Good Compact Oscilloscope

[ivan747]

So many fast replies!

The thing is that the dorm rooms at the uni aren't overly huge. Most of the available storage space will be taken up by books, and school material. I'm sure I could fit one of those little Rigols in, or even a Tektronix scope. However I don't wanna take up more space than I need to because I still don't know where I'll end up. I'm not in a big rush right now at all.

One of those handheld units actually looks pretty useful. Then again they can cost as much as a regular bench unit.

Remember: you can always store things under the bed, specially when your room is a mess and you have to tidy it up quickly because someone's coming.

[Ronnie]

The high-end brands (Agilent, Tek, LeCroy, ...) will offer something like 10 years of service.

The cheapest LeCroy scope is WaveAce 101 40 MHz 2 Channel for $710 http://www.tequipment.net/LeCroyWaveAce101.html
Cheapest Tektronix is TDS1001B 40 MHz 2 Channel Monochrome for $940.50 http://www.tequipment.net/TektronixTDS1001B.asp
Agilent's cheapest is DSO1002A 2-channel, 60 MHz at $1,142 http://www.tequipment.net/AgilentDSO1002A.asp
The average price of the three cheapest scopes from high-end brands is $930 more than twice the price of Rigol DS1052E   

[Lance]

The one thing I'm stuck thinking about is what happens after school. Such a tool may not be useful to me, all I'd really need is a good ol' bench scope. I don't see myself doing the sort of work that requires such a tool. I wonder if such a tool is worth the investment then.

Test equipment has good resale value - probably better than any other type of electronics.

I guess that's true. I'm surprised such tools don't last that long. Those LeCroy scopes are so...black. Performance over aesthetics though.

Remember: you can always store things under the bed, specially when your room is a mess and you have to tidy it up quickly because someone's coming.

Good point. I'll shop around and see what's good for me.

[Armin_Balija]

I was thinking about getting this one.

http://www.saelig.com/PSBEB100/PSBEB100003.htm

It looks pretty good and the price is just right. If anyone has this what do you think of it?