I'm looking to get my first oscilloscope. for small dc circuits. micro controller/sensor projects. Would this be ideal? Was looking at a owon SDS6062V (non hand held) but may want to start off with something cheaper. Pros, Cons?
Nice scope, but 6 times the cost of the DSO201 nano.
Now, to be sure, the nano has nowhere near the freq range, nor is it dual channel, etc.
But for your
stated uses and as a "first scope" introduction, minus the mcu clock speed issue, the nano (or similar) is a great intro scope and its uses will probably always find a spot in your test equipment array. And it is
extremely portable (fits in your shirt pocket) and is easy to use.
And, frankly, mcu clock speed is not something I, for one, have ever concerned myself with: either its correct and the system works as intended, or it not as evidenced by the system NOT working correctly. A frequency meter can confirm base mcu clock timing (although, of course, not wave shape). And, equally, most RF signals will be beyond the "scope" (couldn't help myself
) of this scope.
But again, buying an inexpensive,
pocket device like the nano as a first scope will give you experience in the basic uses of an oscilloscope and it will
not leave you with a useless piece of test gear as your needs expand. You'll always find a use for it.
And:
Sangoma said:
Some of the PC based units will do a better job at a lower price, and are portable with a laptop/netbook.
PC/Notebook/Tablet based scopes (such as the DSO 2090) require an external interface "box" and between the two required devices (PC/Box), are just as cumbersome as a desktop scope.
Just my opinion (having used scopes of many makes and models since 1966).