Those waveforms look pretty good to me so IDK. Not really versed in the pico world to look at those waveforms and say * ohhh, yea, those are pretty bad, i need something more expensive"
Other than sample rate and bandwidth limitations of the unit, why else does it falter?
This unit has a a better profile, though less channels.
Hantek have 4 channel Automotive USB scopes the 6074BE and 6254BE also resold with a big mark-up under the well respected UK tool brand Sealey .
The software is still however much the same and spec really isn't that good although useful accessories are bundled with the scope.
" We're trying to plug a hole in the universe, what are you doing ?. "
(Walter Bishop Fringe TV show)
so, just to be clear, what are the main limitations of these hantek units? No way im going to drop 1k+ on a picoscope.
I know the sampling rate and bandwidth is crap, but what else? how would that hinder me from capturing waveforms that would allow be to troubleshoot certain issues? I have no intentions of using all 8 channels simultaneously and do not require the best for what i want to do. * mainly backyard repair for locals* once my proficiency grows to allow it.
Sorry, I didn't give the reason why the scope "missed". It was software issues. That was the one main issue that I read in reviews that people had with the 1008. However, I didn't get the blue screen of death that others got. I got the scope to work once, the first time I used it. Ironically, I did see what I was looking for on a snap throttle and I fixed the car. But after the first time I used it, it would not work. I restarted laptop numerous times, reloaded software a few times but it still wouldn't pick up any signals, not even battery voltage. FWIW, for $80, I think it's worth a shot if you can get it to work. Worse case scenario is that you have to return it.
Another option may be eBay. I picked up a Modis 15.4 w/euro complete for $900. I just saw one with 13.2 no euro with some accessories go for $500. HTH.
Donnyten wrote: so, just to be clear, what are the main limitations of these hantek units? No way im going to drop 1k+ on a picoscope.
I know the sampling rate and bandwidth is crap, but what else? how would that hinder me from capturing waveforms that would allow be to troubleshoot certain issues? I have no intentions of using all 8 channels simultaneously and do not require the best for what i want to do. * mainly backyard repair for locals* once my proficiency grows to allow it.
I definitely think your best route to go is to get a Hantek unit. Get proficient with that then save your money on a decent used unit. The Snapon Troubleshooter and Guided Component Tests have great information in them. I think the biggest limitation with the Hantek units is the lack of buffer. You're basically stuck with viewing live waveforms because it doesn't have enough buffer to display much more than that. I think you can use the Hantek enough to become good at using scopes. That's a skill that takes time. But ya, any amount of serious time spent on that unit will frustrate you enough to make you want to get a decent one.
I personally think that's a good thing. Don't waste your money buying something in between a Hantek and a Snapon. It'll only frustrate you. You'll realize if you spent a little bit more you could've gotten A LOT more scope... I say if you don't have access to anything else then buy a super inexpensive scope like the Hantek. Once you start using it and learning what a scope really can do then you'll want to spend the money :lol:
You can actually do a longer capture on a slower time base with Hantek and then expand a region of it but depending on how fast the signal is a lot of detail can lost.
The same method can be used to clean up a noisy signal.
There are also simple hardware methods of clean up noisy signals using a low pass filter made with a simple resistor and a capacitor. You can also use a capacitor to block the DC portion of a signal so only the AC part remains for checking AC ripple on alternators and cranking voltage compression tests.
See this thread
Link to thread
" We're trying to plug a hole in the universe, what are you doing ?. "
(Walter Bishop Fringe TV show)
I'd look out for a used 4 channel 3000 series Pico - worth posted on the wanted boards on Oico, autonerdz and IATN
It will do pretty much everything the newer picoscopes will do apart from graphing frequency.
I still use one on a daily basis and they are relatively inexpensive these days
HTH
Steve...
Youtuber specialising in Diagnostic techniques, sharing skills and helping technicians be the best they can be #Picoflu
Donnyten, my first scope was a PC based Hantek 1008C which I bought on eBay for $48 (they are only like $100 new). They also have very inexpensive amp clamps. Warning LSD (Lab Scope Diagnostics) is very addicting and before you know it, you are going to want a Pico scope. They are so much easier to use. You can use a cheaper scope, but you really need to know your voltage, amperage, time base, triggers, etc or you are just going to experience a lot of frustration and repeat testing.
Topic Author
and spec really isn't that good although useful accessories are bundled with the scope. 
