Portable Oscilloscopes List (cheap)

[Aldo22]

Am I right to guess that these ones are still better than used old analogue scope at the same price range ?

There are different views on this.
But I would say that a portable scope will still be useful even if you later have a benchtop scope.

Which one would you recommend?

Under $100 with 2 channels I would recommend the DSO2512G.
Above $100 you have to consider buying a benchtop model right away if you don't really need the portability (imo).

[tautech]

I just started my studies in mechatronics and wanted to buy nice private scope. Was looking at the new Siglent Sds804x hd and the Rigol alternative but since I read that they have still a lot of bugs to iron out, I'm thinking to start with less capable and cheaper portable scope first.
Ideally around 100 USD.
Am I right to guess that these ones are still better than used old analogue scope at the same price range ?
Which one would you recommend?

While the 800X HD series is newish, released end of Feb this year, it is entirely based on existing products that go back some 6 years, the SDS5000X series released in 2018:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/at-last-siglent_s-sds5054x-touchscreen/

Since then several more model series all based on the UI, touch and mouse capable GUI but of different BW's and physical sizes where SDS800X is the smallest with a 7" display but don't let that make you underestimate its capabilities, all of which are explored in this thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/sds800x-hd-review-demonstration-thread/

These are a DSO that can will serve you admirably for some years until your needs surpass their capabilities.

[Jack359]

Am I right to guess that these ones are still better than used old analogue scope at the same price range ?

There are different views on this.
But I would say that a portable scope will still be useful even if you later have a benchtop scope.

Which one would you recommend?

Under $100 with 2 channels I would recommend the DSO2512G.
Above $100 you have to consider buying a benchtop model right away if you don't really need the portability (imo).

Thank you.
Within 150 USD category is Owon HDS242S the best I can get currently ?

 I can buy it from Europe while 2512G I can find only from Chinese sellers.

[voltsandjolts]

This HDS2102S shows up as GBP 116.81 delivered to UK inc. taxes

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005300888993.html

[Aldo22]

Within 150 USD category is Owon HDS242S the best I can get currently ?

This is a scopemeter (scope + DMM). It's certainly not bad, but perhaps a bit dated.
If you don't need a portable scope or a scopemeter, I would save the money for a benchtop scope.

I can buy it from Europe while 2512G I can find only from Chinese sellers.

So what?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006885654959.html

[Jack359]

Within 150 USD category is Owon HDS242S the best I can get currently ?

This is a scopemeter (scope + DMM). It's certainly not bad, but perhaps a bit dated.
If you don't need a portable scope or a scopemeter, I would save the money for a benchtop scope.

I can buy it from Europe while 2512G I can find only from Chinese sellers.

So what?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006885654959.html

I have never managed to get refund from aliexpress if I had warranty issues with my purchase. Thats why I prefer local European online shops.

Is 2512G better scope than HDS242S?  I see that it has higher bandwidth and video output (for which I don't have screen so it is irrelevant)  but aside that is it better in anything else ?

[BillyO]

I just started my studies in mechatronics and wanted to buy nice private scope. Was looking at the new Siglent Sds804x hd and the Rigol alternative but since I read that they have still a lot of bugs to iron out, I'm thinking to start with less capable and cheaper portable scope first.
Ideally around 150 USD.
Am I right to guess that these ones are still better than used old analogue scope at the same price range ?
Which one would you recommend?

The "bugs" the SDS804X has, these cheap scopes wish they had.  Trust me.  If you have the money for an SDS804X, don't waste it on a cheapie.

[Aldo22]

I have never managed to get refund from aliexpress if I had warranty issues with my purchase. Thats why I prefer local European online shops.

I have complained twice and received a refund twice.

Is 2512G better scope than HDS242S? ...  but aside that is it better in anything else ?

Yes, it costs half the price and does the same thing. 
If you have any special requirements, you need to mention them.

These small handhelds are no substitute for a benchtop scope.
Why not just take a cheap one and save the money for something else?

I'm not saying they're useless, but I wouldn't necessarily pay $150+ for one of these, unless you need one for “in the field” work.

[BillyO]

I have complained twice and received a refund twice.

I also have never had an insurmountable problem dealing with AliExpress or any of their vendors.

[Fungus]

I'm thinking to start with less capable and cheaper portable scope first.
Ideally around 150 USD.

Nah, simply not worth it. Not only are they much worse, they have no resale value.

The bugs aren't as bad as you hear. A recent Rigol update fixed basically all of them.

(it also introduced one really bad one but they're working on that right now. The next firmware will be here by the time you get one...)

Am I right to guess that these ones are still better than used old analogue scope at the same price range ?

At least 100x better.

And they won't break down or be a constant "work in progress".

[RAPo]

Agreed. Get the portable ones for field work, treat yourself to a good bench scope, and ask Santa for a portable one.

I'm thinking to start with less capable and cheaper portable scope first.
Ideally around 150 USD.

Nah, simply not worth it. Not only are they much worse, they have no resale value.

The bugs aren't as bad as you hear. A recent Rigol update fixed basically all of them.

(it also introduced one really bad one but they're working on that right now. The next firmware will be here by the time you get one...)

Am I right to guess that these ones are still better than used old analogue scope at the same price range ?

At least 100x better.

And they won't break down or be a constant "work in progress".

[Aldo22]

However, these small, cheap protable scopes also have advantages, which should be recognized.

- It is often easier to bring the scope to the DUT than vice versa.
- They run on battery power and require little power. In addition, there are no problems with GND.
- They start up immediately. Benchtop scopes take up to a minute or longer.
- They are noiseless
- They take up little space, are lightweight and can easily be stored in a drawer.
- The financial risk of damage is lower, depending on the price.
- etc..

That's why I said it's not a mistake to buy one of these, but they are no substitute for a benchtop scope (Not even a Hantek ).

[Jack359]

Yes, it costs half the price and does the same thing. 
If you have any special requirements, you need to mention them.

I don't have special requirements just curious in what DSO2512G scope is better than Owon HDS242S?
Only slightly higher real bandwidth ?
I can see that the Owon has a lot better waveform generator and RMS DMM plus bigger display.

[Aldo22]

I didn't claim that it was better.
I meant that the oscilloscope is roughly equivalent but costs half as much.
If the DMM or the signal generator of the Owon is important to you, then the Owon is better.

Forget the bandwidth, there is no significant difference.

[Jack359]

I didn't claim that it was better.
I meant that the oscilloscope is roughly equivalent but costs half as much.
If the DMM or the signal generator of the Owon is important to you, then the Owon is better.

Forget the bandwidth, there is no significant difference.

I have crappy 15 bucks DMM on me so the Owon's DMM will be nice to have and surely an upgrade.
Not sure about the signal generator but why not when it is only 20 bucks extra than the model without it and looks quite good for portable one.
Bigger 3.2 inch screen compared to the 2.4 inch in the DSO2512G also might be nice to have.
If the scopes are comparable, it is an easy choice for me.

I looked also at the newer DSO3D12 which also has DMM, signal generator (worse one) and 3.2 inch display.
Read that it doesn't have fuse on the 10A hole plus it seems that is a lot more buggy than the other 2 for now.
So I think I'm going for the HDS242S.

[Aldo22]

For me, having everything in one device is not an advantage.

If it has to be cheap, I would go for the DSO2512G and this DMM:
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005007385246818.html
and this AWG:
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005756976271.html
This AWG has two channels and max. 20Vpp as opposed to the meager 2.5Vpp of the Owon.

But if you want everything in one device, the Owon is certainly not bad.

[Jack359]

For me, having everything in one device is not an advantage.

If it has to be cheap, I would go for the DSO2512G and this DMM:
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005007385246818.html
and this AWG:
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005756976271.html
This AWG has two channels and max. 20Vpp as opposed to the meager 2.5Vpp of the Owon.

But if you want everything in one device, the Owon is certainly not bad.

I feel that you are 100% right. I will order all 3. Thank you!

[Fungus]

I quite like those "toy" oscilloscopes. I've got a couple to take with me in my toolcase. It's the ones in between those and the Rigols/Siglents that bother me, ie. the Owons and Hanteks.

FWIW I have the same aversion to multimeters between $40 and $100, eg. the UT61E.

But I digress...

I was just looking for one I saw a few weeks ago on Aliexpress that I quite liked the look of, this one here:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007468578377.html




But then this came up in the suggestions, it looks like a brand new model:

2 channels, signal generator, touch screen...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006895686506.html



Don't these guys ever take a break?

[Atlan]

Fnirsi noooooooooooo

[Fungus]

Oh, the FNIRSI comes with a cute carry case, I'm sold!

[globoy]

The FNIRSI even has a FUNCATION soft button!   

[Aldo22]

@Fungus: We know these already:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/another-dsodmm-zeeweii-dso3d12-claimed-120mhz250msps/msg4924738/#msg4924738
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-handheld-touch-dso-fnirsi-2c53p-claimed-50mhz250msps/msg5438681/#msg5438681

[Aldo22]

The FNIRSI even has a FUNCATION soft button!   

Yes, that is a strong argument.
I've always dreamed of a Funcation Button. 

[Fungus]

@Fungus: We know these already:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/another-dsodmm-zeeweii-dso3d12-claimed-120mhz250msps/msg4924738/#msg4924738
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-handheld-touch-dso-fnirsi-2c53p-claimed-50mhz250msps/msg5438681/#msg5438681

Probably, it's not something I look for every week.

So the FNIRSI is junk. Pretty, but junk.

The Zeeweii looks much better.

My $30 'scope is a Zeeweii (DSO154Pro) and it works very well. Only single channel though.

I've been thinking about a two channel upgrade but I'm in no particular hurry. I'd prefer something really small  because there's not much room in my case (the DSO154Pro is credit card size) and those DSO2512Gs look a bit chunky to me.

A 3-in-1 like the Zeeweii DSO3D12 might mean I could leave out the multimeter, or take along a small one. I don't need much of a multimeter at Arduino club.

Edit: Just reading the manual on the Zeeweii, it actually seems decent. It also has a good diode test voltage for testing LEDs - essential feature!

[tunk]

I've been thinking about a two channel upgrade but I'm in no particular hurry. I'd prefer something really small  because there's not much room in my case (the DSO154Pro is credit card size) and those DSO2512Gs look a bit chunky to me.

Maybe this:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-$40-2ch-pocket-scope-2mhz50msps-(august-2023)/msg5144487/