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Owon 14-bit USB scopes

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balnazzar:
Hi. I was eyeing those Owon USB scopes who are advertised as 14-bit.

The only actual source of information I managed to find is this review: https://youtu.be/LzNmIVRB0lY

The review is about the 2ch version (but also 14 bit) and it's not a Dave-like review, but still it shows how the software behaves, and it seems not that bad (generally, the software is the Achilles' heel of these cheapo usb scopes).

Are the 14 bits real? I mean, the corresponding (100 MHz, 1 GSa/s) Picoscope is just 8 bit and costs three times that thing [~1300 vs. ~450, prices in euros and VAT included].

Thanks.

rf-loop:

--- Quote from: balnazzar on October 11, 2022, 10:23:42 am ---Hi. I was eyeing those Owon USB scopes who are advertised as 14-bit.

The only actual source of information I managed to find is this review: https://youtu.be/LzNmIVRB0lY

The review is about the 2ch version (but also 14 bit) and it's not a Dave-like review, but still it shows how the software behaves, and it seems not that bad (generally, the software is the Achilles' heel of these cheapo usb scopes).

Are the 14 bits real? I mean, the corresponding (100 MHz, 1 GSa/s) Picoscope is just 8 bit and costs three times that thing [~1300 vs. ~450, prices in euros and VAT included].

Thanks.

--- End quote ---

Perhaps you have not watched this video. In video, starting from 2:40:
14bit mode max 100MSa/s 
14Bit mode BW: 20MHz.

And old thread in EEVblog tell more: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/owon-vds6102a-pc-oscilloscope-with-14-bit-adc-wifi-and-usb-support-(battery)/

Specifications are in end of user manual https://files.owon.com.cn/probook/VDS6000_Series_2CH_user_manual.pdf

jasonRF:
I don't know about the hardware, but the software has no features.  Zero waveform arithmetic, so you cannot even subtract two channels.  Likewise, no FFT of any kind.  I even emailed the company earlier this year and verified that it had none of those features, although they indicated that they are planning on adding them.  If/when they do add an FFT you will need to look closely at how long it is.  For example, according to the user manual the 8-bit vds3102 only has a 2k FFT so gives only 1k frequency bins, even though it has 10 MSamples of memory. 

I have downloaded both the vds3102 and vds6102 software, and the features line up with the documentation.  No math menu of any kind on the vds6000 software, and the vds3102 software gives you no choice of any kind for the FFT length.  It is fixed.

So even if the 14-bit hardware is great, if you want to do anything more than just look at waveforms and do basic measurements on them you will need to write your own software and just use the scope as an acquisition system.  For me it was a deal-breaker. 

I ended up on Ebay and managed to pick up a used (and out of production) multi-resolution Picsocope 5244B for $457 US delivered. 

By the way, which 8-bit picoscope were you looking at that was priced that high?  They have a ton of models. 

EDIT: Hi Balzannar.  I just realized that you started this thread - surely as part of your quest to find a quiet scope.  It looks like you are going down the same path I did earlier this year.  good luck!

jason

coromonadalix:
Wait until they make 24 bit   scopes ...  a war of numbers ???

jasonRF:

--- Quote from: coromonadalix on October 11, 2022, 03:01:06 pm ---Wait until they make 24 bit   scopes ...  a war of numbers ???

--- End quote ---
Yup!   But the numbers do have meaning as long as the software/firmware and analog hardware are good enough to make good use of the bits.   I don’t know about the hardware, but the Owon firmware/software are not currently good enough, in my opinion. 

When i was shopping for a used Picoscope I was just looking for a good deal on 2-channel 100-200 MHz scope.  I considered high-resolution, extra channels and MSO capabilities to be ‘bonus’ features that would be nice but not worth paying a lot extra for.  Had a good deal on an 8-bit 2-channel scope shown up first, i would have been happy with it for sure.   But I do like the extra bits.  I usually run 12-bit resolution, since you only lose a factor of 2 in maximum sample rate in order to gain the 4 extra bits. 

24-bits do have their place.  I use a 24-bit audio interface for analyzing distortion in audio signals. 

Cheers

Jason

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