Which Oscilloscope Form Factor Is Best For Me? - Workbench Wednesdays 38

Oscilloscopes are available in many shapes and sizes. After figuring out how much bandwidth you need (or want), the next step is to choose the form factor. Do you go with the traditional bench-style? When does it make sense to use a USB-based scope with your PC? And what about these newer tablet or battery-powered oscilloscopes? Learn the difference between them and see which one is best for you.

Bill of Material:

Product Name	Manufacturer	Quantity	Buy Now	Buy KitBuy Kit
Bench Oscilloscope - 200 MHz, 1 GSa/s, 14-bit, AFG, DMM	Multicomp Pro	1	Buy Now	Buy NowBuy Now
USB-Based Oscilloscope - 25 MHz, 100 MSa/s, 2 Channel	Multicomp Pro	1	Buy Now	Buy NowBuy Now
Tablet Oscilloscope - Battery-Powered, 100 MHz, 1 GSa/s, 2-Channel, DMM	Multicomp Pro	1	Buy Now	Buy NowBuy Now

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Top Comments

baldengineer over 4 years ago in reply to neilk

The PicoScope software is fantastic for a USB-based scope. Their entire line of USB-based instruments is done very well.
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neilk over 4 years ago

I have had an entry level 2 channel Picoscope. My choice was based primarily on price for the performance I thought I needed - it hasn't let me down yet!

Small form factor and large screen display is a bonus!

Neil
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baldengineer over 4 years ago in reply to koudelad

Hey, koudelad!

I would definitely put the AD2 into the USB Oscilloscope category. And I would consider it a very good one. With the other integrated instruments, there is a lot of functionality there.

Keysight is really trying to capture the low-end market with their 1000-series...
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koudelad over 4 years ago

I don't have an oscilloscope, but use Analog Discovery 2 as one. It is an easy to use multipurpose tool, which is very small and light to carry with you.

However, I am saving for a basic Keysight 1000 X-series which is offered as 70-200 Mhz, 2 or 4 channel with an optional signal generator (G product code postfix), DMM and many more functions: https://cz.farnell.com/search?st=dsox1204
There is also a cheaper 50 MHz educational version: https://cz.farnell.com/search?st=edux1052

I think it is very important to choose an actively developed product from a renowned company and not experience the same bugs in software / firmware for many years, because oscilloscope is not something you buy often.
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rjhelms over 4 years ago

My first oscilloscope was a USB one very similar to the one shown in the video. Like you mentioned, it's a great option if you already have a computer on your bench.

It didn't take long for me to feel the urge to treat myself to an upgrade (I went for a 4-channel bench scope) but the USB unit is still great to have around - I can just throw it in my laptop bag and I have a scope that's cheap, durable, compact, and works anywhere.
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baldengineer over 4 years ago in reply to DAB

Good point. Some scopes have a VGA output and some have displayport / hdmi. But the resolution is always tricky.

Most USB scope software let you go full screen.

(I didn’t in this video, to make it obvious it was an application and not some kind of screen capture.)
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DAB over 4 years ago

Good episode.

In my experience, the USB scope works best for me because I can put the data up on a full size monitor to easily view the waveforms.

DAB
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robogary over 4 years ago

Informative video. I have the USB scope shown in the video, I like it, only drawback is my PC needs to be on.
The Tablet scope is really sweet. The touch screens are very handy.
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