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Dave shows you how it’s not that hard to find that mythical $50 analog oscilloscope on ebay. At least in the US and UK.
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I totally agree that people just aren’t looking hard enough. I’m in the middle of one of the largest agricultural communities in the world, with little high tech industry, and I was able to pick up a 10MHz CRO for $40 on kijiji. I even a 200 MHz LeCroy and a 300 MHz Tek scope for a little over $100. Everyone wants to get rid of these perfectly usable instruments. Try your local university, they could be trying to get rid of them (that’s where I got the 200 and 300 MHz scopes). Where I am the local schools like to sell off equipment in auction, so you get great deals.
You just need to keep your eye open and move fast.
Hi! Dave I am also building my lab (all your fault 😀 by making me want one ), and curiously the used analog Oscilloscope I get for it was a Goldstar OS 9020G very similar the one you show, but with a build in analog function generator. True I payed more than US$ 50 due shipping (so heavy stuff), but I think it is worth the sacrifice. I also have a digital Atten ADS1102CAL+ (I payed it cheap here in Brazil, no shipping so it was much less than if I bring a Rigol from outside). I know it is very basic, but a good start before getting something more expensive.
I also get two used Advantest R6552 DMM 5.5 digits in very good conditons by a very low price, not a very know name but working nicelly when I compare to my fluke readings.
All is a question of looking for it and not be a slave for brands.
been following the UK ebay for a while for an oscilloscope.
Those £0.99 auctions which did not sell are when the seller pulls out from the auction, usually due to bidding unsatisfactory results.
Also ebay sometimes is a strange place – once a three years old RIGOL 1052E went for a higher price in auction, than you can buy a brand new one.
That is not just on UK eBay I see it here in the US. Need to know what something is worth and not get caught up in bidding frenzy.
Much of the stuff I’ve purchased is pretty common so it pays to watch over a few days to see what folks are willing to pay. There are lots of peaks and lulls for common gear, 2:1 or greater. If you are patient can save money.
Research your item, pick a maximum price, and stick to it. If you are constantly out bid gradually raise your bid. Unless you are bidding on something rare there will be another chance to bid sooner rather than later.
/tom
I’m in the UK and picked up nine analog scopes for just the petrol money.
Most of them work to some degree and two even had the probes in the lids.
Only two show no life at all.
Ah, buy ebay oscilloscope. Arrives but doesn’t work – need to buy oscilloscope to fix it. Ad-infinitum…
I can confirm you can get working old scopes in good condition at really low prices. Unfortunately some ridiculously high shipping rates from the US to other countries make them often not much cheaper than low end digital ones from china.
if you can’t find a good working scope for under 50$ you certainly aren’t looking hard enough
a year ago i found 2 scopes (both 100Mhz) for only 100€ (+ my transportation) i tested both of them and one even came with the shematics (and was already restored on some of the caps)
so i’m not from the US (i’m from belgium), so maybe i had some luck finding it but at least it proves that you CAN find cheep analog scopes.
It’s been a few years (feb, 2007) But I purchased a nice hp1741 100mhz dual channel Storage ana log scope for $31 + $17 shipping. Total was $49. no probes or instructions but it worked. The only problem was the intensity pot if flakey so the brightness is touchy, but definately worth the buy. They are out there, just have to look.
forgot to say, I’m in the US. Bought minr from a surplus company in Texas.
There are bargains out there. I am putting together a basic bench. I got a BK precision Model 5100 100 MHz dual channel analog/digital scope with manual but w/o probes for $100 shipped. An extra $22 got 4 100 MHz probes, including shipping. I also just purchased a LeCroy 9410 150 MHz scope with 6 extra probes and manual for $97 plus $31 shipping. The BK works just fine and the LeCroy showed sine waves in one of the pics. I have a friend who will calibrate them for me. They won’t have NIST trace-ability but they will be on target. The deals are out there if you put in the search time.