Best Digital Oscilloscope For Hobbyist — Updated Guideline

Best Oscilloscopes are not a common field where people would choose to spend their spare time relaxing. However, analyzing and measuring signals might be an interesting fact for most engineers or people looking for complexity, isn’t it? That’s what we actually thought about before doing our research.

While some might share a hobby in gaming, reading, sports and more, there are users that made a hobby out of o-scopes. Looking at this we thought that it would be helpful to gather up a list of strong points and opinions and transpose it into an article.

Note: We highly recommend to check out SceinceSelector to read the review of top-rated oscilloscope.

Given the fact that there is a wide variety of devices available we focus our attention to understand the feature that drives the biggest cost of such a unit. It has always been crucial to establishing the key points before even starting the research as everybody needs a good structure. Then everything becomes quite simple as we know what to look for.

In this article, you can find more relevant details about o-scopes, the importance of them, the way they can be used, and; nonetheless, the functionality of the devices.

Either way, let’s take a look below at the top picks we managed to come up with after ~48 hours of testing, reviewing and drinking coke.

Top 5 Best Digital Oscilloscope For Hobbyist

1. RIGOL DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscope — Bandwidth: 50 Mhz, Channels: 4

The unit has been developed by Rigol Oscilloscope as an alternative for people looking for complexity devices. With a measurement bandwidth of 50 MHz through 4 channels it provides the reliability users want. At the same time it’s listed as a long-lasting device that has a memory depth of 12 Mpts upgradable to 24 Mpts. The DS1054Z can also capture up to 30,000 wfms/s waveforms.

To be fair we find this one the perfect choice for pros, however newbies can easily adapt to the wide variety of features provided. Also, the specs and the stability it provides makes it pretty hard for competitors to match a similar device. Read details of Rigol DS1054Z Review. It can be used as an automotive oscilloscope as well.

Key points:

• Available only in Grey.
• Includes 4 probes (one for each channel) at 150MHz Passive HighZ.
• The unit also comes with a factory calibration certificate and warranty.
• Perfect choice for newbies, pros and even college labs.

You can check out Rigol vs Siglent reviews.

2. Siglent Technologies SDS1202X-E 200 mhz Digital Oscilloscope 2 Channels

This model is another high-end unit that provides the most important features users look at an o-scope before making a good choice. Obviously, we can see that the measurement bandwidth of 200 MHz will go above and beyond to provide the most accurate waveforms, however, the real-time sampling rate of 1 gsa/use makes it even better.

We look at these devices and think about accuracy straight away, especially that it has got a waveform capture rate that goes up to 400,000 wfm/s. Other features will include true measurement to 14M points, history waveforms mode for playbacks, serial bus decoding for information to be displayed in table form. After running a few (long) tests we realized that it’s pretty amazing. Read the full review of Siglent SDS1202X-E.

Key points:

• The unit employs a new generation of Spo technology for better performance.
• Ensures a low level of noise compared to similar products.
• The color available is Grey.
• Perfect for professional labs or even tenured hobbyists.

3. Oscilloscope Multimeter, LIUMY Professional Handheld LED Scopemeter Oscilloscope Multimeter

The manufacturer has got a different perspective or vision when developing this unit as it’s a multifunctional one. It can be used as a multimeter and oscilloscope at the same time as it includes a high-tech dedicated chip.

This unit comes with a bandwidth of 10KHz, the maximum real time sampling going up to 200ksps. It’s not a lot, but again — it is a multifunctional o-scope specially designed for newbies. At the same time it includes 2 test leads, one portable bag, an hFE tester, 4 1.5v AA batteries and an English user manual.

Key points:

• Portable unit suitable for hobbyists.
• The devices comes only in blue.
• It weights 370g without accessories.
• Multifunctional unit ensuring the best results a starter o-scope can do.

4. Hantek HT6022BE 20Mhz 6022be PC Based USB Digital Storage Oscilloscope

Hantek has always focused on providing easier ways of using an oscilloscope, and this unit proves it above and beyond what we could’ve thought at first.

The device is a PC Based USB Digital Storage O-scope suitable for people that need not only a portable unit, but an accurate one. It features two channels with a measurement bandwidth of 20MHz, one USB 2.0 port with the standard USBXITM interface, and a sample rate that goes up to 48 MS.

Key points:

• Suitable for people that need a portable unit for product line maintenance or as a hobby.
• Works with both laptop and desktop PC.
• Compatible with Windows 10, 7, NT, 2000, XP and Vista.
• Perfect choice for newbies that like to travel and need a small unit.

5. Hantek DSO5072P Digital Oscilloscope

Compared to the previous Hantek listed, this one provides a more accurate result and more features that a portable unit can’t provide. We look at measurement bandwidth of 70 MHz, real time sample rate of 1 GSa/s, and memory depth for up to 40K.

This digital o-scope is more suitable for hobbyists that have been in the business for a while now, and obviously for pros that understand more about scopes and look for complexity. The bandwidth makes a good buy for this model from Hantek as the one provided in this scope goes perfect with the sampling rate of 1 GSa/s.

Key points:

• Includes an XY mode for displaying voltages on both horizontal and vertical axes.
• Suitable for measuring and displaying both square waves and triangle waves.
• Two channels available.
• Affordable unit for most scope-lovers.

Showing the unseen

No matter if someone has studied a bit of engineering or not, oscilloscopes (known as scopes and o-scopes) are the perfect tool to measure signal changes over time through voltage or/and current. The process of analyzing the amplitude, frequency, distortion and more is being done through such devices.

Previously known as oscillographs, they can be easily adjusted so data can be displayed as a continuous shapes on the screen (called waveforms). The information can include measurements of vibrations, sounds and other electrical signals that our eye cannot see.

Waveforms

The waveforms can be difficult to understand at first, however they refer to a pattern that repeats over time until we make it stop. This term has been chosen as the information is displayed as an actual wave through two axis: time (X) and voltage (Y).

As an example we can think about an oscilloscope that displays a variable signal and the axis marked with X will show the change made in voltage, while Y is representing the period of time.

At the first glance it is more a common sense subject, but we need to take in consideration the fact that a signal can change even a million time per second. That is when the graph will actually get a shape and everything gets confusing.

Better understanding of the Analog vs Digital O-Scopes

Throughout the years the technology has changed a bit, so people migrated from analog oscilloscopes to digital units that makes the information easier to read.

Even though digital scopes are the modern tools of measurement nowadays, the difference between the analog ones and the latter is not big at all. The internal hardware is exactly the same and the display did not change at all either.

Both devices are meant to measure the amplitude over time, the signal being displayed through waveforms. In an analog device the waveforms are shown in the original form, while the digital scope will convert them into digital numbers and then store them by sampling the data.

The importance of features

Whenever technical products are developed or released, users look at their functions to understand if they are indeed worthy or not. In most fields people focus more on benefits even though they are driven by the latter. However, with oscilloscopes things need to be considered the other way around.

Bandwidth

This function is from our point of view the most important function that can be found in to an oscilloscope. It establishes the ability of the unit to measure signals and depending on the bandwidth it can be more or less accurate.

The most common entry level devices will come with a bandwidth up to 100 MHz. Even in this case they can measure accurately analog signals up to 20 MHz. Therefore to uncover deeper problems we recommend you to use a device that has got at least 50 MHz bandwidth.

Processing rate

Also called sample rate, this particular function determines the samples an oscilloscope can record per seconds. They are then shown as a waveform on your screen and the resolution is established by the sampling rate level.

Without it we won’t be able to see the waveform data that is mandatory to show the frequency of the signal, the problems we try to find and understand. Therefore this is crucial in an oscilloscope and users have to pay attention before making an important purchase.

Triggering

There is a wide variety of trigger controls available depending on the model of the oscilloscope. The basics are usually split in two parts: level and scope. Together they allow the scope to stabilize and display waveforms on its screen.

Even though there is more to discuss around the functions of the best oscilloscope for hobbyists, these are the main ones we look at first to understand if what we need can be easily met. New starters will always look for devices that are easier to use, but that doesn’t stop them to embrace the complexity in details. Check out best oscilloscope for audio.

Troubleshooting systems

The oscilloscopes are mainly used for power supplies and this makes it the perfect tool for troubleshooting different issues with other devices such as: TVs, DVDs, CD Players and more.

There are o-scopes specifically designed for troubleshooting specific devices and usually not worthy compared to the performance we can get in a standard unit for the price. However, a standard one can be also used with differential probes specifically designed for the voltages we need to measure.

Although, before testing and checking other units to understand if there is an anomaly that needs to be repaired, we need to take be precautious with avoiding hazards. To do this we need to follow a few steps:

• Make sure that the proper power cord is connected.
• Connect the probe to the tool and then connect the probe to the circuit we want to troubleshoot. Afterwards we need to make sure we disconnect the probe input and the probe ground from the device that is being troubleshot and then disconnect the probe from the scope.
• Ground the product through the grounding conductor of the power cord.
• Use the proper fuse.
• Make sure the covers are in place and the panels are not removed.

A digital oscilloscope can be outlined as a crucial tool in electronics. Wonder why? They share the accessibility of debugging, testing and troubleshooting most problems. At the same time they give us a visual representation on the screen allowing us to get to the root of the anomaly and sort it.

The device has been invented back in 1980s although the features available nowadays have been developed over time and people started to show more interest in this field. Now — in 2018 — engineering students and people passionate about electronics try to get on board and understand the way this machines work.

As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, the oscilloscopes might not represent a high interest when it comes down to a hobby. However, the ability of chasing problems by measuring signals is definitely helpful.