Comments on: Dealmonger: A Handheld 10 MHz Oscilloscope for $210

By: Nate Bezanson

Nate Bezanson — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 07:47:23 +0000

I own one of these. It’s solved a few headscratchers, by revealing things like an underdriven phototransistor that wasn’t keeping up with a fast pulse rate. It’s also a royal pain to use.

Maybe I just haven’t spent enough time with the thing for its user interface to really “sink in”, but I find myself pawing through the manual every time. Nothing about the button functions is “intuitive” at all.

The screen update rate is less than stellar, so you’ll want to get good with the triggering, but on an instrument without a separate trigger input, there’s only so much you can do. Reverting from a triggered one-shot to live display is also awkward.

If I had it to do again, I’d get a Bitscope or USBee and be done with it. No sense putting up with a tiny screen and awkward controls when I’ve got laptops sitting around. If I found myself working with digital buses much, I’d spring for the DigiView.

One more gripe about the HPS-10: It wants five AAs for power. Five? Give me a break! Because of this, I use it with external power exclusively, which means I’m breaking out a power adapter and cable every time I use it, which takes away much of the convenience of a self-contained instrument.

By: Abe

Abe — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 02:31:22 +0000

Thank you very much for the link Rick. I was wondering what the heck I would do with an oscilloscope. Until I followed the link I had no idea what to use one for or how to use one. After seeing the link and then digging a little I get it now. That might just be my next new shop toy.

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:47:59 +0000

Sizod:

Autoblog happened to have a little blurb about using an oscilloscope for automotive diagnostics/repairs:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/18/toolkit-upgrades-round-two-more-fun-toys/

I imagine there must be other sources out there. I just find it interesting that two of my favorite blogs mention oscilloscopes on the same day.

By: sizod

sizod — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 03:23:41 +0000

Wow, there are some good deals on eBay also, but I would love to know more about why i must own one!

By: Michael B

Michael B — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 01:00:27 +0000

If you want a scope to “play” with check craigslist - do a search, I see several 20MHz scopes for under $25. Cheaper than the hand held, but obviously larger. I got my first scope there - before I knew whether I would really use one or not.

By: Ted M

Ted M — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 23:35:14 +0000

Anyone have any opinions on which is better, a handheld or a PC (USB/serial) oscilloscope? It looks like one can get a slightly better PC based ’scope in the $130 price range.

By: James

James — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 23:34:49 +0000

At a previous job I had a 1st generation Fluke Scopemeter and a trusty Tek. The Fluke certainly had a cool factor, but I ended up only performing simple voltage measurements with it.

For real scope work, I went to the Tek every time. The screen on the handheld simply couldn’t compare. Newer generations may be better, but I’m skeptical.

By: Mark Bickford

Mark Bickford — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 20:20:08 +0000

Starts at $129 at this site:
http://www.electronics123.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1889/.f?sc=10&category=225

By: Sean O'Hara

Sean O'Hara — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 16:36:15 +0000

A hand held “O” scope… I don’t know why but I must have one.