| Author |
Message |
Jim Douglas
Guest
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 Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 5:38 am Post subject:
PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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Anyone use these? Any recommendations good or bad? I am looking at some that
have Scope, Meter, Spectrum Analysis, etc. Are the "multi-use" type PC
scopes any good? I see some that are down around $200-300? which is in my
price range.
Thanks!
Jim Douglas
www.genesis-software.com
Carrollton, TX USA 75006
Latitude 32.9616
Longitude 96.8916
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Teddy Rubberford
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 6:22 am Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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"Jim Douglas" <goatses.shitter@genesis-software.com> wrote in message
news:Re6dnVkvnsMeDGzcRVn-gw@comcast.com...
| Quote: | Anyone use these? Any recommendations good or bad? I am looking at some
that
have Scope, Meter, Spectrum Analysis, etc. Are the "multi-use" type PC
scopes any good? I see some that are down around $200-300? which is in my
price range.
Thanks!
Jim Douglas
www.genesis-software.com
Carrollton, TX USA 75006
Latitude 32.9616
Longitude 96.8916
|
is this a job for the goatse man ?
http://goat.cx
-------------------------------------------------
Ted Rubberford.
'The Man In The Green Latex Skintight Hood' |
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Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 6:30 am Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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Depending on what you are trying to measure,
they can be a very usefull tool. A "real" scope is
much better, but much more expensive. IF you
can, try before you buy. At the very least get to
do a hands on demo. I use several different
audio applications for a variety of my measurement
needs. For the serious stuff, I borrow a good scope
from work.
The biggest "flaw" is they average the readings,
so if what you are looking for is a rarely occuring
gltich, a most PC scoes will miss it. For looking
at normal waveforms they do a respectable job.
Terry
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m II
Guest
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Xerces
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 7:00 am Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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In article <1106353236.26626.0@echo.uk.clara.net>
"Teddy Rubberford" <rubberfordl@hotmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
"Jim Douglas" <goatses.shitter@genesis-software.com> wrote in message
news:Re6dnVkvnsMeDGzcRVn-gw@comcast.com...
Anyone use these? Any recommendations good or bad? I am looking at some
that
have Scope, Meter, Spectrum Analysis, etc. Are the "multi-use" type PC
scopes any good? I see some that are down around $200-300? which is in my
price range.
Thanks!
Jim Douglas
www.genesis-software.com
Carrollton, TX USA 75006
Latitude 32.9616
Longitude 96.8916
is this a job for the goatse man ?
http://goat.cx
-------------------------------------------------
|
Nein
This is the proper Guy for the job.
http://goat.cx/contrib/giver2.jpg |
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Dr. Anton T. Squeegee
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:01 am Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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In article <Re6dnVkvnsMeDGzcRVn-gw@comcast.com>, james.douglas@genesis-
software.com says...
| Quote: | Anyone use these? Any recommendations good or bad? I am looking at some that
have Scope, Meter, Spectrum Analysis, etc. Are the "multi-use" type PC
scopes any good? I see some that are down around $200-300? which is in my
price range.
|
My gut reaction when I see a PC-based O-scope is to cringe.
I would stay away from them. For the same price range that you
mention, you could get one heck of a nice Tektronix 7000 series 'scope,
or perhaps a 400 or 2400 series portable, all from the used/surplus
arena (more specifically, from ham radio swap meets or Greed-Bay).
Example: The Tek 7603 was one of their most popular, and is also
one of the most plentiful on the surplus market. It has a mainframe
bandwidth of at least 100MHz, and can often be found for around $50-$100
with plug-ins.
If you want some serious bandwidth, you should have a look at the
Tek 7904 or 7104. The base frames have bandwidths of 500MHz and 1GHz,
respectively, and you should be able to get a good 7904 with plug-ins
for a little over $300.
Your test equipment needs are, of course, your choice. However, I
would like to say that just because a test instrument CAN be designed to
work in a PC environment does NOT always mean that it SHOULD be. Good-
quality input stages are hard to do (there's a reason Tek put so much
R&D into theirs), and they are one of the main driving factors where
cost is concerned.
I have little faith that the Taiwan-import PC-based (alleged) O-
scopes can do a proper job in this regard. Good quality test gear is an
investment, and it should be treated that way.
Keep the peace(es).
--
Dr. Anton T. Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute.
(Known to some as Bruce Lane, ARS KC7GR,
kyrrin (a/t) bluefeathertech[d=o=t]calm -- www.bluefeathertech.com
"If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped
with surreal ports?" |
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m II
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:25 am Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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Dr. Anton T. Squeegee wrote:
| Quote: | If you want some serious bandwidth, you should have a look at the
Tek 7904 or 7104. The base frames have bandwidths of 500MHz and 1GHz,
respectively, and you should be able to get a good 7904 with plug-ins
for a little over $300.
|
There's one major advantage to the PC based scopes. It's STORAGE of
waveform. When I was younger we had to put a hood over the front of the
scope and use a Polaroid to get shots of easy to miss signals.
A real storage oscilloscope costs a fortune, but if you can get a PC variety
that fills your frequency needs, I'd go for it. Three or four hundred bucks
is a bargain when accompanied by a good warranty..
mike |
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Rich Webb
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:42 am Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 00:22:00 -0000, "Teddy Rubberford"
<rubberfordl@hotmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
"Jim Douglas" <goatses.shitter@genesis-software.com> wrote in message
news:Re6dnVkvnsMeDGzcRVn-gw@comcast.com...
Anyone use these? Any recommendations good or bad? I am looking at some
that
have Scope, Meter, Spectrum Analysis, etc. Are the "multi-use" type PC
scopes any good? I see some that are down around $200-300? which is in my
price range.
Thanks!
Jim Douglas
www.genesis-software.com
Carrollton, TX USA 75006
Latitude 32.9616
Longitude 96.8916
is this a job for the goatse man ?
http://goat.cx
-------------------------------------------------
Ted Rubberford.
'The Man In The Green Latex Skintight Hood'
|
Ahh, apparently some 12-yr old has just been introduced to goatse
(and/or slashdot) and wants to spread the pleasure.
No pun intended.
Seen Tub Girl yet?
--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA |
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Brian Hill
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:53 am Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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"m II" <C@In.The.Hat> wrote in message news:GIjId.17102$Qb.16595@edtnps89...
| Quote: | Dr. Anton T. Squeegee wrote:
If you want some serious bandwidth, you should have a look at the
Tek 7904 or 7104. The base frames have bandwidths of 500MHz and 1GHz,
respectively, and you should be able to get a good 7904 with plug-ins
for a little over $300.
There's one major advantage to the PC based scopes. It's STORAGE of
waveform. When I was younger we had to put a hood over the front of the
scope and use a Polaroid to get shots of easy to miss signals.
A real storage oscilloscope costs a fortune, but if you can get a PC
variety
that fills your frequency needs, I'd go for it. Three or four hundred
bucks
is a bargain when accompanied by a good warranty..
mike
|
Good post you Canuck!! Your all right tech wise :)
--
73 and good DXing.
Brian
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A lot of radios and 100' of rusty wire!
Zumbrota, Southern MN
Brian's Radio Universe
http://webpages.charter.net/brianhill/
EMAIL- brianehill@$100charter.net
(Hide the $100 to reply!) |
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Rich Webb
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:03 am Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 17:38:26 -0600, "Jim Douglas"
<james.douglas@genesis-software.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Anyone use these? Any recommendations good or bad? I am looking at some that
have Scope, Meter, Spectrum Analysis, etc. Are the "multi-use" type PC
scopes any good? I see some that are down around $200-300? which is in my
price range.
|
Some of them aren't too bad, although in the $200-300 range you'll not
get any record setters. For one data point, though, some of the higher
end scopes do use Windows as their user interface. Check out Tek's
TDS6000B at http://www.tek.com/site/ps/0,,55-14873-INTRO_EN,00.html
For one possiblity closer to your price range, take a look at
http://www.linkinstruments.com/oscilloscope.htm. I have not used their
o-scopes but I have (and use) one of their PC-based logic analyzers.
Been reasonably happy with it.
--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA |
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m II
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:48 am Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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Brian Hill wrote:
| Quote: | Good post you Canuck!! Your all right tech wise :)
|
I love damnation by faint praise. It's a good thing you haven't heard me
trying to practice this bass. You'd retract that
EADG EADG I mean. sheesh..how hard can it be? I'm starting to suspect
they shipped the wrong instructions with it, not that it matters, I can't
speak Chinese anyway.
http://www.clicmusic.be/images/hands_crossed_jpeg.jpg
mike eadg eadg |
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Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:59 am Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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Jim Douglas wrote:
| Quote: | Anyone use these? Any recommendations good or bad? I am looking at some that
have Scope, Meter, Spectrum Analysis, etc. Are the "multi-use" type PC
scopes any good? I see some that are down around $200-300? which is in my
price range.
Thanks!
Jim Douglas
www.genesis-software.com
Carrollton, TX USA 75006
Latitude 32.9616
Longitude 96.8916
They are too limited to be worth the money. |
Get a used Tek in good working order in that
price range, as another poster mentioned.
Ed |
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Dr. Anton T. Squeegee
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 12:32 pm Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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In article <GIjId.17102$Qb.16595@edtnps89>, C@In.The.Hat says...
| Quote: | Dr. Anton T. Squeegee wrote:
If you want some serious bandwidth, you should have a look at the
Tek 7904 or 7104. The base frames have bandwidths of 500MHz and 1GHz,
respectively, and you should be able to get a good 7904 with plug-ins
for a little over $300.
There's one major advantage to the PC based scopes. It's STORAGE of
waveform. When I was younger we had to put a hood over the front of the
scope and use a Polaroid to get shots of easy to miss signals.
|
Tektronix DSA602A Digital Signal Analyzer. All kinds of waveform
storage and analysis, and a floppy drive as well. Runs about $400-$500
on the used market, uses 11-series plug-ins, mainframe bandwidth of
1GHz.
| Quote: | A real storage oscilloscope costs a fortune, but if you can get a PC variety
that fills your frequency needs, I'd go for it. Three or four hundred bucks
is a bargain when accompanied by a good warranty..
|
And how long will it last? If it's made up entirely of custom
parts, and cannot be repaired by the end user (at least at the module
level), then I would hardly think of it as a good investment.
When I buy test equipment, I expect it to be serviceable for a
MINIMUM of ten years. Very few items that I've bought new have measured
up to that requirement.
--
Dr. Anton T. Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute.
(Known to some as Bruce Lane, ARS KC7GR,
kyrrin (a/t) bluefeathertech[d=o=t]calm -- www.bluefeathertech.com
"If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped
with surreal ports?"
----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups
---= East/West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =--- |
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m II
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 12:50 pm Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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Dr. Anton T. Squeegee wrote:
| Quote: | In article <GIjId.17102$Qb.16595@edtnps89>, C@In.The.Hat says...
Dr. Anton T. Squeegee wrote:
If you want some serious bandwidth, you should have a look at the
Tek 7904 or 7104. The base frames have bandwidths of 500MHz and 1GHz,
respectively, and you should be able to get a good 7904 with plug-ins
for a little over $300.
There's one major advantage to the PC based scopes. It's STORAGE of
waveform. When I was younger we had to put a hood over the front of the
scope and use a Polaroid to get shots of easy to miss signals.
Tektronix DSA602A Digital Signal Analyzer. All kinds of waveform
storage and analysis, and a floppy drive as well. Runs about $400-$500
on the used market, uses 11-series plug-ins, mainframe bandwidth of
1GHz.
A real storage oscilloscope costs a fortune, but if you can get a PC variety
that fills your frequency needs, I'd go for it. Three or four hundred bucks
is a bargain when accompanied by a good warranty..
And how long will it last? If it's made up entirely of custom
parts, and cannot be repaired by the end user (at least at the module
level), then I would hardly think of it as a good investment.
When I buy test equipment, I expect it to be serviceable for a
MINIMUM of ten years. Very few items that I've bought new have measured
up to that requirement.
|
You make some valid points, but I still have concerns. Tektronix, among many
others, has been known to use proprietary chips/components in their scopes.
These may be getting hard to get. That would tend to even out the decision
making process, all other things being equal.
Having said that, Tektronix stuff is very nice, quality made merchandise.
I'm admiring a 7B92A dual time base module even as we speak. I just don't
want to wind up like Hamlet...
Alas, poor 7904, I knew it Horatio...
mike |
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Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Jan 22, 2005 1:16 pm Post subject:
Re: PC Based Oscilliscopes |
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I'd rather have a stand alone scope myself. I don't know how good a
scope you need, but you can find them real cheap if you look around.
IE: hamfests, etc..I have 3 scopes, but the one I use mostly now is a
Kikusui COS 5060. I bought it for $50...It's a 60 mhz scope..It's
no top line scope, but it's quite usable for most of my needs.
I also have an old heathkit scope, which still works, and also an
ancient 60's tube hickock, which was built by tektronics...Has the
plug in tektronics preamps, etc...
But the old tek scope blew a gasket the last time I plugged it in.
I consider it tit's up...The kikusui is pretty modern compared to the
other two... MK |
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