What To Look For In A Oscilloscope???

[WLS]

The boss (wife) said it was ok to buy a scope.

So, I was wondering what would be the bases of a good first scope to purchase.

What hz should I be looking for?

Any features needed to be incorporated?

A good place to purchase one?

I've been looking on ebay, but I would like one that works.

I've seen software that is through your USB and converts your computer, but scares me!

Anything you feel a person should know about purchasing their first scope will be of great help to me and to others looking through our archives later.

Thank You!

[Cliff Schecht]

To be honest, I can't name too many commercial oscopes that won't work for audio use. I personally don't care for any of the USB oscopes but that may be an option for you.

I prefer the old Tektronix scopes, they're built like tanks and fine watches all in the same enclosure. $100 should find you a working one on ebay.

[brett]

Hi
+1 for an old Tekronix.  However, be prepared for something to fail (e.g. the power supply).  But since you'll get one for $50, it probably doesn't matter that you'll need 2 or 3 over the next 20 years.

RE: What hz should I be looking for?

A 10 MHz machine will be fine.  Basically, you won't find a machine that is slower than that.

Any features needed to be incorporated?

Dual trace is very handy.  It lets you monitor the phase of one signal versus another, observe the effects of switching, etc.

First, I had a very old Tektronix, bought for AUD$30 (US$20).  It lasted 3 years.  Then I bought a new Digitech (Chinese, 20MHz dual trace) for the equivalent of US$150.  It is excellent.
cheers

[WLS]

How would this one be?

http://www.allspectrum.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=28

Good enough to set up a flanger?

[anchovie]

I'd say go for a benchtop scope rather than that:

- You'll have both hands free for probing circuits.
- A bright-coloured trace on a black background is much easier to read in my opinion.

[WLS]

Yea your right!

The screen would also be easier to read.

I just bidded on a used Bk 2125A Oscilloscope, which includes two probes and power cord.  This unit is missing some of the knobs. But I can easily replace those.

It's analog and has 2 channels and runs a 20 MHz.

Check It Out!




If I get it at my bid range I should have 120.00 to 140.00 tied up in it. Don't want to go to much further...

[Tantalum7]

I just used one of the small DMM sized digital scopes to calibrate a flanger (or at least to try to--it wasn't the scope's fault that I never quite got it).  After figuring out the best settings for the scope, it functioned just fine, but I couldn't help thinking how much nicer the analogue traces on a nice benchtop Tektronics scope are.  In short, the little digital ones get the job done, but if you have a chance to get an older analogue scope on the cheap, it's worth having around--and you stand a chance of repairing it yourself if something fails on you.  I think you'd probably have to buy a new digital scope if it failed outside of the warranty period (but don't quote me on that).

[brett]

Hi
I had one of those Velleman scopes for a while.  The maths functions are handy (e.g. RMS voltage calculation), but the trace can be hard to see in poor light or if the screen is at an angle.

This is the one I use now. 
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=QC1922&keywords=oscilliscope&form=KEYWORD

AUD=$400 is about US$275.  They were on sale a couple of years ago for about US$150, so I snapped one up.
cheers

[WLS]

I just used one of the small DMM sized digital scopes to calibrate a flanger (or at least to try to--it wasn't the scope's fault that I never quite got it).  After figuring out the best settings for the scope, it functioned just fine, but I couldn't help thinking how much nicer the analogue traces on a nice benchtop Tektronics scope are.  In short, the little digital ones get the job done, but if you have a chance to get an older analogue scope on the cheap, it's worth having around--and you stand a chance of repairing it yourself if something fails on you.  I think you'd probably have to buy a new digital scope if it failed outside of the warranty period (but don't quote me on that).

My eyes aren't what they use to be and I am probably better off sticking with the bench top models.

But I did like the price of the one I looked at and since it was new and would last me for years or as long as I can see the display. 

Hi
I had one of those Velleman scopes for a while.  The maths functions are handy (e.g. RMS voltage calculation), but the trace can be hard to see in poor light or if the screen is at an angle.

This is the one I use now. 
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=QC1922&keywords=oscilliscope&form=KEYWORD

AUD=$400 is about US$275.  They were on sale a couple of years ago for about US$150, so I snapped one up.
cheers

Nice scope, a little to pricey for me.

I 'm still trying to sleep with the wife, eventhough Max my dog could use the company! 

I was looking at some Tektronix scopes on eBay. But no one could tell me if they worked or no one was giving up the tips. Most of them are likely from a salvage buyout and being brokered I guess. So I finally found one that I placed a bid on. It's the Bk 2125A that is pictured above. They said it was theirs and it works, at least they say it does.

But it comes with the power cord and tips to start with. By the picture it looks like it has two channels and not too rough looking but can't really tell to much else from the pic besides it's missing a few knobs and that's an easy fix!