r/oscilloscope

Some instructions for adjusting a probe’s compensation say to set the probe & the scope to X10 (or 10X). Does this mean you’re getting X100 attenuation of the signal?

What happens when the probe is switched to X1? Do you have to readjust the compensation? There’s never any mention of this.

Looking around it appears some scopes don’t have an X10 setting. You just connect the probe to the scope’s compensation terminals & adjust the probe. Does that mean every time you switch the probe between X10 and X1 you have to readjust the compensation?

I'm designing a small oscilloscope using an RP2040 Pico (3.3V ADC) and need a safe analog front-end.

Requirements:

• Input voltage: up to ±30V (accidental reverse polarity is possible)
• Frequency range: 20 Hz to 50 kHz
• Preserve waveform shape and amplitude as much as possible
• Protect the RP2040 ADC from negative voltage and overvoltage
• Low-cost design (no expensive analog front-end ICs)

I've seen many different approaches:

• High-value resistor divider
• Series resistor + Schottky clamp diodes
• AC coupling with 1.65V bias
• TVS diodes
• Op-amp buffer
• Various combinations of the above

I'm looking for a front-end that provides good protection without noticeably distorting the waveform in the 20 Hz–50 kHz range.

If you've designed a similar oscilloscope or analog front-end for an RP2040 (or any MCU ADC), what circuit would you recommend? A schematic or practical design example would be greatly appreciated.

Hello everyone! I'm about to get an oscilloscope, I will mainly use it for both electronic devices reairs as well as for personal use building circuits, playing around with them and learning.

I did a little research and determined I should aim for 100-200 MHz, however, I saw two options and I have little to no idea on which one to get.

The options are: owon SDS220S for 210€ or Hantek DSO2D50 for around 275€, both from Banggood.

I "don't mind" the extra money if one is substantially better than the other one, but however, what do you think about them?

Thanks in advance :)

Aside from space and cost, are there any drawbacks with buying two 2 channel scopes vs one 4 channel scope?

All specs being identical, is there anything I need to do on a 4 channel scope that I can’t do on two 2 channel scopes?

I only need a 2 channel scope in the mean time, but eventually I’ll need an extra channel. Would it make sense to buy two 2 channel scopes if the total cost is only $100 more than a 4 channel scope?

Owon sds210s vs hantek dso2d10.The owon scope has 20M memory while hantek has 8M memory,is the owon sds210s better at this price range?

Hello, looking to buy my first scope. Want to use it to properly set my gains for car audio, and to dable in board level repair. Want something portable and easy to move. I know 0 about scopes. Was looking at some on amazon, are any of them decent, or atleast workable? Located in canada. Would like to stay priced around 150cad. Thanks

Hey guys! Quick curiosity check.

Can anyone setup a function generator, push it to exactly 4.113 MHz, and post a picture of what that specific visual waveform looks like on your oscilloscope?

I really want to see how different screens (analog vs digital) handle that exact frequency. Show me what you got! Hahaha Thanks!

I found a used RIGOL DS1102E plus listed for 275cad. I do mostly breadboard work and i'm going into electrical engineering this fall, so might be useful for that as well. Been wanting to get a scope for a while but i saw this listing and don't know if it's overkill for what I'm doing and if it's worth getting. I do digital circuits, some analog but i want to explore more of this. I want to make a gpu so i think one would be useful for checking timing for that and other projects; want it for hobbyist work mostly maybe some repair. Mostly want a good screen. Thoughts?