Products > Test Equipment
Best Oscilloscope under $300?
Aldo22:
--- Quote from: tggzzz on February 22, 2024, 12:15:25 pm ---But cheap entry-level scopes often have crippling limitations that a beginner might not appreciate before purchase.
--- End quote ---
Well, it's not surprising that cheap devices have their limitations.
But if I can get a device for $130 that can do some protocol decoding, (limited but usable) FFT, has a (limited) signal generator and that opens a door for me to get to know the possibilities of modern measuring devices, why should I tie a boat anchor to my leg?
Somehow I don't understand what you are trying to tell us. ;)
Aren't boat anchors even more limited?
tggzzz:
--- Quote from: Aldo22 on February 22, 2024, 12:44:31 pm ---
--- Quote from: tggzzz on February 22, 2024, 12:15:25 pm ---But cheap entry-level scopes often have crippling limitations that a beginner might not appreciate before purchase.
--- End quote ---
Well, it's not surprising that cheap devices have their limitations.
But if I can get a device for $130 that can do some protocol decoding, (limited but usable) FFT, has a (limited) signal generator and that opens a door for me to get to know the possibilities of modern measuring devices, why should I tie a boat anchor to my leg?
Somehow I don't understand what you are trying to tell us. ;)
Aren't boat anchors even more limited?
--- End quote ---
Strawman argument: not all old scopes are boat anchors :) [1] Many are delightfully portable - even though I have a snapped biceps muscle.
Personally I dislike "multipurpose" tools that attempt to do everything and end up doing nothing well. Whenever I've gone down that route I've rapidly found the limitations of one bit and had to spend more money on something without the limitations. Then I find the limitations of another bit and - you can guess the rest[2]. Exception: where the UUT has been carefully designed to avoid stressing the swiss army knife; my projects are never like that :(
Instead...
I prefer to get a good example of each type of tool.
I dislike using a hammer to insert nails, and prefer to use a screwdriver.
That's why I encourage people to use a scope 250MHz (or better) to debug signal integrity problems, then switch to using digital tools for digital signals (e.g. logic/protocol/LAN/CAN/etc analyser, printf()).
[1] The nearest things I have to boat anchors are desktop/portable 21GHz spectrum analysers. Their new cost was similar to that of a small house; mine (in perfect working order) cost about the same as a lawyer charges for 2 hours work :)
[2] N.B. the money is irrelevant if something only costs 10 £/$/Eur; just move on and regard it as a learning experience
Aldo22:
@tggzzz: I understand what you mean, but we're in the "under $300" thread here and we're not talking about the same thing.
I'm talking about a first somewhat "complete" scope that opens a door to a new world.
In the old days, you might have bought a book on oscilloscopes. Today you buy a Hantek (or similar) for the same money and try out what you can do with it.
There is even something to read through the help system (Attachment). ;)
The price is so low, it's about the same as the surcharge of a Rigol DHO914S on a Rigol DHO914.
If you get tired of it, you can continue to use it as a signal generator. :D
I can't see anything wrong with it.
Fungus:
--- Quote from: Aldo22 on February 22, 2024, 02:32:11 pm ---If you get tired of it
--- End quote ---
The thing is you KNOW you'll get tired of it and a Hantek has low resale value
OTOH a Rigol DHO804 might be all the oscilloscope you'll ever need (it's all the 'scope I need, personally) and even if it isn't you'll easily be able to sell it for a good price when you trade up to a pro-level 'scope.
--- Quote from: Aldo22 on February 22, 2024, 02:32:11 pm ---I can't see anything wrong with it.
--- End quote ---
Hanteks are known for being limited in features, buggy, and crashing a lot.
Aldo22:
--- Quote from: Fungus on February 22, 2024, 03:18:16 pm ---The thing is you KNOW you'll get tired of it and a Hantek has low resale value
--- End quote ---
So what?
First and foremost, it has a low acquisition cost.
I'm not thinking of selling it. I'd rather give it away when I no longer need it.
--- Quote from: Fungus on February 22, 2024, 03:18:16 pm ---Hanteks are known for being limited in features, buggy, and crashing a lot.
--- End quote ---
I'm not interested in what it's "known for".
I have one and I'm having fun with it and learning a lot.
I'm also aware of its limitations.
Maybe one day I'll buy a Rigol or Siglent, but I certainly won't regret the "investment" in the Hantek.
It's simply not expensive enough to regret it :-DD
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