Oscilloscope

Lord Vader

I have started to get more serous about robotics and have been looking at getting an oscilloscope.
Should I get one or is it not needed for robotics, I've just read that its a useful tool to have.
I was looking at buying one off ebay because I don't really have to much money.
Is that a good idea or should I avoid ebay for oscilloscopes.
Any help would be great.

Joshua Terrasas

Franklin

I think you should wait until you have a need for a scope before going out and spending the money. Who knows what advances will be made between now and when you really need that scope. There are several "scopes" that use the PC as a display.

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- Stephen

John R.

Joshua;

I would concur with the "wait until you need it". Besides advances and new products coming out, you don't yet know what you want/need in terms of features, speed, etc. Depending on what you need in terms of speed, number of channels, logic analyzer, digital storage/analog, etc., you options will be very different.

Once you find a "need", you'll have a much clearer picture of what you want.

As a general answer to "do I/will I need one", it depends on what area of robotics you are going to persue, and what level you plan on building at. If you plan on doing a lot of mechanical building, and using prebuilt motor "controller boards", you probably would find an oscilloscope collecting dust. On the other hand, if you plan on doing a lot of different types of communications, sensors, building your own motor controllers from descrete components and "hacking" other microcontroller devices, you would probably find a 'scope very handy.

If you're just getting started, I'd suggest you spend your money on other hardware, like servos, motors, controller boards, etc.

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John R.

8 + 8 = 10

Lord Vader

Thanks for the help. I do plan do lots of communication stuff and other things but for now I'll just stick with the basics.

Thanks again for the help,
Joshua Terrasas