Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

I am looking to buy a oscilloscope -- either PC/USB type or maybe a handheld.
I found a handheld that looks adequate (Velleman HPS40).
Also a few USB types that seem useful but won't break the bank.
Some of them have logic analyzer functionality -- don't need that.
Basically, 2 channels, large-ish buffer, fast enough for the typical robot troubleshooting - whatever that is.
Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

I use a 1/8th inch audio cable that I plug in to my computer with this

total cost $5 for the cable

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

I've used bitscope quite a bit and it works quite well.

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

I guess I'm old fashioned...I have a $20 swap meet Tek scope that's about 25 years old, which replaced my $40 swap meet Tek scope that's about 50 years old.

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

You have to give us a price range. Hamfests are ideal places to pick up inexpensive scopes. My daddy told me not to buy cheap tools, they will fail you when you need them the most.

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

The 1st thing you have do so when shopping for test equipment is to adequately specify its performance. Measuring things really small, really big, or for a long time / lot of samples run up the price.

So to bring it home you could probably use something with a bandwidth of less than 5 or so MHz to do basic robot debugging.

If you can look around and find something like a Hitachi V-212 scope (about 25 or 30 years old) it is a great beginners scope with straightforward controls and just a great place to start to learn how scopes work without getting bogged down in a thousand features, plus it has a nice bandwidth.

An alternative is one of the new handheld devices.

Personally I still like the green glow.

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

One of my favorite truisms -- a poor man can't afford cheap stuff.
I'm willing to spend anywhere from $200 to $500, including probes and whatever.
Ease of use is important to me -- if I have to guess how to do something, I'll always guess wrong.
And I really don't want a bulky, heavy thing with a green screen on it.
That's why I like the idea of a USB unit that my laptop can connect to.

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

I like it.
Slightly beyond the cost I had in mind.
The LA features *could maybe* come in handy.

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

I'm guessing this would tax my creativity if not my wallet.
I'm just not that resourceful when it comes to 'making do'.
Thanks though.

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

Perhaps you could find a deal on eBay.

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

Maybe an NI solution?

NI USB-6008

FIRST teams should qualify for academic discounts.

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

Check out the "Singray" here: http://www.usb-instruments.com/oscillo_stingray.html

It is a basic, inexpensive USB O-Scope. I like it because I can carry it around in my laptop case and do basic debug.

They also have a higher end version called Swordfish.

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

I have been thinking about a scope too. I have and have used many in my life, but as someone pointed out, the nice green glowing ones aren't too portable.
I really like the bit scopes and will probably get one based on what I've read on the web.
If you want a stand alone unit, this is one I was thinking of getting for my son. http://www.tequipment.net/OWONEDU5022.html

Good luck,

Mike

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

A 30-year-old Tektronix analog scope with dual trace and delayed trigger - like a '465B - can easily be had in your price range, and is far superior to any digital thing you can get in that price range.

But, try the $5 cable first, see if it doesn't meet your needs.

Don

Re: Good, yet inexpensive O-scope?
 

This is what my $20 scope looks like. It's surprisingly light weight.



Of course the brother of the guy who made the scope clock famous will go for the green glow every time...