Electronics > Beginners

Is An Oscilloscope Practical

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BravoV:

--- Quote from: tvl on January 02, 2019, 07:26:30 pm ---
Now that I am retired, I would like to play around and learn a little more about oscilloscopes.


--- End quote ---


--- Quote from: tvl on January 05, 2019, 03:11:35 am ---Although I'm still not sure what I will end up doing, I can't see paying $150 for an old used scope with absolutely no warranty or guarantee that it will function properly .....

<snip>..... I'm still undecided. One side of me is saying to simply forget this idea and move on, but yet the other side of me is wanting to move forward. I guess time will tell!

--- End quote ---

Reading above your own words, ask your self this ...

As you just entering this early retirement period to have some fun, are you ready to waste your energy, time and resources spent for fixing an old scope ? Even its dirt cheap.

Not to mention most of the cases you need an "extra" working scope to fix that broken scope, and also there is no guarantee it can be fixed, even you're experienced and skillful to fix it, as some old scopes have unobtainium parts.

If you determined that you're going to have fun fixing it and take a gamble on it, then go buy old scope.

But if you don't like this idea, protect your self at least 1 year from the new scope warranty.

My 1/4w resistor worth of advice,

Old Printer:
Consider what has been said about the other tools you will need. A decent DMM is a must, and two are better, but they have become very cheap and as long as you stay out of mains voltages $50 buys you a nice meter. Once you have your scope you will likely want to add a variable power supply or two and a signal generator. I went the Analog Discovery route while teaching myself and have never been sorry. Not cheap at about $300 but the software is very good and mature, something lacking in most low priced USB scopes. Also it is a power supply, signal generator, 16 channel logic analyser, spectrum analyser and a few more. All geared toward learning. After buying a new one I found an older model on eBay for $50 for my grandson. If you are interested in learning electronics it will allow you to explore many different areas.

Electro Fan:
After re-reading your original post I should have noticed that you already have many meters.  And DuPont is of course a very seriously capable company.  So given that you repaired equipment there you probably are up to speed on Ohm's Law and can read schematics, which would probably indicate you are pretty familiar with the workings of discrete components including resistors, capacitors, and inductors, and maybe transistors?  And various ICs?  Maybe it would help if you could tell us more about the components and circuits you have worked on or would like to work on, and roughly how much math and theory you have accumulated.

It sounds like you are interested in a combination of learning more about electronics and trying to find some practical uses of a scope and you don't want to invest in a scope unless it gets a reasonable amount of use, which is understandable.  As mentioned in this thread one way to look at it is that if for some reason the scope you buy doesn't trip your trigger it should have some resale value.  In horse math it should be worth roughly half of what you pay for it but maybe more depending on what you buy.  So if you spend $350 you could be out $175 if it becomes a boring boat-anchor, but likely you will get several hours of interesting experience before you come to that conclusion.  Kind of like the cost of taking your wife or girl friend for about 3 dinners with movies.  If it's your wife I'd go for the scope, if it's your girl friend it might be a thinker.  Just kidding.  ;)


--- Quote from: tvl on January 02, 2019, 07:26:30 pm ---This is my second post on this site and is a question to those who are knowledgeable of oscilloscopes:

1- I'm a retired industrial electrician (66 years old). During my career as an electrician for DuPont, I primarily worked on and repaired laboratory equipment & PC's. I'm far from an electronics engineer!

2- During my earlier years while attending school, I did train on and learn how to use an oscilloscope .............. at least the basics! During my working years, I periodically used a scope to check for unwanted noise on an AC to DC power supply, but little else!

Now that I am retired, I would like to play around and learn a little more about oscilloscopes. Naturally, I possess many electrical meters and use them regularly to repair most everthing around the home ........... including friends items as well.

I've been toying with the idea that maybe I should purchase a scope for myself. I have interest in viewing the waveform from my new AC standby generator and possibly checking some power supplies, but other than that, I'm not sure if a scope would do me much good. I'm wanting to learn some new things with my free time, but I'm not so sure how far I would get with a scope.

I've been looking at the Siglent SDS1202X-E ($359.00) ....... I'm sure this is way more scope than I need, but I'd appreciate some guidance. Is there anything else available that will serve me just as well, cost less and still provide accuracy OR is it best I get something like the model I'm looking at just in case I do "like what I see".  Or better yet, is a scope a waste of money for someone like me???

Your honest input is very much appreciated!

--- End quote ---

alsetalokin4017:
For the open box DS1054z deal you should check for:

1. original factory warranty and vendor warranty periods intact
2. should come with 4 probes w/ accessories, power cord, calibration certificate
3. firmware version installed

The "software bundle" is available on line, and sucks anyway, there are better opensource softwares available.  Myself, I never use the software from that "bundle" at all. I use a serial terminal emulator on Linux to send SCPI commands and receive data to/from scope over LAN (like for instance to unlock or remove options), and I use DSRemote for GUI-based remote control over LAN. Everything else is built into the scope's firmware. Even if it does not come with the options unlocked it is a matter of a couple of minutes to generate the necessary key and apply it to the scope. Upgrading firmware to latest version is also simple.

TEquipment is a great vendor. You should be able to call them with your questions.

Electro Fan:
FWIW, the open box deal says it is a 30 day money back guarantee (vs. 60 days for the factory sealed model).  30 days should be enough to determine how you feel about it, but it's good to confirm what's included and how the guarantee works.  You will likely find buying from TEquipment to be a very good customer service experience.


--- Quote from: tvl on January 05, 2019, 07:16:55 pm ---
--- Quote from: Electro Fan on January 05, 2019, 02:46:55 am ---If you want to save more, TEquipment currently has an open box 1054Z for $265.
https://www.tequipment.net/Rigol/DS1054Z-B/Digital-Oscilloscopes/
•   One thing to check on with the open box deal is whether the bundled software comes with it
--- End quote ---

This was an interesting thought or suggestion from Electro Fan

Tequipment's website states that all accessories may NOT be included and it doesn't mention if it also ships with the FREE software bundle built into the unit. I guess I need to call these folks Monday and get the details.

If all accessories are included AND the software bundle is available on this demo/open box unit, I would assume this would be a great bargain. However, please do inform me if it's best to steer clear of equipment listed as open box or demo unit!

Thanks!

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