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Opinion about GOLDSTAR OS-5020P Oscilloscope

Discussion in 'General Electronics Chat' started by Menticol, Aug 15, 2013.

  1. Menticol

    Menticol Active Member

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    Location:
    Bogotá, Colombia
    Hello guys

    I read that an oscilloscope is a must for any serious electronics enthusiast, so I started a quest to get one.

    I found an ad of a GOLDSTAR OS-5020P, 20 Mhz, without probes. It costs $280.000 COP or 280 USD* I understand that getting an used oscilloscope on a first world country is extremely easy, but here the options aren't so extensive.

    - Do you think that it would be a good choice for a beginner?

    - What do you think about Goldstar construction quality?

    - The Ad says it's non calibrated. Is the calibration process something that the user can do, or require specialized personnel and equipment?

    vendo-osciloscopio-goldstar-20-mhz-usado-sin-sondas_MCO-F-4770605312_082013.jpg

    vendo-osciloscopio-goldstar-20-mhz-usado-sin-sondas_MCO-O-4770605485_082013.jpg

    Talking about oscilloscopes, I found this post very inspiring
    http://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/tektronix-465-repair-and-restoration/

    An this one very Uninspiring
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=J2guzKTBFdg&t=228

    Thank you!

    *(Note that 280.000 COP in reality is 147 USD, but given cost-of-living of this country and the fact that I earn my salary in colombian pesos, then the figure of 280K cop = 280 USD would be accurate.)
     
    Menticol, Aug 15, 2013
    #1
  2. audioguru

    audioguru Well-Known Member Most Helpful Member

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    I worked with Goldstar business telephone systems (made in S. Korea) in the early '80ies. The quality was the worst I have ever seen. They had terrible soldering.
    They changed their name to LG Electronics and now their quality is excellent.

    I do not know how old is the oscilloscope.
     
    audioguru, Aug 15, 2013
    #2
  3. JimB

    JimB Super Moderator Most Helpful Member

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    Yes, maybe.
    It has all the basic things for a two channel scope.

    I cannot comment, I have no experience of Goldstar.

    "Not calibrated" could have two rather different meanings:

    1 It is working correctly and is within the manufacturers specification, but it has not been "proved" correct in a certified calibration laboratory.

    2 It is working, but the calibration is way off. Either because something is worn out or failed, or the local idiot has had a play with it.

    If it is 1 then no problem. None of my equipment* is formally calibrated.

    If it is 2 then it is a problem unless it is very cheap.

    As for calibrating it yourself, for most hobby purposes the voltage ranges can be checked using a stable power supply and a known good DVM.
    To check the timebase, you need an accurate time or frequency source.

    JimB

    * Except my frequency counter.
    I have an accurate frequency source which locks to a standard frequency radio transmission.
    But this would still not be acceptable as a traceable standard in an industrial environment.
     
    JimB, Aug 15, 2013
    #3
    • Like Like x 1
  4. dave miyares

    Dave New Member

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    Dave, Feb 30, 2018
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  5. Menticol

    Menticol Active Member

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    Thank you by your advices JimB and Audioguru!

    I'll ask the seller about the calibration issue.
     
    Menticol, Aug 15, 2013
    #4
  6. dr pepper

    dr pepper Well-Known Member Most Helpful Member

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    Looks reasonable and I think it'd be good for a noob.
    In this country that is too expensive, maybe not where you live.
     
    dr pepper, Aug 16, 2013
    #5

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