Electronics > Beginners
When to buy an oscilloscope ?
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jazper:
To elaborate on my earlier post:
If a scope saves you 30 minutes debugging, that is 30 minutes you can spend learning more, or 30 minutes you can spend with a loved one or doing something else.

My scope was purchased about a month ago, so far it has saved me over 8 hours.
rstofer:

--- Quote from: drogus on January 15, 2019, 09:32:43 am ---I also like it that an analog oscilloscope forces you to learn about frequency to time ratio much quicker (for example: you think you have 100kHz signal, how much µS you need to set per division) :D

--- End quote ---

That frequency versus time/division also applies to DSOs and picking a value will come about naturally.  And you can always change the knob to get what you want.
tggzzz:

--- Quote from: jazper on January 15, 2019, 08:25:17 pm ---To elaborate on my earlier post:
If a scope saves you 30 minutes debugging, that is 30 minutes you can spend learning more, or 30 minutes you can spend with a loved one or doing something else.

--- End quote ---

There are three problems with that sentiment.
It is equally true for other instruments such as spectrum analyser, vector network analysers, etc etc etc.
You omit the learning curve, high can be very significant.
A complex but poorly understood instrument leads you down all sorts of blind alleys.

That doesn't imply someone shouldn't get a scope, but (in the absence of other information) it isn't a no brainer.
beanflying:
From the time I left Uni until I got my own scope was well over 20 years. At times not having one was a PITA and needed some educated guesses to fix a fault or drop around to a mates place to borrow his a few times a year.

Now I have had one on the bench I wouldn't not have one again but if it broke today Electronics wouldn't cease because of it (or maybe I should buy a second just in case  ;) ). They are a great tool used properly but not essential to all people playing with electronics depending on where they play.

Recommendations to 'Buy Now'  A over B but forget C from incomplete questions without knowing 'what' or if they really 'need' a product isn't an answer it is a sales pitch.
Mr. Scram:

--- Quote from: spec on January 13, 2019, 07:50:33 am ---And this results in buying a product that you may regret. It is much better to take you time and get a scope that you will be happy with for years. Buy wise and buy once is the saying.

--- End quote ---
How do you know what's important to you without getting a practical feel for it? You could compare specifications until the cows come home and still end up with something not quite up your street. If I hadn't bought and simply tried a multimeter, I wouldn't have known that speed is important to me. Much more important than advanced features which look excellent on paper.

Over analysing is a trap. Buying something for the first time is a starting point. Thinking you can buy something and get it right the first time isn't realistic. Do your research to ensure it's not a disaster and go from there.
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