9 Jun
2006
9 Jun
'06
7:27 p.m.
If the OP is looking for a new scope that's cheap, here at McGill,
we've been using the PicoScope USB scopes in the EE labs (DSP
Hardware). We trust undergrads with them, and they're a heck of a lot
easier to store (if you have 10 of them in a lab). No knobs or
buttons, just 2 BNC and a USB-B on a white box the size of a hardback
book.
Unfortuantely they are Windows-only, so no use for someone like me
who's only got Mac and NetBSD at home.
The problems with these (apart from the fact you need a modern PC to run
them) is that for every one I've seen the user interface sucks. Big Time.
I can use my Tektronix by feel alone (useful when you're looking at a dim
trace with a viewing hood). I can also use it one-handed with no problems
(useful when you're using your other hand to keep the probe on the
testpoint). Have to use a mouse or similar to select trigger level,
shifts, is simply unusable.
-tony