Oscilloscope?

[Cato]

What're you using? I need to get one for general but predominantly automotive work, but it's been 20 years since I had/used one and things have moved on. Sensors, ign cycles, injection pulses etc will be the main fare.

There seems to be three main categories now, bench/sort of portable (what I've used before) PITA reaching things with the leads unless the 'thing' is on the bench. Hand held, screens seem a bit small? Then the PC/LapTop based ones such as Pico seem very popular, well featured and portable. Just need to kit up (probably make up too) with leads and you're good to go.

So a PicoScope seems to be the one to go for unless there's anything I'm missing about them?

 

[hotponyshoes]

I've got a Fluke one which is handheld but has a decent size screen. You can record to it so you can zoom in afterwards which is useful.
Doesn't seem to have any problems with using extensions on the leads when required and has 2 sets of inputs which is useful for comparisons of stuff.

Mate of mine has a Bluetooth thing. Not sure what make but its pretty nifty as you can cable-tie it under the bonnet and do a road test with the tablet in the car.

 

[Cato]

I've got a Fluke one which is handheld but has a decent size screen. You can record to it so you can zoom in afterwards which is useful.
Doesn't seem to have any problems with using extensions on the leads when required and has 2 sets of inputs which is useful for comparisons of stuff.

Mate of mine has a Bluetooth thing. Not sure what make but its pretty nifty as you can cable-tie it under the bonnet and do a road test with the tablet in the car.

Useful to know, thanks. I have seen the Fluke (and similar) handhelds and the spec seems very good for the size of them. Especially when compared to the clunky diagnostic units that used to get wheeled about a workshop.

I won't be using it on cars though, and it'll all be workshop based stuff, so the bluetooth data logger wouldn't be something I'd need.

 

[sako243]

What're you using?

Keysight InfiniiVision MSOX3024T quad channel 200MHz bandwidth scope with an additional 16 digital channels.

Well you asked...

 

[hotponyshoes]

You can also add a usb cable to the fluke meter so you could connect it to a pc in the workshop for viewing on a big screen.
You can control the meter from the pc as well so might be the best of both worlds?

I don't know anything about the picoscope but I'm presuming it needs a pc/laptop?

The hand-held meters are probably a bit easier to just grab-and-use for a quick check of something?

 

[Cato]

You can also add a usb cable to the fluke meter so you could connect it to a pc in the workshop for viewing on a big screen.
You can control the meter from the pc as well so might be the best of both worlds?

I don't know anything about the picoscope but I'm presuming it needs a pc/laptop?

The hand-held meters are probably a bit easier to just grab-and-use for a quick check of something?

It might be that the best 'cover all' solution would be a handheld along with a Pico. As you say, a quick check to rule something in or our would be best with a handheld. Anything more involved using captures, overlays or whatever would be easier on the PC/LapTop.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I don't think you would need both a handheld and a pico.
(Or at least I don't)
Maybe if you need more than 2 inputs..

The handheld has plenty of functionality and I have never needed any more than what it offers for general workshop & modern automotive use.
The only downside is the smaller screen and the overlaying etc. The screen on mine is mono so to use 2 inputs you have to Half the screen again to use both.
I wouldn't want the screen to be any bigger as it would be difficult to hold with one hand.

When connected to a pc you can control the scope from the pc plus do the stuff like have a separate colour for each input to view them both on the same graph or use overlays and drag/drop alignment.
There is another load of functionality in the software that I have never dug into plus various 3rd party compatible programs that I haven't tried either.

To be honest, the main reason I use the pc connection is so I can screen shot stuff and email it to someone who knows how to understand it!!!
I've also used it on remote desktop before...

The handheld is just handy as it only takes 2-3 seconds to turn on and it's a lot better suited to using under a bonnet than a laptop is...

 

[johnik]

Keysight InfiniiVision MSOX3024T quad channel 200MHz bandwidth scope with an additional 16 digital channels.
View attachment 376224
Well you asked...

going by the cuppa bottom left, you are working on an infinate improbibility drive ?

 

[Martin-Sy]

Rigol DS1054 here. 4 Channel 50MHz. Included some protocol analyser firmware when I bought mine about 2 yrs ago.
About £350 from what I remember.
Also have Hitachi V1100 4 chan analogue. Old but good when u really want analogue.

 

[Cato]

I don't think you would need both a handheld and a pico.
(Or at least I don't)
Maybe if you need more than 2 inputs..

The handheld has plenty of functionality and I have never needed any more than what it offers for general workshop & modern automotive use.
The only downside is the smaller screen and the overlaying etc. The screen on mine is mono so to use 2 inputs you have to Half the screen again to use both.
I wouldn't want the screen to be any bigger as it would be difficult to hold with one hand.

When connected to a pc you can control the scope from the pc plus do the stuff like have a separate colour for each input to view them both on the same graph or use overlays and drag/drop alignment.
There is another load of functionality in the software that I have never dug into plus various 3rd party compatible programs that I haven't tried either.

To be honest, the main reason I use the pc connection is so I can screen shot stuff and email it to someone who knows how to understand it!!!
I've also used it on remote desktop before...

The handheld is just handy as it only takes 2-3 seconds to turn on and it's a lot better suited to using under a bonnet than a laptop is...

I can certainly see that for cars, but as there aren't any bonnets involved and I'd be a couple of meters from the bench that advantage to the handheld doesn't really apply.

I would need to use storage and overlay quite a bit, getting base readings for a sensor installed where there wasn't one previously for example. Or adapting/calibrating for an input which would usually be coolant temp but is fitted to an oil cooled bike. Another one will be measuring intake pulse, or using pulse readings from elsewhere triggered from an injector. That sort of stuff would be better on the PC/LapTop as I could overlay, print our and make notes on the printed copy, email (as you mentioned).

It sounds like the Pico set up would be the way to go, and then if needed pick up a used handheld to fill in.

 

[Robert Weaver]

Chinese hantek 6022 connected to a laptop. Seems ok for the little I use it.

 

[Cato]

Chinese hantek 6022 connected to a laptop. Seems ok for the little I use it.

I try to avoid buying stuff from China wherever possible.

 

[premmington]

What am I using? Pico laptop based (two channel only) - plus several semi fast (ish) simple single channel graphing multimeters!

Even as a full time auto electrician - I don't actually use a scope that often. Mostly - we are graphing out using live data thru DL16 diagnostics. The scope only really comes out - if I don't "trust what I am seeing thru live data" - then the testing at source starts.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Managed to pick this one up for £50 a few years ago old but good.

 

[Cato]

What am I using? Pico laptop based (two channel only) - plus several semi fast (ish) simple single channel graphing multimeters!

Even as a full time auto electrician - I don't actually use a scope that often. Mostly - we are graphing out using live data thru DL16 diagnostics. The scope only really comes out - if I don't "trust what I am seeing thru live data" - then the testing at source starts.

Yeah, trusting readings or maps can be an issue. Anything (or certainly most stuff) for engine management I'd be doing will be using aftermarket ECUs and a combination of home brew and base maps. So I'd just feel more comfortable being able to look at a wide band oxygen sensor or injector pulse direct and compare it to whatever the software the ecu comes with is providing. Also to confirm I haven't overlooked something I fancy having a dig into Speeduino for example, and it'd be really useful there.

It'll allow me to use the sort of readings I was using 20+ years ago as a starting point, familiarity is frequently a comfort.

 

[Keithmac]

I bought this earlier in the year, just for it's 4 channel scope (for me to use on Motorcycles mainly).

Haven't had much time to use it yet though.

A lot use the Pico Automotive scopes, seem the go-to especially if you need access to known good waveforms.

I didn't want one tied to a laptop personally.

 

[Robotstar5]

I try to avoid buying stuff from China wherever possible.

Go for tried and tested British engineering like this nice compact portable set up

 

[Cato]

Go for tried and tested British engineering like this nice compact portable set up

Ah the good old days, very posh and ridiculously expensive when it was cutting edge. The last dedicated diagnostic stuff I used was TestBook at Gaydon.

 

[Robotstar5]

Ah the good old days, very posh and ridiculously expensive when it was cutting edge. The last dedicated diagnostic stuff I used was TestBook at Gaydon.

I'm sure I still have my Testbook course folder in the loft, think I did the course in the 90's.

 

[Cato]

I'm sure I still have my Testbook course folder in the loft, think I did the course in the 90's.

I was there in the mid to late '90s. I didn't deliver the testbook courses, Pete (can't remember his second name) usually did those. I was delivering the engine management, electrics and transmissions and a lot of P38 electrical stuff.