Pocket Oscilloscopes - Any Recomendations

[ed_reardon]

Hello all,

 I am looking for a cheap and cheerful pocket oscilloscope,  now I know there are no GOOD cheap ones,  but I need a very basic indication of a few things at work,  my job involves working in incredibly hostile environments (often carrying BA, underground, getting wet) so equipment of any flavour just doesn't tend to last so a named one doesn't really help.

- 100Hz is a 'fast' signal for the kit I'm working with generally,  often I'm down in single digit Hz.
- Accuracy isn't really important, I am only using it for indication (I can remove kit to the 'bench' for a more thorough look,
- Doesn't need Ex rating,  I wouldn't carry anything like this in to a potentially explosive atmosphere.

So I'm willing to accept it'll be crap but a rough wave-form may prove something is working/not working and saves removing kit.

Any suggestions, I can go to around £200 for this but cheaper is always better: has anybody come across a 'best of a bad bunch' type instrument?

Cheers,
Andy

[frenky]

I have read good reviews about this one: "DSO112A"



Specifications: http://www.jyetech.com/Products/LcdScope/e112A.php

There are lots of youtube reviews: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=DSO112A


You can get it from banggood for 59$ (with -15% coupon discount):
https://www.banggood.com/DSO112A-Upgrade-Version-2MHz-Touch-Screen-TFT-Digital-Mini-Handheld-Oscilloscope-With-Battery-p-977991.html

Inside it has Atmega64A: http://www.atmel.com/Images/Atmel-8160-8-bit-AVR-Microcontroller-ATmega64A-datasheet.pdf

And TLC5510 (8-Bit, 20-MSPS ADC): http://www.ti.com/product/TLC5510

[ed_reardon]

Looks ideal, don't think it'll replace my Tek' 'scopes any time soon but like I said I just need a "quick look" to see if a signal is present or not.

I'll take a look at that, thanks for your reply.

Cheers,
Ed

[Nusa]

You didn't mention what kind of voltages you're likely to touch. The jyetech ones have a absolute max 50V rating and no real input protection. If you do go with that, carry it in a waterproof bag/case when not in use.

Another option would be a scopemeter, such as the Uni-T 81B, which is mostly a multimeter, but has a scope mode. Goes for about $150.

[ebclr]

Don't waste your money on those things, You computer sound card is better than that


Wanna go on the chip must have at leat 500Ms if you wanna use for something

Cheaper option ( price is the point here )

Hantek DSO5102P 



Micsig


https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/Digital-Oscilloscope-100-MHz-4-Channel-Portable-Electronic-Diagnostic-tool-automotive-Digital-car-detector-kit-DIY/32802131492.html?spm=2114.02020208.3.2.xqqOZa&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10152_10065_10151_10068_5010019_10136_10137_10060_10138_10155_10062_437_10154_10056_10055_10054_10059_303_100031_10099_10103_10102_10096_10052_10053_10142_10107_10050_10051_10173_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10110_519_10111_10112_10113_10114_10182_10078_10079_5030020_10073_10123_10189_142-10102,searchweb201603_9,ppcSwitch_5_ppcChannel&btsid=523db7e9-a148-4c0e-962a-2ef001cfd128&algo_expid=6ffff48e-9c93-4f4e-aad8-97d8df972000-0&algo_pvid=6ffff48e-9c93-4f4e-aad8-97d8df972000

[grumpydoc]

Don't waste your money on those things, You computer sound card is better than that

Wanna go on the chip must have at leat 500Ms if you wanna use for something

Cheaper option ( price is the point here )

Hantek DSO5102P 

We know that these things are not terribly good but the OP had some specific requirements which sound like they do not involve dragging a computer (or even laptop) onto site so that he can use the sound card as a 'scope.

The Hantek that you suggested is probably both a bit large and out of budget.

The DSO112A looks a bit delicate for the environment described, though it is cheap.

I'd second the uni-t if you don't mind lack of colour, especially if the multimeter side is good enough to save you carrying two boxes.

Review here https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/review-uni-t-ut81b-scopemeter/

Slightly out of budget (and also perhaps slightly on the large side) there are also the UTD1025CL and UTD1050CL http://www.uni-trend.com/productsdetail_1360_854_854.html

[igendel]

I have read good reviews about this one: "DSO112A"

I have this model. It's indeed a toy, but a really nice one for minimum requirements once you get the hang of the interface.

[ed_reardon]

Cheers gents.

I appreciate they are not very good, my signals are logic level so input protection isn't especially vital to any great degeee. The Uni-T also looks very interesting.

Bluntly this needs to be something I can literally throw away (for hygiene reasons) if it gets dropped or splashed badly. I'll let you all guess what I'm working with (by the gigalitre!)

Working with a sound-card underground wearing full PPE in damp environments isn't an option I'm afraid.

Having something to give a quick indication from a probe or a data line is useful (also less time spent in chest waders )

Cheers,
Ed

[David Hess]

So 100Hz is fast, it needs to be low cost, pocket sized, and presumably somewhat rugged.

I would look for a graphing or logging multimeter.  Attach a strap to it so you do not drop it.

[nidlaX]

something I can literally throw away (for hygiene reasons) if it gets dropped or splashed badly. I'll let you all guess what I'm working with (by the gigalitre!)

Give the DSO112A a try. It might be crappy from the get go, but it might also be good enough to get a shitty job done.

Another option would be to use the Mooshimeter with a disposable smartphone.

[daybyter]

[Gyro]

something I can literally throw away (for hygiene reasons) if it gets dropped or splashed badly. I'll let you all guess what I'm working with (by the gigalitre!)

Give the DSO112A a try. It might be crappy from the get go, but it might also be good enough to get a shitty job done.

Another option would be to use the Mooshimeter with a disposable smartphone.

If it helps (and I suspect it might), its touchscreen is resistive, not capacitive. 

[Nusa]

There are oscilliscope apps for smartphones that use the microphone jack for input that would meet your needs. Old model smartphones can be found cheap. Maybe even free from friend/family junk drawers. You just have to make a probe cable for the headphone/mic jack (android and apple have different pinouts on that jack, btw).

[cowana]

There are oscilliscope apps for smartphones that use the microphone jack for input that would meet your needs.

That seems unlikely with the <100Hz (and possible single digit Hz) requirement - a microphone jack is likely to be AC coupled, and only work for moderately high frequencies.

[jwm_]

The jyetech dso shell is a fun little kit. Plus it has the same chip as the blue pill stm32 boards and you can replace the firmware easily so can function as a Dev board for that if you get tired of using it as a scope. It's front end is straightforward 4k abd tl072 jelly Bean stuff so it's a nice learning experience too to study the schematic.  As far as I know there are not counterfeit versions of the shell yet but their dso138 design was counterfeited by many.

For $25 it's worth it for the pedagogic value

[Gyro]

Agreed. The Shell and DSO138 are excellent value - and the Shell probably has an easier UI than the touch screen DSO112A. The only thing to remember is that they need an external 9V DC supply - a 6xAA battery pack is fine, the DSO112A is internal lithium battery.

Normally not an issue but if you're up to your waist in shit as the OP seems to be then that could become an issue.

[Fungus]

I own a DSO quad. It works well enough as a 'scope up to about 10MHz and I use it quite a lot when I have to go outside the lab. It's definitely very pocketable, it does the job. User interface is horrible but that's the price you pay.

It's not sewage proof though....and that's the real problem. I don't think there's anything in that price range that meets all requirements. You may have to ruggedize it yourself.

One of these would show the signals you're interested in and is a good starting point for ruggedisation.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=dso138



For $25 pre-built they're almost single-use disposable things anyway. Just put it inside a transparent plastic bag with the probes attached before you go down there. I imagine you can move the switches though the plastic.

There might even be a resale market for 'used' ones. Who knows...?

[all_repair]

I have read good reviews about this one: "DSO112A"

I have this model. It's indeed a toy, but a really nice one for minimum requirements once you get the hang of the interface.

I have this and using this toy much more often than my real scope.  The single shot capture is not working on mine.  The MCX connection is very tight to pull out.  So make some adapter cable.  Do not get their previous models, resolution low and very tough to see, and could not last.  Like your usage, I am using this as disposable equipment.

[jwm_]

The dso shell is an improved version of that design by the same company. Added a rotary encoder and a nice case and the analog part is on a swappable daughterboard.

[daybyter]

http://www.stm32duino.com/viewtopic.php?t=107

Build your own disposable scope?

[Elf]

Regarding protecting the device, I used to build electronics into small Pelican cases for water and shock proofing. Some small, cheap ones come with transparent lids that would be suitable for viewing a display through, e.g.: http://www.pelican.com/us/en/pro/product/watertight-protector-hard-cases/micro-case/standard/1015/

It is easy enough to drill a hole in the lid to put an SMA F to F barrel connector through and caulk it on both sides. The result is reasonably waterproof as long as there is a mating SMA connector on the other side (e.g. scope probe with SMA adapter), and will pass RF up to frequencies well beyond what one of these cheap pocket scopes will read.

As necessary there are also various sealed switches you can buy (usually a regular switch covered by a rubber cap that screws around the mounting thread).

I haven't had experience in an environment exactly like yours, but the Pelican cases are quite tough, and easy to wash off or exchange. It may last longer than you expect?

[ed_reardon]

Thanks all for the great suggestions!

I'll sit down over the next few days and work out exactly what I am after, the logging multimeters looks every bit as useful for this application.

Cheers again,
Ed

[Fsck]

how pocket do you need? is a fluke scopemeter too big? they're relatively rugged for a scope.

[Jorge.fv]

I was about o buy the UT81b is the cheapest with reasonable bandwidth and wide input voltage range and almost the same size as a regular multimeter, but I reconsidered analyzed the pros and cons, and now sold my rigol ds1052e and I'm going to buy the micsig to1104 with battery but still I really need a portable one that does not take to much space, I usually need it when I'm out on the field, but being so tight on budget I cant afford anything mor for a while.

[Fungus]

how pocket do you need? is a fluke scopemeter too big? they're relatively rugged for a scope.

He needs something that can be hosed down after each use and without holes/gaps/buttons/connectors where chunks of poo can get stuck.