2 ms·

As a hobbyist trying not to spend too much money, I ended up getting the following amateur-level equipment: - Digilent Analog Discovery 2: Low-end 30MHz oscill

As a hobbyist trying not to spend too much money, I ended up getting the following amateur-level equipment: - Digilent Analog Discovery 2: Low-end 30MHz oscilloscope+function generator+logic analyzer controlled via USB. $279 (or $179 with student discount) I think of it as 'swiss army knife' of electronics: it's not as good as a real oscilloscope, function generator, or logic analyzer, but it does the basics of all those roles and fits in your pocket. http://store.digilentinc.com/analog-discovery-2-100msps-usb-oscilloscope-logic-analyzer-and-variable-power-supply/ http://store.digilentinc.com/analog-discovery-2-100msps-usb-... - Xprotolab Plain: Same general idea as the Analog Discovery, but only $20 and therefore an order of magnitude crappier. Only 20kHz bandwidth. Suitable for an absolute beginner on a tight budget. http://www.gabotronics.com/oscilloscopes/xprotolab-plain.htm http://www.gabotronics.com/oscilloscopes/xprotolab-plain.htm - Extech EX330 multimeter: It's a multimeter, the most basic instrument you'll need. $53 on Amazon. I recommend getting some alligator clip probes; I find them much more useful than the pointy probes it comes with. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EX0AE4 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EX0AE4

YZF 9y ago
I would look for used equipment if that's at all an option. A "real" scope is a workhorse that lasts forever with the features and the convenience you don't get from those cheaper options. You also want real scope probes. In my area I see someone selling a TDS220 for $200 which would be a good buy. Also an older 4 channel 100MHz Analog scope... Quality multi-meters are also workhorses.
- timmaxw 9y ago
  One of the reasons I chose a USB scope is for the portability. Real scopes are too big to stuff in a backpack. I agree the calculation would be different without that. I haven't gone far enough in electronics to run into limitations of the above equipment; I figure I'll upgrade when I need to.

YZF 9y ago

I would look for used equipment if that's at all an option. A "real" scope is a workhorse that lasts forever with the features and the convenience you don't get from those cheaper options. You also want real scope probes. In my area I see someone selling a TDS220 for $200 which would be a good buy. Also an older 4 channel 100MHz Analog scope... Quality multi-meters are also workhorses.

timmaxw 9y ago
One of the reasons I chose a USB scope is for the portability. Real scopes are too big to stuff in a backpack. I agree the calculation would be different without that. I haven't gone far enough in electronics to run into limitations of the above equipment; I figure I'll upgrade when I need to.