Buying an Oscilloscope

[masosi]

Hey everyone,

I'm finally going to buy myself a PC based oscilloscope and wanted peoples' opinions before I spend a few hundred dollars on something that may not perform. I will be using it for PIC's running at 4-20MHz, serial coms from pic to pc, logic, pwm etc. as well as learning a bit more about power supplies and noise in circuits.

I think i've narrowed it down to two:
DSO-2090 USB - AU$349.95
http://www.darkwire.com.au/html/dso-2090_usb.html
Max. sample rate Realtime sampling: 100MS/s
Bandwidth 40MHz(-3dB), Single shot bandwidth:40MHz

- or -

DSO-2150 USB - AU$419.95
http://www.darkwire.com.au/html/dso-2150_usb.html
Max. sample rate Realtime sampling: 150MS/s
Bandwidth 60MHz(-3dB), Single shot bandwidth: 60MHz


2 questions -
- Will these suit what I want, or has someone found something better out there?
- If so, is it worth the $70 difference for an extra 20MHz?

Thank you all.
Tom.

[Jerson]

Have you looked at the velleman range? I currently have a product using the PCSU1000 from them. http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/pr...iew/?id=522377

[masosi]

PCSU1000. http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/pr...iew/?id=522377

Thanks Jerson.

Can someone briefly explain what the spectrum analysis part is for please? Is this really useful for hobby electronics?

[falingtrea]

Here are some o'scopes with built in display and USB for scope capture.

http://www.saelig.com/miva/merchant...._Code=PSBEB100

When I get enough cash together, I am seriously looking at one of these units.

[masosi]

Thanks, more options!

[boroko]

I have a Tek bench scope that does wonderful things as far as seeing very small details of anything that I have had the need to see, but it can't decode data streams. Ebay purchase, needs a tune-up.

I have a Velleman HPS40 hand held and it is nice for portable work. Single channel makes it a bit limited, and it does like to feed on batteries if you don't have external power, but I DO like it. Again. this is for signal viewing, not data stream decoding.

I had some advise from a well known magazine author and he loves his Clever Scope. At the time, I couldn't afford it, but wanted the ability to decode data streams, I tried a Saleae Logic pod for the data work and I love it @ $149. The 5 vdc input makes it limited for signal level problems, but since I already have a analog scope to see the electrical signals, the USB pod does a lot of work for me.

Hope that helps
Bo

[-Dan-]

Are there any downsides to a pc based oscilloscope as opossed to a benchtop oscilloscope?

[fowardbias]

I have been looking at the Bit Scope products. The price is a bit high and doesn't reflect the changing Euro. I am unsure about the quality of the Asian brands, although the specifications look good. Good luck.

[Byte_Butcher]

Are there any downsides to a pc based oscilloscope as opossed to a benchtop oscilloscope?

Yes. I borrowed one from a friend last year and didn't like it...
The scope was fine, (don't remember what brand), but I HATED having my PC tied up to use the scope.

Usually when I NEED a scope, my PC is busy. I've got a window open with schematics, a window open with board layout, one or more windows open with data sheets, and maybe MicroCode studio open as well. The LAST thing I want is something else competing for screen space on my monitor.
Maybe if I had a dedicated PC or dual monitors on my PC it would be fine, but with my computer and work habits I *much* prefer a stand alone scope.

There's also the issue of portability. With a laptop I guess it's no big deal, but with a desktop computer it doesn't make for a very portable scope.

Just my opinion and personal preference. Yours may be different...