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Mikado Modellhubschrauber . GrandRC . CanoMod

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Off Topics > Want to buy an oscilloscope - Please suggest which one
 
 
Dr.Rivet
Heliman
Location: Seattle, WA, USA

I'd like to get an oscilloscope for my home projects and I'm just a beginner and I'm not too deep into circuit design.

I'll try to describe typical tasks I'd like to use it for: graphing Rx output signal for servos and looking at the shape of the wave, measuring things to verify I/O of Stamp controller (future project), various low frequency stuff and would like to measure high frequency stuff like up to 5GHz if price permits.

I've seen some really neat looking units that look like a large graphing calculator with LCD display, but I have no idea what parameters to look for. I'd like to spend no more then 500 bucks and I want it to be small unit to be able to carry with one hand unlike old 40 pounder CRT ones my father had 20 yers ago.

Basically it's just to have fun on a budget with maximum flexibility and moderate accuracy. A freeze frame function and couple of channels would be nice too. Am I asking for too much for $500? Please advise?

Thanks!
07-16-2008 12:38 AM
 
 
Rob_T
Elite Veteran
Location: Tualatin, OR - USA

I dont think you'll get 5GHz for $500! (Not even a big bulky CRT type!)

The small LCD scopes you talking about are upto about 200MHz in the price range you're talking about (and that's Ebay).


Rob
Eco8, Piccolo Fun, Shogun, HB Elite CP, Trex 450XL CDE, Swift
07-16-2008 01:01 AM
 
 
fritzthecat
Key Veteran
Location: New Orleans

5Ghz+ scopes are a little more than U$500.

See here:

http://www.lecroy.com/tm/products/default.asp

You can get Fluke scopemeters 200Mhz for about U$3000.

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/f...eter/190series/


Fritz


'Send Money, Women and Guns!'
07-16-2008 01:12 AM
 
 
Dr.Rivet
Heliman
Location: Seattle, WA, USA

OMG !!!! $50,000 !!!!!



OUCH I guess my wife is not going to be happy to get a second mortgage just for a scope?

Really though, what are my options within $500 budget? Is it a good idea to get a scope without any display which hooks up to the comp and includes software? Would I get more bandwidth and resolution if I go that way?
07-16-2008 01:29 AM
 
 
Topher
Veteran
Location: Grosse Ile, Michigan

You may want to look at something hobby level since hobby stuff is what your going to be doing. Have you looked at the parallax PC oscilloscope? Its about $125 and is ideal for hobby work and the servo stuff you are doing. Iv used it before and its good for most things. If you get into stuff involving HFRF your going to definitely going need more than This Scope though.

Get a life? How the hell do you fly a life?
07-16-2008 01:43 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Dr.Rivet
Heliman
Location: Seattle, WA, USA

Thanks Topher!

this looks nice and price is good too. Only thing is that 200KHz bandwidth sounds little low.

What do you think about this one? Is it a reputable company and is theis stuff reliable and accurate?

PicoScope, PS 2205 at the bottom of the page:

http://www.pc-oscilloscopes.com/42-oscilloscope.html

Bandwidth of this one is 25MHz and should it be able to handle most micro controllers?

EDIT: Also, I don't need any frequency domain analysis, just time domain and I'm not sure how or what triggers are or work. I'll research some more unless someone wants to explain it to me in a short and concise manner
07-16-2008 01:50 AM
 
 
Pence
New Heliman
Location: USA

I have a Pico 5204, 250Mhz BW, dual-channels, 1 gigabit/s sampling rate. It's also a 250Mhz spectrum analyzer, and has a built in 20Mhz signal generator. Uses your laptop or desktop as the diplay and controller.

But it's more than $500, about $3600.
07-16-2008 02:11 AM
 
 
Dr.Rivet
Heliman
Location: Seattle, WA, USA

Pence how do you like it?

Is software same for Pico family? Any problems you have noticed?

One thing thing that comes in mind is if there is any delay of output to the computer screen when you tune something and response is too slow to follow the changes in real time?

I really don't want to spend too much, it's going to be for my hobby only.
07-16-2008 02:19 AM
 
 
Dr.Rivet
Heliman
Location: Seattle, WA, USA

Pence

Signal generator sounds nice. Since I'm new to this stuff could you please tel me what kind of signals can it generate? Frequency range 0-20MHz? Sine wave only or any wave form? Can you draw a arbitrary wave form on the screen or do you have to input some function such as tailor or fourier and does it have to be continuous? what is that voltage range it can generate?

Sorry for so many question I'm just trying to understand this stuff from zero base knowledge.
07-16-2008 02:30 AM
 
 
Pence
New Heliman
Location: USA

I am well satisfied with it. A quality unit. 12-bit amplitude resolution for both the scope and the spec-an.

They have good tech support for your initial "new user" questions and the software is great.

I'm used to the "old style" scopes where the controls are on the front panel, so it takes a little time to learn the "icons" that represent the controls.

The software for my 5204 is the Picoscope 6 version, which can be downloaded for free.

Any "delay" that you may envision is only due to the transfer rate thru the USB port. It's not a problem.

I figured that combining an oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, and sig-gen into one package and using your laptop as a single display is the way to go.

Plus, it's a one-time investment.
07-16-2008 02:38 AM
 
 
Pence
New Heliman
Location: USA

Here's where I bought mine from.

http://www.pc-oscilloscopes.com/

They have all the specs and answers to most of your questions.

I think that at this time, 25Mhz BW is on the low side for today's microprocessors and they will only get faster, so I decided on the 5204 in spite of the cost and because of it's "all in one" package.
07-16-2008 02:46 AM
 
 
Dr.Rivet
Heliman
Location: Seattle, WA, USA

Good info Pence, Thanks a lot!

USB delay is exactly what I had in mind. So you say that it's not a problem? Lets say I have a very simple resonator circuit with a knob to change the frequency of a sine wave, would I see any delay on the screen?
07-16-2008 02:59 AM
 
 
Topher
Veteran
Location: Grosse Ile, Michigan

Rivet exactly what kind of stuff are you going to be doing? Are you going to be doing anything electromechanical such as motors, which its good to have 3-channels. Iv dealt with the usual PIC and AVR stuff before and never needed anything more powerful than that Parallax scope. Unless your analyzing RF stuff a 25Mhz scope is a little overkill unless your hardcore or a professional.

Check out the forums at www.sparkfun.com and www.dutchforce.com. I'm on dutchforce regularly especially in the physics section. I dont really good to sparkfun that much anymore since Iv been out of electronics since I got out of school but they got a kick ass store. I suggest the PICAXE that they carry if your getting started.

Get a life? How the hell do you fly a life?
07-16-2008 03:21 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Dr.Rivet
Heliman
Location: Seattle, WA, USA

Topher thanks for PICAXE which I've never heard of before and sounds really nice. I'll have to attend a meeting now and I'll formulate my application field later. Perhaps I'll get some useful feedback from you guys which could help shape the action plan at a greater detail.

Thank you for all the feedback!
07-16-2008 03:36 AM
 
 
1stPlace
Senior Heliman
Location: Ohio USA

You can buy mine for $20.00 + shipping

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...:MESE:IT&ih=003

Hat man dir mal ins Gehirn geschissen und vergessen umzuruhren?
07-16-2008 01:51 PM
 
 
Bad Karma
Veteran
Location: UK

If you had anything that could go over 30MHz you would be better equiped than the college I am studying E&E eng at.
07-16-2008 03:06 PM
 
 
Pistol_Pete
Elite Veteran
Location: Tampa Bay non-Buccaneer

PC o-scope is the way to go...keep in mind not all play well in all laptops...if going that route.

<><>...the lunatic is in my head...<><>
07-16-2008 07:02 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Dr.Rivet
Heliman
Location: Seattle, WA, USA

PC O-scope probably would be my choice after doing some research.

Quote 
PC o-scope is the way to go...keep in mind not all play well in all laptops...if going that route.

Pistol_Pete could you please explain what could possibly be a problem. USB standard is the same for all desktops and laptops and operating system is also the same. Could it be that specific laptop drivers have conflicts with the scope software? I'll be using a laptop with XP pro for the scope and your comment makes me think that I should check the compatibility before making a purchase. Have you had any specific compatibility issues?
07-16-2008 09:37 PM
 
 
Pence
New Heliman
Location: USA

I'm running XP Pro one a Dell XPS using Picoscope 6 software and it works just fine.

Just observe the minimum laptop specs that they list, or better yet, just call them up.
07-17-2008 01:36 AM
 
 
jfint
Senior Heliman
Location: Simi Valley, CA

I currently have a Tektronix TDS 210 sitting on my desk, I'm borrowing it, but the point is, its been great gfor a little side contract embedded programming and the can be had on ebay for $500 and under, and Tektronix is a great brand. Don't got bidding against me though. ;-)
07-17-2008 02:59 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
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Off Topics > Want to buy an oscilloscope - Please suggest which one
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