5 ms·

$89 pocket oscilloscope

39 points by timthorn 17y ago

f_sav 17y ago
I get a MySQL error, but from the URL, I guess that's the product (manufacturer page): http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/micro-digital-storage-oscilloscopedso-nano-p-512.html http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/micro-digital-storage-oscil...
- timthorn 17y ago
  That's right. The URL (points to a review of the product) still seems to work for me, but the product is a pocket sized, 1 channel 1MHz scope with a PC interface. I'm crossing my fingers for a logic analyser version.
  - unwind 17y ago
    If you're not aware of it, I consider the Saleae Logic (http://www.saleae.com/logic/ http://www.saleae.com/logic/) to be the perfect companion. Of course I say that without owning either, but I've been keeping an eye on them both for quite a while now.
    - tptacek 17y ago
      I've been happy with my Saleae probe, and it sure is classy looking.
rlpb 17y ago
> If you have used an analogue scope with it’s vast array of dials, knobs and switches trust me this device is simplicity itself to use in comparison. I think I'd prefer to be able to adjust what I need quickly rather than have to select through a menu. I'm a bit surprised that the opposite is being mentioned as a feature. Is it just me? Not that I think I can object for $89. Although I think I'd prefer a PC card for my laptop and some software instead.
- eru 17y ago
  By the way, do you know if there are any digital cameras with `analog' knobs and dials?
  - timthorn 17y ago
    Most digital SLRs have analogue controls for at least focus and zoom, and usually one or two more multi-purpose knobs in addition.
  - ugh 17y ago
    Leica's digital Ms are the only cameras I can think of. (Focus, Aperture and exposure, beyond that you are also out of luck. Consindering that M cameras don't have much else beyond ISO and EV correction to adjust, the digital Ms nevertheless remained pretty analog cameras.) Make no mistake, other cameras (usually DSLRs) do have dials, but they usually have multiple functions depending on the mode you are in or the buttons you pressed. DSLR lenses allow for analog control over focus and (if they are zoom lenses) focal length. Some odd cameras might throw in dedicated dials for such things as EV correction and ISO (the recent G series models from Canon). Adding additional dials (which can be assigned special functions) has also become quite popular with higher end small sensor cameras like the S90 from Canon. But I don't know any camera (except the Leicas which are way too expensive for many, many people including myself) which conciously decided to reduce the complexity of the digital interface in favour of analog controls. Sure, you can use the analog stuff, but you can also go the digital route. Which leaves cameras with their complex user interfaces. I don't know whether that's the right or wrong way to go. Digital cameras do have many more incredibly useful functions analog cameras didn't have. So a fully analog control might not be practical.
    - aarongough 17y ago
      Thanks for that reference to the Leica M digital cameras! I have been looking for a manual digital camera for a long time, but had never come across those!
      - 17y ago
jws 17y ago
1MHz maximum sample rate.
- tibbon 17y ago
  Somewhat limiting for some purposes. I've got a 'cheap' 60mhz scope here, but I rarely use it at that speed. I'm mainly measuring some audio signals or calibrating something on a synth. Keeping one of these in my travel case for my music rig is a lot easier than carrying my large scope around. Definitely going to get one- or two.
  - tesseract 17y ago
    It's not 1MHz (in the usual sense), it's 1MS/s. In theory, Nyquist says it should therefore be good to 500kHz in realtime; in practice, consider yourself lucky if that works out. Also consider that if the 'scope has a proper antialiasing filter its rise time will be limited to something in the microsecond region - and if it doesn't have such a filter you've got another problem on your hands. I guess if you've got a repetitive signal and it can do averaging, that would help.
yardie 17y ago
Not a bad device but the 1MHz sample rate kills it for me. Anyone can recommend a good USB scope?
- westbywest 17y ago
  Yeah, I don't see how this would be of use for things that are not analog synth, shortwave, or HAM radio, whose enthusiasts usually already have scopes. Even 10-50MHz could be mildly useful, but not 1MHz.
- gamble 17y ago
  I'm happy with my Picoscope 2205. http://www.picotech.com/oscilloscope.html http://www.picotech.com/oscilloscope.html

39 points by timthorn 17y ago

f_sav 17y ago

I get a MySQL error, but from the URL, I guess that's the product (manufacturer page): http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/micro-digital-storage-oscilloscopedso-nano-p-512.html http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/micro-digital-storage-oscil...

timthorn 17y ago
That's right. The URL (points to a review of the product) still seems to work for me, but the product is a pocket sized, 1 channel 1MHz scope with a PC interface. I'm crossing my fingers for a logic analyser version.
- unwind 17y ago
  If you're not aware of it, I consider the Saleae Logic (http://www.saleae.com/logic/ http://www.saleae.com/logic/) to be the perfect companion. Of course I say that without owning either, but I've been keeping an eye on them both for quite a while now.
  - tptacek 17y ago
    I've been happy with my Saleae probe, and it sure is classy looking.

rlpb 17y ago

> If you have used an analogue scope with it’s vast array of dials, knobs and switches trust me this device is simplicity itself to use in comparison. I think I'd prefer to be able to adjust what I need quickly rather than have to select through a menu. I'm a bit surprised that the opposite is being mentioned as a feature. Is it just me? Not that I think I can object for $89. Although I think I'd prefer a PC card for my laptop and some software instead.

eru 17y ago
By the way, do you know if there are any digital cameras with `analog' knobs and dials?
- timthorn 17y ago
  Most digital SLRs have analogue controls for at least focus and zoom, and usually one or two more multi-purpose knobs in addition.
- ugh 17y ago
  Leica's digital Ms are the only cameras I can think of. (Focus, Aperture and exposure, beyond that you are also out of luck. Consindering that M cameras don't have much else beyond ISO and EV correction to adjust, the digital Ms nevertheless remained pretty analog cameras.) Make no mistake, other cameras (usually DSLRs) do have dials, but they usually have multiple functions depending on the mode you are in or the buttons you pressed. DSLR lenses allow for analog control over focus and (if they are zoom lenses) focal length. Some odd cameras might throw in dedicated dials for such things as EV correction and ISO (the recent G series models from Canon). Adding additional dials (which can be assigned special functions) has also become quite popular with higher end small sensor cameras like the S90 from Canon. But I don't know any camera (except the Leicas which are way too expensive for many, many people including myself) which conciously decided to reduce the complexity of the digital interface in favour of analog controls. Sure, you can use the analog stuff, but you can also go the digital route. Which leaves cameras with their complex user interfaces. I don't know whether that's the right or wrong way to go. Digital cameras do have many more incredibly useful functions analog cameras didn't have. So a fully analog control might not be practical.
  - aarongough 17y ago
    Thanks for that reference to the Leica M digital cameras! I have been looking for a manual digital camera for a long time, but had never come across those!
    - 17y ago

jws 17y ago

1MHz maximum sample rate.

tibbon 17y ago
Somewhat limiting for some purposes. I've got a 'cheap' 60mhz scope here, but I rarely use it at that speed. I'm mainly measuring some audio signals or calibrating something on a synth. Keeping one of these in my travel case for my music rig is a lot easier than carrying my large scope around. Definitely going to get one- or two.
- tesseract 17y ago
  It's not 1MHz (in the usual sense), it's 1MS/s. In theory, Nyquist says it should therefore be good to 500kHz in realtime; in practice, consider yourself lucky if that works out. Also consider that if the 'scope has a proper antialiasing filter its rise time will be limited to something in the microsecond region - and if it doesn't have such a filter you've got another problem on your hands. I guess if you've got a repetitive signal and it can do averaging, that would help.

yardie 17y ago

Not a bad device but the 1MHz sample rate kills it for me. Anyone can recommend a good USB scope?

westbywest 17y ago
Yeah, I don't see how this would be of use for things that are not analog synth, shortwave, or HAM radio, whose enthusiasts usually already have scopes. Even 10-50MHz could be mildly useful, but not 1MHz.
gamble 17y ago
I'm happy with my Picoscope 2205. http://www.picotech.com/oscilloscope.html http://www.picotech.com/oscilloscope.html