oscilloscopes.........help needed

[Dean]

Hi all

After a brief PM with xmexc about oscilloscopes i thought i would just put a post up as im sure some of you have them.
Basicaly im after one that can cope with automotive diagnostics so i was thinking of a 2 channel one, there are handheld units around on the bay but on the oscilloscope forums everybody says they are useless and are little more than toys, the other problem i have is that my knowledge of electronics is pretty much nil outside the basic understanding of + and - but this needs to change for me to be able to do what i want with my cars.
I suppose i also need to say that i dont want to be chucking too much money at this mainly because i dont have too much but also because swmbo would knife me while i slept if i did
Look forward to your replies gents

D

[xmexclusive]

Hi Dean

What a tolerant wife you have and so thoughtful, prepared to wait to ensure that you did not suffer much or know what was coming until it was too late.

John

[Dean]

Thats a nice way of looking at it John, im under the impression that whilst sleeping and still, its easier for her to pick and hit the target she wants without the risk of me living or more importantly running away

D

[Dean]

Thanks for your Pm john, i think im fooling myself thinking that this is going to cost less than a lexia, a secondhand current model handheld unit (2 channel) ive been watching on ebay recently ended, after spending 6 1/2 of its 7 day listing at £80 it sold this afternoon for £350

D

[Peter.N.]

Hi Dean

I have a scope I used for TV work, its quite a modern one by the standards of the previous one, which had valves! I'm not sure of the special requirements for auto work but you are welcome to borrow this one if its of any help, I would like to hang on to it - just in case I get another TV in for repair Its quite large by modern standards, although much smaller than the previous one and its of quite good quality but mains powered.

Peter

[robertmnorton]

Hi Dean,i use a dual channel Hantek dso 2090 pc based 'scope of 40Mhz bandwidth with dual 1x/10x probes (this refers to the attenuation).On the xm you are dealing with analogue signals,sine waves,pulse width modulation,variable dc and grounds, so a lower bandwidth is not a problem,the cost rises as the spec increases.So if you intend to look at hi-speed digital signals as in multiplexed systems or component level repairs,a higher bandwidth is needed,but unlikely to be more than 50Mhz.The other important spec is input voltage - this shouldn't be a problem in automotive use.Maplins have a pc 'scope for around £100 + probes.I'll try to upload my operating manual in the self help section for you to read.Steve also advised the picoscope tutorials which i've looked at and they are excellent.
robertm

[robertmnorton]

Hi Dean,sorry can't upload,site won't accept the file ext.
robertm

[Dean]

No worries Robert and thanks fo the info.
Thanks for the offer Peter but i dont need one now, i would just like one for future projects.
Ive had a play with my breakout box very quickly this afternoon and it seems although being a genuin cit one none of the plugs look right for my car and the hydractive breakout lead will plug into the ecu but will not plug into the wiring loom, the moulded plug is the wrong size which seems weird, i didnt think there was different hydractive ecu plugs

D