EEVblog #591 - Agilent 54622D Retro Mixed Signal Osciloscope Review & Teardown

Dave checks out one of his favorite "old" oscilloscopes, the 2000 vintage Agilent 54622D mixed signal oscilloscope with the original megazoom ASIC technology and high resolution CRT display.

Teardown photos:

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[victoraigner]

I've got a 54622a, got it for $95 excellent scope, came with manuals and a pair of original probes, best purchase ever...

[advancedmicrosystems]

I own a 54622D and a 54642D and absolutely love both.

[aserta]

We had one just like this one in our school lab. It worked so well and it was very intuitive.

It was a hand-me-down from a local electronics shop that moved out of the building right next to the school.

[ThePostApocalypticInventor]

There might have been some technical advances since 2000 (the replacement of monochrome CRTs with LCDs would be the most visible). But I guess the impression that this scope seems old by now has to do with some design changes that are pure "marketing descisions"  and do not really represent technical advances. Oscilloscopes had the same uniform grey look for many decades and it is a recent trend  that even scientific gear is "stylish" and reminds you of the looks of consumer products. I guess as an engineer one should not let himself be blinded by the "looks" of the gear. I for my part regard some things as "modern" but not necessarily "advanced": For example I don't see the advantage of  flashing soft buttons over the (in my opinion) more rugged plastic buttons they used 30 years ago.

[cfcreative]

I just bought the analog version 54624A. $200 US on Ebay. My first scope.

[marioxuereb]

Hi Dave, i could not resist in buying one of these scops after seeing this demostration !
Like your videos and your expressions haha, THANKS FROM MALTA !!!

[katfox]

i was able to rescue a 54622a from my university. they where going to throw it away because the buttons underneath the screen didnt work. i got it for free and i have fixed the buttons and now it works perfectly

[BlackEpyon]

6 years later, but just what I needed. Was considering picking one of these up on eBay.

[ThePostApocalypticInventor]

It makes me kinda sad to talk about the year 2000 like it's been a long time ago...Feels like yesterday. I refuse to call this one a "vintage" ;P 

[SoloSyndicate]

I was just given one of these and I don't know how to use it yet. I'm glad this video exists.

[TheEPROM]

I love old tech, seems strange for me calling 2000 era tech old as I remember it so well.

[FirstWizardZorander]

Awesome video as always, Dave! I find it amazing that there are circumstances where slightly older tech outshines newer counterparts. I still write with fountain pens, which I think is a great example of that.

[Balancedviewable]

Bought a 54621a after watching this, didnt need digital, just use it for 27mhz cb, what a great piece of kit, so intuitive to use.

[markkoh]

Best scope ever those days!.... I love it too! I got 2 x 54622A and 1 x 54622D 

Now I have upgraded to MSO7104B, but still use 54622D for my daily

[cozzmAU]

Nice short video to work up the appetite before dinner. Great stuff Dave.

[tobyant-]

I loved using this scope while on placement, was such a fast and easy scope to use. Had many competitions between other students to gain the highest score on Asteroids ;)

[fredkilner]

Rockon! I worked with one of those two years ago and nobody told me about Asteroids on it. Only used one or two channel analog scope features but it worked great!

[ChipGuy]

The Mega Zoom ASICs look like some gate arrays from Fujitsu, they start with "MB". The processor starts with "UPD" so it is most likely a NEC chip :)

[andreaswinter]

Hi, a little bit late, but Dave mentioned that the fan could be replaced with a quieter one. The fan is a Panasonic FBA08A12U with a massive 47 CFM airflow and 38dbA. Up to now I couldn't find a much quieter one with nearly this airflow. Any ideas?

[ovalwingnut]

Another new owner of this classic. However its the 54621D / 60Mhz MSO. Love it. Discovered these scopes late. Was chasing the TEK TDS400/500 series. Was tough to let go of the dream, but the HP has more bang IMHO. Thank you for the video. I love you man 😎