Looking to get an o-scope (its something I run into wanting every once in a while, but I never have one so I'm fixing that).
I love the idea of a handheld one, since this would be a shop tool for me and not a bench electronics setup. I also don't need super-mega-ultra-fast capabilities.
I really like the idea of this Hantek because it is cheap, and I LOVE the idea of a build in waveform generator for testing as well.
I'm sort of worried it's a 'too good to be true' scenario and the tool will not work well or will be useless in a year or two, therefore meaning that my money was not saved at all, and rather was wasted.
https://www.amazon.com/Hantek2D72-Oscilloscope-Generator-Multimeter-Multifunction/dp/B07PWZTNJK/ref=sr_1_3?gclid=CjwKCAiAv9ucBhBXEiwA6N8nYGmqOHxrxgSjONjSEwbdHvvWg8nr2O8vtM7GmWhHdDPW1i2tQYYZABoCjhAQAvD_BwE&hvadid=604525014228&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9021588&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12999439694316551972&hvtargid=kwd-1435013978539&hydadcr=13121_13399449&keywords=hantek%2B2d72%2Bhandheld%2Boscilloscope&qid=1670879311&sr=8-3&th=1
Anyone have thoughts or experience? are there other better ones that I could look at used that also do waveform generation?
Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:
Looking to get an o-scope (its something I run into wanting every once in a while, but I never have one so I'm fixing that).
Anyone have thoughts or experience? are there other better ones that I could look at used that also do waveform generation?
I got this one a few years ago, but a Hantek (can't remember which one) was in the running as well. Back then the Scanner Danner forums had some good reccomendations.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/283337292265
For me it's a tool that I don't use much, but the 2-3 times I've needed it, nothing else will do.
My o-scope is an early 80s (?) Tektronix that's about the size of 2 automotive batteries, so I won't be of much help 
But I can assure you that when you need one, an oscilloscope is about the most useful tool ever.
Needless to say mine is fully analog, so there's no memory. When I was trying to decipher a no-start condition and looking for a large spike amongst a bunch of small spikes, I ended up videoing the screen w/ my phone and then reviewing the video in slow-mo. Voila, a digital scope!
It really depends on your needs. I've never used an oscilloscope for autos, but I've used them a bunch for other electronics projects. I also tinker with HiFi audio stuff. I've found the cheaper digital ones to be crude and noisy for low level signals, but maybe they're fine for DC auto projects, I don't know. I have a Tektronix 2225 50MHz scope that I bought off of FB Marketplace for $20 and it's awesome. Takes some practice, but very powerful tool.
TIL-you can use an oscilloscope on a car. Though I guess that is kind of what all my Dad's old Sun machines were.
I have an old school o-scope in the basement.
preach (dudeist priest) said:
TIL-you can use an oscilloscope on a car. Though I guess that is kind of what all my Dad's old Sun machines were.
I have an old school o-scope in the basement.
Oh jeez, I can't find a place where you can't use one.
With a pressure transducer you can do a full cycle compression test, for example. You will be able to see peak compression relative to the crank sensor, which helps you find a slipped sensor ring. You can see the intake and exhaust events, which tells you if the chain is off time.
You can amp-clamp the starter and, also scoping the cam sensor, get an idea of compression on all cylinders with an amazing amount of accuracy without turning a single wrench.
Pico's scope software can, in a thing I only learned this week, decode CAN signals.
The most mundane thing I have scoped was an intermittent door lock. Didn't know if it was the switch or the lock actuator, so I scoped both and sat there dithering the switch for five minutes until it acted up, then it was obvious. You try watching two DVOMs like a hawk while boredly flipping a switch sometime 
Scope trace remembers all.
Another interesting thing I saw was using math channels to chart frequency, to find a failing reluctor wheel. A bunch of square waves look like a bunch of square waves but when you math the frequency you'll see spikes where there are some that should not be there...
^ that right there made the thread worth reading. Pretty powerful tools!
