Buying an Oscilloscope: what to look for

There are many specifications and parameters to consider when buying an oscilloscope. But what are the most important specifications to consider when making a purchase?

In this video we speak to some industry experts to find out some of the main specifications and key points to consider when buying a scope. In this way the best oscilloscope for your requirements can be bought.

One of the first specifications is the oscilloscope bandwidth. This is the point at which the response falls to -3dB. Too little bandwidth and levels will not be correct and waveforms comprising harmonics, like square waves will become rounded.

When buying an oscilloscope, other specifications including oscilloscope sample rate, scope memory depth and the like are also important.

It is also necessary to consider how many channels are needed and whether additional channels like logic channels are important. Also it is worth thinking about capabilities like built in function generators and a digital multimeter capability are needed. Oscilloscopes with this mixed signal capability are called Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes, MSOs.

If spectrum analysis is another important capability, it is also worth considering this when looking at the specifications for buying a scope. Often oscilloscopes may have a built in Fourier transform capability to enable them to display signal spectra. Scopes with a dedicated spectrum analysis channel are called Mixed Domain Oscilloscopes, MDOs.

Many other parameters should be considered when buying a scope: waveform update rate, noise level form factor, USB scopes, and many specifications and parameters.

[acestudioscouk-Ace-GACE]

Thanks for this. Some useful information.

[dvdowns]

Hi, I need an oscilloscope for automotive applications, particularly long recordings to monitor current draw. What can you suggest that would allow me to watch the progress of voltage drop on the screen over several hours?

[abdussamad]

Its company publicty or advetise video

[Thrashahoy]

No mention at all of channels. Whether you need 2 or 4 or more. Digital or analog.

[dionisienatea]

Thank you for the info presented. I think would be more useful to detail every aspect discussed and explain why is important and how can help you in your application. I am new to this and none of the aspects discussed so far here are easy to understand well enough to make a decision. Can you do a follow up video with more details please? Would be much appreciated by me and the new guys with less experience in the field. Many thanks

[markhenderson]

I'm looking for a simple beginner's scope to be able to measure and monitor simultaneous voltage and current plots (using current clamp) along with phasing. The power i'm wanting to monitor is right around 400vac or pulsating dc at about 1 or 2 amps and 400 hertz. That's all I need it to do. It's for an ignition coil driver circuit. Can anyone help me out here? Looking at cheaper scopes like the Kiprim DS1202, or the Hantek DS02 C or D series, or the Yeapook ADS1014D. Would any of these work, and what current clamp or probe would work? New to electronics here and trying to learn. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Karacan]

Master, take it easy First of all, I want to ask you;
Is it possible to measure frequency beyond the specified frequency limit on an oscilloscope?
or how much frequency measurement can be made beyond the specified frequency limits.
thank you...

[sciencefollower]

DO WE HAVE ANY APP THAT CAN DO THE JOB OF AN OSCILLOSCOPE PLEASE ?

[battleaxesam]

Will I be handicapped by my oscilloscopes lack of an external trigger?

[OndrejPopp]

I see that Abdus Samad also commented on this a year ago, so although the information provided is generic enough, the experts at word are all from Rode&Schwartz (except maybe mr Henry Dulat) and so are the oscilloscopes you see in this video with the exception of the pico scope. So the presentation appears to be R&S driven. Whatever that really means.

[Pinkcybermonkey]

CC: Borum levels... Borum Name Meaning. Danish: habitational name from any of several places whose name means 'dwelling place on the edge'.
The CC needs to be fixed.

[ahmedalshalchi]

Nice direction of the video but it does not reflect the truth about the oscilloscope. It is only benefit of Rohde & Schwarz which I don't mind at all and I do support buying those highly if within budget !.

[bravekhan]

rhode&schwarz oscilloscopes are way more costly than i can afford

[kennylinda]

Actually e-Design's DS212 Mini Oscilloscope for usb oscilloscope is good.

[johnfiott]

Not impressed. No actual figures were quoted making it impossible to rate any potential scope. It all sounded like a vague advertising video.

[jolynnathan]

Almost the entire video is just stolen from a rhode&schwarz advertisement video.

[guitarguy]

Your video quality is good & also your explanation but i cant understand why your channel is not famous yet

[shaunbigblocks]

Useless clickbait talking in circles lacking any attention to detail. Appears to be visual repetitive marketing for Rhode & Schwarz. Imagine if the question was "buying a car: what to look for" and I said stuff like make sure the cam LSA is within a spec that would be useful to you, make sure it has tires that work for your climate and terrain, make sure that it has features that you will use... WTF 8m of my life I will never get back...