Top 5 Budget Hobbyist Oscilloscopes 2021
We want to provide you with the top 5 budget hobbyist oscilloscopes 2021. Firstly, because not everyone has hundreds or thousands of dollars to spend on those fancy oscilloscopes. And with so many options, what is the best oscilloscope for hobbyists? With increases in technology over the last five years, circuitry is becoming more and more of a popular hobby for people around the world. Based on simple economics, we know the increase in demand will also cause an increase in supply. This article will show you how to start a hobby without breaking a bank.
Factors to consider
In addition, It’s always important to consider the following factors when choosing an oscilloscope:
- Cost
- Bandwidth
- Rise time
- Matching Probes
- Input Channels
- Sample Rate
- Record Lengths
You can read What is an Oscilloscope? Why is it important? to learn more.
Finally, we covered the base features, and listed the primary pros and cons of each oscilloscope to find the best oscilloscope for hobbyists!
Table of Content
- Hantek 20 MHz PC Base Oscilloscope.
- iDSO1070a 70 MHz iPhone Base Oscilloscope.
- Hantek 80MHz PC Based Oscilloscope.
- Hantek2D72 70 MHz Oscilloscope, Waveform Generator.
- Hantek DSO5202P Digital Storage Oscilloscope.
20 MHz 2 Channel PC Base Oscilloscope Hantek6022BE
Features:
The Hantex 6022BE, 20 MHz PC Base Oscilloscope, is one of the best budget hobbyist oscilloscopes 2021. You get your oscilloscope shipped directly from our Arizona warehouse. Firstly, this is an excellent introductory oscilloscope that will allow you to get many of the features of a high-end oscilloscope without the high cost. Secondly, the product has an excellent build quality and implements extruded aluminum casing and rubber shock bumpers at each end. Features found in high-end test equipment. Finally, the unit ships with a USB cable, 2 oscilloscope probes, and a disk containing the instruction manual.
The Pros:
- Low pricing.
- Free software.
- Everything you need to start measuring.
The Cons:
- Need a PC to operate.
- Low frequency bandwwitdh.
80MHz 2 Channel PC Based Oscilloscope Hantek6082BE
Features:
The Hantek 80MHz PC-based oscilloscope will turn your Windows-based computer into a powerful 80Mhz two-channel digital oscilloscope. Firstly, the software comes with 23 measurement functions and a PASS/FAIL check. Secondly, using the PC’s USB port for data communications between the included hardware & software to create the oscilloscope display on the PC’s monitor allowing you to perform functions the same as on a standard oscilloscope. Finally, the unit ships with 2 x1x10 probes, software CD, users’ manual, and USB cable.
The Pros:
- 23 measurement functions.
- Free software.
- Everything you need to start measuring.
The Cons:
- Expensive.
- Need a PC to operate.
70 MHz 2 Channel iPhone Base Oscilloscope iDSO1070a
Features:
The Hantek IDS01070A, 70 MHz iPhone Base oscilloscope, is an easy-to-use, digital iPhone oscilloscope with the capability to connect wirelessly to your smartphone via wifi. The oscilloscope has an app that can be downloaded on the Apple Store or Google Play Store called “idso1070a” which allows users to connect wirelessly to the oscilloscope. Furthermore, this dual-channel oscilloscope has 70 MHz bandwidth and a 250 MSa/s signal channel sampling rate. Whether you are an amateur or a professional, working on stationary projects, or are frequently on the go, this Hantek digital oscilloscope will save you time and money on your next electronics project.
The Pros:
- Free software.
- Everything you need to start measuring.
The Cons:
- Need a smart phone to operate.
- Low frequency bandwwitdh.
70 MHz 2 Channel Oscilloscope and Waveform Generator Hantek2D72
Features:
The Hantek2D72 70 MHz Oscilloscope, Waveform Generator & Digital Multimeter is a next-generation tool that can keep up with most if not all of your technical and engineering needs. Firstly, the unit is a 70 MHz oscilloscope with a 250M Sampling Rate, an arbitrary waveform generator, and a highly accurate digital multimeter. Secondly, it’s powered by 18650 lithium batteries that could go a full-day work so it’s extremely portable and safe. For instance, Electroboom found it quite useful in testing voltage and current in his How Safe Is the SHOWER HEAD OF DOOM?! video. Since it can do the job of three, you wouldn’t have to keep tons of devices on your bench to work on any projects. Needless to say, it’s the perfect budget hobbyist digital oscilloscopes for technicians on the go! The 2D72 is the most budget hobbyist oscilloscopes 2021 option since you got 3 in 1 deal.
The Pros:
- Sold more than 500 unit a year.
- Portable Oscilloscope.
- Compact Design
- Multiple Automatic Measurements
- Anti-glare screen
- Easy to read instructions
The Cons:
- Small screen
- Expensive
200MHz 2 Channel Oscilloscope Hantek DSO5202P
Features:
The Hantek DS05202P is a 200 MHz 2 channels oscilloscope, one of our best beginner series oscilloscopes 2021. Firstly, the unit has a 1 GSa/s real-time sampling rate, which is impressive for its price range. Furthermore, the unit comes with a 7’’ WVGA (800×480) color display for easy navigation, reading value and, manipulating the graphs. In addition, the unit boasts a memory depth of 40k (wow). The trigger mode has edge/pulse width/line selectable video/slop/overtime etc. Finally, the USB host and device connectivity are standard and it has four math functions, including FFTs standard, which is needed for any engineering classroom.
The Pros:
- User-friendly menu
- Lightweight and portable
- Comes with 2 dual rated probes
- One of the best value scopes on the market
The Cons:
- Screen recording on PC may lag
- Signal noise might be high when zooming in too much
Conclusion
In summary, a Digital Storage Oscilloscope is a powerful tool that allows you to see how voltage changes over time by displaying a waveform of electronic signals. For hobbyists, when you have circuits that have constant voltages a multimeter is a tool that can be used to measure a single number for the voltage. This becomes redundant when you start building more complex circuits. This is where an oscilloscope comes in handy. We hope that this article will help new electronic hobbyists start the hobby without breaking the budget.
