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.