Basic scope

[mecevans]

Wondering what you more tech savy members think of this as a basic automotive ociliscope.

http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/dso-nano-v2-p-681.html

Something i can test basic 5v inputs and what not. There is also this version for $200.

http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/ds...tal-storage-oscilloscope-p-736.html?cPath=174

 

[destrux]

Never heard of it, but it looks pretty good for $90. I'd buy it. I paid $250 for my scope and it was used.

 

[Nick M]

Back when I did this for a living, I used a Fluke 95 that the shop owned. I prefered it to the (then) limited ability of the Vetronix. JJ is very experienced and knowledgable about the items. PM him if he doesn't see the thread.

 

[OfnaRcR4]

Not too bad looking. I've been looking for a scope for a while now, might have to give this a try.

 

[jetjock]

I suppose it'd be OK to learn on but don't expect much. It's a toy and like all cheap test gear will be quickly outgrown as you learn the value of having such stuff, assuming it even lasts that long.

 

[mecevans]

Jetjock,

I was planning as just using it as a diagnostic tool. Something i could keep in my box and use to quickly diagnose things like crank and cam sensors. Would you use it for basic stuff and have a better one for more advanced stuff?

 

[3p141592654]

The analog electronics and the ADCs are poor on these things. You will always be wondering if the crap you are seeing is the scope or the signal. Car electrical systems are noisy, and poor test equipment will frustrate you fast. That doesn't mean you have to go buy a $2000 U1610A from Agilent, but if you did you would never want to go back to something cheap.

 

[Dan_Gyoba]

@mcevans: My personal experience with basic cheap stuff is that once you have something better, you will use the better one. The cheap one won't get used again, until you do something stupid to the good one, at which point you'll remember why you don't use the cheap one, and get rid of it.

 

[GrimJack]

PS: These:

... a $2000 U1610A from Agilent...

can be had for about half that if you troll ebay carefully.

 

[3p141592654]

Really? The U1610A just came out this month, its the 100/200 MHz version. The 20 or 40 MHz scopes may be what you are looking at, those are cheaper.

 

[jetjock]

Jetjock,

I was planning as just using it as a diagnostic tool. Something i could keep in my box and use to quickly diagnose things like crank and cam sensors. Would you use it for basic stuff and have a better one for more advanced stuff?

I was trying to be kind. That thing is a POS. Better choices on ebay. Look at Hantek, Owon, or Atten. Or Google those brands. Made abroad but will do the job.

I think the lithium powered Hanteks are kinda nifty for the price but don't own one. My current DSO is a mid-level Tektronix used for more than car work. I'm not smart enough for Agilent gear. Too many bells and whistles :icon_razz

 

[GrimJack]

Really? The U1610A just came out this month, its the 100/200 MHz version. The 20 or 40 MHz scopes may be what you are looking at, those are cheaper.

Ya, you're right... I was looking at the N1610A, not the U1610A. Dammit. The only scope I have access to weighs over 100lbs and requires 110AC plug in power. I've got more processing power in my wristwatch.

 

[mecevans]

So someone rebranded it and tweaked the software. Is it still not worth it?

http://www.aeswave.com/products/Product.asp?i=1099
http://uscope.yourdiagnostictools.com/


[video=youtube;xM1mtKWiudE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM1mtKWiudE&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/video]

[video=youtube;X33aLeLCo_s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X33aLeLCo_s&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/video]

 

[jetjock]

It's cute, I'll give you that. Neat that it'll do secondary ignition and has cursors. If nothing else that demo shows why copper and single electrode precious metal plugs shouldn't be used on DIS. It's still a one channel toy though.