Hi guys,
I'm soooo lost with my search for an oscilloscope...bascially the search has gone something like this.
Im starting to think that you can not get a scope without issues under $400. I've been researching all the makes and models and it seems every single avenue has some major issue. I started out looking at a cheap siglent (because their cheap) but read on this forum not to touch them. So i moved onto the rigol 1052 which was highly recommended, but the screen size is just so small it bothered me too much. I then moved onto the Owon and was VERY HAPPY with the idea of getting the Owon 6062, but found out through a thread on the Owon 7102, that it had some ground noise issue, which to very much a beginner like me, sounds like a serious problem. I asked if the 6062 had the same issue, someone suggested to wait for them to fix the issue, so i assume thats a yes. So i moved on again...Uni-T (too low memory depth), Hantek (cant rmember the model number) cheap construction and ineffecient use of the screen real estate.
All i will be using the scope for is learning basic analogue audio circuits (guitar pedals as my youtube channel is totally geared towards). I imagine ANY of these DSO's would be perfectly fine, but i still want to get the best i can.
So the question? Would the ground issue on the Owon 7102 also belong to the 6062 and if so would it be of a concern for me? Have i missed any other options, i feel like i've exhausted all possible avenues...
Thanks for any help / advice,
Paul
Im starting to think that you can not get a scope without issues under $400.
If by "without issues" you mean "like a high-end Agilent", no.
So i moved onto the rigol 1052 which was highly recommended, but the screen size is just so small it bothered me too much.
Seriously? It might be one of the smaller screens for a digital scope, but it's still bigger than or equal to almost every analog scope's screen and people have used those happily for a long time. If you are looking at a repetitive waveform it will fit on the screen, and if you are trying to fit a long digital signal on the screen you are using the wrong tool. Why does a scope need a huge screen?
I then moved onto the Owon and was VERY HAPPY with the idea of getting the Owon 6062, but found out through a thread on the Owon 7102, that it had some ground noise issue, which to very much a beginner like me, sounds like a serious problem.
I was going to say that all of these inexpensive DSOs are noisy, but I looked this up and holy crap that is bad. If the 6062 had that problem as well I suspect you'd know about it. I doubt many people would use the scope and not bitch about the noise.
All i will be using the scope for is learning basic analogue audio circuits (guitar pedals as my youtube channel is totally geared towards). I imagine ANY of these DSO's would be perfectly fine, but i still want to get the best i can.
A used 20 MHz analog scope will be more than good enough for that and a whole lot cheaper than $400. Otherwise, I'd go with the Rigol or the Owon (bigger screen, which you seem to like). I looked at the Owons as well, a while ago, and didn't see anything about noise in the 6000 series. See if you can find people who have the scope and just ask them.
Hey c4757p, thanks for your response!
I know, every device has some sort of drawback, its getting something with issues / quirks etc that you can live with...or pay $$$
I dont know why i care so much for a big display. I just thought seeing more of the waveform would be nice..? Oh yeah, im a noob! Last time i used an oscilloscope was when i was 17 at school!
If that Owon 6000 series doesnt have ground noise issues like the 7000, then its a done deal. If anyone has one (bought recently), please let me know / put me out of my misery
Paul
Get a scope with a video output on the back, and pick yourself up a used LCD monitor off Ebay.
For £20, my 15 year old scope has a screen the same size as a new £15k model! Plus it's really handy to have a second screen on the bench which is clearly visible from a distance; ergonomics rarely gets a mention when we talk about lab setups, but a well positioned screen makes it easier to concentrate on the thing you're probing.
Hey Andy,
I was thinking more of resolution then size, but yeah that's an option. Not sure i'm wiling to 'roll the dice' with a Owon, so will prob end up with the Rigol. Or just wait till Owon sort out their stuff...The journey continues.
Paul
Hi Paul,
You could have a look at TiePie engineering USB oscilloscopes/function generator combinations, such as the Handyscope HS3 and HS5. They can be used with a Windows PC/laptop/tablet, so you can use a large display.
Key specifications of the Handyscope HS5 oscilloscope:
2 channels, 14 bit, 500 MS/s, 250 MHz bandwidth, 20 MS/s 14 bit continuous gap free streaming, 32 MS memory per channel, 1 ppm time base accuracy.
Key specifications of the Handyscope HS5 Arbitrary Waveform Generator:
1 µHz to 30 MHz waveforms, 240 MS/s, 14 bit, 64 MS memory, -12 to 12 V output (24 Vpp), 1 ppm time base accuracy.
See:
-
http://www.tiepie.com-
http://www.tiepie.com/products/Oscilloscopes/Handyscope_HS5-
http://www.tiepie.com/products/Oscilloscopes/Handyscope_HS3Marthein
Thanks for the suggestion Surge! Unfortunately as this is just a hobby for me I have to keep the cost below $400.
Paul
The 6062 looks pretty good.
It looks exactly what I was after. Except...it's recently been found to have serious ground noise issues after some h/w or s/w revision. So you 'roll the dice' if you buy one I guess.
Paul
Buy it from a reputable dealer, communicating with them the fact that if you do get this issue, you'll want to get a working replacement or refund.
It's entirely possible that it was a firmware issue that has now been fixed, however.
Thanks for the suggestion Surge! Unfortunately as this is just a hobby for me I have to keep the cost below $400.
Paul
I was looking for a cheap scope too and ended up with a 3000x on my bench
to be fair, its cheaper then the 500MHz 4 ch 7000 series I'm used to at work... yeah thats my story and im sticking to it.
yes you can. it's a matter of time and bit of luck.
i got a 54831b for 300$... that's a 4 channel 600Mhz machine...
but like i said ... time and luck
Pay a bit more and get a Rigol DS2072
The rigol DS2072 is $1000. My max is $400. All im looking for is a DSO with a decent sized screen and no major flaws. I was hoping to get it soon, but i think the search is going to continue. Or i get a Rigol. Ill think about it anyway, thanks for the responses.
Paul
Yeah, the DS2072 is a bit much for most hobbyists. I'd love to have one, but can't really justify the cost.