Oscilloscopes are indispensable in the laboratory, advanced repair shop and educational setting. Because the higher-end models cost thousands of dollars, engineers on limited budgets must seek less expensive alternatives. One of these is the Oscium, which takes advantage of the computing power and display capability of Mac products such as iPhone, iPads or iPods. If you already own one of these devices, the Oscium is an inexpensive way to go, especially as an introductory oscilloscope. It offers a wide range of features including Math with Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).
Another oscilloscope that is well worth considering is the Rigol DS2102A. At just under $1,000 from Amazon, it is within reach for any facility. The question is, are the features adequate for engineering needs? In terms of quality and workmanship, there is no problem whatsoever. The enclosure and knobs are solid and well-made and the display, while smaller than that of higher-priced competitors, is clear so waveforms are not at all difficult to view. The smaller size, in fact, is helpful in doing fieldwork where ac power is available. A survey of online forums indicates that Rigol machines are reliable and not particularly prone to software bugs or hardware failure.
As must be expected with the modest price tag, some of the specifications are not comparable to those of higher-priced machines. There is no built-in arbitrary function generator (AFG). But then, if you already have a stand-alone instrument that serves this purpose, the built-in AFG is a frill. At 100 MHz, the bandwidth is a tenth that of a midrange Tektronix oscilloscope. Also, there are two rather than four channels. The question is whether you will need to view higher frequency signals, or more than two signals, simultaneously. If not, this is a good oscilloscope for basic needs. Down the road it can be traded in for one of Rigol’s more upscale models.
A good feature is the on-screen Help function. In this mode, as each of the many front panel buttons is pressed, a box appears in the display, describing its purpose and providing how-to information.
To summarize, the Rigol DS2102A is a worth-while oscilloscope whose modest price makes it a good introductory instrument and a long-range asset for many types of work.
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