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Why do you think there aren't more "good" USB oscilloscopes?
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TomKatt:
Since modern scopes are basically miniature computers with lcd monitors, why do you think it is there aren't more 'good quality' USB scopes on the market?  The only ones I've seen that seem to be as well made as bench scopes are the Pico products (and perhaps something like the NI Virtual Bench that Dave uses)...   The majority of the USB scopes seems to be lower quality gear produced by the likes of Owon and Hantek, with quirky software and limited feature sets.

I would have thought that it would be rather straightforward to use a front end of bench gear quality in a box with a fast USB3 link...  The cost savings of using PC hardware for control and display would surely allow such gear to be price competitive?  Plus, with larger screens and perhaps PC memory you could extend some feature sets like digital decoding or waveform comparisons.

So why do you think there aren't more USB scopes on the market?
coppercone2:
because why do you want to use a computer with the oscilloscope? Oscilloscope is kind of a important tool that needs to be convenient in the lab, portable, reliable, durable etc. And having to depend on two boxes, rather then one box, is bad. Having to deal with the company network for laboratory stuff is bad. All the network/OS stuff is a pain in the ass.

Its good to press one button and be able to get measurements. The whole data logging, waveform comparison, etc.. its kind of a different tool. You would do that kind of work in a office environment. Also, working on data analysis, in the lab, sucks. If you are forced to do that, it means your work plan sucks. It means using a lab bench in a ESD environment to do analysis/bureaucracy. It sounds like a plot to get rid of someones office. Like if you work with data analysis for real commerical purposes you basically have a chain you need to follow. Gather data. Verify that the data is reasonable/good, then perform analysis. Then another analyst might perform analysis, then a manager will write a top level report after more analysis. A different person might conduct each job really, because hard core stats wizards, they are not trained to use oscilloscopes safely and stuff like that.

It's lumping stuff together to make something crazy IMO, as soon as you have a group environment, and tons of liability.
TomKatt:

--- Quote from: coppercone2 on February 16, 2023, 11:26:02 am ---because why do you want to use a computer with the oscilloscope? Oscilloscope is kind of a important tool that needs to be convenient in the lab, portable, reliable, durable etc.

Its good to press one button and be able to get measurements. The whole data logging, waveform comparison, etc.. its kind of a different tool. You would do that kind of work in a office environment. Also, working on data analysis, in the lab, sucks.

--- End quote ---
I certainly get how many measurements are made that just require a quick probe and a glance at the screen.  But many times you might want to review longer history (even if it's limited to the rolling waveform on the screen) that can be offered by a pc.

Also, with a USB scope you could offer similar performance at reduced prices because you are making use of hardware you already have.

Finally, although nowhere near as mobile as a handheld, at least you'd have the option to use it off the bench (ie automotive).
coppercone2:
Honestly that kind of measurements your asking for is like a special project unless you work in some sweat shop. It's like not normal work. Have a tech do that stuff while in the lab and you will get errors and mistakes, its OFFICE work to do that. If you want real success do the data gathering in the morning and then the analysis after lunch and a coffee. And most managers will have different people do the tasks.
TomKatt:

--- Quote from: coppercone2 on February 16, 2023, 11:26:02 am ---Its good to press one button and be able to get measurements. The whole data logging, waveform comparison, etc.. its kind of a different tool. You would do that kind of work in a office environment. Also, working on data analysis, in the lab, sucks. If you are forced to do that, it means your work plan sucks. It means using a lab bench in a ESD environment to do analysis/bureaucracy. It sounds like a plot to get rid of someones office. Like if you work with data analysis for real commerical purposes you basically have a chain you need to follow. Gather data. Verify that the data is reasonable/good, then perform analysis. Then another analyst might perform analysis, then a manager will write a top level report after more analysis. A different person might conduct each job really, because hard core stats wizards, they are not trained to use oscilloscopes safely and stuff like that.

It's lumping stuff together to make something crazy IMO, as soon as you have a group environment, and tons of liability.

--- End quote ---
Remember too that not all bench scope are used in lab environments...  What about the hobby or 'prosumer' applications?

Why not make Rigol / Siglent class products in USB form factor?

Edit - also, pc based analyisis seems to already be in the lab...  I've used gas spectrum analyzers etc that rely on a pc for operation.  So perhaps it's a different field, but the foundation is there.
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