I am looking to purchase a oscilloscope. I have a very old very inaccurate analog one that I acquired from school about 6 years ago when they were throwing them out but its bad enough that its more of a hindrance than a help.
I was looking at a Tektronix TDS2024B on amazon for $2410 which is really a lot more than i want to spend. I want something that I’m not going to outgrow and is good quality. But I sure would like to come in at half that price or less. Push comes to shove I might convince myself to get it but I figure I would check in here first. Are there other brands that are just as good but cheaper that I should be looking at?
I have an associates and bachelors in electronic and communications engineering technology but never did it professionally (in a system admin). I have started to regain some intreast and been doing some kits but would like to start trying to get beyond kits and do some design work. So I guess right now the TDS2024B is probably overkill for me but its not un-reasonable that I would get rolling with this and be able to benefit from something better. But feel free to ridicule me for not just going with a $500 analog solution. Maybe I need that. I dont know.
We have a number of those Tek scopes at work. They are very nice, small and light. We do like them and they are used 8 hours a day.
The digital storage feature is almost a must have these days. At least I’ve been spoiled. The USB interface that is nice for screen capture and automation control. The only scope we have at work which is better is a $15k LeCroy.
I keep thinking of getting one myself but $2k!
Tek does have a two channel one that 's a bit cheaper.
Ive only ever used 2 channel to be honest so 2 channel probably would be enough. My eyes are bigger than my wallet and I have little self control when it comes to toys.
That Rigol does look very interesting. It would be nice to hear from someone who has actually used one.
For low end, the Tek TDS2012B is a a nice scope. Works as advertised for its price range.
I also own a Rigol 100MHz 2 channel deep memory model (about $700 on eBay). The scope is not nearly as polished, however the scope works admirably and has no problems when compared to the Tek. There are some pluses to the scope, such as a large usable display, and the deep memory buffer (which is handy).
Just don’t buy the Agilent entry level 100MHz scope - this is actually a Rigol rebranded.