hi all,

little different post here...

as a budding hobbyist, i am looking at improving my bench test/repair tools. i am considering the purchase of my first oscilloscope.

so...

what do you feel are the "must haves?" / the "that would be nice?" / and the "oooh, someday!" 

brands / models / prices / tips?

thx in advance for your input, 

There's no end to what you could have, but the obvious must have is a good multimeter. Preferably with a transistor hFE check range (the simple diode checks can't always tell if a transistor is good, just if it is certainly faulty). Another thing, which you unfortunately can't buy at any reasonable price, is a capacitor ESR meter - anyway, you can compensate for that by simply replacing all of the suspect caps.

As to oscilloscopes, a 10 to 20 MHz unit will do everything including TV sets. No need to overshoot here. I have a 100 MHz Tektronix from early 90s, and all the added range usually does is to add noise to the display.

These are my opinions, I hope they will be added to by others  

What about a TDS210, they have a quite attractive going rate now, are handy and have most functions needed. If you're willing to spend a little more a TDS220 or TDS224 would be nice as well. I had one some time back, before I got an offer on a HP scope with integrated logic analyzer which I could not refuse....

Marcus 

My suggestion for is perhaps a little different.

I would like you to consider using your PC and a quality soundcard, there is a lot of software availble. This solution will give you:

Scop function -  High quality signal generator - spectrum analyzer and much more.

One point to consider is though, you have a small problem because of the soundcard input impedance. The solution I have used is design of my own input / output buffer circuit (gain 1 - input imp. 1 M ohm - output imp. 50 ohm). With this solution you will have a very high quality analysing tool for you lab.

I have used this kind of equipment for 5 - 6 years now and I am on 3. generation now. If anybody is interested, I could suggest software as well as soundcard and I can help on the design and circuits for the buffer circuit.

As an alternative - there are some allready build scope's availble for PC use. This is a more expensive solution but absolutely a quality solution. Buying the correct tools - you have a better solution than a traditional scope with only one function ;)

ESR test - please visit ELV (Germany) find ESR1 - a realtively cheap solution - it works very well.You can also buy many more test equipments  eg. there PC scope / spectrum analyser - ready build.

/Frede 

Hi Jeff,

Actually, I can recommend an excellent ESR meter at a good price. Bob Parker in Australia invented it, and then Vito Manuel in Portugal perfected it. Vito gives first class after-sales support. I've had it now for over 2 years, and it is fantastic at finding bad caps. Google EVB ESR meter.

Multimeter: I can recommend the Uni-Trend UT58D or UT70A - in addition to the common functions, it also has Capacitance, Inductance, Transistor hFe, Diode Test, Continuity. Good quality workhorse at a fair price. My favorite is the Fluke 187, but I had to wait for my 46th birthday, until I could justify the expenditure!

Soldering Station - don't skimp on this, this makes all your work either a pleasure or a pain - either a Weller or Hakko (my choice) soldering station. The basic model with temperature control is fine, you don't need all the digital goodies.

And always keep soldering paste (flux) on hand, for when the solder goes on in blobs. A little flux goes a long way to making clean, professional joints.

Good luck!

Menahem