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| Why do you think there aren't more "good" USB oscilloscopes? |
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| JPortici:
To be honest i wouldn't have considered using one if i wasn't forced by my boss. Because at the time it was the only truly affordable scope that could decode SENT (still is by the way, second in line is a siglent with a much higher price tag) but pretty soon i adopted the correct mindset. An usb scope is not a tool for casual probing, for looking at waveforms, it's an acquisition device that must come with a very powerful software behind it. If the software isn't there, then it's a crap scope you shouldn't be considering. That's why there aren't more good scopes, It's a niche that picoscope fit perfectly. 2N3055 correctly wrote that you need to look at Lecroy. Real Lecroys, of course, not the generic rebranded scopes with the same functionalities as everybody else. I you've ever used one, not just played with one, you'll understand. What usually happens is that someone on the other side of the world place the probe where i tell them to, then they send me the acquisitions, then i do the analysis from my desk and minutes to hours later i send them the revised firmware or whatever. Sure the picoscope is not the only scope that does that, but is by far, to me, the one with the best interface, and the fastest software. I tried the infinuum software, hard nope. Picoscope 6 of course, not that shit "app" they did with version 7, a new ui with less possibilities and the same age old bugs still there. |
| David Hess:
I have had the opportunity to use them several times and have always gone with a standalone instrument, even if it meant using an obsolete one. 1. Their interface means that they take more workspace for a keyboard and mouse, and would require another monitor. I might accept this if it meant adding just another monitor to my workbench but ... 2. The USB physical interface to the PC adds another potential ground loop and risks damage to the PC if there is an overload. I have already had this experience. Inexplicably they do not include an isolated USB port, and providing one may or may not work. Ethernet would solve this but it is less common except in standalone instruments. 3. The input hardware has always so far proved to be substandard compared to older designs, but of course this applies to many modern standalone DSOs as well, but do not use them either. 4. Their user interfaces are horribly designed, at least for the ones I have tested. Some USB oscilloscopes provide features lacking in standalone instruments, but I would require a special need. Cleverscope comes to mind. |
| coppercone2:
I wonder if one day there will be advanced traveling component level car repair men (or space ships) that need this kind of light weight miniaturized equipment. The thing that screams "interseting" to me is a no interface scope that hooks up to a visor, like augmented reality. Or for fiber optics. That would actually be useful if you have a 0 access wire you need to probe while under something. Or I guess space suit guys in a drydock of the future that have it show up on their HUD. |
| David Hess:
--- Quote from: coppercone2 on February 18, 2023, 07:10:34 pm ---I wonder if one day there will be advanced traveling component level car repair men (or space ships) that need this kind of light weight miniaturized equipment. The thing that screams "interseting" to me is a no interface scope that hooks up to a visor, like augmented reality. Or for fiber optics. That would actually be useful if you have a 0 access wire you need to probe while under something. --- End quote --- There have been "combination" instruments in the past for those who need to travel, but they never became mainstream. If you are already burdened with a laptop, which seems likely, then maybe USB instruments make more sense, but would you want a USB only multimeter instead of standalone one even then? |
| coppercone2:
--- Quote from: David Hess on February 18, 2023, 07:14:41 pm --- --- Quote from: coppercone2 on February 18, 2023, 07:10:34 pm ---I wonder if one day there will be advanced traveling component level car repair men (or space ships) that need this kind of light weight miniaturized equipment. The thing that screams "interseting" to me is a no interface scope that hooks up to a visor, like augmented reality. Or for fiber optics. That would actually be useful if you have a 0 access wire you need to probe while under something. --- End quote --- There have been "combination" instruments in the past for those who need to travel, but they never became mainstream. If you are already burdened with a laptop, which seems likely, then maybe USB instruments make more sense, but would you want a USB only multimeter instead of standalone one even then? --- End quote --- when there is a computer in the space suit and you can hook it up to the visor. Mechanic of the year 15000 |
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