Thread: OT: $22 Digital Storage Scope :)

The input range is 10 mV/div to 5 V/div, so maximum input is 50V peak. It has a standard 1 Meg 20 pF input and BNC connector so a 10x probe can allow 500V peak. It comes with a probe that is just a BNC connector with a pair of leads and two alligator clips.

The only problem I had with assembly was reading the resistor color codes, so I had to use my HF DMM to verify the value, and they seemed to be dead nuts on the reading.

I also have the plastic case and I'm putting that together now. It is pretty amazing as well. It fits together by means of tabs and slots that have been very precisely cut to size. There were no instructions, so it's a bit of a "Chinese puzzle" to figure out, but that's part of the "fun". Yes, if I only considered what my time is worth, and if I only just needed a scope, it would not have been such a bargain. But I find PCB assembly relaxing, enjoyable, and somewhat challenging. Much like people who spend hours knitting a sweater they could buy for $20, or a machinist spending hundreds of hours making a little steam engine that has no practical use other than skill-building and bragging rights.

The 200 kHz limit is still enough for audio work, line frequency waveforms, and most PWM signals in VFDs and switching power supplies. I already have a Hitachi VC-6025 that has a 60 MHz bandwidth, dual trace, and 2 mV/div sensitivity, but it cost about $2000 in 1989 and requires line power and it sure won't fit in my pocket

For $56 you can get a 3 MHz dual channel scope with built-in frequency meter to 5 MHz and a 1 Hz to 4 MHz frequency generator, and possible future FFT function.
http://www.banggood.com/DSO068-DIY-O...-p-981017.html

A 4-channel 8 MHz fully assembled pocket scope for $149:
http://www.banggood.com/Nano-DSO203-...-p-925667.html

And for $288 a Hantec dual-channel 100 MHz scope:
http://www.banggood.com/Hantek-DSO51...p-1013032.html

That's huge!

Me, I picked up a gabotronics one... $49 USD, assembled... not that that means much with something like this.

Specs:

2 Analog Inputs
Maximum Sampling rate: 2MSPS
Analog Bandwidth: 200kHz
Resolution: 8bits
Input Impedance: 1MΩ
Buffer size per channel: 256
Input Voltage Range: -14V to +20V

Oh, and it is an 8-bit logic analyser too, and an arbitrary waveform generator, and a digital volt meter. Yeah, it all works. Well, my version does, this is the new one.

http://www.gabotronics.com/development-boards/xmega-xprotolab.htm

The Xprotolab is the first mixed signal oscilloscope with an arbitrary waveform generator in a DIP module. It measures only 1 x 1.6 inches, and can be mounted directly on a breadboard

The best part is the interface... 4 stupid little buttons, but it only took me a few minutes to figure it out. And that's the first time I've ever used a DSO (old analog guy here). Brilliantly designed interface, one that basically sets the bar for me. I mean, I have 4 button wristwatches that leave me reading the manual to set the time. This thing just flows. I sold my old Hitachi 60Mhz dual channel analog scope... not worth the space to store; don't need the frequency response either.

Oh, and it can interface to a PC with the USB if you want to actually see the screen without a magnifying glass. Oh, and if you have the right Android tablet, there's an app for that. I think there's some talk about a bluetooth version as well. Mine doesn't do that, so I can't vouch for it.

If you want to get spendy, and completely geek out, they have wristwatch versions of this as well.

David...

Originally Posted by Forestgnome

Something's amiss there. Not going to get a true 1Mhz bandwidth with a 1Msps sample rate.

Agreed - I didn't look at the specifics for that model, I just grabbed the first result upon googling "inexpensive pocket oscilloscope"

PStechPaul posted some other varieties that fit the bill, although seeing that this one will do 50V peak makes it a little bit more useful.

I'm not ripping on you, PStechPaul. I just generally agree with JT that this isn't a great bargain. If you enjoy the assembly process and it fits your particular requirements, than by all means - go for it! I used to enjoy building circuit boards, too. Now I'm doing BGAs, 0201, and other itsy-bitsy parts on LARGE boards. It's horrendously time consuming and I'm finding I don't enjoy too much anymore. What used to be a hobby turned into work... !