No more excuses for no oscilloscope

[Cbdb2]

For around $100 this device does almost everything you need for audio electronics. Oscilloscope, function generator, DVM, and even a component tester that does semiconductors.

 

[Martinvb]

Had one of these. Worked well as component tester, but seems quite delicate: I blew the thing up when measuring a low voltage circuit. Still pondering about buying a new one though, there is not much competition in this price range (or is there?)

 

[RandomEar]

If you can live without the component tester or want to buy that seperately, this Zeeweii is even cheaper and has a much higher bandwidth (>20 MHz, instead of <1 MHz):

Cheap oscilloscopes have really made significant progress in the past couple of years. I don't really need one, but I do want to play with one

 

[egellings]

I can't imagine life without an oscilloscope. I'd be totally lost.

 

[JeffS7444]

40 volt maximum input voltage, with no reverse-polarity protection? Ugh, maybe stick to using it as a signal generator and diode + transistor tester.

100 MHz dual-trace analog oscilloscopes can still be had for not much more $ than that FNIRSI.

Brand-new DSOs from reputable makers like Rigol aren't that expensive, either.

 

[Keith_W]

I only measure things that I can do something about. Honest question here - what information will an oscilloscope give me that I can do something about? If it only tells me information about something I have already bought, then for me it's for curiosity rather than of any real use.

 

[amirm]

For measuring audio performance, a scope is of very limited use. One thing it can do is to give you the frequency response, albeit manually. A voltmeter doesn't have broad enough bandwidth to do this whereas a scope can. Scopes also have FFTs but they are usually very low resolution.

 

[Speedskater]

A reasonably priced O-scope is not the best tool for measurement. But a 50 megahertz O-scope is a great toll for troubleshooting interference, ringing and oscillating.

 

[OhSoJoe]

As far as audio performance measurements, an oscilloscope can measure rise time. I like this feature for vintage audio gear. Some old transistors, opamps, and capacitor coupled amplifier designs are slow, and this is a source of distortion at higher frequencies. As such, the rise time at 10 khz is a common measure of audio performance which is used to compare amps/preamps and it can inform repairs and upgrades.

Edit: I don't know how relevant this is to modern gear. I think everything is sufficiently fast these days.

 

[Cbdb2]

These are mostly for people repairing, building, or experimenting with circuits, I know some of you do. And if you roll opamps or other semiconductors you can check for ringing/oscillation.

 

[notsodeadlizard]

I have something similar, and far from the cheapest, I needed a mobile "tester for evaluating signals."
And here's what I can say - these are funny devices, calling them oscilloscopes is an insult to excellent measuring instruments

 

[Cbdb2]

Its $100, of course its not excellent, but it does what it says (what used to take 3 different devices) and its all most hobbyists need.

 

[Martinvb]

Another nice add-on feature was that it could read IR codes from any remote control device, which you can use in your DIY projects. For me the oscilloscope feature was more of a gimmick than useful.

 

[FrantzM]

Nope...
I value my financial well-being
Nope... before it's too late...

I am off this thread ... I dodged a bullet ...Oooooof!

Peace.