Buying an Oscilloscope

[boroko]

I have a Tek bench scope that does wonderful things as far as seeing very small details of anything that I have had the need to see, but it can't decode data streams. Ebay purchase, needs a tune-up.

I have a Velleman HPS40 hand held and it is nice for portable work. Single channel makes it a bit limited, and it does like to feed on batteries if you don't have external power, but I DO like it. Again. this is for signal viewing, not data stream decoding.

I had some advise from a well known magazine author and he loves his Clever Scope. At the time, I couldn't afford it, but wanted the ability to decode data streams, I tried a Saleae Logic pod for the data work and I love it @ $149. The 5 vdc input makes it limited for signal level problems, but since I already have a analog scope to see the electrical signals, the USB pod does a lot of work for me.

Hope that helps
Bo

[masosi]

I tried a Saleae Logic pod for the data work and I love it @ $149

That looks awsome!

[boroko]

masosi:

Just so that I haven't mislead you, the Logic pod only deals with logic (read: 0-5 vdc) levels. It does it very fast, and you can catch spikes, but it is not designed for signal analysis in the traditional way. It only displays ON or OFF levels based on the 5 v logic that it sees.

For instance, if you want to watch RS232 comm, you have to tap the logic signals before the MAX232 so that you are only working within it's voltage limits. There are warnings about levels over 5 vdc. You could use a voltage divider if needed, but you are treading in thin air if you forget.

If used within it's design, it solves the problem of seeing what the data pattern is. You set up a decode criteria and it shows what it understands the capture to be. It fills the gap for me so that I didn't have to spend a lot on a new scope.

Just wanted to be clear.

Bo

[masosi]

It fills the gap for me so that I didn't have to spend a lot on a new scope.

I think i've found something to cover both
http://www.linkinstruments.com/mso19.htm
Its a single channel Scope with Logic Analyzer and Pattern Generator. Pretty good price i reckon!