WTB oscilloscope- Is this any good?

[warpie]

I'm looking to buy a dual analogue oscilloscope since the one I have needs to be sent back to where it belongs.
Unfortunately, the budget is very limited and I found this on ebay. What do you think?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380258592891&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_7193wt_1102

any other recommendations? Also, how hard is to calibrate these things?

I also found this one but seems to go above my budget (£100 inc shipping).
If it really worth it I could probably spend a bit more though.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110583871854&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2363wt_1102

thanks for your time
w.

 

[sahib]

Forget the first one (Gould).

Grab the Tektronix. Great scope. The seller gives  plenty of information and confirms that it is fully working and has passed the calibration procedure. You can't go wrong.

 

[APEX JR.]

I agree... Go for a tektronix...
However the 485 is a 350Mhz and has a smaller screen So if your not in a hurry look for
the 50Mhz version of the 485. It's a 453...
If you can find a 465B remember the letter prefix not a 465 very old and the B version
is a great scope and to top 100Mhz.

Steve

 

[warpie]

Ok guys, thanks for your replies 

APEX JR, are you refering to this one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tektronix-465B-Scope-Oscilloscope-100MHz-/260663063681?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item3cb0bab481

I also found this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170539003318&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

but it looks like 4 channel, which I don't need...

thanks
w.

 

[APEX JR.]

Warpie...
Yes, The Tek 465B you found will be a great scope for you.

The 2245 is also a good scope but don't think it will end up in your price point.
And has more features you won't use.

Steve

 

[warpie]

Thanks for your help Steve,

I emailed the seller asking him if it's been recently calibrated.
Apparently "it's not recently been calibrated - not normally necessary unless you are using it for professional applications"

I've never calibrated a scope before. Is it something that needs knowledge and special equipment or it can be done following the manual?

thanks
michael

 

[APEX JR.]

When I sold scopes I always sent out scopes for calibration since the equipment used were
tracable to NBS (National Bureau of Standards) .  Showing the scope is woking and within
manufactures spec's. 
I too have never calibrated a scope and don't know what equipment is needed,
calibration can be expensive if something is wrong, however your on a good note since
it lights up on both traces.

Steve

 

[sahib]

Basically the calibration refers to meeting certain parameters that are laid out by the standards. The equipment that are used to calibrate other equipment are  very high spec/quality reference level equipment. So, if you really want a fully calibrated equipment then you should send it to a test house to get it done. But for simple diy audio application  passing a self test would be sufficient. Generally on the manual there are simple self test procedures that you can follow.  You can also check the basic functions such as the integrity of the signal wave and the amplitude by using a signal generator and a digital voltmeter. Of course they have to be calibrated too.

 

[mad.ax]

The OT budget seems limited (<£100) so this rules out calibration...

Now, for DIY audio work, what would you use a calibrated scope for? Accurate voltage or frequency measurement? That's not a scope purpose...

What we need is a working scope, able to show us what's happening to the signal while it goes through the circuit under test...

Think about the RPM counter in your car. You could spend a lot of money to have it calibrated so you could be sure that when it says 3258,923 RPM, your engine is really running at this exact speed... But if it just says 'about 3000' , don't you know all you need to know?

Axel

 

[warpie]

thanks for your replies. Very helpful opinions..

The OT budget seems limited (<£100) so this rules out calibration...

I'm afraid this rules out the Tektronix option as well. I might end up buying something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270627520732&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_522wt_1139

I wish I could afford a better one but at the moment all the Tektronix scopes I've found are in the range of £150-200 minimum...  :-\

anyway, thank you all for your responses!
michael

 

[mrc]

This one comes up with your link: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tektronix-2245A-Oscilloscope_W0QQitemZ170539003318QQcategoryZ45008QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m8QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DMW%26its%3DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5620864878937638394

 

[warpie]

This one comes up with your link: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tektronix-2245A-Oscilloscope_W0QQitemZ170539003318QQcategoryZ45008QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m8QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DMW%26its%3DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5620864878937638394

Hi mrc, sorry for my English but I'm not sure what you mean?
Are you referring to the last link I submitted?
If so, the link is for a 'Hitachi Professional Oscilloscope Model V212 VGC & GWO'

I've been watching the item you mentioned (Tektronix 2245A ) but I'm not hoping to end with a price anywhere near to my budget...

 

[Rochey]

if you can save up a little more, i strongly suggest this guy:
http://www.amazon.com/Rigol-DS1052E-50MHz-Digital-Oscilloscope/dp/B001P63VOA

i've heard wonderful things about it -  it can even be hacked to 100MHz.

/R

 

[APEX JR.]

    Re: WTB oscilloscope- Is this any good?
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2010, 07:03:10 am » Quote 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok guys, thanks for your replies 

APEX JR, are you refering to this one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tektronix-465B-Scope-Oscilloscope-100MHz-/260663063681?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item3cb0bab481



This one ended at 79 GBP with no bids In the USA that comes to $123.50 which is a killer price
and within your budget.



Steve

 

[warpie]

This one ended at 79 GBP with no bids. In the USA that comes to $123.50 which is a killer price and within your budget.

Yes, I was watching this item very closely, but the seller stoped the auction 4 days before the ending date. Probably some 'off the record' deal  :

if you can save up a little more, i strongly suggest this guy:
http://www.amazon.com/Rigol-DS1052E-50MHz-Digital-Oscilloscope/dp/B001P63VOA

i've heard wonderful things about it -  it can even be hacked to 100MHz.

/R

Hi Rochey, thanks for the info but unfortunately is not an option. At least not at the moment. It looks really cool though...