Netduino home hardware projects downloads community

Jump to content


The Netduino forums have been replaced by new forums at community.wildernesslabs.co. This site has been preserved for archival purposes only and the ability to make new accounts or posts has been turned off.
Photo

Best Hobby Oscilloscope


  • Please log in to reply
34 replies to this topic

#1 Websteria

Websteria

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 25 posts

Posted 26 August 2010 - 04:05 PM

Ok, being an electronics newbie I know I'm posting tons of questions on here. Everyone has been really nice though, so I hope that continues! :-) I'm looking to get an oscilloscope to use with my netduino projects to analyze when issues come up. I've seen the PC Sound card based ones, and those seem like they're not really the best idea. I've also seen some scopes like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/...I_Oscilloscopes and this: http://cgi.ebay.com/...I_Oscilloscopes Any suggestions? I'm looking for something small, and easy to move around since I do my work in various parts of the house where I can get some space. :-)
  • terrorgen likes this

#2 amphibian

amphibian

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 16 posts

Posted 26 August 2010 - 07:02 PM

I know nothing about that scope, but I was on the seeedstudio website the other day and it caught my eye.
http://www.seeedstud...l?cPath=104_108

It looks to me like the one you linked to on ebay is the older version. If it was me I'd probably try to get the newer one when it comes back in stock. If you do end up picking it up I'd be curious to hear feedback, it seems like a steal.

#3 Websteria

Websteria

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 25 posts

Posted 26 August 2010 - 08:02 PM

I know nothing about that scope, but I was on the seeedstudio website the other day and it caught my eye.
http://www.seeedstud...l?cPath=104_108

It looks to me like the one you linked to on ebay is the older version. If it was me I'd probably try to get the newer one when it comes back in stock. If you do end up picking it up I'd be curious to hear feedback, it seems like a steal.


That does look good. I've got a notification warning when it comes back into stock. Anyone have experience with the first one?

#4 Stephen

Stephen

    New Member

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 8 posts

Posted 27 August 2010 - 02:27 AM

Any suggestions? I'm looking for something small, and easy to move around since I do my work in various parts of the house where I can get some space. :-)


If you can afford it, I suggest the Rigol DS1052E. It has the bandwidth and sampling rate needed for most microcontroller project. The sampling rate for the DSO nano is often too slow

If you are just going to look at digital signals, you can consider USB logic analyzer. There are a few companies that makes them.

#5 Szymon

Szymon

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 108 posts
  • LocationPoland, Krakow

Posted 27 August 2010 - 05:36 AM

If you can afford it, I suggest the Rigol DS1052E. It has the bandwidth and sampling rate needed for most microcontroller project.


There was some hack to double the sampling rate to 100Mhz (but it no longer works with new firmware)
http://www.eevblog.c...100mhz-ds1102e/

I found it on http://www.dealextre...ls.dx/sku.30573

But what you think about this one? http://www.dealextre...ls.dx/sku.36153

If you are just going to look at digital signals, you can consider USB logic analyzer. There are a few companies that makes them.


I was thinking to buy this one http://www.saleae.com/logic/features/. Is it good enough?

#6 Stephen

Stephen

    New Member

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 8 posts

Posted 27 August 2010 - 07:17 AM

But what you think about this one? http://www.dealextre...ls.dx/sku.36153

For the price difference, I'd go with the Rigol. It's better value.



I was thinking to buy this one http://www.saleae.com/logic/features/. Is it good enough?

It seems like a really nice package. I've just tried out their software.The user interface is clean and easy to use.
Many comments on sparkfun product page (http://www.sparkfun....roducts_id=8938) are very positive.

#7 Chris Seto

Chris Seto

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 405 posts

Posted 31 August 2010 - 10:50 PM

If you can afford it, one of the lower end Picoscopes is an excellent choice. I have a Picoscope and I love mine. Looks like their cheapest offering is about $210 http://www.picotech....oscope2000.html

#8 CW2

CW2

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1592 posts
  • LocationCzech Republic

Posted 01 September 2010 - 01:00 PM

There was some hack to double the sampling rate to 100Mhz (but it no longer works with new firmware)

Upgrade is still possible with the newest firmware, as described (e.g.) in Changing the Rigol DS1052E to DS1102E using USB, the dummy guide. IMHO even the unmodified (50 MHz) DS1052E is well worth its price. JOOC, Agilent DSO1000 series are rebranded Rigol instruments.

#9 HobbyLab

HobbyLab

    New Member

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 1 posts

Posted 13 October 2010 - 10:08 PM

You can also take a look at one of the Disco USB oscilloscopes

#10 Stefan

Stefan

    Moderator

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1965 posts
  • LocationBreda, the Netherlands

Posted 31 March 2011 - 11:57 AM

I'm looking for the same so hijacking this thread :D

My biggest problem is the price. When I see an oscilloscope with 3 digits in it's price, I can't afford it. Simple like that ;)
For me it doesn't need to be of superb quality. It's just like the rest of electronics I own, it's more or less just to experiment. Any advise on this?

I came across this one: DS0201 2.8" LCD Pocket Mini Oscilloscope V1.5 with better firmware, but Chris Seto said it's not that good. But will it be good enough for me? :)
"Fact that I'm a moderator doesn't make me an expert in things." Stefan, the eternal newb!
My .NETMF projects: .NETMF Toolbox / Gadgeteer Light / Some PCB designs

#11 Mario Vernari

Mario Vernari

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1768 posts
  • LocationVenezia, Italia

Posted 31 March 2011 - 12:44 PM

Here is my opinion, even having none of these listed.

An oscilloscope with a single channel is too poor. As soon you will enjoy inspecting some logic circuit, you also realize that it needs *at least* two channels.
As an example, consider the inspection of a simple SPI message: without a double channel, it's a dream to see something. Don't think ever on a 2nd signal: there is also the trigger needs.

The bandwidth (usually strict related to the sampling frequency) is also important. A model with 1MHz of bandwidth, probably will have difficulty to read logic signals over 100-200KHz. Remember that a square wave has lot of harmonics, whose amplitude is decaying slowly (1/N).
To play with Netduino stuffs, I'd suggest a 5-10MHz min of bandwidth.

Maybe you don't care about the analog side of the circuitry, but it is also important and very funny indeed. A logic analyzer is very powerful for digital signals, but unable to read the waveform on an analog input.

There are still tons of features that should be take in account, but here is not the context of K€/K$.
I really don't know which is better for a bunch of Euro/Dollars.

As soon I'll have this one in my hands, I promise to make a deep review, testing it with one professional oscilloscope we have in our labs.
http://www.seeedstud...525feecde4a68bf
I am one of the lucky(?) 200 users have pre-ordered this toy (at $150).
I am waiting since January, but it seems the delay will be longer and longer...

Cheers
Biggest fault of Netduino? It runs by electricity.

#12 Stefan

Stefan

    Moderator

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1965 posts
  • LocationBreda, the Netherlands

Posted 31 March 2011 - 12:51 PM

That's useful input. So at least two channels and a minimum of 5 to 10MHz bandwidth.
"Fact that I'm a moderator doesn't make me an expert in things." Stefan, the eternal newb!
My .NETMF projects: .NETMF Toolbox / Gadgeteer Light / Some PCB designs

#13 CW2

CW2

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1592 posts
  • LocationCzech Republic

Posted 31 March 2011 - 01:03 PM

But will it be good enough for me?

It depends on what you want to do - please note the difference between 'cheap' (e.g. <$100) device and hobby-grade oscilloscope (such as Rigol DS1052 mentioned above, which IMHO has unbeatable price/value) is basically in number of inputs (channels) and bandwidth + sample rate. Single channel is enough for trivial signal checking, but any more serious work requires at least two channels. Low bandwidth (~1 MHz vs. >50 MHz) does not allow the scope to resolve high-frequency changes, so the displayed waveform will be distorted (see Agilent's Application Note, page 6). Also, with low sampling frequency the scope will completely miss parts of the input signal. Just for illustration, there is a "5 times" rule of thumb to calculate bandwidth for digital circuits measurements (that gives around ±2% error) - so if you want to measure 5 MHz signal, you'd need ~25 MHz scope to see reasonable results.

However, you may consider getting a logic analyzer instead (e.g. Saleae, Scanalogic, Mini Logic, or similar). They are cheaper and better suited for working with multiple digital signals than oscilloscopes (some scopes have logic analyzer modules built-in or available as optional extra).

#14 Stefan

Stefan

    Moderator

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1965 posts
  • LocationBreda, the Netherlands

Posted 31 March 2011 - 01:15 PM

Hmm perhaps a logic analyzer is indeed what I am looking for in that case. And those are better priced indeed. Thanks for the info!
"Fact that I'm a moderator doesn't make me an expert in things." Stefan, the eternal newb!
My .NETMF projects: .NETMF Toolbox / Gadgeteer Light / Some PCB designs

#15 Mario Vernari

Mario Vernari

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1768 posts
  • LocationVenezia, Italia

Posted 31 March 2011 - 01:23 PM

I agree with CW at all. However I am a bit toward an oscilloscope than a login analyzer, because I enjoy playing with analog circuitry too.
Biggest fault of Netduino? It runs by electricity.

#16 Stefan

Stefan

    Moderator

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1965 posts
  • LocationBreda, the Netherlands

Posted 31 March 2011 - 01:25 PM

I understand you Mario, but the budget is also an issue. A logic analyser of €50 compared to a scope of €300 is a big difference ;)
"Fact that I'm a moderator doesn't make me an expert in things." Stefan, the eternal newb!
My .NETMF projects: .NETMF Toolbox / Gadgeteer Light / Some PCB designs

#17 Mario Vernari

Mario Vernari

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1768 posts
  • LocationVenezia, Italia

Posted 31 March 2011 - 01:44 PM

A logic analyser of €50 compared to a scope of €300 is a big difference.

No doubt. My consumer experience shown that even €1 thrown away is worser than €100 for a good purchase.
Today evening, at home, I'll take a look at ebay or something like that, to find an used machine, maybe.
Cheers
Biggest fault of Netduino? It runs by electricity.

#18 Stefan

Stefan

    Moderator

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1965 posts
  • LocationBreda, the Netherlands

Posted 31 March 2011 - 02:06 PM

That is indeed very true. What a wisdom we share on these boards ;) Problem is the spending limitation. I'll wait a moment before I decide to buy something then. I have enough to do without scope so far.
"Fact that I'm a moderator doesn't make me an expert in things." Stefan, the eternal newb!
My .NETMF projects: .NETMF Toolbox / Gadgeteer Light / Some PCB designs

#19 OppaErich

OppaErich

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 22 posts
  • LocationEssen, Germany

Posted 31 March 2011 - 06:20 PM

Just recently bought this http://www.watterott...ausatz-improved (scroll down for english description) The minimalistic but very smart design is impressive. Sadly only single channel though, more of a toy than a serious measuring device but me like :D - 5MSa/s - 1MHz bandwith - 500Hz test signal output - 50Vpp max input voltage

#20 CW2

CW2

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1592 posts
  • LocationCzech Republic

Posted 31 March 2011 - 07:45 PM

I'll wait a moment before I decide to buy something then.

Slightly off-topic: There are also various FPGA-based logic analyzer projects available, for example at sump.org: it has 16 (resp. 32) channels with sampling rate up to 200 MHz (resp. 100 MHz). Of course this is not meant as a replacement for a commercial device which you probably need now to get the work done, but it can be a great opportunity to learn completely different programming paradigms. Although the Xilinx development board is way too expensive, the existence of Ward's FPGA Shield makes it a lot more interesting Posted Image




1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users


    Bing (1)
home    hardware    projects    downloads    community    where to buy    contact Copyright © 2016 Wilderness Labs Inc.  |  Legal   |   CC BY-SA
This webpage is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.