that you wish to do some 'one-shot' work and will find that sampling-rate and memory are your friends here; though, if you are REALLY GOING TO STAY at the low end of the spectrum, forget what I just said. Don't be guided by a free carrying case as the average tech will hardly ever have need for one. I've had several digital scopes and just use mine to keep other stuff in for which a cardboard box would just do as well.


All the best in your endeavours - Joe

[Yago]

I don't wish to make assumptions of your knowledge, so excuse me if I underpitch this post.

Without knowing what you want and without understanding the specs/function/performance of the scopes it might be easy to make a costly mistake.
In your position I would take the safest bet and go with the scope that has the best reputation and support.
Possibly the Rigol (1052 and hack?), there is also the chance of these hitting the used market with some people upgrading to the newer four channel model.

I was given an old Tek analog scope, free is pretty cheap!
It's not all singing and dancing, but I got quite a lot of other kit for the money I had earmarked for a digital scope.

[DanielS]

Why can't one measure turn-on transients using an old Tektronix analog storage scope with a single shot trigger?

There is no such thing as an "analog storage scope" - these are just analog scopes with digital storage and replay circuitry between the analog front-ends and the CRT back-end. Effectively a crude form of DSO when used in one-shot mode.

[alex.forencich]

Why can't one measure turn-on transients using an old Tektronix analog storage scope with a single shot trigger?

There is no such thing as an "analog storage scope" - these are just analog scopes with digital storage and replay circuitry between the analog front-ends and the CRT back-end. Effectively a crude form of DSO when used in one-shot mode.

Then what do you call the analog scopes with CRT based storage?  Not that I recommend getting one of those, though.  The contrast in storage mode is generally quite poor, and you can't do anything with the waveform once it's stored - no cursors, no zooming, etc. 

[tggzzz]

Why can't one measure turn-on transients using an old Tektronix analog storage scope with a single shot trigger?

There is no such thing as an "analog storage scope" - these are just analog scopes with digital storage and replay circuitry between the analog front-ends and the CRT back-end. Effectively a crude form of DSO when used in one-shot mode.

Ah, youngsters!

Yes, there was life before digital electronics, and there were non-digital storage scopes.

Now get your head around an analogue storage computer terminal (VDU). You can write characters and lines, but you can't delete them - all you can do is erase the entire screen and redraw. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tektronix_4010 They were the best thing for CAD output (graphs, finite elements etc), e.g. watch one in action

[David Hess]

Analog storage oscilloscopes certainly exist and some of them are even fast.  Tektronix last offered the 500 MHz 7934 in 1991 but analog storage oscilloscopes go back to at least 1966 with the Tektronix 30 MHz 549.

http://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/7934
http://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/549

Bistable storage CRTs are slow and produce only a two tone image but may retain that image indefinitely.  Variable persistence storage CRTs are fast and store a continuous image but only retain it for minutes to 10s of minutes to hours.

There is not much reason to buy and rebuild an analog storage oscilloscope unless you have a special application for it.  I have a 7834 because it was the least expensive way for me to get a fast variable persistence storage oscilloscope.

[cybertronicify]

Why can't one measure turn-on transients using an old Tektronix analog storage scope with a single shot trigger?

There is no such thing as an "analog storage scope" - these are just analog scopes with digital storage and replay circuitry between the analog front-ends and the CRT back-end. Effectively a crude form of DSO when used in one-shot mode.

Then what do you call the analog scopes with CRT based storage?  Not that I recommend getting one of those, though.  The contrast in storage mode is generally quite poor, and you can't do anything with the waveform once it's stored - no cursors, no zooming, etc.

They are called DPO's, digital phosphor oscilloscope. It just keeps the phosphor coating on the crt glowing and theres your crude DSO?

[cybertronicify]

I have found a couple of scopes near the 300 range. going to the 450+ price point is way over budget, but i understand i need memory and capture speed?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Siglent-100MHz-SDS1102DL-Digital-Storage-Oscilloscope-2-Channels-1-EXT-7/331209999745?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D24351%26meid%3D081469a0480c4b67a4b11f6ddec36aa3%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D10335%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D24%26sd%3D290900765039

Siglent 100MHz SDS1102DL
50GSa/s
500MSa/s (realtime)
32k Memory
<3.5ns risetime

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATTEN-ADS1102CAL-100M-Hz-1G-Digital-Oscilloscope-7-LCD/140469625191?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D24351%26meid%3D081469a0480c4b67a4b11f6ddec36aa3%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D10335%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D24%26sd%3D290900765039

ATTEN ADS1102CAL 100MHz
50GSa/s
500MSa/s (realtime)
18KPts Memory
<3.5ns risetime

[DanielS]

Now get your head around an analogue storage computer terminal (VDU). You can write characters and lines, but you can't delete them - all you can do is erase the entire screen and redraw. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tektronix_4010 They were the best thing for CAD output (graphs, finite elements etc), e.g. watch one in action

Heh

Never seen a phosphor screen, be it XY or vector, with persistence much longer than a few seconds before.

[tggzzz]

Now get your head around an analogue storage computer terminal (VDU). You can write characters and lines, but you can't delete them - all you can do is erase the entire screen and redraw. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tektronix_4010 They were the best thing for CAD output (graphs, finite elements etc), e.g. watch one in action

Heh

Never seen a phosphor screen, be it XY or vector, with persistence much longer than a few seconds before.

Your forbears were a pretty resourceful innovative bunch. Mine too

There's something about "doing more with less" than appeals to engineers through the ages!

When I was young the difficulty was getting information; any information was pored over and devoured. Nowadays the difficutly is the opposite: too much information, so you have to quickly decide which information to ignore. Here endeth the lecture.

[roderick]

HI EVERYONE!

I'm a beginner to electronics and i want to buy a oscilloscope for my electronic hobby. I'm looking at under $300 USD shipped to California, USA.

... i need it to capture waveforms. Such as voltage spikes on startup from a portable power bank...

I'm in California, too, and simply got a Hantek 6022BE.  It was about $70, and is plenty fast enough to capture power supply turn-on transients.  The triggering on the scope is iffy at higher speeds, but I'm willing to take multiple traces until I see the part of the waveform that I want.  The low price more than compensates me for the inconvenience.  I wrote up my opinions, good and bad, here:

http://pididu.com/wordpress/blog/i-dropped-an-oscilloscope-on-my-foot-hantek-6022be/

[tautech]

I have found a couple of scopes near the 300 range. going to the 450+ price point is way over budget, but i understand i need memory and capture speed?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Siglent-100MHz-SDS1102DL-Digital-Storage-Oscilloscope-2-Channels-1-EXT-7/331209999745?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D24351%26meid%3D081469a0480c4b67a4b11f6ddec36aa3%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D10335%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D24%26sd%3D290900765039

Siglent 100MHz SDS1102DL
50GSa/s
500MSa/s (realtime)
32k Memory
<3.5ns risetime

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATTEN-ADS1102CAL-100M-Hz-1G-Digital-Oscilloscope-7-LCD/140469625191?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D24351%26meid%3D081469a0480c4b67a4b11f6ddec36aa3%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D10335%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D24%26sd%3D290900765039

ATTEN ADS1102CAL 100MHz
50GSa/s
500MSa/s (realtime)
18KPts Memory
<3.5ns risetime

Go for a Siglent CNL or CML with better sampling speed and more memory.
My pick for your budget is a Siglent SDS1072CNL (70 MHz) that will perform well for your intended use.
http://www.siglent.com/en/product/detail.aspx?id=100000004399111&nodecode=119008001