Handheld Oscilloscopes

I'm looking for opinions on handheld oscilloscopes. To give you an
idea of what I'm looking for, something like a TPI 460
(http://www.tequipment.net/TPI460.asp) would suit me well, since it
looks to be well-designed with a 3 year warranty, and doubles as a
standard multimeter. But, I really don't need anything rugged, and a
higher sampling rate would be nice. The Protek 840 looks very nice for
a few hundred extra dollars, but I'm not familiar with them.

I'd prefer new over used, and looking to spend US$1000-1500. Any good
or bad experiences? How about these Chinese OWON brand scopes, anyone
use these?

 

[C W]

On 27 Dec 2006 10:16:28 -0800, hondgm@yahoo.com wrote:

I'm looking for opinions on handheld oscilloscopes. To give you an
idea of what I'm looking for, something like a TPI 460
(http://www.tequipment.net/TPI460.asp) would suit me well, since it
looks to be well-designed with a 3 year warranty, and doubles as a
standard multimeter. But, I really don't need anything rugged, and a
higher sampling rate would be nice. The Protek 840 looks very nice for
a few hundred extra dollars, but I'm not familiar with them.

I'd prefer new over used, and looking to spend US$1000-1500. Any good
or bad experiences? How about these Chinese OWON brand scopes, anyone
use these?

The Velleman HPS40 samples at 40 Ms/s, and has a DC roll function
whIch i find useful.

It is however somewhat `hobbyist' with a rather poor rubber
keypad. Howver, it is only about Ł230 in the UK .... you pay your
money and take your choice.

 

[Jamie]

C W wrote:

On 27 Dec 2006 10:16:28 -0800, hondgm@yahoo.com wrote:


I'm looking for opinions on handheld oscilloscopes. To give you an
idea of what I'm looking for, something like a TPI 460
(http://www.tequipment.net/TPI460.asp) would suit me well, since it
looks to be well-designed with a 3 year warranty, and doubles as a
standard multimeter. But, I really don't need anything rugged, and a
higher sampling rate would be nice. The Protek 840 looks very nice for
a few hundred extra dollars, but I'm not familiar with them.

I'd prefer new over used, and looking to spend US$1000-1500. Any good
or bad experiences? How about these Chinese OWON brand scopes, anyone
use these?


The Velleman HPS40 samples at 40 Ms/s, and has a DC roll function
whIch i find useful.

It is however somewhat `hobbyist' with a rather poor rubber
keypad. Howver, it is only about Ł230 in the UK .... you pay your
money and take your choice.

I just picked up this one.

HDS1022M
http://www.saelig.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PSSA001&Category_Code=PSSA

I like it so far except for 2 things.
the voltage handling could be 600 Volts instead of the 400 volts, but i
understand i can get a voltage wedge to multiple the input.

The other problem is, the Color screen does not use the CCFL type of
LED system, it's a light less screen except for the backlight option
which i have to have on and it really does not show it as bright as i
would like. if i work in a well lighted area with the light directed on
the screen it then seems to be use able with out the backlight on.
batteries are 6 hours Lithium.
other than that, it's nice..





--
"I'm never wrong, once i thought i was, but was mistaken"
Real Programmers Do things like this.
http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5

 

Jamie wrote:

I just picked up this one.
HDS1022M
http://www.saelig.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PSSA001&Category_Code=PSSA

I like it so far except for 2 things.
the voltage handling could be 600 Volts instead of the 400 volts, but i
understand i can get a voltage wedge to multiple the input.

The other problem is, the Color screen does not use the CCFL type of
LED system, it's a light less screen except for the backlight option
which i have to have on and it really does not show it as bright as i
would like. if i work in a well lighted area with the light directed on
the screen it then seems to be use able with out the backlight on.
batteries are 6 hours Lithium.
other than that, it's nice..

Thanks for keeping us updated. What is the build quality like?

 

[Jamie]

hondgm@yahoo.com wrote:

Jamie wrote:



I just picked up this one.
HDS1022M
http://www.saelig.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PSSA001&Category_Code=PSSA

I like it so far except for 2 things.
the voltage handling could be 600 Volts instead of the 400 volts, but i
understand i can get a voltage wedge to multiple the input.

The other problem is, the Color screen does not use the CCFL type of
LED system, it's a light less screen except for the backlight option
which i have to have on and it really does not show it as bright as i
would like. if i work in a well lighted area with the light directed on
the screen it then seems to be use able with out the backlight on.
batteries are 6 hours Lithium.
other than that, it's nice..






Thanks for keeping us updated. What is the build quality like?

The Build quality is very good. It's much better than i expected.

All function buttons have lighted blue illumination which really
makes it look sharp and easy to find.
I do kind of frown on the insulated BNC's being used to insure
isolation between grounds etc.. I can see it's very hard plastic on
the out side barrow...


--
"I'm never wrong, once i thought i was, but was mistaken"
Real Programmers Do things like this.
http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5

 

Jamie:

My Leader LBO 315 is in for repair. I have a loaner LBO 326, but it
doesn't have the 12vdc option, so I need a portable. Would really
like to get a Tek 710 etc, but the HDS1022M looks ok.

Can you post some pics of the display?

I plan on using it as an automotive ignition scope, both underhood and
in the passenger seat while on test drives, so the lighing conditions
will vary greatly.

Can you elaborate on your comment about the BNC connectors? Plastic
barrel instead of metal?

Is there provision for external triggering? What about trigger level
adjustment?

 

[Jamie]

jpizzuto@jandssafeguard.com wrote:

Jamie:

My Leader LBO 315 is in for repair. I have a loaner LBO 326, but it
doesn't have the 12vdc option, so I need a portable. Would really
like to get a Tek 710 etc, but the HDS1022M looks ok.

Can you post some pics of the display?

I plan on using it as an automotive ignition scope, both underhood and
in the passenger seat while on test drives, so the lighing conditions
will vary greatly.

Can you elaborate on your comment about the BNC connectors? Plastic
barrel instead of metal?

Is there provision for external triggering? What about trigger level
adjustment?

The BNC's receptacles are made of a hard Plastic, or at least that's

what it looks like, this is for isolation, there seems to be an inner
metal liner of the receptacle for the ground (shield).
The probes are of good quality, i was surprised there.
As i said before about the display, it's a little soft lighting wise.
you'll need to use the back light. it's an LCD display much like a black
LCD reflective type. It does not have passive back lights like our LCD
monitors. I'm sure they have a name for it's type.

As far as triggering, you can use for example, CH2 as your trigger
source if you need to have CH1 to trip on an external trigger or
vis-vera with a few set points you can select to have it trip on.

P.S.
I've noticed that they now have a 60 Mhz version. But the place where
i got mine for ($499) only sells the 20 Mhz version.
All other places i have seen selling this unit really wants an arm
and a leg for it.
Below is some one's poor edition of a manual. you will see a real
photo of the unit when on, you'll also see the reflection of the person
that was holding the camera when the picture was taken. The display
isn't as bad as it shows in that picture. and the graph displays are
actually sharper in real life.

http://www.rlx.sk/owon/HDS1022%20USER%20MANUAL.pdf



--
"I'm never wrong, once i thought i was, but was mistaken"
Real Programmers Do things like this.
http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5

 

Jamie:

Thanks for the link to the manual.

Do you think the backlight is turned off in that photo? It's pretty
dim.

If you have time, could you email a couple pics of a typical display,
and toggle the backlight?

4096 colors, but the traces are fixed at Red and Blue? Ok, better
than mono.

What was the delivery time after you ordered?

 

[Jamie]

jpizzuto@jandssafeguard.com wrote:

Jamie:

Thanks for the link to the manual.

Do you think the backlight is turned off in that photo? It's pretty
dim.

If you have time, could you email a couple pics of a typical display,
and toggle the backlight?

4096 colors, but the traces are fixed at Red and Blue? Ok, better
than mono.

What was the delivery time after you ordered?

The Display is brighter than what you saw, the backlight was

mostly turned off in the photo.
delivery time was prompt, they sent it out on the day i called them
, i had it here the next day actually and that was standard 3 day UPS
But then again, i am next door to them in a normal UPS run...
I would be careful in using in for the ignition system, there are
some high voltages in there that can cause damage to the unit.
as far as the colors? , i think you can tailor those.
i don't have a camera handy here to give you any photo's.. Sorry.


--
"I'm never wrong, once i thought i was, but was mistaken"
Real Programmers Do things like this.
http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5

 

Jamie:

The manual states 400v max input to the scope, and the probes are
spec'd to 300v.

I design ignition timing controllers, so I'll be looking at internal
logic signals with one channel, and the coil negative terminal with
the other channel.

The coil negative signal spikes from 0v to 300-400v in 5usec, at spark
time.

Looks like it shoud work.

 

Jamie:

Order placed, selected free UPS Ground shipping, so I doubt if I'll
see it before next Friday.

 

Ok, it showed up yesterday, and I'm very impressed. I haven't played
with the DVM section yet, but the scope is a real instrument.

It has no problem showing 1 usec pulses. It also has a zoom function
(forget what they call it) that lets you bracket a section of the
waveform, then you push a funtion key and the time base changes,
zooming in on the specified area.

I'll put some screen shots on my site when I have time.

 

On Mar 7, 12:47 am, jpizz...@jandssafeguard.com wrote:

Ok, it showed up yesterday, and I'm very impressed. I haven't played
with the DVM section yet, but the scope is a real instrument.

It has no problem showing 1 usec pulses. It also has a zoom function
(forget what they call it) that lets you bracket a section of the
waveform, then you push a funtion key and the time base changes,
zooming in on the specified area.

I'll put some screen shots on my site when I have time.

Hi jpizz/Jamie,

Do you have some more feedback now that you have played a little with
the HDS1022M ? Good things, bad things ?

Actually, I just bought an USB oscilloscope for the PC, Hantek
DSO-2100, and I am quite disapointed by its triggering capability
(cannot trigger correctly on a 5V 500uS pulse, very annoying) and the
poor PC interface. The software piss me off...

I was thinking getting an OWON PDS5022S for its reasonnable features
for my projects and also for its ability to run on battery cells... It
pretty much looks like a Tek TDS1002 or TDS2002, and it sould be
enough for me.

Then your two reviews made me think of getting the HDS1022M that looks
very sweet...

Can you comment on some limitation/comparaison with the PDS5022S ?
Is the 60MHz (HDS2022M) add real value for the money in your opinion ?

I am also mainly working on card for engine ignition... I do not have
really high-frequency (Nothing more than 5MHz for digital signals,
analog stuff are much lower frequency...)

Thank you for your help !!



KTy

 

[Jamie]

ktylife@gmail.com wrote:

On Mar 7, 12:47 am, jpizz...@jandssafeguard.com wrote:

Ok, it showed up yesterday, and I'm very impressed. I haven't played
with the DVM section yet, but the scope is a real instrument.

It has no problem showing 1 usec pulses. It also has a zoom function
(forget what they call it) that lets you bracket a section of the
waveform, then you push a funtion key and the time base changes,
zooming in on the specified area.

I'll put some screen shots on my site when I have time.



Hi jpizz/Jamie,

Do you have some more feedback now that you have played a little with
the HDS1022M ? Good things, bad things ?

Actually, I just bought an USB oscilloscope for the PC, Hantek
DSO-2100, and I am quite disapointed by its triggering capability
(cannot trigger correctly on a 5V 500uS pulse, very annoying) and the
poor PC interface. The software piss me off...

I was thinking getting an OWON PDS5022S for its reasonnable features
for my projects and also for its ability to run on battery cells... It
pretty much looks like a Tek TDS1002 or TDS2002, and it sould be
enough for me.

Then your two reviews made me think of getting the HDS1022M that looks
very sweet...

Can you comment on some limitation/comparaison with the PDS5022S ?
Is the 60MHz (HDS2022M) add real value for the money in your opinion ?

I am also mainly working on card for engine ignition... I do not have
really high-frequency (Nothing more than 5MHz for digital signals,
analog stuff are much lower frequency...)

Thank you for your help !!



KTy

you can get the 60 Mhz if you wish, i really don't think it would make

that much difference for you in your kind of work how ever.
as far as the USB scope, I find it's best to get a lot of reports and
views before buying of those. It's not just the scope it self, but the
Windows interface. Due to it's non real time response you get on your
screen, i don't see it as a useful thing. i also find it harder to lug
around a lap top when you can put it all in a single screen in your hands.
like i said before, the screen could be a little brighter, other than
that! it's a perfect hand held.
Also, i like the fact that inputs are isolated, this makes it easy to
connect to multiple isolated commons.


--
"I'm never wrong, once i thought i was, but was mistaken"
Real Programmers Do things like this.
http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5

 

[KTy]

On Mar 29, 3:48 am, Jamie
<jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1l...@charter.net> wrote:

ktyl...@gmail.com wrote:
On Mar 7, 12:47 am, jpizz...@jandssafeguard.com wrote:

Ok, it showed up yesterday, and I'm very impressed. I haven't played
with the DVM section yet, but the scope is a real instrument.

It has no problem showing 1 usec pulses. It also has a zoom function
(forget what they call it) that lets you bracket a section of the
waveform, then you push a funtion key and the time base changes,
zooming in on the specified area.

I'll put some screen shots on my site when I have time.

Hi jpizz/Jamie,

Do you have some more feedback now that you have played a little with
the HDS1022M ? Good things, bad things ?

Actually, I just bought an USB oscilloscope for the PC, Hantek
DSO-2100, and I am quite disapointed by its triggering capability
(cannot trigger correctly on a 5V 500uS pulse, very annoying) and the
poor PC interface. The software piss me off...

I was thinking getting anOWONPDS5022S for its reasonnable features
for my projects and also for its ability to run on battery cells... It
pretty much looks like a Tek TDS1002 or TDS2002, and it sould be
enough for me.

Then your two reviews made me think of getting the HDS1022M that looks
very sweet...

Can you comment on some limitation/comparaison with the PDS5022S ?
Is the 60MHz (HDS2022M) add real value for the money in your opinion ?

I am also mainly working on card for engine ignition... I do not have
really high-frequency (Nothing more than 5MHz for digital signals,
analog stuff are much lower frequency...)

Thank you for your help !!

KTy

you can get the 60 Mhz if you wish, i really don't think it would make
that much difference for you in your kind of work how ever.
as far as the USB scope, I find it's best to get a lot of reports and
views before buying of those. It's not just the scope it self, but the
Windows interface. Due to it's non real time response you get on your
screen, i don't see it as a useful thing. i also find it harder to lug
around a lap top when you can put it all in a single screen in your hands.
like i said before, the screen could be a little brighter, other than
that! it's a perfect hand held.
Also, i like the fact that inputs are isolated, this makes it easy to
connect to multiple isolated commons.

--
"I'm never wrong, once i thought i was, but was mistaken"
Real Programmers Do things like this.http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks Jamie !
Battery life is good ? Can you do some sort of firmware upgrade or
not ?
The oscilloscope parts is "good quality" in your opinion ? I don't
want to be disapointed once again...

Do you use extensively its triggering and recording capability ? I am
especially interested in this aspect... Memory depth enough ? Trigger
correctly ?

Can you also switch easily between "Digital Measurement" and
"oscilloscope" functions without having to unplug things ?

You said you had some picture on your website, please post or send me
a link !

Thanks again and sorry for so many questions !!


KTy

 

[Esther & Fester Bestertes]

as far as the USB scope, I find it's best to get a lot of reports and
views before buying of those.

Why would you spend any money for a USB scope? A very good quality used
top-of-the-line (20-years ago) will serve you just fine probably and can be
had for less price.

If you want the performance of a *real* scope, buy a *real* scope. Even a
used one.
FBt

 

[Jamie]

KTy wrote:

On Mar 29, 3:48 am, Jamie


Thanks Jamie !
Battery life is good ? Can you do some sort of firmware upgrade or
not ?
The oscilloscope parts is "good quality" in your opinion ? I don't
want to be disapointed once again...

Do you use extensively its triggering and recording capability ? I am
especially interested in this aspect... Memory depth enough ? Trigger
correctly ?

Can you also switch easily between "Digital Measurement" and
"oscilloscope" functions without having to unplug things ?

You said you had some picture on your website, please post or send me
a link !

Thanks again and sorry for so many questions !!


KTy

It comes with a CD for that has a windows base interface that you use

with the USB/Serial option port at the top left..
I haven't installed that yet, so i can't give you any details there.
As far as recording, It has a 6k point capture with 4 screens of memory
along with a data transmission settings to connect to the PC.
The Data can be set up to be sent to the PC as Bitmaps or Vector.
And as far as I know, there is no option ( or at least i didn't see
it) to do firmware upgrades.
As far as images, I don't remember saying i was going to put any up
on my web sight? Maybe my memory is getting short ?
And the inputs can be left on at all times.
The DMM and scope inputs are all separate. You don't need to unhooked
any leads when switching. You just push the button on the panel to Scope
or DMM. You note how ever, I don't think there is a way to show both the
DMM and Scope at the same time but, the scope does give you voltage
levels etc..
I have another hand held (LCD) that is a simple dual channel scope of
only 5 Mhz, that uses the same leads for both DMM and SCope. I use that
one for a bag around meter and it's costing about $399 last time i
looked. The DMM is not as wide functioned as you would like it how ever,
it does use scope trace line to show the response of the signal when
doing the voltage, RPM's etc..
have you looked on line at the the DOC's?

http://www.owon.com.cn/eng/HDS1022%20USER%20MANUAL.pdf


--
"I'm never wrong, once i thought i was, but was mistaken"
Real Programmers Do things like this.
http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5

 

[KTy]

On Mar 29, 11:03 pm, Esther & Fester Bestertester <n...@me.really>
wrote:

as far as the USB scope, I find it's best to get a lot of reports and
views before buying of those.

Why would you spend any money for a USB scope? A very good quality used
top-of-the-line (20-years ago) will serve you just fine probably and can be
had for less price.

If you want the performance of a *real* scope, buy a *real* scope. Even a
used one.
FBt

Sorry, I hate this kind of oldschool approach...
There are some USB scope out there that are really worth the money,
way more than an old used analog untransportable scope... But you have
to pay the price ! And I did not, that's only the point ! For me an
analog scope is missing 50% of the functionnality of modern scope I
need, that is, recording capability to analyze from time to time
(mostly) digital non-repetitive signals.

 

[KTy]

On Mar 30, 3:40 am, Jamie
<jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1l...@charter.net> wrote:

KTy wrote:
On Mar 29, 3:48 am, Jamie

Thanks Jamie !
Battery life is good ? Can you do some sort of firmware upgrade or
not ?
The oscilloscope parts is "good quality" in your opinion ? I don't
want to be disapointed once again...

Do you use extensively its triggering and recording capability ? I am
especially interested in this aspect... Memory depth enough ? Trigger
correctly ?

Can you also switch easily between "Digital Measurement" and
"oscilloscope" functions without having to unplug things ?

You said you had some picture on your website, please post or send me
a link !

Thanks again and sorry for so many questions !!

KTy

It comes with a CD for that has a windows base interface that you use
with the USB/Serial option port at the top left..
I haven't installed that yet, so i can't give you any details there.
As far as recording, It has a 6k point capture with 4 screens of memory
along with a data transmission settings to connect to the PC.
The Data can be set up to be sent to the PC as Bitmaps or Vector.
And as far as I know, there is no option ( or at least i didn't see
it) to do firmware upgrades.
As far as images, I don't remember saying i was going to put any up
on my web sight? Maybe my memory is getting short ?
And the inputs can be left on at all times.
The DMM and scope inputs are all separate. You don't need to unhooked
any leads when switching. You just push the button on the panel to Scope
or DMM. You note how ever, I don't think there is a way to show both the
DMM and Scope at the same time but, the scope does give you voltage
levels etc..
I have another hand held (LCD) that is a simple dual channel scope of
only 5 Mhz, that uses the same leads for both DMM and SCope. I use that
one for a bag around meter and it's costing about $399 last time i
looked. The DMM is not as wide functioned as you would like it how ever,
it does use scope trace line to show the response of the signal when
doing the voltage, RPM's etc..
have you looked on line at the the DOC's?

http://www.owon.com.cn/eng/HDS1022%20USER%20MANUAL.pdf

--
"I'm never wrong, once i thought i was, but was mistaken"
Real Programmers Do things like this.http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thank you Jamie for the report !
I do have read the manual
This HDS1022M is really sweet, the only thing that I can imagine that
is missing for "on the field measurement" is more memory for multiple
(more than 4) screen/data storage... Too bad you cannot plug an USB
stick !

 

[Jamie]

KTy wrote:

On Mar 30, 3:40 am, Jamie
jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1l...@charter.net> wrote:

KTy wrote:

On Mar 29, 3:48 am, Jamie

Thanks Jamie !
Battery life is good ? Can you do some sort of firmware upgrade or
not ?
The oscilloscope parts is "good quality" in your opinion ? I don't
want to be disapointed once again...

Do you use extensively its triggering and recording capability ? I am
especially interested in this aspect... Memory depth enough ? Trigger
correctly ?

Can you also switch easily between "Digital Measurement" and
"oscilloscope" functions without having to unplug things ?

You said you had some picture on your website, please post or send me
a link !

Thanks again and sorry for so many questions !!

KTy

It comes with a CD for that has a windows base interface that you use
with the USB/Serial option port at the top left..
I haven't installed that yet, so i can't give you any details there.
As far as recording, It has a 6k point capture with 4 screens of memory
along with a data transmission settings to connect to the PC.
The Data can be set up to be sent to the PC as Bitmaps or Vector.
And as far as I know, there is no option ( or at least i didn't see
it) to do firmware upgrades.
As far as images, I don't remember saying i was going to put any up
on my web sight? Maybe my memory is getting short ?
And the inputs can be left on at all times.
The DMM and scope inputs are all separate. You don't need to unhooked
any leads when switching. You just push the button on the panel to Scope
or DMM. You note how ever, I don't think there is a way to show both the
DMM and Scope at the same time but, the scope does give you voltage
levels etc..
I have another hand held (LCD) that is a simple dual channel scope of
only 5 Mhz, that uses the same leads for both DMM and SCope. I use that
one for a bag around meter and it's costing about $399 last time i
looked. The DMM is not as wide functioned as you would like it how ever,
it does use scope trace line to show the response of the signal when
doing the voltage, RPM's etc..
have you looked on line at the the DOC's?

http://www.owon.com.cn/eng/HDS1022%20USER%20MANUAL.pdf

--
"I'm never wrong, once i thought i was, but was mistaken"
Real Programmers Do things like this.http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


Thank you Jamie for the report !
I do have read the manual
This HDS1022M is really sweet, the only thing that I can imagine that
is missing for "on the field measurement" is more memory for multiple
(more than 4) screen/data storage... Too bad you cannot plug an USB
stick !

i Looked at my Users manual and it talks a bit about the CD software.

Its a Data logger program and you need to set the parameters in the
scope to send the image in bitmap or vector as it collects. I guess from
there you simply scroll through the data that you have accumulated at
the PC.


--
"I'm never wrong, once i thought i was, but was mistaken"
Real Programmers Do things like this.
http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5