Oscilloscope Recommendations

Discussions center on affordable oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and related test equipment for hobbyists and electronics enthusiasts, with recommendations for models like Rigol DS1054Z, Digilent Analog Discovery, and Picoscope.

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IT FOSS SPI NI DS1054Z avantes.com DLP PC www.ebay USB3 scope analog bandwidth mhz logic usb digital channel electronics pc

Sample Comments

ghostpepper Feb 19, 2023 View on HN

Would you recommend something like a Rigol DS1104Z?

howard941 Jun 2, 2025 View on HN

Get an isolation transformer and a cheap storage oscilloscope.

daeken Feb 7, 2011 View on HN

I just picked up a Rigol DS1052E for $339 from Dealextreme. 2 channel 50mhz scope, hackable via software to do 100Mhz. Can't beat that.

chopsueyar Jun 18, 2011 View on HN

Must be nice to have an oscilliscope.

wdfx Aug 20, 2022 View on HN

If relatively slow speed is enough I recommend this device, I've had fun using it to build a gadget or two.https://digilent.com/shop/analog-discovery-2-100ms-s-usb-osc...

Narkov Oct 28, 2020 View on HN

Got a link for the USB oscilloscope?

slig Apr 23, 2018 View on HN

I'm an electronics enthusiast (play with it on weekends) and the Rigol DS1054Z oscilloscope (it's the same used by OP) has a really good cost/benefit, and it's also hackable.

nebulous1 Jun 6, 2018 View on HN

I did not know you could get dirt cheap USB oscilloscopes

the__alchemist Apr 28, 2021 View on HN

Oscilloscopes are hardware that can be used to analyze digital and analog signals. They may be able to interface with a PC (USB) using software as well. logic analyzers are small, usually cheap pieces of hardware that can analyze digital signals only, and rely on software on a connected PC. IMO even the $10 analyzers are great for digital (troubleshooting I2C, SPI etc), and can analyze many channels at once. You only need a scope for analog.

Scene_Cast2 Feb 28, 2022 View on HN

If someone is interested in this PC scope due to space rather than sub-$100 price tag, I've had a great experience with the Digilent Analog Discovery. Disclaimer - I'm not an Electrical Engineer, so YMMV; I got mine at a significant discount ages ago, not sure if it's price competitive these days.