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Used Scope Recommendations?

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    #1

    Used Scope Recommendations?

    I think I'm ready to add an Oscilloscope to my work bench. Can anyone recommend a nice used model to look for? My main interests are power supplies and audio right now, but I'd like something with a bit of room to grow. I'd like to go into Electrical Engineering at some point, when I'm far enough along in my studies!
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    #2
    Re: Used Scope Recommendations?

    Brands:

    1) Tektronix - just about any model.
    2) Kikusui

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      #3
      Re: Used Scope Recommendations?

      I love Tektronix, but two models to avoid are the TDS 210 and TDS 220. Both have a common problem that makes one of the two channels unusable. The problem is not fixable (obsolete models, custom part that is not available). Other models are fine; the TDS (and THS) series models all have a similar user interface. Among handhelds, Tek's THS 7x0 models and Fluke's 190 series are pretty cool; the Fluke 90 series is pretty good too.
      PeteS in CA

      Power Supplies should be boring: No loud noises, no bright flashes, and no bad smells.
      ****************************
      To kill personal responsibility, initiative or success, punish it by taxing it. To encourage irresponsibility, improvidence, dependence and failure, reward it by subsidizing it.
      ****************************

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        #4
        Re: Used Scope Recommendations?

        IMO, you need to define a budget then hang out on ebay for awhile to get a good idea what that'll fetch... especially late at night, auctions ending in the wee hours can get you an incredible deal sometimes.

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          #5
          Re: Used Scope Recommendations?

          This may be overkill, but I am now the proud owner of two oscilloscopes.

          One is a Tektronix 453 (acquired locally for a song). The other is an eBay special(powers up/no way to test/no guarantee) Tektronix 7603 with 7A22 and 7B53A plugins. It works, but I'm still debugging power supply issues. Here's the irony: I've nailed the problems down to bad caps, and a couple of fried transistors. It also has a bad case of dust contamination.

          The 453 is in better shape, and works a treat after cleaning the nuvistor sockets in the vertical input preamplifier. I just need to clean up the front panel and lube the cooling fan. It's been quite useful in debugging the 7603.

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            #6
            Re: Used Scope Recommendations?

            I just bought a Tektronix 2465 for $25 (yay me). Its old and I'm sure could use a good going through, but how important is getting it calibrated if I use it for diagnostic/repair kinda stuff? It seems to work fine.

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              #7
              Re: Used Scope Recommendations?

              I'd be careful with that 2465 scope repair wise its a death trap those scopes use custom Large Scale Integrated ICs that Tektronix doesn't manufacure anymore.

              Thats why I stick with my trusty Tek 475 the only scope you don't have to be a rocket scientist to fix .

              As far as calibration thats up to you. If you are using the scope and require time accuracy or an accurate voltage display then calibration is a must.

              However if you're just using it to check pulses to the MOSFETs gate on switchers and observing waveforms then calibration isn't necessary.

              As a general rule though the scope should be checked out to see just how accurate it is and then you can make a decision on calibration.

              Can't beat that price for a working scope though .
              Last edited by Krankshaft; 11-16-2007, 09:41 AM.
              Elements of the past and the future combining to make something not quite as good as either.

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