How many scope channels do you really need?
5 years 1 month ago - 5 years 1 month ago #27108
by MoleNZ
How many scope channels do you really need? was created by MoleNZ
Hi, I'm a Mitsubishi tech, I'm looking at purchasing a picoscope so I can gain greater knowledge in the diagnostic side of my job.
My work has a Modis Ultra which I use when I can, I even brought my own low amp probe to use with it so I can do fuel pump, ignition coil analysis etc.
Unfortunately diagnosis is a smaller part of my work load, due to the dealerships size (small) and low number of technicians I end up doing a bit of everything, this means my time with the scope is limited and as such my skills using it are also limited.
Anyway I believe if I have my own scope I could use it in my own time and on my own vehicles and become far more proficient with scope diagnosis.
Of course I would like to keep the cost as low as possible, I have done quite a bit of research and decided on a picoscope, but I am undecided on the number of scope channels I really need.
Having looked on other forums it would seem 4 channel is what is most often recommended, but the recommendations don't seem to come with any real world usage to back this up.
So I would like to know from anyone who owns a 2 or 4 channel scope how often you really needed a 3rd or 4th channel (measuring 4 abs sensors at once is not something that would convince me), and if you only had a 2 channel scope what fault did you have that you where unable to solve (or was much more difficult to solve) because of that missing 3rd or 4th channel.
My work has a Modis Ultra which I use when I can, I even brought my own low amp probe to use with it so I can do fuel pump, ignition coil analysis etc.
Unfortunately diagnosis is a smaller part of my work load, due to the dealerships size (small) and low number of technicians I end up doing a bit of everything, this means my time with the scope is limited and as such my skills using it are also limited.
Anyway I believe if I have my own scope I could use it in my own time and on my own vehicles and become far more proficient with scope diagnosis.
Of course I would like to keep the cost as low as possible, I have done quite a bit of research and decided on a picoscope, but I am undecided on the number of scope channels I really need.
Having looked on other forums it would seem 4 channel is what is most often recommended, but the recommendations don't seem to come with any real world usage to back this up.
So I would like to know from anyone who owns a 2 or 4 channel scope how often you really needed a 3rd or 4th channel (measuring 4 abs sensors at once is not something that would convince me), and if you only had a 2 channel scope what fault did you have that you where unable to solve (or was much more difficult to solve) because of that missing 3rd or 4th channel.
Last edit: 5 years 1 month ago by MoleNZ.
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- Andy.MacFadyen
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5 years 1 month ago #27109
by Andy.MacFadyen
" We're trying to plug a hole in the universe, what are you doing ?. "
(Walter Bishop Fringe TV show)
Replied by Andy.MacFadyen on topic How many scope channels do you really need?
The main application that is pushing techs into buying a 4 (or more) channel scope is doing cam-crank synchronization checks on V engines especially those with variable valve timing. As engines are becoming more complex with GDI becoming almost universal a 4 channel scope will become more useful solve those extra complex issues .
You are right about ABS a good scantool will graph wheel speed sensor output and point you to the correct wheel, from which point if more is needed a compact single channel hand held scope such as a uScope would fit the bill.
You are right about ABS a good scantool will graph wheel speed sensor output and point you to the correct wheel, from which point if more is needed a compact single channel hand held scope such as a uScope would fit the bill.
" We're trying to plug a hole in the universe, what are you doing ?. "
(Walter Bishop Fringe TV show)
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5 years 1 month ago #27135
by MoleNZ
Replied by MoleNZ on topic How many scope channels do you really need?
True, even on a 4 cylinder with variable valve timing on inlet and exhaust that would be 3 channels used including the crank. I guess it's a case of buying a 2 channel scope and being able to use it for probably the majority of tests but realising some situations will require 3 or 4 channels or spending more for the 4 channel. The price difference is $1000 between the 2 and 4 channel options, I've got more thinking to do.
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5 years 1 month ago - 5 years 1 month ago #27137
by Andy.MacFadyen
" We're trying to plug a hole in the universe, what are you doing ?. "
(Walter Bishop Fringe TV show)
Replied by Andy.MacFadyen on topic How many scope channels do you really need?
You can actually get by with a two channel scope no matter how many postion sensors you want to look at it just takes longer. In the end you have to decide on a comprise. The price of scopes rises exponentially with the speed, channels and number of features they have. Even the cheapest scope will do 95% of the work of the most expensive, a mid-range scope will do 98+%.
Personally I really would love the hardware Frequency measurement feature only on the top end Pico scopes have but no way could I justify one,
Personally I really would love the hardware Frequency measurement feature only on the top end Pico scopes have but no way could I justify one,
" We're trying to plug a hole in the universe, what are you doing ?. "
(Walter Bishop Fringe TV show)
Last edit: 5 years 1 month ago by Andy.MacFadyen.
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5 years 1 month ago #27163
by Noah
"Ground cannot be checked with a 10mm socket"
Replied by Noah on topic How many scope channels do you really need?
If you have the channels, you'll use them.
Most of the time I get by with two, but when I need the 3rd and 4th, I'm glad to have them.
Like Andy said, cam and crank waveforms on v engines mostly.
Most of the time I get by with two, but when I need the 3rd and 4th, I'm glad to have them.
Like Andy said, cam and crank waveforms on v engines mostly.
"Ground cannot be checked with a 10mm socket"
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5 years 1 month ago #27360
by GypsyR
Replied by GypsyR on topic How many scope channels do you really need?
I use three channels quite a bit when doing relative compression testing and such.
I bought an outdated original Modis from a pawn shop years ago. Now it's seriously outdated as a code scanner but still great for four channel scope work.
I bought an outdated original Modis from a pawn shop years ago. Now it's seriously outdated as a code scanner but still great for four channel scope work.
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