Digilent Analog Discovery or budget oscilloscope.

[Muxr]

Personally I don't like "usb scopes", for the simple fact that you need a computer for them to be useful, and I already have my computer busy with other stuff and a small working desk. For me that is a PITA, but you millage may vary. Usability issues. Just to add another POV.

Personally I wouldn't mind a PC based oscilloscope, it would clear up my desk which already has a computer on it, but they mostly have poor software, price per performance is also poor. The analog front end is inferior and the general responsiveness and speed is not there. That's been my experience with all the ones I tried.

That would be more helpful if you stated the ones you have tried.

In what way do you regard the AFEs as being inferior in ways not stated in their specification?

I own a Bitscope, I've also tried a Hantek.

But on the topic of the Digilent Analog Discovery and the analog front end, Dave explains it: https://youtu.be/Aymumu3mYl8?t=262

[JackP]

Best USB scope + software combo IME is PicoScope, since the software is the same for £20,000+ to £150 models. Bit pricey compared to the Hanteks et al though. Still don't think any USB scope has a better UI than a bench scope for me.

[Muxr]

Best USB scope + software combo IME is PicoScope, since the software is the same for £20,000+ to £150 models. Bit pricey compared to the Hanteks et al though. Still don't think any USB scope has a better UI than a bench scope for me.

Picoscopes look really nice, however they are expensive. 70Mhz, 1GS/s, 4ch is $1,153.00. You can get 2 Rigols and a nice DMM for that price.

I do think it's inevitable that they will catch up to standalone scopes in terms of price/performance but they are nowhere near there at the moment.

There is also the whole form factor thing. Some people just like using a dedicated piece of equipment with dedicated optimized controls and protection of not frying your computer if you plug your scope into a wrong thing.

[wonna]

If the budget oscilloscope option was taken, what would be recommended as a must to have with it? i.e. AWG etc. ~ are there recommended budget device options for the additional kit?

[tggzzz]

If the budget oscilloscope option was taken, what would be recommended as a must to have with it? i.e. AWG etc. ~ are there recommended budget device options for the additional kit?

No, general recommendations are not sensible unless everything is included! The answers will be very different if you are working on live equipment, or digital logic, or software, or RF, or audio, or low-noise sensors, or DSP, or....

It is good engineering practice to define what you want to do/achieve before starting. That way you can ensure you have everything (tools, materials, knowledge) available when needed, and there is no last minute panic hunting for something you haven't got.

So, you are going to attach a scope to a Unit Under Test (UUT). What is the UUT's output that you will be measuring? What is the expected behaviour, including fault conditions. How will you kick the UUT into life, so that you can check its output against your expectations?

[wonna]

No, general recommendations are not sensible unless everything is included!

I understand what you mean and after giving it some thought, for my EE degree I'll probably go for the Digilent AD, as my full requirements are not clearly defined at this point. I would have liked to slowly build a complete 'budget' lab after being out of the EE world for some time but the time I have and the cost would make it difficult. I wasn't keen on the usb scope route but maybe building my lab when I have a clearer idea of my future may be more practical and going down the usb route for the time being would be more appropriate.

~Additional thoughts~

I was debating about the Rigol DS1054Z coupled with the logic analyser upgrade and maybe a low cost AWG to cover most of the Digilent AD's functionality for general experimentation and small project work, as I am going to require an additional psu anyway... but again this may be overkill until I have a clearer idea of my requirements.

[Howardlong]

Yesterday I actually used my AD to do something on the lab bench (I usually only use it much when travelling). I built a 7th order LC bandpass filter for a medium wave loop antenna which I'd broadbanded by reducing its Q (2k parallel resistor), to put in front of a fairly broadband amplifier. Because it was a long way from 50 ohms, rather than using a VNA, I used the AD to characterise the filter. Pretty good it is too, although the dynamic range of the AD is a bit low to see how good the stop band is.

Regarding other USB scopes, I have had a PicoScope and currently have an old BitScope BS50 and a Velleman WFS210 USB/WiFi. The BS50 I bought for travelling maybe ten years ago. I don't know how to put this any other way, but the software for them all is/was shit. The PicoScope was from about eight or nine years ago, so it might be better nowadays. It sat in a drawer for about three years before I sold it on eBay. The BS50 is no longer fully supported by the software, the AWG for example doesn't seem to work any more on the current software. I did actually use it sometimes when travelling, but since the software broke and I now have an AD, it remains in a drawer. I don't know where to start with the WFS210, calling it a toy just seems too generous a description. The concept is great, a scope you control from your tablet. But yet again the software is just completely shit. I also get grounding error messages all the time. It's very unreliable. I tried to use it twice, maybe I should try again. It remains, as with the others, in a drawer. Maybe I should do a video on the WFS210... that would be fun.

[wonna]

Yesterday I actually used my AD to do something on the lab bench (I usually only use it much when travelling).

Would you say it would be more sensible to try to build a budget lab around a 'real' oscilloscope then rather than trying to use the AD as an all-in-one tool? I want to make sure I don't go down the wrong path and regret it, as money will be short - I would prefer a solution that would give future flexibility beyond my EE degree without purchasing unnecessary equipment.

I understand it is a difficult question without defining the equipment use, personally I'm heavily interested in audio but that may change after/during my studies.

[tggzzz]

Yesterday I actually used my AD to do something on the lab bench (I usually only use it much when travelling).

Would you say it would be more sensible to try to build a budget lab around a 'real' oscilloscope then rather than trying to use the AD as an all-in-one tool? I want to make sure I don't go down the wrong path and regret it, as money will be short - I would prefer a solution that would give future flexibility beyond my EE degree without purchasing unnecessary equipment.

I understand it is a difficult question without defining the equipment use, personally I'm heavily interested in audio but that may change after/during my studies.

Get what is suitable for immediate and foreseeable requirements. Use it to gain experience and then decide about what, if anything, needs to change as new requirements become visible.

Is there anyone yo can ask about what is necessary for you studies, and/or what equipment you can borrow?

[wonna]

Get what is suitable for immediate and foreseeable requirements. Use it to gain experience and then decide about what, if anything, needs to change as new requirements become visible.

Is there anyone yo can ask about what is necessary for you studies, and/or what equipment you can borrow?

Either would work for the immediate future. Sorry to keep posting I was just trying to find some reassurance that I was following the best path for a reasonable longevity of the equipment purchased, as finances are difficult and I don't want to waste money while I can still afford either option.

So basically it's either the Analog Discovery or the Rigol DS1054Z (maybe with the Digital Analyser add-on) ~ I know other things will be required but this would be the heart of the lab.

[nuno]

The ideal was for you to borrow one or both from friends for a week or so. You'll really never be sure until you start using it. Also, take a look at the user manuals for both.

[Howardlong]

Keep in mind that for audio stuff, you already have a reasonably good signal generator: your PC's soundcard.

[wonna]

The ideal was for you to borrow one or both from friends for a week or so. You'll really never be sure until you start using it. Also, take a look at the user manuals for both.

I don't have any friends but I will take another look at the manuals. The AD is a bit lacking if I remember rightly but I have been studying video reviews of both. Thank you for your suggestion.

[wonna]

Keep in mind that for audio stuff, you already have a reasonably good signal generator: your PC's soundcard.

Thank you for the suggestion, I had considered using it but think I would still need a dedicated signal generator for study of non-audio applications.