Poll: The Essentials of Test Equipment. What Would You Prefer to Learn?

We would like to broaden the scope of our ESSENTIALS to include learning modules on test equipment. I have listed below test equipment that we are considering. Please vote on your perference. In the event you have another choice or have more than one, please leave a comment below. Thanks.

Randall Scasny

--element14 team

Top Comments

dougw over 5 years ago +7

The only instruments I am likely to have at home are a scope and a power supply. Although my scope has a function generator, a frequency counter, logic inputs and FFT capability, those features are much…
jw0752 over 5 years ago in reply to dougw +6

Hi Doug, I agree with you. I feel that I can always use a better education on the basics of my test instruments. The oscilloscope is a great place to start. John
14rhb over 5 years ago +6

I selected Spectrum Analyser, mainly as I'm interested to see what new ones are capable of (having used them over 20 years ago). However I would also like to see articles on Oscilloscope use (although…

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phoenixcomm over 5 years ago

I have my old Tektronix 475B Scope sadly it is only a dual-channel device and sometimes I wish I had 6+ channels, and I have used all sorts of equipment.
I think what I would love to get my mitts on would be a universal protocol analyzer. But to my knowledge, this beast does not exist. You need a different box for each protocol. So you sometimes have to build them yourself.
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michaelkellett over 5 years ago in reply to phoenixcomm

Some logic analysers come close, (both stand alone and integrated into scopes).

The ZeroPLus analysers are not too bad but the range of decoders is good:

http://www.zeroplus.com.tw/logic-analyzer_en/products.php?pdn=10&pdnex=list

Picoscope are a bit more mainstream and still reasonably priced and offer:

PicoScope can decode 1-Wire, ARINC 429, CAN, DCC, DMX512, Ethernet 10Base-T and 100Base-TX, FlexRay, I²C, I²S, LIN, PS/2, SENT, SPI, UART (RS-232 / RS-422 / RS-485), and USB protocol data as standard, with more protocols in development, and available in the future with free-of-charge software upgrades.

LeCroy prices are bit extreme but the range is good:

https://teledynelecroy.com/options/default.aspx?categoryid=12&groupid=88

Tek and Keysight have stuff too.

MK
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phoenixcomm over 5 years ago in reply to michaelkellett

michaelkellett
You are quite right about Lecroy very cool but stacked against everybody else they are very spendy.
ZeroPlus (never heard of) and their offering seem only for M$windows, (keep that hot mess away please)
Now the PicoScope is doable. Their base unit is < $150.00 and they support Linux, Mac, and even M$windows.
Since my laptop is Linux it sounds good to me!
Thanks for the heads up!
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michaelkellett over 5 years ago in reply to phoenixcomm

I have a Picoscope (different model) - one (additional) nice thing is that they upgrade the software and don't charge for upgrades.

MK
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michaelkellett over 5 years ago in reply to phoenixcomm

I have a Picoscope (different model) - one (additional) nice thing is that they upgrade the software and don't charge for upgrades.

MK
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phoenixcomm over 5 years ago in reply to michaelkellett

michaelkellett
I noticed that, and you can grab it. with no registration. And they have an SDK!!
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