Do automotive techs really need a Pico? Cheap scopes on tablets?
I'd really like to know from everyone what basic tests they can perform on a pico that you couldn't on a Uscope for example? I know Pico has superior software and support but is the extra expense really worth it? I know there is super knowledgable people on here and I would love to learn from them.
At the moment I have an Autel Maxiscope, SnapOn Modis, Carscope Viso and a little cheap Loto OSC482 and there isn't anything I have come across that I couldn't do without a Pico for example. But I understand there certainly could be, so please let me know.
I'm planning on doing a Youtube Video soon on how to create a powerful(I think it would be) portable diagnostic tool kit out of a Launch X431 8inch Pad as the base at a decent price. It will cost close to a 2 channel pico starter kit. It will be the normal Launch Diagnostic software(which is already awesome and powerful on its own as a standalone scanner) with add ons of a bluetooth multimeter, oscilloscope(the loto osc482), thermal imager and endoscope/borescope. For less than $1800AUD/$1180USD/$1066EUR/$925GBP. Does anyone think this would be interesting or not, or the main part being the scope will just get burnt by all the people who will think its a junk add on because its a cheapy?
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rome83 wrote: I know Pico has superior software and support but is the extra expense really worth it?
In my opinion, yes. I have never used a Hantek, so I can't say anything about it's performance, or abilities. But, I have used Snap-on for years. I have, also, use the uScope.
The picoscope, without quoting specs, has AWESOME resolution. The zooming capabilities are phenomenal. The cursor/measuring system is great. With the ability to create Math Channels, decode CAN Bus, DeepMeasure search, creating and importing reference waveforms, and many other functions,... I have been using a Picoscope for 1-2 years, and I feel that I have only scratched the surface of it's capabilities.
Another plus about Pico is that there is no shortage of Community Support, if you ever get stuck, or need help.
Do you NEED all that (and more) to fix cars? Probably, not. But it sure is nice to have.
"Knowledge is a weapon. Arm yourself, well, before going to do battle."
"Understanding a question is half an answer."
I have learned more by being wrong, than I have by being right.
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- Andy.MacFadyen
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At the bargain basement end Owon VDS are good but non-automotive scopes. The uScope I love my DSO201 is a great little tool because of its' small size it has great advantages for some jobs but in the words of Dirty Harry in Magnum Force " A man's gotta know his limitations"
90%+ off diagnostic work can be done with a single channel scope, a two channel scope coves 97% easily and more BUT increasing four fast channels are a minimum to efficiently cover some jobs such variable valve timing and increasing there will be a demand for eight channels.
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Do you NEED a Pico? Nope. They sure are nice to have, for all the reasons Chad mentioned. I just recently started going out of my way to add the Pico into my regular testing methods. Having the tool is no use if you're not familiar with it when a broken car comes around.
I have zero hate for any tool/method that is efficient and accurate. I love scoping stuff. :silly: But the longer I'm in the field, the more I have to acknowledge how often simpler tools would get me the same answer, faster.
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- Andy.MacFadyen
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" We're trying to plug a hole in the universe, what are you doing ?. "
(Walter Bishop Fringe TV show)
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The Pico has a great ability to zoom in on the screen or captured signal.
It has the option to configure custom probes, to allow you to add measurable scalable values to home made
or other manufacturer's devices so that you don't have to convert a volt scale in your mind.
Other scopes can capture and display signals adequately. It all depends on what works or is convenient for you.
I found an Owon 4 channel usb scope to be very good and easy to get a signal on the screen but it has no automotive scale or settings.
(I do have an older vantage pro for portability or certain functions.)
I also added a non automotive pico to my collection (a year ago)for configurabilty of probes for specific tests.
Learn the tools strenght's and know its limitations.
A fellow who calls himself "Logical Canuck" on utube did a very short review of the Lotto scope.
Summarizing his review it displayed an ignition pattern well, he also did a capture of and zoomed in on a can bus signal.
The neat thing was that he used his android phone as the display device.
Based on what I saw from his review it looks promising and capable.
So yes it would be interesting if you made some video for those who need a budget or entry level scope that is capable.
But my preference would be to leave the scan tool tablet free for running and commanding tests and view the scope on a different screen.
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On the same topic have you guys seen the new pico that they've built where it auto detects the Amp clamp, probe or whatever you plug in to the scope and sets the parameterss automatically.
MY thought was someone will build a curriculum for a school program where they can take a class and they student won't even have to know how to set it up. Sounds a little scary but at the same time in some situations it can take some uncertanity out of setting up the scope and let the user focus more on getting the fine tuning, procedure and other things learned.
Supposedly the scope will be cross compatible and it seems to ba a little futureproofed for a little while at least.
The older probes, clamps, etc will work on it but not with the "smart" portion the scope has with the newer smart scope.
I've been told with the 4000 series Picoscopes that if they go bad generally the cost to repair them is appx $200. This was a couple years ago when speaking with someone about scope and replacement if they go bad and that's what he informed me of. .
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I wanted a good cheap scope and this seemed the perfect candidate.Have watched some comparison videos not for automotive scopes but scopes in general between fluke and hantek and the results where almost identical,and i though that if it can keep up with fluke,which is one of the best company in this field,maybe it won't be bad.
It also was good for me as i wanted portability ,it also has 2 input channel and one wave generator,i would prefer to have 3 channels but the wave generator may come in handy to simulate a bad sensor signal sometime especially haul effect.
One major helper build in this scope is that you can sellect the sensor or whatever you want to take a waveform and it preset the voltage and time for you.
In a scope like this with buttons and not touchscreen it is a big time saver to be able to do that,you can adjust it more there also as well.
It's also a multimeter,i would prefer though to spend the extra money and make it better as a scope and not try to fit all in one but it's ok.
It can save up to 6 waveforms and you can recall them and write above them as well.You can save 2 refeference waveforms but not so handy.
One thing i din't like was that the saved waveforms couldn't be transfer to the pc once saved.If you want to save a waveform to the pc you must do it with the pc connected and use it as a pc scope to do it.
Also the com when connected to pc was not as fast.
Also i would like it to have a bigger buffer as when using the two channels the time is cut in half and doing a cam crank waveform won't give you more that 720 degress maybe a bit more with good resolution
I think the pico is one of the best for it's capabilities and for teaching as Paul does where you need detail,do comparison between waveforms and all these stuff there is not competitor till now,not to mention the support and the community.
I think that the Hantek and similar scopes have their place but especially if you do these stuff a lot and you want user friendly tools and speed other scope like pico will do better for sure,but overall happy with this so far.All the measurement were fine and for an entry level scope i would highly recommend it,afterall it's better than no scope at all.
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Above Photo is a MAF performance test. And someone told me I couldn't measure frequency with my Pico !!! BTW 7.5KHz is good and healthy.
In this photo, we are measuring RPM and the Theoretical Output of the MAF, which can be compared to scan data. This is all solely based on the CKP signal.
Here is a real beauty, the smaller black trace is the crankshaft accelerating(moving up) and then decelerating(moving down). This is solely achieved from the CKP sensor alone. Wouldn't this be a very useful tool in Mis-fire Diagnostics? Oh look... that cylinder did not contribute to acceleration on that piston's Power Stroke!!
Dynamic Ohm's, Power, and Toque. But the use of OHM's law is the best, I can measure Voltage, Current, Pico can figure out Resistance
Does a tech need a PICO?
Short Answer=========>YES
Long Answer=========> or an ATS Scope that Mr. B. Thompson designed himself with all the above Pico Calculations.
I would consider the Autel Maxi-Scope a runner-up, I do not know if it can do math channels. I do know you can't program ranges for custom probes. For me that's is a HUGE strike against it.
My $0.02
Paul
Never stop Learning.
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