All the best! Today I will give you my Top 5 best oscilloscopes from AliExpress. Every DIYer wants to have an oscilloscope in their arsenal of tools. Oscilloscopes are good for diagnosing electronics in power-on mode. Repairers affectionately call them “donkeys.” I've been wanting to collect this material for a long time, but somehow never got around to it. And then Maxim, my active reader, asked for such information. And I decided it was time to get down to business. The selection of oscillators to the top was carried out according to: price/quality ratio, maximum operating frequency, number of channels, etc. Let's go!
How to choose an oscilloscope
When purchasing a device, you should pay attention to its bandwidth. It should be slightly higher than the limiting frequency of the analog signals that will be measured. For example, if the maximum signal frequency is 90 MHz, then you need to choose an oscilloscope with a bandwidth of 120 MHz. At the same time, for stable operation with digital signals, the device must have a significantly larger bandwidth reserve. To work comfortably with such signals, it is better to buy a device with a logic analyzer function. It is also important to consider the cost of the device - the wider the bandwidth, the more expensive the oscilloscope.
Equally important is the number of main channels on which the purpose of the device depends. Modern devices are available with 2, 4 and 6 channels. Budget models for home use and repair have 2 or 4 channels, while professional laboratory devices have from 4 to 6. Some devices can be upgraded by installing additional channels using an activation code.
A good oscilloscope should be able to handle periodic signals, that is, be able to detect events that rarely occur. These include clock failure, interference, or power surges. This characteristic is referred to as “continuous waveform acquisition speed.” It is desirable that it be at least 5,000 per second.
The operating principle of an oscilloscope is similar to a multimeter. Devices differ in the way they display measurement data. The multimeter displays results only in numbers and is not capable of detecting transient or harmonic signals. In turn, the oscilloscope provides a significantly larger amount of data about the measured signals. For example, the screen displays the value of a wave in a specific time period, as well as its shape, amplitude and frequency. By analyzing this information, the owner of the device can promptly isolate signals that are harmful to the electronic system.
Review of the best devices for radio amateurs
- "Siglent SDS 1022"
A high-precision device that displays all signals. The upper limit of the signal frequency reaches 100 Hz. Works in 3 modes. The cost is about 16 thousand rubles. There is practically no error in operation. Processes signal frequencies from 10 to 100 Hz.
- Trademark "Rigol"
Their main advantage is high performance, ease of use and adjustable sensitivity. A high-quality filter virtually eliminates errors. The device has a dual display.
The DS1102C model is widely used in work. Runs in frontal and inclined mode. The device is two-channel. The interface is simple. Price - 20 thousand rubles.
- "Tektronics TDS 3064"
Despite the use of electronic lines for testing, thanks to it you can check the functioning of the board. Dual channel, wide bandwidth. Easily customizable digital filter. The advantage of the model is 20 automatic measurements. Thanks to the storage and playback function, it is possible to record data frame by frame. Built-in mathematical functions, auto-calibration, hardware frequency meter and Fourier converter. The device operates with a start delay. Compact model, nice design. Price - 22,000 rubles.
- "Tektronics MSO 4104"
① FNIRSI-1C15 digital pocket oscilloscope
Rating: 4.9 Price: from RUB 4,738.30
up to
RUB 4,890.36
Go to store The Fnirsi 1C15 compact oscilloscope is an excellent portable model with a frequency range of 110 MHz. The device is powered by a built-in 3000 mAh battery and has an automatic calibration function. To test the probes, the device uses a signal generator.
This device differs from the DSO150 model presented in the rating in its frequency range (DSO150 up to 200 MHz) and the absence of a built-in battery. The set includes a silicone case and a bag for carrying and storage.
Advantages:
- there is a separate digital signal processing on the FPGA;
- you can save pictures;
- portable, small size + runs on a 3000 mAh battery;
- good equipment;
- There is a folding holder.
Flaws:
- The digitization speed is stated as 500 Ms/s, but the real one is 200 Ms/s;
- The probes are of average quality - not bad, but if possible it is better to replace them.
Display
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② DSO150 Handheld Digital Oscilloscope Kit
Rating: 4.9 Price: from RUB 1,777.34
up to
RUB 2,178.50
Go to the store Another pocket-sized, inexpensive model, the DSO150, is suitable for measuring frequencies in the range from 0 to 200 MHz. Used for both household and repair purposes with class A or AB low-frequency amplifiers. The device operates only from external power; there is no built-in battery. The DSO150 is equipped with two boards: analog and digital. The measurement results are displayed on a 2.4-inch display.
Advantages:
- has a good and readable display for its size and price;
- a good entry-level device, suitable for working with low-frequency signals;
- has a compact size;
- presence of a probe with a divider.
Flaws:
- there is no built-in battery, but there are many guides online on how to install it there or power it from the crown;
- The signal shape is shown normally up to 40-80 kHz, then it is difficult to distinguish.
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Frequency measurement
Frequency is a time characteristic, intervals, periods of a signal; their measurement is the direct purpose of the oscilloscope. The value under study is always inversely proportional to its period, which can be measured in any area of the oscillogram. But it is more convenient and more accurate to do this at the points where the graph intersects the horizontal line in the center (time axis).
Before the study, set the scan strip to the central horizontal line. Using a handle with an arrow in both directions, we shift the beginning of the period with the leftmost strip on the monitor. In our case, the gap = 6.8 div., speed. sweep - 100 μs/div. Calculations:
Above, two similar pictures show the same signals, but at different scan rates. According to the first image, the frequency calculation (the exact value is 1.459 kHz) has a large error, while according to the second, it is smaller, since greater measurement accuracy is obtained by stretching the image.
In the second figure, the period is slightly greater than 6.8 cases. and the frequency in reality is slightly lower (1.459 KHz) than the received one (1.47 KHz). The deviation is less than 1%, this is acceptable and is considered high accuracy; it will be provided by a digital O-Scope (with linear scan). In analog models the deviation would be higher. A characteristic pattern: as the period increases, the frequency decreases (the proportion is inverse), and vice versa.
③ Digital oscilloscope + multimeter KKMOON kkm828
Rating: 4.9 Price: from RUB 3,566.90
up to
RUB 7,857.43
Go to the store The portable digital oscilloscope-multimeter KKMOON kkm828 with a color screen is designed for measuring direct and alternating voltage AC/DC up to 750V and 1000V with a resistance of up to 40 MOhm. The device is suitable for diode testing and continuity testing. The case is made of durable plastic that can withstand shocks and falls. Bandwidth in oscilloscope mode is 1 MHz with a sampling rate of 2.5 MV per second.
Advantages:
- high-contrast color display;
- 2 in 1 portable device: oscilloscope and multimeter;
- good assembly: there is a stand, soft keys.
Flaws:
- there is no built-in battery, 3 batteries are used instead;
- There is no smooth adjustment of the voltage division, so the device is more suitable for beginners.
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Additional information on this topic
We deliberately did not overload this article with technical details of oscilloscopes and a detailed description of their options. You can read all this on the pages of individual oscilloscope series. But for those who want to understand the issue as much as possible, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with this information:
12 criteria for choosing the optimal oscilloscope (in Russian) (30 pages; 7 MB)
Tutorial on the basic principles of measurements using oscilloscopes (in Russian) (60 pages; 2 MB)
Tektronix Oscilloscope Probe Selection Guide (English) (18 pages; 2 MB)
DPO digital phosphor technology in oscilloscopes - operating principle, application examples
Comparison and selection of 500 MHz oscilloscopes
To simplify the process of choosing a digital oscilloscope, you can use our experience and recommendations. We have more than 20 years of practical supply experience and we can immediately answer many questions about models, options, delivery times, prices and discounts. This will save your time and money. To do this, just call us or write to us by E-mail and we will be happy to answer your questions.
④ USB oscilloscope attachment Hantek 6022BE
Rating: 4.8 Price: from RUB 4,324.91
up to
RUB 4,959.13
Go to store The Hantek 6022BE portable oscilloscope is designed for use with laptop computers via a USB 2.0 connector. The aluminum body of the device protects the internal components from damage. Thanks to its rectangular shape, it can be positioned vertically or horizontally. The device saves the finished measurement results in text, jpg photo or MS Excel and Word file formats. The permissible range of the input signal without a divider is from -4.5 to +4.5 volts.
Advantages:
- two-channel;
- there is a lot of software for working with an oscilloscope - both official for Windows and unofficial for Windows and Android (via OTG)/Linux;
- small size;
- high-quality assembly and materials.
Flaws:
- narrow voltage measurement range.
Dipstick
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⑤ YEAPOOK ADS5012h (FNIRSI 5012H, DANIU ADS5012H) portable digital mini oscilloscope
Rating: 4.9 Price: from RUB 4,882.71
up to
RUB 5,424.47
Go to store as FNIRSI 5012H, used for automotive repair and scientific research. The device has 12 measurement parameters, the results of which are displayed on a 2.4-inch color display with a resolution of 320x240 pixels. Powered by a built-in 3000 mAh battery. The device differs from the previously reviewed FNIRSI-1C15 model in the presence of silicone case protection and a wider frequency range - 100-349 MHz.
Advantages:
- good screen in terms of brightness and viewing angles;
- displaying a large amount of information;
- convenient control;
- good autonomy and low consumption with a battery capacity of 3000 mAh.
Flaws:
- freezes periodically;
- significant errors.
Appearance
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⑥ Oscilloscope Hantek 2D42, 2D72, 3-in-1
Rating: 4.9 Price: from RUB 7,597.63
up to
RUB 12,300.77
Go to store The Hantek 2D42 mini oscilloscope also includes an arbitrary waveform generator and a multimeter. Powered by 2 lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 5200 mAh. Thanks to the stand, the device can be placed at an angle of 45 degrees. The device has a self-calibration function for checking the numerical values of the vertical and horizontal deviation coefficients. The 2D72 model differs from the 2D42 in a wider frequency band - 70 MHz instead of 40.
Advantages:
- oscilloscope + signal generator (not available in models 2C42 and 2C72) + multimeter in one device;
- large equipment;
- Type-C connector;
- powered by 2 18650 batteries or cable;
- software for PC and laptop;
- two-channel oscilloscope with closed input.
Flaws:
- heavy;
- The functionality of the oscilloscope could be wider
Set
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We measure the phase shift
Sometimes it happens that the phases of voltage and current diverge (when passing through capacitors, inductance). With a two-channel O-scope it is possible to see the level of differences.
The phase shift will show two processes in motion, their position with fluctuations. Not measured in units. time (horizontal), and in fractions of the signal interval (unit of angle). The same relative position of the signals corresponds to the same shift, and it does not depend on the period and frequency. Therefore, measurements are more reliable when the periods on the monitor are stretched to the maximum.
Procedure
Stages (model C1-83):
- Using the arrows of 2 channels (vertically), the scan is set to the center line (there is no signal at the input).
- Gain (vertical) on the first channel they set (steps and smoothly) a larger amplitude, on the second they make it smaller.
- Speed development set up so that 1 specific period fits on the scoreboard.
- The synchronization level is used to set the start of the graph from the time line (sweep, point A), and the selector with a horizontal bar with two arrows is set to start from the extreme left edge of the screen (point A);
- Speed development (steps and smoothly) achieve the finish of the graph on the rightmost vertical edge.
- Repeat the above, stretching the diagram across the entire monitor, the starting and finishing points should coincide with the scan bar.
- The advance is determined, the shift angle (φ) depends on this. Below in the first figure, the current lags behind its start later (ie A and B). In the adjacent figure (b) he is the first, his start is not shown, so they look at the finish of the first half-period: the diagram that started earlier will be the first to reach 0 (mark D approaches faster than B).
φ — angle module, the interval between the starting and finishing points of the period. Next, we find out φ by the rule: 1 interval of any oscillation = 360° (this is a stable proportion).
Measurements are also possible at the ends of periods (D and E), but in the right segment of the monitor the linearity is poor, and the likelihood of errors increases.
Calculus example with graphical illustration:
⑦ RIGOL DS1102Z-E digital oscilloscope, 2 analog channels
Rating: 4.9 Price: RUB 21,624.54
Go to the store The two-channel portable oscilloscope RIGOL DS1102Z-E has an analog channel bandwidth of up to 100 MHz. The real-time sampling rate is up to 1 GS/s, in dual-channel mode – up to 500 MS/s. The waveform acquisition speed of up to 30,000 per second allows the device to be used for professional purposes.
Advantages:
- 2 analog channels;
- sampling rate up to 1 GS/s (up to 500 MS/s in dual-channel mode);
- has a 7-inch display 800×480 px;
- the presence of UltraVision technology, which increases speed up to 30,000 waveforms per second.
Flaws:
- small encoders, but they can be replaced.
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⑧ Multimeter-oscilloscope MUSTOOL MDS8207
Rating: 4.9 Price: from RUB 7,125.40
up to
RUB 7,687.03
Go to the store The MUSTOOL MDS8207 multimeter with oscilloscope mode is made of durable plastic without rubber elements. The measurement accuracy is high, the error is 1-2%. Up to 100 results can be stored in the device's internal memory. The technical parameters of the oscilloscope provide a bandwidth of 40 MHz, so the device is used more as a multimeter. Power is supplied from three AA batteries.
Advantages:
- presence of a well-readable screen;
- small error, performs well as a multimeter;
- ease of use.
Flaws:
- powered by 3 AA batteries with high consumption;
- First of all, this is a multimeter, an oscilloscope is quite simple - for an entry-level one.
In hand
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⑨ JINHAN JDS6052S Handheld Digital Oscilloscope with Signal Generator
Rating: 4.8 Price: from RUB 6,070.92
up to
RUB 8,918.79
Go to the store The JINHAN JDS6052S compact digital oscilloscope has 1 channel and a narrow operating frequency - up to 30 MHz. The built-in signal generator allows you to calibrate the probe's input capacitance to increase the accuracy of the transmitted signal. The device can operate either from a built-in battery or from USB 2.0 power. The device is compatible with 100x probes, which allows you to correctly carry out measurements with high voltages.
Advantages:
- 2 in 1 device – oscilloscope and functional signal generator;
- Can run on both 18650 battery and USB.
Flaws:
- inconvenient interface and controls - you need to get used to it;
- comes without battery.
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Brief Introduction
The digital oscilloscope market offers many series from different manufacturers, so choosing even such a device that is familiar to every engineer becomes a difficult task. At the same time, a careful comparison of the characteristics and capabilities of models from different manufacturers may not answer the question: which oscilloscope is best suited to solve my problems?
In this article, relying on our work experience, we will talk about simple criteria for choosing the optimal oscilloscope, consider typical applications and offer oscilloscope models for each typical task, by choosing which you can work effectively and save your money, time and nerves.
