Guys please help me with. ADS1102C 100 MHz 2 Channel Digital Oscilloscope

Comments

• pjv Posts: 1,903

  2010-06-09 18:13 edited 2010-06-09 18:13

  Mike;
  
  This is not really answering your question, but I suggest that since you already have a reasonable analog scope, that you jump into a Mixed Signal Scope. New entry prices are a little more than your $500, but perhaps there is an ebay deal out there.
  
  Believe me, for micro development there is nothing as nice as seeing 16 digital channels plus two (or four) analogs all at the same time! I would trade bandwidth for more channels any day!
  
  Cheers,
  
  Peter (pjv)
• mikediv Posts: 825

  2010-06-09 19:35 edited 2010-06-09 19:35

  pjv thank you that is exactly the information I am looking for ,, could you please recommend a model number?? I once saw something here someone posted (I can not find it now)
  
  but it was for a color DSO but it also had a built in logic analyzer and a bunch of other features I would have like to have but at the time could nto afford so now thats what I would liek to find a nice mutli device if you will that I could easily transprot
• pjv Posts: 1,903

  2010-06-09 21:02 edited 2010-06-09 21:02

  Mike;
  
  It would not make sense for me to recommend a model as my experience is with some very high end Tektronix stuff. But poking at the web there were hits at OWON below $1K and Rigol at just above.
  
  I don't know these manufacturers directly, but the products LOOK real, and lots of good features at what seems a very good price. And those are prices for new equipment. There must be some used around as well.
  
  Cheers
  
  Peter (pjv)
• Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514

  2010-06-09 21:18 edited 2010-06-09 21:18

  I'd be more inclined to get a good used HP/Agilent mixed signal scope than a new one from an unknown manufacturer. I bought an expensive four-channel color Tek DSO several years ago to replace an older analog scope. It's been a useful tool, but I've had a bit of buyer's remorse ever since. The HP/Agilent units would have been more useful, I think. And, BTW, color in a scope is over-rated. If you get a DSO, one very important thing to look for is instantaneous sampling rate (should be in the GHz range) and memory depth (think mega-samples, not kilo-samples). My Tek scope has a 10K memory depth, and that doesn't even begin to cut it.
  
  -Phil
• mikediv Posts: 825

  2010-06-09 22:41 edited 2010-06-09 22:41

  Thanks guys Phil the reason for color I turned 50 and its getting really hard for me to see, well to distinguish stuff on a mono chrome screen I have a small hand held scope I think its a HS-10 its really nice I didnt spring for the backlight its just mono and its really hard for me to see the screen I saw a few color scopes and the display is very crisp and bright .. To be honest my old Tek 2445 serves most of my needs "hobby" but I got a decent bonus at work and I usally just spend it on my kids so dad figured he would splurge and get a color scope( oh I should mention my oldest daughter is 30) ·I can not remeber who posted maybe Holly and I think it was a Rigol but it had a logic anaylzer and some other features I could use I just thought it would be a nice thing to have
  but of course like I said I wanted to get the most features for my money I would very much like to be able to measure frequency the Tektronic is to old for that feature and the prop scope is not very relaible for me.
  
  Its nice to be able to come here and get differant opinions of what you guys are using.
  
  ·
• Tracy Allen Posts: 6,667

  2010-06-09 23:34 edited 2010-06-09 23:34

  I agree with Phil about the deep sample depth. That allows you collect a long stream of data and scroll through it sample by sample. The sample depth of the ADS1102C is a measly 4kbyes. Per channel, I hope. They also advertise the ADS1102CM, which has a sample depth of 2 Mbytes. Well worth a few extra bucks. Read the manual though. Specifications can be deceptive. Try to find the manual for any instrument you want to buy and look through to see if it is written well enough help you along. It is a big investment of time to learn how to use a 'scope effectively. Anyone who confronted an unfamiliar DSO knows what I mean. I agree too about buying a 'scope from a manufacturer that has a long track record of 'scope craft. It is not easy to implement effective triggering modes and an intuitive user interface and to write good manuals.
  
  Ebay has deals, but you can't be impatient. Some dealers ask top dollar for even untested name brands, but occasionally there will be a true deal from an individual or from a supplier who has a 100% rating and equipment that is described well enough to know that it is not a big risk. Be sure you can find a manual (that again). I've been very happy with a LeCroy 9354AL DSO I bought for less that $1k from a liquidator on ebay, 500MHz simultaneous sampling to 2Mbytes on 4 channels or 2GHz/8Mbytes on 1 channel. It lacks a lot of modern features such as the nice color pictures that Phil often posts, but it is a far cry from the mostly analog scopes I'd used before.
  
  ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
  Tracy Allen
  www.emesystems.com
• mikediv Posts: 825

  2010-06-09 23:50 edited 2010-06-09 23:50

  Thanks Tracy thats why I came here to ask everyone has always been pretty cool abouyt helping out. Tracy I was not faimilair with Lecroy I am on ebay checking them out they are very nice machines but expensive
  I found a noce one for 389 but it was mono and only 60 Meg I·would like 100-150 or even 250 is I find a good deal I know its putting you·on the spot so please don't feel pressured but if you wanted to·sugest a model that would be fine with me·I think I have ot raise my proce range a bit more that the 500·mark
  
  
  Post Edited (mikediv) : 6/9/2010 11:57:19 PM GMT
• pjv Posts: 1,903

  2010-06-11 20:04 edited 2010-06-11 20:04

  Mike;
  
  I think the advice about sample depth is right on, but I stand firm on the value of an MSO versus a DSO, especially since you already have a decent 4 channel analog scope. When I bought my first MSO, I thought I would go all out, and got a Tektronix MSO4104 with a bandwidth of 1GHz because I do RF work, and 5GSamples/sec on all16 + 4channels, and each of those has a storage dept of 10MSamples. And as Tracy states, you can collect a VERY long sequence with that, and have it search through for patterns. The features represent a very long list, and I also got several additional trigger modules that pull out serial protocols. I bought it as a factory "demo" unit with a great discount. Since getting this, I have become far more time-effective at implementing complex digital designs........ it's SO useful to see 20 channels at a time.
  
  Because of this experience I reiterate my position to spring for an MSO.... and I would not be afraid to purchase an off-shore unit. Do look closely at the specs, and features, to make sure they meet your requirements, and perhaps someone who has purchased one of these units can give you their insight. Best of all if you could find a store that has them in stock, and try it out.
  
  As far as price, I suspect $500 will be too low, but at $1000 to $1500 I believe you can get some great values.
  
  Cheers,
  
  Peter (pjv)
• mikediv Posts: 825

  2010-06-11 22:18 edited 2010-06-11 22:18

  Thanks Pete I have been looking at this ((((MSO7102T 2 Ch 100MHz Scope & Logic An 1 GS/s MSO))) To be honest looking at the rigols in this price range did have the same specs as you pointed out to me plus they do not have the 16 channel logic analyzer I would be curious as to what you think of this.. thank you
  ·
• pjv Posts: 1,903

  2010-06-11 22:46 edited 2010-06-11 22:46

  Mike;
  
  If I recall correctly, that unit had an approximate $1100 price tag, and I presume that is for a full kit, analog as well as digital probes etc. included. The specs look reasonable, and if that fits your budget, I'd buy it.
  
  Cheers,
  
  Peter (pjv)
• mikediv Posts: 825

  2010-06-13 00:03 edited 2010-06-13 00:03

  PJV thank you very much sir I got it out the door for even 1K they gave me all the probes and stuff but I will have to buy a battery seperatly
  thanks agian
  ·
• pjv Posts: 1,903

  2010-06-13 07:09 edited 2010-06-13 07:09

  Mike;
  
  That's great.
  Please share your impressions with us when your unit arrives..... I'm real curious for that price, and who did you purchase it from?
  
  Cheers,
  
  Peter (pjv)