Oscilloscope for a noob...

[UTMonkey]

I don't want to set too many hares loose on this one (apologies in advance).

I think it quite likely that sooner or later I would want to see the "shape" of signals on my circuits so will need to purchase an oscilloscope.

Here are my requirements
1. I will need to to analyse small analogue and digital circuits (i wont be stuffing the probes in my telly).
2. Small, my wife is already complaining about the mess I leave about the place.
3. Cheap. lets face I am a noob. I could drop this hobby next month once I hit a brick wall so I wouldnt want to throw too much money at it.
4. a decent amount of functionality, I dont want to buy it and then realise on my second project the scope won't cope.


Am I asking too much?

What do you think of these on the maplins site?

**broken link removed** @ £79.99

and

**broken link removed** @ a whopping £199

Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

The first one is more of a toy than anything else, the second one isn't too bad - however, neither are really a replacement for a real scope - useful additions, but you really need a proper scope first.

 

[UTMonkey]

The second one is 200 quid, could i get a "real" scope for that?

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

The second one is 200 quid, could i get a "real" scope for that?

Probably not a new one, but plenty of second hand ones would be less than that.

 

[UTMonkey]

You have'nt mentioned these PC ones, I take it you havent because you dont rate them?

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

You have'nt mentioned these PC ones, I take it you havent because you dont rate them?

Again, useful to complement a real scope, but not a replacement for one.

 

[UTMonkey]

I am looking on the web now, they are way too expensive. even the used ones.

do you have links i could follow?

Thanks

 

[UTMonkey]

Just done a search on ebay, it has pulled up quite a few......

 

[UTMonkey]

Sorry to pester, What do you think of this one Nigel?

**broken link removed**

 

[JimB]

Better still have a look here at this one:

https://www.surplus-electronics.co.uk/index.php5?page=9&t_category=47&t_product=155&userid=1182151120541_549

A Rolls Royce for Skoda money!

JimB

 

[BeeBop]

I'd take the Rolls which JimB pointed to. Very nice machine, good to learn all about scopes on, and should last a lifetime.
The ebay one you pointed to, UTMonkey, is a clone, or copy of a Tek digital. Even the real Teks (digital) do not work as well as their analog scopes do, in my humble opinion

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I've been to the pub for lunch!, and to the supermarket - back now

I would agree with the others, if you want a digital storage scope, then the one listed may well be fine - but it all depends how much it goes for in an auction, and if there is a reserve on it. The one JimB listed is a 'real' scope, and would probably be far better for you, plus it's even higher spec.

 

[UTMonkey]

Thanks all.

Just seen the one from JimB, blimey do I need to reinforce my table to accomodate this one!

Thing is, one of the requirements was that it had to be small. ah well, better tell the wife to expect a new arrival.

Cheers

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

It's really a question of finding a scope at a reasonable price, I've got two, a Goodwill 20MHz double beam, and an Hitachi 30MHz double beam - I paid £40 or £50 each for them - but it took me probably 30 years to come across them!.

 

[UTMonkey]

What did you use before that??

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

What did you use before that??

I used to have a Telequipment 10Mhz double beam, I got it free as it was ex-BR and 110V only (I fitted an auto-transformer inside it) - dont have it any more, I gave it to a friend in Cardiff.

 

[Ambient]

I have been using a Madell mini scope. It works pretty good and is cheap new. But it is not as high quality as some of the used ones on ebay. The first one I got had a problem with the tube, and they sent me a replacement and covered the shipping of the defective scope. Great customer service.

They make several versions, but I got the mini 1-channel version because it was fairly cheap and very portable, which I needed.