I think I'm ready to add an Oscilloscope to my work bench. Can anyone recommend a nice used model to look for? My main interests are power supplies and audio right now, but I'd like something with a bit of room to grow. I'd like to go into Electrical Engineering at some point, when I'm far enough along in my studies!
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Used Scope Recommendations?
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Re: Used Scope Recommendations?
I love Tektronix, but two models to avoid are the TDS 210 and TDS 220. Both have a common problem that makes one of the two channels unusable. The problem is not fixable (obsolete models, custom part that is not available). Other models are fine; the TDS (and THS) series models all have a similar user interface. Among handhelds, Tek's THS 7x0 models and Fluke's 190 series are pretty cool; the Fluke 90 series is pretty good too.PeteS in CA
Power Supplies should be boring: No loud noises, no bright flashes, and no bad smells.
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Re: Used Scope Recommendations?
This may be overkill, but I am now the proud owner of two oscilloscopes.
One is a Tektronix 453 (acquired locally for a song). The other is an eBay special(powers up/no way to test/no guarantee) Tektronix 7603 with 7A22 and 7B53A plugins. It works, but I'm still debugging power supply issues. Here's the irony: I've nailed the problems down to bad caps, and a couple of fried transistors. It also has a bad case of dust contamination.
The 453 is in better shape, and works a treat after cleaning the nuvistor sockets in the vertical input preamplifier. I just need to clean up the front panel and lube the cooling fan. It's been quite useful in debugging the 7603.
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Re: Used Scope Recommendations?
I'd be careful with that 2465 scope repair wise its a death trap those scopes use custom Large Scale Integrated ICs that Tektronix doesn't manufacure anymore.
Thats why I stick with my trusty Tek 475 the only scope you don't have to be a rocket scientist to fix .
As far as calibration thats up to you. If you are using the scope and require time accuracy or an accurate voltage display then calibration is a must.
However if you're just using it to check pulses to the MOSFETs gate on switchers and observing waveforms then calibration isn't necessary.
As a general rule though the scope should be checked out to see just how accurate it is and then you can make a decision on calibration.
Can't beat that price for a working scope though .Last edited by Krankshaft; 11-16-2007, 09:41 AM.Elements of the past and the future combining to make something not quite as good as either.
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