Oscilloscope selection

I am looking for a good quality oscilloscope. There are way too many brands that I have never heard of. So far I am leaning towards Tektronix TBS1052. Has anyone used this model? I see a lot of scopes on the market that appear to have better features for less money. What brands should I absolutely avoid? I would like to keep this below $600.

You will NEVER go wrong with a TEK.

A very popular entry level scope is the Rigol DS1054z $400 US.

rumpfy said:

You will NEVER go wrong with a TEK.

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I can't say they have ever impressed me - last scope we bought at work (a LONG time ago) we had a Tek to try and a Grundig, the Grundig was FAR superior.

The time before that (even longer ago ) we had a Tek and a Philips - again the Philips was far superior.

I have two Tek's.... Both have served me well... The reason is that I mainly do digital electronics and so ANY DSO will point you in the right direction.... I really only need a logic analyzer.... But my old 2210 has enough storage to do most of what I need...

I only ever had scruffy scopes before that... Telequipemt D1011 was my first... £50 out of he back door of Uni... Still works beautifully ( apart from cleaning the switches with electrical cleaner every time I turn it on ) .

I can't give a real definition on DSO's but I find that it all depends on what its needed for... I bought a cheap hand held from China ( DSO0201 ).. It looks like a phone, but it does enough for what is required... That's all that matters..