Cheap Oscilloscope? Voltcraft DSO-3062C

[Armageddon]

Voltcraft DSO-3062C 2-channel digital oscilloscope with 60MHz bandwidth and 1GSa/s samplerate.
It is based on the Samsung S3C2440 (ARM9 SoC) and runs Linux, can be modified to a 200MHz bandwidth scope via a software change.

See this web: http://www.randomprojects.org/wiki/Voltcraft_DSO-3062C

What do you think? Anyone have it?  

[metal]

appears to be similar to Uni-T UTD2062C. Not necessarily the same exact copy, I can't remember all Uni-T models, but i 've seen similar Uni-T oscilloscope that looks like it, I mean larger screen.

[optikon]

here is my low end scope. Been very happy with it. Another popular hackable type.

http://www.rigolna.com/products/digital-oscilloscopes/ds1000e/ds1052e/

Im friends with a Rigol dist. and got it for $299 USD and later upgraded to the 2 ch 100MHz.

[Armageddon]

Yes, there are similar oscilloscopes from other manufacturers, that can be modified via software.
Currently I have a HP1222A, the latest technology LOL.



I would like to buy one new but they are so expensive...

[bbarney]

here is my low end scope. Been very happy with it. Another popular hackable type.

http://www.rigolna.com/products/digital-oscilloscopes/ds1000e/ds1052e/

Im friends with a Rigol dist. and got it for $299 USD and later upgraded to the 2 ch 100MHz.

How long ago did you do this because I've read where it's not working on the ones shipped with newer firmware and guy's are wrecking their new scopes . also read it still works so does the hack still work ?
with only a $70 difference in price between a DS1052E &  DS1102E now is it worth the risk of bricking your new scope?

[Armageddon]

I also read the same thing in another forum. But I don´t have very clear if the hack continue working for the new firmware version.
If after the hack it stops working. There is any way to get it working again?

[optikon]

Gentlemen,
Regarding the Rigols and their hacks... I can confirm
1) I saw the firmware hack 50MHz to 100MHz actually work. so yes it works, have no fear!
2) I did not do the hack to my own unit because I didnt care about a hacked 100MHz -> I upgraded to the supported 100MHz (1102E) anyways. (and paid more $$$)
3) The hack does not work on any models shipping today (darn, they fixed the vulnerability)
4) It would not have mattered if I bricked it, I know the apps/distro guys, they offered me a firmware re-flash anytime I want one free of charge. They told me if I break it with the hack, they'll fix it.

BTW: I have the software and firmware images for the older (hackable) and the newest. --- should anybody care.

Anyways, I really like the 2ch 100MHz and had no complaints with the 50MHz either.. seems just right for hobby work with price & performance.

[sarah90]

I have the DSO-3062C and hacked it to 200mhz. It is more than ok for the price. Firmware is still buggy after 3 years of updates.

[optikon]

I have the DSO-3062C and hacked it to 200mhz. It is more than ok for the price. Firmware is still buggy after 3 years of updates.

Is the front end capable of that Bandwidth? how was it verified?

[sarah90]

Is the front end capable of that Bandwidth? how was it verified?

The front end is the same for the 60, 100 and 200 MHz models. Software limits the bandwidth in the front end. Read more in the "official" thread: http://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/hantek-tekway-dso-hack-get-200mhz-bw-for-free/

You need to buy better probes than what they supply with the 60Mhz model.

[Gallymimu]

I have the DSO-3062C and hacked it to 200mhz. It is more than ok for the price. Firmware is still buggy after 3 years of updates.

Do you know off the top of your head what kind of problems the firmware has?  Otherwise it sounds like a pretty good buy.

[sarah90]

Do you know off the top of your head what kind of problems the firmware has?  Otherwise it sounds like a pretty good buy.

There are many, but it is indeed a very good buy. I do not regret buying it at all. I bought it a year ago, it was even cheaper then.

The eevblog topic maintainer documents all these problems and corresponds with hantek about them. You can find the list (pdf) at the end of the first post in the topic.

If I needed to buy again, I would probably go for the 2000 series rigol. But for now this is sufficient.

[bigtoy]

To answer the original question....

I have one of these (mine says Hantek on the front, but it's the exact scope). I've had it for a little less than a year. Been quite happy with it for the price. I have access to much more expensive Tektronix, Agilent & LeCroy scopes, but this one sits on my desk and is used for day-to-day tasks. One of the reasons I bought this one in preference to some of the other cheap scopes (like the Rigols) was its large display and that's proved a good decision. My scope seems to be regularly borrowed, and someone else at the company liked it enough to buy one as well.

[Armageddon]

Voltcraft DSO-3062C is no longer available, the Voltcraft DSO-1062D seems equivalent, but I'm not sure...  
Apparently the Voltcraft DSO-1062D is an improved version. Anyone know anything?  

I'm looking the highest possible quality without passing the 400 € of price (not easy). My old HP1222A is no longer up to it, LOL ...

[metal]

As long as more than oscilloscope has been mentioned here, any one used UTD2062C/2102C or CM series?

[Armageddon]

As long as more than oscilloscope has been mentioned here, any one used UTD2062C/2102C or CM series?

They look similar in specifications and price to Voltcraft, but with a real time sample of 500MS/s.


I really do not know what to do.

- Owon SDS7102V have a well priced, VGA, LAN ... but does not convince me, inside looks very seedy.
  Here you can see the specifications: http://www.owon.com.hk/SDS-en.asp#nogo
  These images are of the SDS6062 is very close to the SDS7102:
  See attached bad1.jpg, bad3.jpg and bad4.jpg

- Voltcraft DSO-1062D is like Hantek DSO5062B and Voltcraft DSO-3062C.
  Here you can see the specifications: http://www.hantek.com.cn/english/produce_list.asp?unid=78
  Voltcraft DSO-3062C:
  See attached 800px-Voltcraft_dso-3062c_pcb_front.jpg and 800px-Voltcraft_dso-3062c_pcb_back.jpg

-SIGLENT SDS1102CML: http://www.siglent.com/en/product/list.aspx?nodecode=119008001
  See inside: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBuASZzQsZA
  Siglent company is the OEM manufacturer of LeCroy and ATTEN oscilloscopes.

All these "cheaper" (300-400€) have some tara, whether in design (HW/SW) or in the quality of the parts. Would be interesting to find the best price/quality ratio. For now the only that convinces to me are:
 -Voltcraft DSO-1062D
 -SIGLENT SDS1102CML

Another story is support for NI-VISA, at these prices I think it's impossible.  

Sorry for my bad English!

[sarah90]

Voltcraft DSO-3062C is no longer available, the Voltcraft DSO-1062D seems equivalent, but I'm not sure... 
Apparently the Voltcraft DSO-1062D is an improved version. Anyone know anything? 

The DSO-3062C was planned to be and has always been marketed by Conrad as a 500 MSa/sec scope. However Hantek never made the 500 MSa/sec versions, and the 1 GSa/sec version was supplied instead.

After a long time Conrad found out that is not a good idea to sell a 1 GSa/sec scope as 500 MSa/sec.  So they replaced it with the DSO-1062D. It is exactly the same scope, however now correctly marketed as 1 GSa/sec and about 15% more expensive. Smart thinking 

If you zoom in on the images you will see that they still have trouble labelling the beast (it reads DSO-1062D, 100Mhz, 500 MSa/sec). But the description is correct.

[Armageddon]

Voltcraft DSO-1062D is similar to the Voltcraft DSO-3062C, but has HW changes (new fpga version) and yes they changed the sticker too.
This new version (Voltcraft DSO-1062D) also can be hacking to get a BW of 200MHz, but the probes included are of poor quality.
With best probes certainly it works well at least up to 100MHz of BW. Above that BW would only be useful for periodic signals.

I attached the schematics of a previous version.

Inside Voltcraft DSO-1062D:
  4 x AD9288 ADCs (yes, for 1GSs overclocked to 125MHz in 8ns, 4ns and 2ns)
  2 x AD8370 amps (750MHz bw - input stage like Rigol)
  2 x LMH6552 amps (1.5GHz bw - input stage like Rigol)
  ADCMP562 ECL comparator (for trigger)
  Altera Cyclone III FPGA (ADC sampling control and data acquisition)
  Altera Max II CPLD (long/short memory management - copy protected)
  Samsung S3C2440 (user i/o, UI interface, TFT control)

The power supply is poor, but the rest is not so bad...
SIGLENT SDS1102CML is very similar to Voltcraft DSO-1062D, especially in the power supply and the input stages, the rest is different.
The Voltcraft DSO-1062D have the possibility of enable the LAN, see attached (eagle file), there are also several options to enable this feature.

I attached too the tool to set the BW, I am not responsible for any damages that this tool could cause.

For 300€ it has nothing to envy to many other more expensive, and with similar features (It is my opinion).
it not support NI-VISA, but has its own communication protocol USB-PC: elinux.org/Das_Oszi_Protocol

Here are the correct sticker, see aftached.  

[sarah90]

Voltcraft DSO-1062D is similar to the Voltcraft DSO-3062C, but has HW changes (new fpga version) and yes they changed the sticker too.

Are you sure about that? The pcb in my 3062C is identical to the new hw revision photo in your archive (= rev 1007). The fpga version in the DSO-1062D is reported to be 83e8 and is older than the 83e9 version in the latest hanteks and (my) Voltcraft DSO-3062C.

Here are the correct sticker, see aftached. 

 

[Armageddon]

Are you sure about that? The pcb in my 3062C is identical to the new hw revision photo in your archive (= rev 1007). The fpga version in the DSO-1062D is reported to be 83e8 and is older than the 83e9 version in the latest hanteks and (my) Voltcraft DSO-3062C.

 

Yes you're right, I misunderstand, the Voltcraft DSO-1062D has the "DN_HW1007_83E8_DATExxxxxx.RBF" in it. And I also found this:

   The hwrev=1007 with 83E9 FPGA design is however very hard on limit, to fix a littlebit the skew is no room anymore, an FPGA overclocking is not possible as well (max cloc in 105MHz).
   With older, but slower, FPGA design 83E8 the FPGA was working with no issues with 125MHz input clock, giving max sample rate of 1,25GS/s.

Watch this video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=x1phUe93ZeQ is a Voltcraft DSO-1062D.
Do not ask me what it says, I don't speak German.  

I've been watching the schematic, and to convert it to 200MHz also need to change some components in the input stages.

[sarah90]

Do not ask me what it says, I don't speak German. 

He's only showing how to apply the software hack and tells that he has been using the scope to test some pull-up resistors.

I've been watching the schematic, and to convert it to 200MHz also need to change some components in the input stages.

I have been told that there could be differences between the input sections, but generally there are none. Could you elaborate on what you found in the schematics?

[Armageddon]

I have marked in red the necessary changes. It is possible that I missed one. I recommend reviewing the schematic with more care.
But attention this schematic is of another version/model. Would be nice to find their own schematic.
Although, I am sure that there are not many differences. 

[Armageddon]

Cheap Oscilloscope and expensive probes that's right?

http://www.biasedlogic.com/index.php/hantek-dso1062b-dso1102b-dso1202b-vs-5gss-lecroy-waverunner/

http://www.tmworld.com/design/characterization/4394475/Sharpen-rising-and-falling-edges?page=2


Guys, all these cheap oscilloscope seem toy:

  -Pay attention to the poor quality of the interior of Owon SD7102.
   see this: http://depositfiles.com/files/l2yomlfoq

  -The Voltcraft DSO-1062D has 8 ADC (4 x AD9288 @ 125MHz) and the SIGLENT SDS1102CML has 10 ADC (5 x AD9288 @ 100MHz), imagine the interleave distortion.

I think I will buy the cheapest of all, the Voltcraft DSO-1062D (300€), and modifies it for a BW of 200MHz. Although, I believe that it can be used only up to 100MHz.

And when I can, buy one of these (damn crisis):

  -Rigol DS2202: BW=200 MHz, SR=2GSa/s, Memory=14 Mpts ...
  
  -TEKTRONIX TDS2022C: BW=200 MHz, SR=2GSa/s, Memory=2.5k ...

Why the hell are so expensive? 

[h0nk]

I made some measurements on the HRPWM* of a TMS320C28027 with a only SW-modified
DSO-3062 and PP-200 Probes.
There is a increment of ten to the HRPWM-Register between the 3 plots on the bottom.
Not to bad for a scope of this class i think.

*) High Resolution PWM

[sarah90]

DSO-3062 and PP-200 Probes.

I'm also using the PP-200 probes. I also use tek 200mhz and uni-t 200mhz probes. All performing very well on the 3062. The supplied PP-60 are a no go.

There is a increment of ten to the HRPWM-Register between the 3 plots on the bottom.

Could you explain a bit more what we are seeing here?  And for my curiosity how did you get the 2 white waveforms on the screen?  Seems that I am not yet using it to its full potential.

[h0nk]

The upper plot is for trigger only.

The white plots are 'reference'-plots. Look for: Save/Recall -> Ref -> Save.
Dont forget that You have to recall the plots also to make them visible.
The scope has two of them: RefA and RefB.

So You make Your first measurment, save this as reference.
Then You modify the parameter of interest and can see the both measurments on the screen.

Hope this helps.


Best Regards

[ptr]

Very interesting thread.

I have ordered a Voltcraft DSO-1062D for 329€ and will report as soon as it arrives if the patch to 200 MHz works without problems.

Should be a very cheap and reliable 200 Mhz digital storage scope for my home lab if all the reviews that can be found on the net are true.

Keep your fingers crossed ...

[sarah90]

I have ordered a Voltcraft DSO-1062D for 329€ and will report as soon as it arrives if the patch to 200 MHz works without problems.

It is a nice price. The 3062C was *the* absolute scope bargain at 269 euros vat and shipping included.

The fpga in the 1062D may be either older or newer than the one in 3062C according to reports on eevblog. Please let us know what you got and your experiences.

Very interesting thread.

It is nice to have an user club on sonsivri, but be sure to check out the thread on eevblog as well. Most of the information here originates from there.

[alexxx]

all these cheap oscilloscope seem toy:

I bought this model a couple of years ago.
http://www.tme.eu/en/details/ax-ds1022c/digital-oscilloscopes/axiomet/#

I wanted to use it as a cheap portable oscilloscope when I am working outdoors. Never had any problems, I would recommend it.

[ptr]

The fpga in the 1062D may be either older or newer than the one in 3062C according to reports on eevblog. Please let us know what you got and your experiences.

If i understood everything correctly you can change the FPGA design (not the physical FPGA) "at will" by just loading another design file into the scope which will be used from next boot on.

There is also a very long thread (in german) about all this here:
www.mikrocontroller.net/topic/249628

and here:
www.mikrocontroller.net/topic/205820

As soon as i have got the scope i will try some of the modifications and report here hoping to help others who are also interested in a cheap storage scope.

[Armageddon]

I have canceled the purchase of the Voltcraft DSO1062D in Conrad, long before they could send it to me. And just an hour after it was sent by DHL they tell me that I can not return, because they have already sent it. 

Any advice is welcome.

[Gallymimu]

I have canceled the purchase of the Voltcraft DSO1062D in Conrad, long before they could send it to me. And just an hour after it was sent by DHL they tell me that I can not return, because they have already sent it.  

Any advice is welcome.

Check their written cancellation and return policy.  You are probably bound to that policy unless you local consumer protection laws state otherwise and give you additional rights.

Sometimes people refuse shipments when the carrier arrives.  I don't know if that is actually a good idea to try or not, nor what the laws governing that behavior would be.

It is not uncommon to have difficulty canceling items from companies that have large or complex operations even if you think you are cancelling well before they ship.  They don't always have a mechanism internally for stopping an order once it's gotten beyond a certain point.

[sarah90]

I have canceled the purchase of the Voltcraft DSO1062D in Conrad, long before they could send it to me. And just an hour after it was sent by DHL they tell me that I can not return, because they have already sent it. 

Any advice is welcome.

In NL there is a 7 day cool-off period for internet purchases if the purchase is done by a private person, not when ordered as a business purchase. Don't know which country you're in.

If you accept the parcel, you probably end up paying for the costs of returning it. As Gallymimu said, check your local cancellation and return policy.

I do very little business with conrad, but the times I had contact with them I found them friendly and forthcoming.

[Armageddon]

Today Conrad sent me an email, asking me refuse shipments when the carrier arrives, and I did. Without costs of returning it.  
But the money is not returned to me in a month...

The truth is that after viewing the electrical schematic and the ADC datasheets Voltcraft has stopped like me.
This is gonna sound a bit silly, almost I prefer Owon, despite its poor internal construction.
Specifically this model SD8102, among other things, because the ADC MXT2001 is a clone of the adc08d1000, ENOB is 7.3 (TYP) @ 498 and 248 MHz.
The input stage on owon has good A.O, great BW. Memory and sample rate are OK (see attached).
Additionally the manufacturer (owon) has been correcting firmware failures. And if price is around 400 €.
Owon SDS teardown: http://depositfiles.com/files/l2yomlfoq

What is your opinion?

[sarah90]

Your first attachment refers to the hw1005 of the hanteks, which were ancient and badly broken.

I don't think there is a pure winner in this low end scope arena. Why not skipping these old models, and go for the new 2000 series of rigol?

Or do yourself a real favour and buy an agilent.

[Armageddon]

Your first attachment refers to the hw1005 of the hanteks, which were ancient and badly broken.

I don't think there is a pure winner in this low end scope arena. Why not skipping these old models, and go for the new 2000 series of rigol?

Or do yourself a real favour and buy an agilent.

 -Rigol DS2102: BW=100 MHz, SR=2GSa/s, Memory=14 Mpts, HResMode*=12bits ...  See this:http://www.batronix.com/shop/oscilloscopes/Rigol-DS2102.html   total price: 1149.54 €
 
 -HAMEG HMO722: BW=70 MHz, SR=2GSa/s, Memory=2 Mpts, HResMode=13bits -> ENOB=9.8, MSO ... See this: http://www.hameg.com/0.613.0.html total price: 1.498 €

 -Agilent, Why?

 -OWON SD8102: BW=100 MHz, SR=2GSa/s, Memory=10 Mpts, ENOB is 7.3 (TYP) @ 498 and 248 MHz ... See this: http://www.owon.co.uk/wsb4318264101/SDS%20series%20A.asp total price: 430 € (eBay)

Note: If I were to choose one of these for free would not be the Owon. 

 

[optikon]

-Rigol DS2102: BW=100 MHz, SR=2GSa/s, Memory=14 Mpts, HResMode*=12bits ...  See this:http://www.batronix.com/shop/oscilloscopes/Rigol-DS2102.html   total price: 1149.54 €
 
 -HAMEG HMO722: BW=70 MHz, SR=2GSa/s, Memory=2 Mpts, HResMode=13bits (9., MSO, ... See this: http://www.hameg.com/0.613.0.html total price: 1.498 €

 -Agilent, Why?

Agilent will cost you TWO organs for a new Scope and only ONE organ for a refurb ebay deal.

I vote also Rigol, very solid product for the price (not the best ENOB) My only regret is I should have paid a little more and got the Mixed signal version with 16 channels of logic analyzer built in would be nice.

Armageddon, A low ENOB can indicate a noisy design.

[Armageddon]

Sorry Optikon, I change the post just now. I like the Rigol also. I'll look the Mixed signal version.

Agilent will cost you TWO organs for a new Scope and only ONE organ for a refurb ebay deal.

I vote also Rigol, very solid product for the price (not the best ENOB) My only regret is I should have paid a little more and got the Mixed signal version with 16 channels of logic analyzer built in would be nice.

Armageddon, A low ENOB can indicate a noisy design.

Optikon. What scope has mixed signal [MSO] with 16 channels of logic analyzer built in?
If it is the rigol DS1102D, it's the same dog (Voltcraft DSO1062D) with different collar.  

What do you think of MSO8102T? 700 € (ebay) http://www.owon.com.hk/MSO-en.asp#nogo
But finally buy the SDS8102 http://www.ebay.es/itm/290612117039

[metal]

today I stumbled across a new local store that opened its doors couple of week ago. I found Hantek DSO-5202BM oscilloscope for $492, is this one OK to buy compared to the Uni-T I talked about couple of weeks ago?

[sarah90]

today I stumbled across a new local store that opened its doors couple of week ago. I found Hantek DSO-5202BM oscilloscope for $492, is this one OK to buy compared to the Uni-T I talked about couple of weeks ago?

I think the hantek series beats the uni-t hands down. The BM series has double the sample memory of the B series discussed here. I don't think the extra memory is very important, but it won't hurt. As it is already 200MHz, there is no case of a cheap upgrade from 60 or 100 MHz, but the $492 sounds ok (about 375 eur).  The hackable 60MHz B-model was 270 euros (VAT + shipping included) at the time, so the price for direct 200MHz + M is not too bad. For all the information be sure to check out the eevblog thread, it is only 100 pages. 

[metal]

to be honest with you, I don't like the way dave made people deviate towards Rigol DS1000E series. I will check that thread, cheers.

[sarah90]

to be honest with you, I don't like the way dave made people deviate towards Rigol DS1000E series. I will check that thread, cheers.

The thread is not dave at all. I don't think he even noticed hantek yet. The thread is created by a "crazy" German, who just desoldered all the components to be able to draw up the schematic. If you want to avoid the eevblog, he is active in some german language forums too. Not sure if that is your cup of tea. You'll find several contributions from me as well in the hantek thread on eevblog (under another name  ).

[metal]

what's the nickname of that german guy?

[Armageddon]

today I stumbled across a new local store that opened its doors couple of week ago. I found Hantek DSO-5202BM oscilloscope for $492, is this one OK to buy compared to the Uni-T I talked about couple of weeks ago?

Trust me Metal, forget Hantek DSO-5202BM. It comes to be the same as the Voltcraft DSOX062D and Rigol DS1000 series. In the end hardware does not convince me, and if I opted for the SDS8102 this has been for some reason.

[metal]

Which Owon software do you use with it? Also, your reason is deep memory plus 1Gs and?

[medik]

Having read this thread, I concluded that first i must have an oscilloscope to enhance my learning curve but local suppliers in Ghana don't sell scope meaning i have to order for one. I'm just a hobbyist and require something that can handle signals up to say 100KHz in case i need to learn how to build sine wave inverter and low cost, easy to handle by a newbie like me.  Any advice on this will be nice as i live in a remote area.

[sarah90]

what's the nickname of that german guy?

It's tinhead. He started the topic.

[metal]

The guy seems to be from Iran :- )

[Ichan]

Do I (We) need an oscilloscope? 

I am seeking for opinion, not to flame any.

-ichan

[sarah90]

The guy seems to be from Iran :- )

Don't think he is entirely honest about that. Or he just moved. That's probably the case. 

[Armageddon]

Which Owon software do you use with it? Also, your reason is deep memory plus 1Gs and?

SW:

The sotware is nothing spectacular, but neither is the SW in other brand, except for those that support NI-VISA.

  -[Windows APP]: http://www.owon.ca/software/pc/OWON_Oscilloscope_Setup.rar  
  -[Driver Windows/Firmware Upgrade]: http://www.owon.com.hk/down-en.asp?bigclassname=software_upgrading
  -[Driver Linux]: http://en.sourceforge.jp/frs/g_redir.php?m=jaist&f=%2Fowondriver%2Fowondriver%2Fowondump-0.3%2Fowondump-0.3.tar.gz

Reason:

I do not know what your needs are. I did not want to spend much money, but also wanted something decent. So I chose the SDS8102.

Uses a single ADC (MXT2001 is a adc08d1000 clone), it has a good sample rate (Max. 2Gsps), and ENOB (~7.3 bit) is specified for frequencies as high as 498MHz (see datasheet).

The AD9288, used in other brands, is not specified even more than 50 MHz, although, using five AD9288 with 2 ADC per AD9288 running at 100MHz    
either one, it can get 1Gsps. But is not the same thant one ADC or two in the same chip (interleave distortion).

The SDS8102 have 10 Mpts of Memory (only 10Kpts @ 2Gsps), and I am sure that it BW is greater than 100MHz, because it has a good/tolerable analog stage.
Even if, to be realistic, using two channels at once and, only for nonrepetitive signals is not interesting use it to measure over 1GHz/10. And that is why for me with a BW of 100MHz is more than good.

Owon has technical service, other brands not have technical service and/or firmware updates (for example Voltcraft, for all I know).
A few days ago I had a chat with a OWON technician,to clear some doubts, he clarified all kindly to me.

Owon have been concerned to correct the failures of hardware and firmware, at least so far.

However, I do not mean that the SDS8102 is the best (on this same topic I posted about their poor internal construction), or that everyone need an oscilloscope.
So that If you need an oscilloscope and have budget for a Rigol DS2000 series (~1000€), Hameg HMO2022 (~1800€) or Agilent (>2000€), then buy one of this or another that you like.


Since the Voltcraft DSO-3062C is outdated and here we discussed about several brand/model oscilloscopes. What do you think if we change the title of the topic?

Sorry for my bad English.

[sarah90]

So that If you need an oscilloscope and have budget for a Rigol DS2000 series (~1000€), Hameg HMO2022 (~1800€) or Agilent (>2000€), then buy one of this or or another you like.

I totally agree here. Be sure to check out this convincing review of the DS2072: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAY1GQEjrfc  It is about 700 euros excluding VAT, but shipping included.

[Armageddon]

sarah90, I like more this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRdMQZfDRKU

[sarah90]

sarah90, I like more this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRdMQZfDRKU

As much as I like R&S and their equipment, I think they could have done a little better here than just showing a poorly calibrated probe and the possibility to use cursors for measurement. The cheapies discussed here can all do this.

[Armageddon]

As much as I like R&S and their equipment, I think they could have done a little better here than just showing a poorly calibrated probe and the possibility to use cursors for measurement. The cheapies discussed here can all do this.

LOL, true but are RohdeundSchwarz and they can afford, not need more. 

[sarah90]

LOL, true but are RohdeundSchwarz and they can afford, not need more. 

Yeah, the arrogance of the top. 

[Armageddon]

Owon is not a very choice for design and debugging of digital electronics (because of the slow wfrm/s update rate) although it's absolutely fine for general purpose repair work (especially onsite work - because of the battery).

Here are two good explanations of it:

cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5989-7885EN.pdf
www2.rohde-schwarz.com/file/1ER02_1e.pdf

To give you a concrete example of the difference between the Owon and Rigol's rates:

Scope’s blind-time percentage
= 100 x [(1/U) – W]/(1/U)
= 100 x (1 – UW)
where
U = Scope’s measured update rate
and
W = Display acquisition window = Timebase setting x number of divisions (which is 20 on the Owon and 15 on the Rigol).

For example, at a 100ns/div timebase setting:
The 30 wfrm/s update rate of the Owon means a blind-time of 99.994% - in other words, it's only showing .006% of the real-time waveform.
Assuming the Rigol does 50,000 wfrm/s at this timebase setting, the blind-time is 92.5% -  i.e., it's showing 7.5% of the real-time waveform.

What does this mean in terms of glitch hunting? According to the formula, then the average time for catching a repeating signal fault (let's say 10 glitches per second at 100ns/div) with a probability of 99.9%:
Owon: ~3 hours and 12 minutes.
Rigol: 9.2 seconds

So for design and debugging digital electronics, the best/cheaper I think is a Rigol DS2000 series.

[sarah90]

I think there is a cut off point around 500/600 euros. If you want to spend less, go for the hantek/voltcraft/rigol-1000/owon for the lowest price you can get and hack the most out of them. Above 500 euros go for the rigol 2000/hameg or better. They are simply another class and with another price. If you need the scope for your work, skip the cheapies or use them as an extra piece of kit with no strings attached.

[Armageddon]

I think there is a cut off point around 500/600 euros. If you want to spend less, go for the hantek/voltcraft/rigol-1000/owon for the lowest price you can get and hack the most out of them. Above 500 euros go for the rigol 2000/hameg or better. They are simply another class and with another price. If you need the scope for your work, skip the cheapies or use them as an extra piece of kit with no strings attached.

As I said before: "Guys, all these cheap oscilloscope seem toys."

Problems that appear small are large problems that are not fully understood. (Santiago Ramón y Cajal)

[sarah90]

As I said before: "Guys, all these cheap oscilloscope seem toys."

Boys need toys 

[Armageddon]

Interleave distortion! See attached.

Welec W2000A 4 ADC per channel @ 250MHz to get 1Gsps: http://sourceforge.net/apps/trac/welecw2000a/wiki/Hardware

This really is arrogance of the top: http://www.welec.de/english/05_products/products_02_W2000_TDS2000.htm

[metal]

Armageddon, what does the chart you attached mean?

[Armageddon]

Armageddon, what does the chart you attached mean?

See this: http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5989-5732EN.pdf

[Armageddon]

Three interesting revisions of the three most talked oscilloscopes in this thread:

  -[Owon SDS-X102]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqcEi6ru4ZM

  -[Hantek DSO-5000B]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7UgKJ8M7LY

  -[Rigol DS-2000]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAY1GQEjrfc


Note: Much of the information that I've shared here has been obtained from other Internet sites and, amounts to a summary that I hope will serve to clarify doubts and learn.


More theory, summarized: http://gpete-neil.blogspot.com.es/p/scopes.html

[mhemara]

If you look for cheap test platform, you can take a look @ DSO203 (2 Ch. Oscilloscope+ 2 Ch. channel logic analyzer+ Function Generator) for about $140~$150. It is also an open source project 
I got one from "Aliexpress.com" and I really enjoyed it.



Wiki:
http://www.seeedstudio.com/wiki/DSO_Quad
Complete review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV-zXsmeBLA

[sarah90]

If you look for cheap test platform, you can take a look @ DSO203 (2 Ch. Oscilloscope+ 2 Ch. channel logic analyzer+ Function Generator) for about $140~$150. It is also an open source project 
I got one from "Aliexpress.com" and I really enjoyed it.

Nice gadget for the money. The controls seem a bit awkward though.