Need help on picking inexpensive scope

so I'm pretty new to scopes and I kind of don't know what I'm looking for but I know what I want to test waveform like amperage and sensor signals, lot of things that I see in the videos. I plan to use a USB device connected to a laptop and I did find this on Amazon. if possible I'd like to know the disadvantages of this little unit also why is it important to have more than one channel? What exactly are the channels used for?

www.amazon.com/SainSmart-Portable-Handhe...usb+oscilloscope#Ask

also what are some of the accessories that I'll need with a scope? Obviously one of those inductive clamps I suppose

I put your post in this section, so it gets more attention

This really would belong better in diagnostic-tools-and-techniques but here is the 10 cent answer. Just about all of these cheap Chinese made scopes will do the job but the software is a bit awkward to use and and the quality is very variable however they give you a lot a bang for your buck.

The main brands of USB scopes at this end of market are Hantek, Owon and Sainsmart.
Lot of DIY people are using the Hantek 1008 it has some draw backs but a lot of people are getting useful work from it and it comes bundled with a few specialist automotive probes and the software has a menu giving preset automotive tests. I have one of these I keep as a spare scope, it has its limitations but you can do useful work with one.
I am pretty sure the SainSmart or an Owon USB would do the job (I use a stand alone Owon SDS7102v Labscope as my main scope) but I know the Owon software isn't user friendly.

What I would advise you to consider is the AESwave uScope basic model, it is almost 3 times expensive than the SainSmart scope you are considereing but still a bargain. It is a very good easy to use scope I use a similar scope as my go to tool for jobs like checking ABS sensors, cam and crank sensors and tps where I don't want or need my full size Labscope.
The AESwave UScope is based on cheap and cheerful Chinese scope the difference is the the built in software (firmware) without the upgrade Chinese scope is just about unusable

This forum has a Tools section through which you buy one an give Paul a small perecentage benefit at no extra cost to you as the buyer Link to Tools Section

What I would advise you to consider is the AESwave uScope basic model, it is almost 3 times expensive than the SainSmart scope you are considereing but still a bargain.

I agree with Andy. Read a lot of positive feedback on this one. Since you're pretty new to using scopes it'd be great to start with. The benefit of having more channels is that you can do 'comparisons'. Like checking cam & crank signal if you're have timing issues for example, watching primary & secondary ignition waveforms, throw in an injector waveform, and so on....

Dylan wrote: I agree with Andy. Read a lot of positive feedback on this one. Since you're pretty new to using scopes it'd be great to start with. The benefit of having more channels is that you can do 'comparisons'. Like checking cam & crank signal if you're have timing issues for example, watching primary & secondary ignition waveforms, throw in an injector waveform, and so on....

Agree with this. A uScope would make a fantastic starting point, and a handy tool overall. More informative than a multimeter, but more convenient than a full-sized scope.

In addition to the diagnostic reasons for having multiple scope channels, it can also be valuable just to see for yourself the relationship between two different signals. Cause and effect, like that.

I also have to agree with others out there regarding the AES uscope as i think it will be a little better than the hantek one .But for the price of the uscope and kit you could probably look out for a cheap second hand 2 channel pico scope .I was going to try the uscope myself but saved up a bit more and got a secondhand 2 channel pico and i am glad i did . I would really like to get a 4 channel pico but i don't have the funds yet but the pico is fantastic and awesome to use. .I also have the hantek scope which was good to get me going at first .

Thank you. I think I am ill go with a Hantek unit for now. Though reviews are mixed, it's only 80 bucks.

It will get you started and give a capacitive ignition probe and some handy test leads.
You can home build a couple of accesories a low pass filter and an DC blocking filter that make the Hantek more useful.

Do you think an * automotive* scope is NEEDED for diagnostics?

A scope is just a voltmeter that draws a graph very quickly.
Just about any scope will do the job BUT pre-triggering is pretty essential --- ie you must be able to see on screen what was happening just before the trigger was activated.
You should also have to be aware of the maximum voltage scope can safely handle without burning out the input circuit. Non-automotive scopes generally don't have a 20:1 Voltage scale for 20:1 attenuators only 10:1 and 100:1.
The big difference between an osciloscope and a graphing voltmeter is the speed it can draw data points at, there is a big adavantage to using a scope but a very fast scope isn't essential for car work.
Automotive scopes tend to have a menu with pre-settings and often example wave forms for common automotive tests but this isn't essential.

Pico are the leaders in the automotive scopes not so much because of their hardware (which is very good) but because of their truly excellent software and the huge volume of automotive technical knowledge available from their website.

If you've never used a scope before and just want to get your hands dirty then I'd say go with the Hantek 1008. I don't think it would be very useful for seriously diagnosing a vehicle but it'll get you used to using and setting up a scope. That alone is well worth the small price tag of it. It'll give you a chance to practice setting up your scales, triggers, sync channels, etc. All these things are very simple concepts but confusing until you get a chance to get some hands on experience.

The Hantek scope does have serious limitations. I think I only used mine a couple times. I went for it because I wanted my own and the shop's scope is only a two channel., There are times when having a third or fourth is super useful. Especially for synching. The Hantek's sampling rate is only 2.4 Mega Samples/sec. Once you start dividing that over multiple channels then your detail starts lacking. Worse than the sampling rate is the memory buffer. 4 Kilo samples! I think when I had four channels hooked up to it it didn't even have enough of a buffer to fill the screen on my laptop... :S

All this aside, it's affordable. You can watch as many videos as you like but nothing will compare to actually acquiring your own waveforms. My very first scope was a Mac rebrand of the OTC 3840F. I paid $550 for it I think. The only thing I could say for it is it came with a cool carrying case and a decent selection of test leads and adapters. Even if they were cheap. The scope itself was a hand held, 2 channel scope. It had a dot matrix style low resolution display that was very small. I would have kept it and still used it from time to time if it still worked. Unfortunately it didn't last long. Maybe 2 or 3 months... One day it just wouldn't turn on.

OTC 3840F

I've been lucky enough to be able to practice on the shop scope. I was always staying late and coming in on weekends to use it any chance I got. I had been tossing up the idea of getting the basic 4 channel Pico scope that was like $1800. I have most of the leads already so I wouldn't need the advanced kit. But then my Snapon rep gave me a smokin deal on a Verus that came in on a trade up. That was by far the easiest large purchase I've ever made!

I can't recall anybody buying the Hantek and not thinking it it is terrific value for money -- but you buy a Hantek and get hooked and within a month want something better. I got some pretty decent captures using the Hantek considering the limitations of the hardware but the software interface was so tedious to use.
There are a couple of simple cheap work-arounds for some of the Hantek's short comings, particularly signal noise and lack of AC setting.

I mean, if the hantek is that crappy, I shouldnt even waste my money on it. However i've seen videos of this youtube guy using it for a variety of tests and it looks pretty legit to me, so I may actually reconsider. I also dont plan on using all 8 channels at once so hopefully i'm not limited by the rates much. Can the hantek do secondary ignition wave forms?

The Hantek can actually produce good waveforms but it has its limits and setting up can involve a fair but of clicking with the mouse

As Andy says the hantek has it's limitations but for a cheap scope it will work.Here are a couple of waveforms i took when i first got the hantek . I was Just playing around with it and as you can see it will capture waveforms ok . I was a novice when i did these captures (still am really lol ) and got better with it as time went on .I soon saved up for a second hand pico as i wanted more of the features that a pico offers but for the price the hantek is ok to learn with.



cam sensor

another..

injector voltage

secondary ignition with blowing exhaust

Primary ignition current below

After reading as many reviews as I could find and watching a handful of youtube videos on the Hantek 1008, I decided for 80 bucks it's worth it. So, this past June I picked up one up from Amazon. All the reviews I read were either hit or miss so I figured I had a 50/50 chance. Unfortunately, it missed. The only advice I can give is to get it from Amazon, their return policy is awesome. I hope it works out for you. HTH.