advise on buying a O-scope

YourConfused · #1 02-08-2008, 08:35 PM

I have been trying to borrow one from a friend but that isn't working out.

So I was looking at this one for pc based:
http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/pr...iew/?id=522377

And this one for hand held:
http://www.saelig.com/miva/merchant....gory_Code=PSSA

Anyone used either style of oscilloscope or even one of these in particular?

I was also looking at hand-helds as they would be handy, but not as powerful as a pc based one (while staying the same price range anyway). I have a garage puter that I plan to use the pc based one w/.

Landshark · #2 02-08-2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YourConfused

I have been trying to borrow one from a friend but that isn't working out.

So I was looking at this one for pc based:
http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/pr...iew/?id=522377

And this one for hand held:
http://www.saelig.com/miva/merchant....gory_Code=PSSA

Anyone used either style of oscilloscope or even one of these in particular?

I was also looking at hand-helds as they would be handy, but not as powerful as a pc based one (while staying the same price range anyway). I have a garage puter that I plan to use the pc based one w/.

damn, they're cheap now. they were $$thousands back when i was in school.

i almost bought one to work on tube amps a while back, but i'm tubeless now.

YourConfused · #3 02-08-2008, 10:34 PM

I have an old pioneer tube that is rated at 37.5w per channel and sounds hella nice. The pot on the level is out so I am saving it until I get a chance to fix it up. My new onkyo is almost as smooth, but not quite there.

Landshark · #4 02-08-2008, 10:38 PM

i wanted a scope to bias some guitar amps, but now they are at the point where the modeling sounds as good or better than the tubes .... and they're lighter, sturdier, and require no maintenance.

YourConfused · #5 02-08-2008, 10:42 PM

A friend of mine has a hybrid amp (Fender something) and it is nice. Can go from warm and smooth to strait and harsh with a twist of the dial. The idea of tube preamps feeding some solid state is genius.

Trevor · #6 02-09-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YourConfused

I have been trying to borrow one from a friend but that isn't working out.

So I was looking at this one for pc based:
http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/pr...iew/?id=522377

And this one for hand held:
http://www.saelig.com/miva/merchant....gory_Code=PSSA

Anyone used either style of oscilloscope or even one of these in particular?

I was also looking at hand-helds as they would be handy, but not as powerful as a pc based one (while staying the same price range anyway). I have a garage puter that I plan to use the pc based one w/.

You will spend more time setting up and playing about with the PC adaptor scope than getting any work out of it. Not a good choice and will have a poor resale value.

A scope should independent and be ready to use when and where you want it. The scope shown should do all you want. The deciding factor is the amount of experience you have in using a scope. A complicated instrument can be quite a challenge. Don't buy something you do not understand and can not evaluate in respect of price.

Have you tried a store that sells second hand radio and hobby stuff, or on line auction? That said, I gather you are in a hurry.

Best of luck with it.

LetItSnow · #7 02-09-2008, 06:37 AM

I grabbed a Nicolet 2090-III from eBay. I paid less for it than the test leads I bought to go with it! It's got all the knobs you could ever want, and a 5.25" drive, which I'd love to be able to use.

Kind of like <this guy> but with the drive where the panel is.

Unfortunately, shipping will kill you on one of these things!

YourConfused · #8 02-10-2008, 10:00 PM

It has been about 3 weeks now since I can't get ebay to load for me. I'm not sure what it is, but it is annoying. I just went over my budget this weekend and it looks like I can't afford to buy a new scope that I want so I am going to look on craigslist for one.