Oscilloscope for uni.

[jonkers]

Hi all. 

I am chasing a scope for uni.  They recommended the pick 2204a.  But I think as I progress and want to use it for work then I would probably want something better. 

Looking for something that can do everything the pico can so I can do everything the corse asks but a bit better hardware wise and not tied to a pc. 

I thought a DSO2D15 might be a good choice but the reviews say it’s buggy and not as good as it sounds. 

Looking for recommendations or maybe just get the pico and buy again down the track when I can afford more. 

[Aldo22]

It all comes down to your budget.

If I were to recommend a DSO2000, I'd suggest the cheapest model, the DSO2C10.
They all use the same hardware (afaik).
But only if you can get it really cheap and don't want to spend any more.

Last week I saw that the older Rigol DS1102Z-E models are being sold here at prices similar to the Hantek.
Maybe that would be a better option.

If you're willing to spend a little more, the Siglent SDS800X HD and the Rigol DHO800 are always recommended here.

[Performa01]

From what you wrote, I assume your budget is below $200,-

If that's actually a hard limit, then the Pico 2204A is certainly a sensible choice. Not very powerful, but decent quality and mature FW/SW.

If you need something more serious - and I assume you soon will - then the Picos get pretty expensive very quickly and you still never get an adequate sample rate as soon es you use more than one channel.

My recomendation would be the Siglent SDS804X HD instead. It is so much more powerful and will cover all your needs also in the forseeable future. Yes, it is more expensive, but the price/performance ratio is simply outstanding. This is about the only DSO in this price bracket that provides sufficient sample rate with all four channels on, even in the 200 MHz version. It has very good FFT capabilities and provides an actually useful 3-channel Bode Plot in conjunction with any Siglent AWG.

[jonkers]

Thanks.  Will check these models out. 

I was really wanting to get a rigol mho934.  Just can not get it in the budget at the moment.  But I didn’t want to spend the $300 ish on the pico just for this and then never use it again.  So was hoping to spend a little more that would get me through the course for now and get the mho934 when I can.

[KungFuJosh]

Thanks.  Will check these models out. 

I was really wanting to get a rigol mho934.  Just can not get it in the budget at the moment.  But I didn’t want to spend the $300 ish on the pico just for this and then never use it again.  So was hoping to spend a little more that would get me through the course for now and get the mho934 when I can.

I think the SDS804X HD is a good choice for you also.

Before you waste money on a Rigol, check the review threads here, especially from @Martin72: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/rigol-mho900-testreview-(mho984)/msg6121143/#msg6121143

[adam4521]

You will want a bench oscilloscope with more bandwidth and sample rate than 2204a for later. But I'm thinking, for the course, it might be optimised. It's small, silent, will sit in your bag, you can hook it to your breadboard, it has the AWG so you can push signals through, you can screenshot easily, save .csv files and finish your assignment flexibly. You'll learn what happens when you run into the constraints of the gear. You can get one on Ebay to economise, and always upgrade it later.

[robert.rozee]

[uni] recommended the pico 2204a

at the end of your course, will the pico have any resale value to other students at your uni, much as text books do? depending on how many years you keep it for (1 year, 3 years) you may be able to recoup 50% of your original purchase price.


cheers,
rob   :-)

[mawyatt]

As a former adjunct long ago creating and teaching advanced university graduate level courses (1st RFIC design courses) we agree with Performa01. We have the Siglent SDS814X HD and the Rigol DHO814. The DHO814 is very good, however the SDS814XHD is outstanding, performing well beyond it price point. In fact the SDS814X HD is so good it should be a welcome addition to any graduate level university lab, not just an "entry level" undergraduate lab.

Check with Siglent about getting a university discount, maybe donations!! Back in late 90s the WAMI lab at the USF university was created and able to get significant contributions from HP/AG/KS, Tektronix, R&S and others over the years. These weren't hand-me-downs but the latest basic fundamental equipment (DSOs, SA, VNA, AWG, MW Gens, and so on), these were donated to the lab at NO COST

This NO COST donation was created by making a case that the students would learn on the latest TE provided, not left overs, and when the students graduated and when on working during their career would be familiar with TE they had experienced in the WAMI labs and prefer something similar. This resonated with the TE OEMs mentioned, starting with HP and Tektronix, later others followed and over time the labs became quite nicely stocked. This concept might be worthwhile to try again, it certainly worked back in late 90s and created a WAMI measurements lab that spawned an IEEE Conference (WAMI Conference) dedicated to such and paid massive dividends to the OEM contributors 

Best   

[mawyatt]

BTW this concept above also worked the other way, sort of a double edged sword!!

The idea we presented to the company (where we worked) was, "these students come with an advanced learning in the latest lab equipment, so they don't need to learn new operational skills on the company tab to become useful in the lab". New students went thru an indoctrination in the labs before migrating into the engineering design ranks, and we weren't interested in any new folks regardless of degrees in our area unless they possessed a thorough understanding of TE operation. How can one design something useful that works if they don't know how to evaluate such in the labs. Some potential new hires found this offensive, we passed on them, altho other departments may not have required such. Our case was somewhat unique in that it took almost a year before any new hire could be allowed access to the advanced stuff which had to work for it's intended use, not just for an IEEE paper!!

Anyway, we presented this concept to senior company management about donating serious $ to the university to support lab learning skills for potential new hires. It worked and overall we secured over $1/2M donations to the university

Anyway, not sure if this pitch would work today. It seems no US companies have long term goals anymore, all have yielded to Wall Street mentality of meeting Wall Streets expectations for the next quarter

Whatever happened to Company long term expectations 

Best

[BillyO]

Whatever happened to Company long term expectations 

Quarterly reports.