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cheap scopemeters — Parallax Forums

cheap scopemeters

ShadowDragonShadowDragon Posts: 51
edited 2006-06-19 23:16 in General Discussion
Hi, Does anybody know where to get a nice (possibly cheap) scopemeter? i was hoping to get mabye one made by Fluke, but they are a little pricy. Thanks

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I watch how the moon sits in the sky on a dark night,
shining with the light from the sun,
The sun doesn't give light to the moon,
Assuming the moons gonna owe it one,

Comments

  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2005-12-08 00:30
    What's your range of "cheap"?

    Ever seen a Vellemann?· They're less than $200, New.· http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/HPS10

    FLUKE makes a good instrument, people don't give them up --·so you're not likely to find one for "lots" less as Used.
  • ShadowDragonShadowDragon Posts: 51
    edited 2005-12-08 00:32
    Ya, i know they're good, but the price tag even for used models is a bit pricy.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    I watch how the moon sits in the sky on a dark night,
    shining with the light from the sun,
    The sun doesn't give light to the moon,
    Assuming the moons gonna owe it one,
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2005-12-08 00:39
    Well, I'm looking at the mcminone.com catalog I just got and they have a TENMA 5-MHz Digi-Scope for $150 (order # 72-6920.)

    And they have the FLUKE 190 Scopemeter (order # 105-462) for $1669.00· That's not "pricey", that's Expensive.

    I'll probably get jumped on all over for saying this, but, as far as I'm concerned Scopemeters are much over-rated.· I don't like the LCD, the so-called resolution leaves much to be desired.· I lug out a real 'scope when I need one and leave the Scopemeter (a.k.a. ol' dead weight) in the drawer in the shop.




    Post Edited (PJ Allen) : 12/8/2005 12:47:59 AM GMT
  • ShadowDragonShadowDragon Posts: 51
    edited 2005-12-08 01:01
    do you know how the vellemann's are? Because this will be my wirst oscilloscope, and would like to get a decent one, nothing too fancy, and around under $500. thanks

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    I watch how the moon sits in the sky on a dark night,
    shining with the light from the sun,
    The sun doesn't give light to the moon,
    Assuming the moons gonna owe it one,
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2005-12-08 01:16
    No, I know nothing of them (Vellemann).

    I·would buy a real oscilloscope, especially if it would be my first.· You could get a nice 2-channel unit and two probes.· I've seen some scopemeters on ebay for $600 and I figured they're dodgy at best.

    The Scopemeters are a real PAIN to work and work with.· They're not my 1st Choice.




    Post Edited (PJ Allen) : 12/8/2005 1:20:28 AM GMT
  • ForrestForrest Posts: 1,341
    edited 2005-12-08 03:25
    >>Well, I'm looking at the mcminone.com catalog I just got and they have a TENMA 5-MHz Digi-Scope for $150 (order # 72-6920.)<<

    $150? The price I see for 72-6920 is $457.98

    This meter looks a LOT like the Extech 381285 which you can buy here metersuperstore.com for $366.31
  • ShadowDragonShadowDragon Posts: 51
    edited 2005-12-08 03:54
    is that a good meter?

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    I watch how the moon sits in the sky on a dark night,
    shining with the light from the sun,
    The sun doesn't give light to the moon,
    Assuming the moons gonna owe it one,
  • ForrestForrest Posts: 1,341
    edited 2005-12-08 04:14
    Extech is a well known brand and we use a few of their meters around the shop. I haven't used this particular model and seriously considered buying one for myself
    (hobby) but just can't justify more than $300 for a 5 MHz scope. The resolution of the LCD hand held scopes doesn't impress me, and I'm afraid 5 MHz just won't be fast enough for some of the things I'd like to use a scope for. Instead, I'm getting a $40 Digital Multimeter with an RS-232 interface here elexp.com/tst_s345.htm and $24 for a 50 MHz Logic Probe/Pulser here www.elexp.com/tst_625.htm
  • kjennejohnkjennejohn Posts: 171
    edited 2005-12-08 05:01
    Check this out:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7570340757&indexURL=4#ebayphotohosting

    I searched in Ebay using "portable oscilloscope and found several interesting items, most under $200.

    Happy holidays!
    kenjj
  • RickBRickB Posts: 395
    edited 2005-12-08 06:40
    DON'T get a scopemeter for your first scope, especially for general purpose use. I have a fluke at work and only use it when neccessary. Get one only when you absolutely must have a battery scope for those situations without ac power. You can get a decent Tek scope for less than $200 on ebay. Look a past auctions, and watch current sales for a month or so. Pay attention to the sellers ratings. It IS possible to get a good deal without getting burned.

    Rick
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2005-12-08 13:06
    Regarding the TENMA 5-MHz scopemeter at mcminone.com -- the price of $150 is from the Holiday Clearance catalog, it may not be so on the website.· Interested persons should call catalog sales, I'm sure they'll verify (800 543-4330.)

    [noparse][[/noparse] N.B. -- I'm NOT promoting it.· Somebody asked about "cheap" and thus & sundry, and I provided information, with this item they'll get what they pay for.· I have called mcminone and the price I mentioned is good till 12/30/05. ]

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    When you get 1st Place in the "Darwin Awards", you're a Winner & a Loser.
  • ChrisPChrisP Posts: 136
    edited 2005-12-09 04:16
    My vote is for a good old fashioned analog scope, we have a fluke scopemeter at the shop and I only use it when I have to or to trap single events. Happily sticking with my $50 Mendlesons surplus 50Mhz scope. Its far nicer·to use for me, and for those that have never been there, Mendlesons is a magical place. Its good to live in Ohio [noparse]:)[/noparse]
  • Steve RennellsSteve Rennells Posts: 40
    edited 2005-12-09 16:00
    We have a Fluke scopemeter at work, as well as an old analog scope. I much prefer the old analog. Much easier to work with, and since we are in a production environment, we can't afford a lot of downtime on the machines . . . old faithful always gets the job done.
  • metron9metron9 Posts: 1,100
    edited 2005-12-13 05:44
    This one looks pretty nice, it runs through the PC and 50mHZ, and storage too. I am thinking of buying this.

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    Think outside the BOX!
  • John R.John R. Posts: 1,376
    edited 2005-12-13 12:45
    Metron:

    Which one? I couldn't find any link in you message.

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    John R.

    8 + 8 = 10
  • metron9metron9 Posts: 1,100
    edited 2005-12-13 19:39
    Sometimes I just press the submit button too fast. Here is the link Its the home page from one of the links above.


    http://elexp.com/tst-oscl.htm

    Go to scopes and down to this link "Digital Storage Scope For PC - Model PCS 500"

    I tried to put the direct link but it goes to another website

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Think outside the BOX!

    Post Edited (metron9) : 12/13/2005 7:42:56 PM GMT
  • kjennejohnkjennejohn Posts: 171
    edited 2005-12-14 05:23
    It 'suggests' that it will work with 2000 and NT, but says nothing about XP. The storage space is dismally small (4096 bytes per channel). And the "probes" are a pair of dual-alligator clip leads (Eeeew!). However, after sweeping the web looking at sundry "cheap" o-scopes, I could ALMOST recommend it for the price , $350, if it weren't for the small storage and those PROBES... Plan on spending another $50 to $60 for decent 3rd part 60MHz probes. It does have superior bandwidth at 50MHz, compared to the Pico's miserable 2 MHz.

    I wouldn't consider them, but $350 seems to be the ground floor for low end PC DSOs, and a 'scope is a shop necessity. I saw a 2-channel 100MHz Fluke Combiscope PM3380 on Ebay for under $400 recently, and is probably still up, as it was a 7 day listing. This does both analog and digital storage work, making it a wonder to work with. I used this at one of my jobs, and I can highly recommend it.

    For what it's worth.
    Happy holidays!
    kenjj
  • John R.John R. Posts: 1,376
    edited 2005-12-14 10:56
    If you're looking at other alternatives, you might want to check out the following:

    Another thread on PC based o'scopes: http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=15&m=98683

    The following web sites:

    http://www.x-scopes.com/ - Bit Scopes - low cost, pc based, DSO and logic analyzers

    http://www.pc-oscilloscopes.com/ - Pico Scopes - medium priced pc based o'scopes

    http://www.dynoninstruments.com/ - Low cost PC based o'scope, DSO, power supply and AWG (wave form generator)


    I have no meaningful input on any of the above, other that in searching, I have narrowed my own choice down to one of the above.

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    John R.

    8 + 8 = 10
  • Michael ChadwickMichael Chadwick Posts: 80
    edited 2005-12-14 17:13
    Slightly more than your price range, but this is a very good scope.

    http://www.link-instruments.com/

    I've used one with my laptop in the field and on the bench for·over 4 years now, it has been very reliable.· 32k storage on each channel, 100 million samples a second max, 60 MHz bandwidth.· Comes with 2 probes and power supply. Plugs into a parallel port or they have a USB to parallel port adapter.

    Mike C. (Also in Ohio, I work 2 blocks from Mendelson's, what a·great resource!·)
  • metron9metron9 Posts: 1,100
    edited 2006-06-19 13:01
    Thanks for the link Mike, My old free Protek video tube is almost gone, pretty useless now.
    I just searched back on this link when I decided to buy a new scope.
    I just ordered the Link-Instruments DS-2102M

    Now there may be some questions posted from me on using it in I would say a week so if I have any trouble.
    I cant wait to measure the 470PF cap on the project I am working on that the ADC uses to measure the voltage
    I am not sure how the cap discharges but the design works, I just want a picture of the voltage curve.
    This is like getting an electron microscope for me, I am very excited to start useing it.

    I Have 2 screens on my main computer so I hope to put the scope screen on one of them.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Think outside the BOX!
  • tperkinstperkins Posts: 98
    edited 2006-06-19 14:34
    The best $50 bucks I spent was on an old analog scope that still works just fine.

    The best $200 I spent was on this thing:

    http://www.oricomtech.com/ptb400.htm

    It doesn't do anything great, but it does a little of everything.

    Yours, Tom Perkins
  • bennettdanbennettdan Posts: 614
    edited 2006-06-19 23:16
    Jameco has a few 20mhz scopes for around 400$
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