Tektronix 2230 -- Worth it?

[Phaedrus]

I'm looking at picking up a Tektronix 2230 100MHz scope for around $175 shipped. I understand the digital side of the 2230 isn't great, but I'm mainly interested in the analog end. Is this a good deal, or are there better dual channel 100MHz scopes available in the <$200 range?

[GreyWoolfe]

I have a 2235 which is analog only, 100MHz.  I like the scope.  I don't think $175 shipped is a bad price.  It is still worth it to try to get the price down a little more.  The worst that can happen is you get a no.  I would say to go for it.  Does it come with probes?  If so, that makes a better bargain.

[edavid]

I'm looking at picking up a Tektronix 2230 100MHz scope for around $175 shipped. I understand the digital side of the 2230 isn't great, but I'm mainly interested in the analog end. Is this a good deal, or are there better dual channel 100MHz scopes available in the <$200 range?

For that price, you should be able to get a 2232, which has a much faster ADC.

If analog only is OK, look for a 2246, 2247, or 2445.

You could also consider one of the Hitachi V-1065As on eBay, I think the seller is accepting offers around $100.

[Phaedrus]

I have a 2235 which is analog only, 100MHz.  I like the scope.  I don't think $175 shipped is a bad price.  It is still worth it to try to get the price down a little more.  The worst that can happen is you get a no.  I would say to go for it.  Does it come with probes?  If so, that makes a better bargain.

Comes with one probe.

For that price, you should be able to get a 2232, which has a much faster ADC.

If analog only is OK, look for a 2246, 2247, or 2445.

You could also consider one of the Hitachi V-1065As on eBay, I think the seller is accepting offers around $100.

I'll check those out, thanks!

[nctnico]

The 2230 is a nice scope. I used to have one for many years. Nowadays I wouldn't pay $175 for it though. If you save a little bit more money you can buy a cheap Rigol or Siglent digital scope which has a much greater value for money.

[Phaedrus]

Found a 2246 for $230-$250 shipped, no probes. Liiiiiitle bit rich, but it is quad channel. No probes though. Good deal or no?

[edavid]

Found a 2246 for $230-$250 shipped, no probes. Liiiiiitle bit rich, but it is quad channel. No probes though. Good deal or no?

No!

[Vgkid]

Try to get it below 200 without probes, but probes are cheap.

[David Hess]

I have a pair of 2230s that I use a lot.  It is a great oscilloscope within the limits of its DSO performance and the oldest DSO that I would recommend since it is one of the first if not the first to support peak detection.  Note that the sample rate is 20 MSamples/second total but its equivalent time sample rate is 2 GSamples/second total.

$175 shipped is at the high end of what I would consider acceptable unless it is guaranteed to be fully functional.  I paid a little less than that for both of mine separately.

The 2232 is superior in all respects but seems to go for about $300 if it is guaranteed to be fully functional.

Things to watch out for on the 2230:

1. The 20 MHz bandwidth limit does not affect DSO mode.  The 2232 corrected this.
2. The DSO user interface is a little odd.  The 2232 is much more modern in this respect.
3. The RS-232 serial and GPIB options include extra battery backed up waveform storage but do *not* backup the 2230 configuration settings which would be nice considering the odd DSO user interface.

[Phaedrus]

I'm bidding on a 2246 now. Outbid, it's at $182 now. Comes with two probes and is properly tested (not just power on). Wondering how high it's worth it to go.