| Electronics > Beginners |
| choosing used analog oscilloscope |
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| Cookie3:
Hi! I'm beginner at electronics, but i think i've reached a point where i cant get around with out a scope. Could you guys please help me chose an old analog scope, i know it's easier to get a modern digital one like Rigol DS1054Z or something similar, than an old scope, but i believe it would benefit me a lot to learn who to use analog scope first, as many people on this forum suggested. I'm doing just basic stuff simple low level circuits and actually enjoy them more rather then raspberry pi and arduinos (thou i do like them too ;D). There are these available in my area for sale. Which one would the best, second best and third best scope out of them and why, and what would i need to calibrate it: 1) HP 1741a with probe Price: $200 CAD Description: Working fine, all controls function properly, trace clear and strong. Included is 10X probe, marked M20 which I believe is 100 MHz probe; same as oscilloscope. This particular model can work as regular analog oscilloscope, but also has a storage of the waveform is possible when in storage mode. Any questions please contact. link: https://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/calgary/oscilloscope-hp-1741a-with-probe/1384168430?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true 2) Kenwood CS-5270 Price: $250 CAD Description: The CS-5270 model oscilloscope is set up for 3-channel, 8-trace sampling at 100 MHz. The unit is in great working condition, and comes with two P6000 1X and 10X Oscilloscope Probes (new in package, but not original). Display is crisp and clear. This is a good quality unit, from a reliable brand. The 3 channel, 100MHz sampling is a definite bonus over some of the lower quality versions available on the used the market. link: https://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/calgary/kenwood-cs-5270-oscilloscope/1377786277?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true 3) Hitachi V-212 20MHz Price: $150 CAD Description: Hello: I am selling my oscilloscope great for low freq applications, 2 channel, c/w 2 probes, 20MHz link: https://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/calgary/hitachi-oscilloscope/1376659489?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true 4) Kenwood CS-5130 40MHz Price: $150 CAD Description: Great beginner oscilloscope at an amazing price! Typically these are priced at well over $300 new and $250 on E-bay. The CS-5130 is designed to provide the maximum performance with a maximum bandwidth of 40 Mhz. It features a digital readout function and cursor measurements to enhance measurement accuracy. The CS-5130 is portable and easy to setup and use. Probes not included. link: https://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/calgary/oscilloscope:-kenwood-cs-5130/1373208664?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true 5) Hitachi V-665A Price: 123$ Description: 60MHz link: https://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/calgary/hitachi-oscilloscope/1372225221?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true Price is not really a concern, thou i don't really wanna pay extra just because it a "vintage" or collectable (There is HealthKit 35Mhz for sale there for $600 CAD with description "rare collectors item" :o https://www.kijiji.ca/v-electronics/calgary/heathkit-35-mhz-oscilloscope-rare/1167682856?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true ). My biggest worry is that it be reliable and idiot prove. I'm leaning towards HP1741a and Kenwood CS 5270 just based on the "users interface" ::) Best Regards |
| vk6zgo:
I would choose the HP. It is a more sophisticated instrument, which has dual/delayed time base. This is a very useful function, which I was going to try to describe, but this video does it better: Sorry it is aTek 'scope in the video, but the HP is very similar. The analog storage function? You may find it useful, or may not. Many storage CROs do not have enough brightness left to give a useful display in this mode, in others, the circuitry to adjust such things is faulty. My Tektronix 7613 is an exception, & storage works well. Analog storage, is, however quite limited compared to that of a DSO |
| Old Printer:
Since these things are not cheap to ship, one close enough to pickup is a big plus along with the fact you get to twiddle the knobs before you buy. These scopes are a good 30 years old and are going to need some work from time to time to keep them going. Power supply capacitors are famous for going bad with age. Along this line I think one of the most important factors is the availability of a factory service manual, a good one like Tektronix does. I know the knock on TEK scopes is they are over priced because of their name, and that is true, but the flip side is they have great user and service manuals/schematics and they are mostly available on CD's very reasonably. I would not buy one of these old queens if I could not find the service manual before I bought the scope. Best of luck in your search. |
| james_s:
Those Hitachi V-series scopes are nice instruments, I have a 100MHz model here I rescued recently and after cleaning all the switches with contact lube it works great. A lot of those prices sound rather high to me though, are those locally available? |
| Alex Eisenhut:
I wouldn't recommend that particular HP for a beginner. It is an analog storage scope and those special CRTs go bad much quicker than non-storage tubes. One failure mode is a permanently burned-in trace picture. If you don't know how to use this kind of scope, that could easily happen. In the picture the CONV light is on, it is in "conventional" mode, ie non-storage. Storage in this scope does not mean digital storage, you're not downloading these waveforms to a PC unless you take a picture of the CRT! (Eh, I did most of my college assignments like that with my Amiga back in the day) Not only do you lose a lot of brightness with usage with these tubes, also the trace is not as sharp, and using the analog storage mode can be tricky, you need to twiddle the write current before being able to capture an event. Also you need to "deep erase" the tube once in a while to prevent burn-in. The scope can do it, but not by itself, you have to remember! If you decide to buy it, make sure the manual is included in the storage pouch, it contains the schematics. Also make sure the 50 ohm inputs work, they can blow easily. You need to manually switch out the 50R input when not needed. |
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