USB Scope

[etnietering]

Alright so I'm hoping to get a USB scope so I can analyze my power supply work. It'd be nice to be able to quantify just how much things help!

Here's the one I'm looking at: http://www.thefamousbrandsoutlet.com..._store=default
The people on the overclockers forum seem to like it: http://forums.overclockersclub.com/i...howtopic=80935
What do you guys think?

[stj]

Re: USB Scope

40mhz seems a bit low for a lot of repair stuff.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.30573
is an example of how cheap the good stuff is from the source (china - it's all made in china so cut out the middleman!)

[stj]

Re: USB Scope

look what i found for about $15 less.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.37062

[Scenic]

Re: USB Scope

50MHz per channel. unless you could "bridge" that, it's only 10MHz more than the other one.

BTW: same model as in the first post
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.37062

[everell]

Re: USB Scope

I have a STINGRAY usb oscilloscope made by USB Instruments. They are available thru Mouser for $220. I love mine!! The Stingray also has a digital voltmeter function and a frequency counter function.

Now for the drawbacks. You have to use the Windows operating systems. I have tried to get mine working on Linux (Fedora and Ubuntu) but did not succeed.

When working on computer power supplies, you need an isolated input. Stingray does not have it, and I don't think the one you are looking at has it either. So you have to buy a "Differential Probe" to use......or you blow up the scope and your computer. The differential probe is used when working on the "mains" side of the psu when measuring things around the main switching transistors, and the pwm chip depending on which side it is located on. Just remember that case ground is NOT the same as "common" or sometimes called ground on the mains side. There can be several hundred volts potential difference.

[stj]

Re: USB Scope

btw, DX does 60mhz 600v probes for $6 - i'm gonna get a few.