Looking to get an Oscilloscope

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Beowulf
    Senior Member
    • Dec 2012
    • 175
    • USA

    #1

    Looking to get an Oscilloscope

    Hi,
    For awhile I was thinking to get the Rigol 50mhz in order to hack it but I think that's too risky to try since one dont know for sure if the firmware version in it will be hackable........
    So the 100mhz would be the next option although I've been more inqulined to get a used tektronix for a lot less money.

    I'm a beginner in electronics and I plan to use it to aid me when troubleshooting the different devices, mostly high def TV and laptops motherboards.

    How does one go about calibration? Could this be a big impact when considering an old used one? Does one need to purchase a signal generator or usually send the scope somewhere for calibration. What is the best option? Is calibration doable by a beginner tech?

    Thanks
  • mariushm
    Badcaps Legend
    • May 2011
    • 3799

    #2
    Re: Looking to get an Oscilloscope

    In all honesty, 50 Mhz is enough for a beginner, enough for switching power supplies, hd tv, pretty much anything you'd find.

    I have the Rigol 1052 and didn't feel the need to hack it to 100 Mhz yet.

    Would I buy it again now?

    I'd do some serious research to find something with equivalent or better features but most importantly a larger screen - I feel the 320x240 screen resolution is the only downside of this scope right now considering the basic things I use it for now.
    At so low price, all have some quirks.

    Comment

    • Kiriakos GR
      Banned
      • May 2012
      • 940
      • Greece

      #3
      Re: Looking to get an Oscilloscope

      Originally posted by Beowulf
      Hi,
      although I've been more inqulined to get a used tektronix for a lot less money.
      Thanks
      Due the fact, that this is a product with more wider support in your country, it does look as a more safer bet.
      But be warned that regarding spare parts, Tektronix isnt cheap.
      And the calibration services comes in a fixed pricing which is high for scopes.

      My advice would be get the used one, only if the seller is close to your area (max two hours by a car).
      So to be able to return it and get your money back if something goes wrong.

      Comment

      • Beowulf
        Senior Member
        • Dec 2012
        • 175
        • USA

        #4
        Re: Looking to get an Oscilloscope

        Thanks for you responses guys.
        Any information about calibration? What do I need to be able to calibrate an oscilloscope for general use?

        Comment

        • tom66
          EVs Rule
          • Apr 2011
          • 32560
          • UK

          #5
          Re: Looking to get an Oscilloscope

          Precision equipment - DC voltage references, frequency standards, AC calibrators.

          But the average hobbyist is fine with the +/-1.5% accuracy on DC volts and +/-20ppm timebase error the Rigol offers, which is unlikely to drift.
          Please do not PM me with questions! Questions via PM will not be answered. Post on the forums instead!
          For service manual, schematic, boardview (board view), datasheet, cad - use our search.

          Comment

          • Beowulf
            Senior Member
            • Dec 2012
            • 175
            • USA

            #6
            Re: Looking to get an Oscilloscope

            Each day I'm more sure that I'll eventually get a tektronix.
            The use is gonna be for generic troubleshooting of TVs and computer motherboards.
            I hope that a regular calibration is more than enough for these tasks, then again I dont know what I'm talking about

            Comment

            • tom66
              EVs Rule
              • Apr 2011
              • 32560
              • UK

              #7
              Re: Looking to get an Oscilloscope

              Tektronix DSO are ancient, can't compete. 2.5k of sample memory, slow STN black/white display, slow/difficult interface, lack of features, and they've only just added USB. If you want a name brand, get the Agilent DSO1052B -- but be aware, this is just a rebadged Rigol!

              Their CRT scopes, on the other hand, are damn good. Of course, they don't make those any more.
              Please do not PM me with questions! Questions via PM will not be answered. Post on the forums instead!
              For service manual, schematic, boardview (board view), datasheet, cad - use our search.

              Comment

              • japlytic
                Badcaps Legend
                • Oct 2005
                • 2086
                • Australia

                #8
                Re: Looking to get an Oscilloscope

                On my list of favourite brands, Tektronix is my favourite brand of oscilloscope, but LeCroy is equally good, considering the fact that they pioneered the digital oscilloscope.
                My first choice in quality Japanese electrolytics is Nippon Chemi-Con, which has been in business since 1931... the quality of electronics is dependent on the quality of the electrolytics.

                Comment

                • tom66
                  EVs Rule
                  • Apr 2011
                  • 32560
                  • UK

                  #9
                  Re: Looking to get an Oscilloscope

                  New low end LeCroy scopes are re-badged Siglent/Atten -- generic basic Chinese-designed and made oscilloscopes. Not too bad if you can use them, but lots of software bugs and poorly translated English.
                  Please do not PM me with questions! Questions via PM will not be answered. Post on the forums instead!
                  For service manual, schematic, boardview (board view), datasheet, cad - use our search.

                  Comment

                  • Beowulf
                    Senior Member
                    • Dec 2012
                    • 175
                    • USA

                    #10
                    Re: Looking to get an Oscilloscope

                    I'm meeting someone tomorrow that is selling a Tektronix 2430. It's showing two errors on the start up self test but I've been reading around and this may be taken care of easily with just tweaking the settings and suchs and I have the service manual for it too. So I'm Ok with taking my chances for $50.

                    Wishing me luck again

                    Comment

                    • Beowulf
                      Senior Member
                      • Dec 2012
                      • 175
                      • USA

                      #11
                      Re: Looking to get an Oscilloscope

                      Hi,
                      I got the tektronix but it needs some maintenance, so it's gonna sit for awhile until I can get to it.

                      On the other hand I took the plunge and got a RIGOL DS11O2E.

                      Comment

                      • MDOC
                        EngineeringTech
                        • Mar 2010
                        • 146
                        • USA

                        #12
                        Re: Looking to get an Oscilloscope

                        Originally posted by Beowulf
                        Hi,
                        I got the tektronix but it needs some maintenance, so it's gonna sit for awhile until I can get to it.

                        On the other hand I took the plunge and got a RIGOL DS11O2E.
                        If you're up for it, buy a second, non-working Tek of the same model and use that for parts. Try ebay.

                        Comment

                        • Kiriakos GR
                          Banned
                          • May 2012
                          • 940
                          • Greece

                          #13
                          Re: Looking to get an Oscilloscope

                          My list of favourite models changed many times in 2012, and the surprize came from GW Instek and their latest GDS-2102A.

                          Comes with lots of spikes of inovation and in a very acceptable price.
                          Even comes with advantages over the Agilent 3000 series, and strikes even the Rigol 4000 in some points.

                          I think that I found the proper scope for my requairments that is an advanced DSO which I will never be able to bring it in their limits.

                          Comment

                          Related Topics

                          Collapse

                          • irnard
                            Micro SMD probe tip for Rigol oscilloscope ?
                            by irnard
                            Any advice where can I find micro SMD probe tip for Rigol oscilloscope ? Can't find anything online and factory one is just too fat to fit in some tight spaces on logic board. Thx
                            02-09-2023, 09:22 AM
                          • Tarot Superstars
                            How not to Damage an Oscilloscope
                            by Tarot Superstars
                            Hello.
                            I have jut got my first analogue oscilloscope. An Isotech 620 20MHz.

                            I want to learn how not to damage it, and I found instructions on the internet obscure.
                            They talk about ground, earth, floating ground, this, that....
                            But they don't actually say anything anything useful so far.

                            I want to know:
                            Don't connect exactly this to exactly there or it blows up.

                            For example, I am tracing a signal from a function generator in an audio amp, or testing for voltages in different parts of a circuit.
                            I want to know what not to connect...
                            08-29-2023, 02:27 PM
                          • jaco2d
                            Hisense calibration
                            by jaco2d
                            Hi i recently purchased a Hisense u7hqtuk TV, there is 2 different version of this set, the UK, Europe one and the America one, i have the UK and Europe version.
                            I have searched for calibration for the TV but i can only find it for the America one which has 1000 nits, the version i have has got 600 nits so the calibration settings will not work.
                            Has anyone got this TV and managed to get good picture setting for it or can anyone find a link to the calibration settings?
                            The picture is good enough but if possible i would like to get the best possible picture settings for the...
                            09-20-2023, 12:20 PM
                          • Evets
                            Dynamco analogue oscilloscope
                            by Evets
                            I have recently acquired a Dynamco D7100 analogue oscilloscope without a user manual. As this is the first time I have owned or used an oscilloscope I would like to try and find an instruction book. The manufacturers no longer hold any information and a Google search only found one site but when I downloaded a 'service manual' all I got was gobbledegook. Any help would be gratefully appreciated or even pointers to a generic manual where I could learn more.
                            08-30-2024, 06:54 AM
                          • draag de wereld
                            ATTEN ST 8800 D calibration ?
                            by draag de wereld
                            I have an ATTEN ST 8800 D. I tried it out and I have a problem with this machine. When I get the machine at 500°C at 50% airspeed. My motherboards (I tried on several) barely heat up to 180°C. I know how to calibrate the machine, but it can't be a calibration of 300°. Anyone has the same problem with this machine. I know buying cheap is buying expensive but a 300° difference is a rip off.
                            02-28-2025, 05:17 AM
                          • Loading...
                          • No more items.
                          Working...