Digital Scope Recommendation

VectorCollector

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I've always preferred analog scopes to digital. This mainly for debugging the output stages of vector logic boards.

This last holiday, Santa brought me a new toy. A Rigol DS1054z (which I have hacked to provide 2x the rated BW and extra features).

A nice digital scope which surprised me the other day with this debug screen ->

IMG_20160124_165640.jpg


(I was debugging a dead BW PCB; can you tell?) :)

You can find more info on this scope here (including hints to the hack) ->

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-rigol-ds1054z-oscilloscope/
 
I also have one of the DS1054Z scopes and I love it so far. I also did the serial code hack right after unboxing and it unlocked everything. What a great amazing scope for only $399 USD. I bought mine from a Canadian distributor so I was able to avoid expensive shipping and duty/brokerage charges. I haven't yet tried it in X/Y mode with a vector game but I'm looking forward to it.

My older GW-Instek DSO, and not very old Siglent SDS1102CML, and Rigol DS1102E scopes are all absolute garbage for displaying analog vector game screens.

My old Tek 2225 is really good at showing game screens.

Bill B.
 
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My analog scope is a TEK 2465B. Best analog scope there ever was.
I also have others ... too many for one person really. LOL :)
 
I've always preferred analog scopes to digital. This mainly for debugging the output stages of vector logic boards.

This last holiday, Santa brought me a new toy. A Rigol DS1054z (which I have hacked to provide 2x the rated BW and extra features).

A nice digital scope which surprised me the other day with this debug screen ->

IMG_20160124_165640.jpg


(I was debugging a dead BW PCB; can you tell?) :)

You can find more info on this scope here (including hints to the hack) ->

http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-rigol-ds1054z-oscilloscope/
Hi there sir. I just picked up the 1054z and really very very new to this device.

But I am getting more and more hands on.

I have several Asteroids games and gave it a go last night with trying to get an image from the pcb board onto the scope.
I am doing something wrong. Mine does not look like this image here.

I am in XY mode. And I have the probes on the X out and Y out on the board...ch1 and ch2 is set on the scope as that is what I am using.
How do you then dial in the image so you can get your semi decent game screen going? I know this is not analog but I would like to see something....
Right now, I get a wiggly vertical line..thats it.

Thank you.
 
First confirm the X and Y waveforms in Y-T mode. (You can observe the blue and yellow channels at the top of the pic below).
Then center each waveform on the scope. (You can see the >> marker below).
Then choose XY. (This combines each channel as shown at the bottom of the pic below).

Time base and channel voltage setting shown below. (5ms, 2V, 2V).
Bandwidth likely not important.

If the Y-T do not look like the trapezoids shown, then you won't get a proper XY representation.

IMG_20160124_165640.jpg
 
Is the Rigol 1054Z still the one to get or is there a newer scope that is considered better?
 

Check other models in the same line for upgrades like logic analyzer, or research hacking that into the cheaper models.
 
That looks like the one to get now. I see they already have a way to unlock on the EEV forums. I am really looking toward the DHO900 series with the logic analyzer built in. Another option on the DHO900 is a signal generator. I wonder if it is worth the extra money. I also need to see if it comes with the unlock.

I just looked and the non-signal generator version does not have the connection for the signal generator output. I read some people are getting the 800 and after unlocking they are adding the connection for the logic analyzer. They have to cut the case open to do so. Some people say there are a couple of components that need to be added. I would guess the same is true for the signal generator output. Cut the case and add the BNC to the board. Either way,

For reference.
DHO804 75MHz Frequency Band + 12-bit Vertical Resolution + Maximum 1.25 GSa/s Sample Rate + 1000,000 wfms/s Waveform Capture Rate + 4 Analog Channels + 25 Mpts Maximum Memo $399
DHO914 125MHz Frequency Band + 12-bit Vertical Resolution + Maximum 1.25 GSa/s Sample Rate + 4 Analog Channels $599
DHO914S 125MHz Frequency Band + 12-bit Vertical Resolution + Maximum 1.25 GSa/s Sample Rate + 4 Analog Channels + 1CH Built-in Signal Generator $699

Saelig has a 7% code until 10/31 rig1023 or there is an eevblog 6% with no expiration date
 
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I've been interested in a scope with a logic analyzer and signal generator, the DHO900 series looks interesting.

They also look to be in short supply, a Saelig salesperson says the DHO924S is back-ordered till December.
 
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They are all selling out. The 914s just fell off my Amazon list as unavailable. I was going to call Sailig to see if the 914s was available. Did they say what they had in stock? I was debating getting the 900 series or the 800 series until I checked my LA and found mice had taken up residency in it and now it will not power up. One more thing to fix. That is what I get for only doing electronic stuff in the winter. It did not have the block off plates on the back and that is how they got in. Sealed the deal on getting the 914S.
 
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