what oscilloscope is everybody using

dragonbat76

I want to get a scope for analog work. It will be for all audio. I know I don't need a bandwidth over 20mhz but I really want a Tektronics 465B... However they are entirely overpriced these days.

So whats a good scope for use with modular synth building and also guitar tube amp troubleshooting and building?

really don't want to spend over 500 for it.

Also what probes do I need?

I am planning on building a modular because I have always wanted one and in interacts with my electronics hobby and my music/guitar hobby.

Thanks

wmonk · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 4:59 am Post subject:

I use an old Philips PM3226 scope. 15MHz max.
I do recommend a dual trace scope, it helps a lot when debugging and is fun in XY mode. An old analog scope is good enough for modular building, digital one might be handy with slow signals and debugging digital circuits.
Probes... I use the 10x probes as those have a larger impedance. Get good quality probes, thats more worth it then spending on an expensive scope.

elmegil · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 9:27 am Post subject:

Part of your constraints are going to be space, as well as cost. If you have the space, my recommendation would be to go with one of the myriad old scopes you can find for reasonable prices on ebay. I don't have a specific recommendation there because I couldn't go that way.

I don't have the space. Next constraint was budget. If I had a big budget i would have gotten one of these: http://bitscope.com/ ... they do require you to hook them up to a computer for use.

But I don't have a big budget. So I got one of these: http://www.seeedstudio.com/wiki/DSO_Quad

The one I got was on EBay and is a different color, so I expect (in retrospect) that it's a clone/fake. However, it works as advertised. I have two complaints about it, neither of which is terribly major.

First, there is a capacitance issue on the inputs, so while the original was spec'd at being able to go up to 72MHz, really, it's limited to audio ranges. That doesn't sound like it would be a problem for you, and mostly it hasn't been a problem for me (I have done some recent work troubleshooting an old Roland S-10 where I got aliasing issues looking at clocks, but that's not my primary use case).

Second, it fills the entire buffer at whatever resolution you've chosen, before it goes again. This is a minor problem when doing one-shot triggered samples with large time scales (e.g. 500ms or 1s per division) because you have to wait a long while for it to complete, even if you've got the detail you wanted in the first screen. Save settings, power cycle, and it's done. There might be a way within the tool to set it up differently as well, I have not tried especially hard to find a different solution.

Good luck....

DES · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:29 am Post subject:

I have an old Beckman and a slightly newr HP. 1740 I think. However, a quick look on Ebay came across Tektronix 2215 scopes for $200 or less. Here's a link to one auction.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tektronix-2215-Oscilloscope-60-Mhz-PROBE-/120950373072?pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item1c29343ad0#ht_500wt_922

Years ago I worked with a test equipment company and these were just coming out. 60mhz bandwidth should be good for what you're doing. And the price now at under $200 is really good. If I was in the market for a scope I wouldn't hesitate on one of these. Tek has more sophisticated versions to be sure...2245 for example. But they will cost more, especially if you need to get something fixed like an alpha display chip, etc (the chips used to go out on these and were pretty pricey back then. They were used to display text info on the scope display)

There are some newer computer based systems as well that you might like. Another option is the Fluke Scopemeters. I have a model 97. 50mhz bandwidth, multimeter built in and can measure frequency too. They typically are more expensive then a straight scope for obvious reasons. The 97 was one of the first in its series, they've had quite a few models since then. Here's a link to a nice package:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUKE-97-SCOPEMETER-W-CASE-PROBES-LEADS-50-MHz-Read-Description-/120950989166?pt=BI_Oscilloscopes&hash=item1c293da16e

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 2:40 pm Post subject:

I'd say that for modular synth work, almost any scope would do fine.
You really just need something that will give you a good idea of the shape of the wave.
I was lucky enough to be given an old Hitachi dual trace, which is a beautiful piece of antique tech, let alone a very functional scope.
It's bandwidth? I don't even remember. For audio frequency work, it just needs to be above 20khz doesn't it? I don't think you'll find one that low! Laughing

Keep in mind, that I'm not really in a position to buy a new anything. So I probably have way lower expectations when it comes to this kind of stuff.

elmegil · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 5:15 pm Post subject:

Due to nyquist you'd want it to be 40Khz. Smile

DrJustice · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:09 pm Post subject:

bubzy · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:10 pm Post subject:

In answer to your question in the topic i have a 465b.

some people are using these
http://www.antratek.com/DSO-Nano.html

apparently they work well and are open source so likely to be updated regularly.

edit. as already posted by elmegil

Inventor · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 1:03 am Post subject:

Believe it or not i get by doing without any scope at all. I picture the waveforms and listen to them and it helps me get by. When I need to view a waveform, I run it into Audacity and look at it there. I know that's not a reasonable alternative for most folks but it works for me. I do plan to get one of those super small breadboard oscilloscopes for my new business though because I need to ensure quality control for customers.

Les

JingleJoe · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 5:40 am Post subject:

In the related auctions to the one posted above I saw this scope:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tektronix-2215-Oscilloscope-2-Channel-60MHz-/140501405355?_trksid=p4340.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D902603477886744603%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D1%26
that is the worst condition scope I have ever seen Shocked

don't buy that one.

I got one of those tektronix ones for £75, I think it's the 2205, works very well :)previously I was just using some old random scope and a bunch of different valve scopes which were all over 50 years old and cost £15 or less.

I can't believe you don't use a scope Les Laughing

You are like some kind of electronics Jedi, sensing the electro-motive force with your mind Laughing

DES · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 8:35 am Post subject:

Oh my, that scope is in really rough shape, lol. Would be interesting to learn what lead to its current condition..

Pailo · Joined: Jul 29, 2012 Posts: 2 Location: ATX

soltec 530

works great got it for 50$.
go find an old school who is throwing them out.

Inventor · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 3:38 pm Post subject:

dragonbat76 · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 7:46 pm Post subject:

I scored a tek 2215 for 70 dollars shipped. looked in good shape and the seller lit up both channels with a signal. waiting for it to arrive along with my klee boards

BananaPlug · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 8:37 am Post subject:

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

and a TEK 2235 from e-Bay (with a broken B timebase).

The Real MC · Joined: Jun 20, 2008 Posts: 62 Location: Painted Post NY

Beware of buying scopes on ebay, most of them have a malfunction or two. The older analog scopes have many components that are no longer available. Even if you're lucky to get a repairable one, the repair bill won't be cheap.

Do not under any circumstances purchase a used scope that uses vacuum tubes. These are a repair nightmare and they use a special solder.

If you want a used 100% working scope then find a reseller that sells reconditioned scopes. You get what you pay for.

Another good source for scopes are hamfests.

JingleJoe · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:25 pm Post subject:

Inventor · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 7:09 pm Post subject:

I like your thrift, JingleJoe! DIY is as much about scrounging and dumpster diving as it is about high end fancy stuff, every one of us operates at a different budget level. Personally, I love the low end myself.

Les

tubeampguy · Joined: Oct 29, 2009 Posts: 12 Location: Long Beach, Ca

EATyourGuitar · Joined: Oct 28, 2010 Posts: 59 Location: Providence, RI

I'm saving up for a rigol ds1052e. $350 new on ebay. I started working on waveshapers and rectifiers without a scope and its a very slow process with sending steady DC voltages and taking measurements.

cbm · Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 381 Location: San Francisco

EATyourGuitar · Joined: Oct 28, 2010 Posts: 59 Location: Providence, RI

elektromeister · Joined: Feb 18, 2013 Posts: 32 Location: Freiburg

In my business projects (Electronics and PLCs for chemical and physical plants) our engineers use Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscopes mostly. They are sitting in Munich and are know for one of the world's most important experts for measurements. They purchased the former HAMEG some time ago, so you can get cheap Hameg Equipment with R&S Knowledge know.

I personally recommend the DSO 2024 or one of it's brothers. They are worth every cent.

EATyourGuitar · Joined: Oct 28, 2010 Posts: 59 Location: Providence, RI

I recently found these 25mhz Owon scopes that should be fine for audio rates. I talked to someone that owns one and they say the tft screen is better and bigger than the rigol. so now I'm thinking of getting this.

Rigo · Joined: Mar 12, 2013 Posts: 6 Location: Belgium