[time-nuts] Chinese Scopes (was: Re: LORAN-C at MIT)

[J. Forster]

> At eevblog.com forum Chinese scopes are a daily discussion for over 3
> years.
>
> In summary, in the <= 100 MHz level they are very cost effective but there
> are better and worse.  Rigol, Owon and Hantek are on par while Atten and
> Uni-T are consistently rated less.  The criteria for rating them are
> measurement accuracy and precision, UI, construction quality and tech
> support.

Measurement accuracy is a ruse, IMO. I don't care if a 'scope is
"accurate". I want the waveform to be a faithful representation of the
electrical behaviour of the circuit, free oif sampling artifacts and
aliasing.

If I want to accurately measure a voltage, I'll use a differential
comparator or DVM. Anything timing, an appropriately gated counter.

Some years ago Tektronix had a digital camera package with RS-170 output
and some aardvaark frame grab board for a PC and a SW package. It was
designed to do waveform measurement.

I would actually like to know why many seem to feel that a 500 MHz analog
'scope is not "good enough" for what you really do in your lab?

The more I hear about 40 GSps or whatever 'scopes, the more I'm convinced
it's like comparing car engines or top speed. So, I have a car that'll do
160 MPH and yours will do 172? So what? Can you use it? No.

YMMV,

-John

================

> Prices vary depending on country, and local support varies.  Those
> differences will help you choose between the better 3 brands.
>
> Rigol is consistent in quality all around, but cost more than the others.
> Rigol is the only maker with scopes that compete with Agilent or Tek, in
> the 1-4 GHz level.  Support is mostly via the sellers.  In the USA, Rigol
> has a subsidiary that provides responsive support.
>
> Owon and Hantek offer larger screens, more features and better GUI, but
> can be plagued with construction flaws.  Its acceptable if your seller
> will exchange any defective units you purhcase.  Owon has provided tech
> and hardware support directly from China, including spares.
>
> Atten and Uni-T glitches are concerning, as they tend to provide erratic
> measurement.
>
>
> At 04:19 04/16/2012, time-nuts-request at febo.com wrote:
> Message: 7
> Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:46:27 +0200
> From: Attila Kinali <attila at kinali.ch>
> To: lists at lazygranch.com, Discussion of precise time and frequency
> measurement <time-nuts at febo.com>
> Subject: [time-nuts] Chinese Scopes (was: Re: LORAN-C at MIT)
> Message-ID: <20120416094627.f245ebdfd5df7305dd528952 at kinali.ch>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
>
> On Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:42:31 +0000
> lists at lazygranch.com wrote:
>
>> Sadly, the last scope I bought was a Chinese Rigol. (I do have "real"
>> scopes too.) It is getting to the point where Rigol and Instek will make
>> buying boat anchors a thing of the past.
>
> What's the quality of those chinese scopes?
> I could need a "modern" DSO as addition to my stone age 2ch 50MHz Tek.
> But there isn't any usable surplus market in europe and used scopes cost
> nearly as much as new ones. Ie Tek, Agilent and LeCroy are out of my
> budget,
> even if used. But then, i'd rather spend 2000chf on a new Scope than get
> one for 500 that isn't half usable.
>
> Attila Kinali
>
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