$89 pocket oscilloscope | Hacker News Reader

$89 pocket oscilloscope

justblair.co.uk

39 pointstimthorn25 comments

> If you have used an analogue scope with it’s vast array of dials, knobs and switches trust me this device is simplicity itself to use in comparison.

I think I'd prefer to be able to adjust what I need quickly rather than have to select through a menu. I'm a bit surprised that the opposite is being mentioned as a feature. Is it just me?

Not that I think I can object for $89. Although I think I'd prefer a PC card for my laptop and some software instead.

By the way, do you know if there are any digital cameras with `analog' knobs and dials?

Most digital SLRs have analogue controls for at least focus and zoom, and usually one or two more multi-purpose knobs in addition.

Leica's digital Ms are the only cameras I can think of. (Focus, Aperture and exposure, beyond that you are also out of luck. Consindering that M cameras don't have much else beyond ISO and EV correction to adjust, the digital Ms nevertheless remained pretty analog cameras.)

Make no mistake, other cameras (usually DSLRs) do have dials, but they usually have multiple functions depending on the mode you are in or the buttons you pressed.

DSLR lenses allow for analog control over focus and (if they are zoom lenses) focal length. Some odd cameras might throw in dedicated dials for such things as EV correction and ISO (the recent G series models from Canon). Adding additional dials (which can be assigned special functions) has also become quite popular with higher end small sensor cameras like the S90 from Canon.

But I don't know any camera (except the Leicas which are way too expensive for many, many people including myself) which conciously decided to reduce the complexity of the digital interface in favour of analog controls. Sure, you can use the analog stuff, but you can also go the digital route. Which leaves cameras with their complex user interfaces.

I don't know whether that's the right or wrong way to go. Digital cameras do have many more incredibly useful functions analog cameras didn't have. So a fully analog control might not be practical.

Thanks for that reference to the Leica M digital cameras! I have been looking for a manual digital camera for a long time, but had never come across those!

Panasonic L1 and LC1, also.

Thanks for that! I hadn't seen those either!

At the moment I'm still using my Pentax ME Super (which I love!) Personally I really wish someone would manufacture a simple 35mm digital adaptor, maybe something that used the film roll cavity for electronics and then had a simple, thin tongue containing the sensor that would take the place of the actual film?

Oh well...

I would love to have something like that for my manual Canon. (A "digital back" that would replace the rear cover might work too, although it would obviously be more tightly tied to a specific camera model.)

Did you look at the prices yet? Expecially at lens prices? If not, prepare for sticker shock.

Not to say Leica M cameras aren't worth it, they just aren't for everyone.

Yeah no kidding! $5k and upward... I knew they would be expensive, but I wasn't expecting that!

The Canon S90 has a soft-dial that can be configured to shutter speed or aperture.

Using knobs on an oscilloscope is comparable to using a mouse on pc. They get the job done! All of the top-of-the-line oscilloscopes still use knobs - this includes digital oscilloscopes with full touch screens.

Hey why the downmods? Knobs are a very important part of an oscilloscope...

(I did not downmod you, but...) The part about knobs on an oscilloscope being important is probably true. In contrast, many computer users find the mouse far less useful than the keyboard - so much so that they go to great lengths to discover all available keyboard shortcuts. This minimizes the distance your hand travels for each command, and can greatly increase the speed at which you perform a task.

Therefore, a more agreeable analogy to those downmodding you might have been along these lines: having multiple simultaneously accessible knobs on an oscilloscope is like having multiple keys on a keyboard. You don't have to go into a menu to select which key you want to press. You just press the correct key. Likewise with an oscilloscope's knobs.

Ahh... Makes sense, that was a pretty bad analogy. Just be glad I didn't try to make a joke ;-)

I get a MySQL error, but from the URL, I guess that's the product (manufacturer page): http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/micro-digital-storage-oscil...

That's right. The URL (points to a review of the product) still seems to work for me, but the product is a pocket sized, 1 channel 1MHz scope with a PC interface.

I'm crossing my fingers for a logic analyser version.

If you're not aware of it, I consider the Saleae Logic (http://www.saleae.com/logic/) to be the perfect companion.

Of course I say that without owning either, but I've been keeping an eye on them both for quite a while now.

I've been happy with my Saleae probe, and it sure is classy looking.

1MHz maximum sample rate.

Somewhat limiting for some purposes. I've got a 'cheap' 60mhz scope here, but I rarely use it at that speed. I'm mainly measuring some audio signals or calibrating something on a synth.

Keeping one of these in my travel case for my music rig is a lot easier than carrying my large scope around. Definitely going to get one- or two.

It's not 1MHz (in the usual sense), it's 1MS/s. In theory, Nyquist says it should therefore be good to 500kHz in realtime; in practice, consider yourself lucky if that works out. Also consider that if the 'scope has a proper antialiasing filter its rise time will be limited to something in the microsecond region - and if it doesn't have such a filter you've got another problem on your hands. I guess if you've got a repetitive signal and it can do averaging, that would help.

Not a bad device but the 1MHz sample rate kills it for me. Anyone can recommend a good USB scope?

Yeah, I don't see how this would be of use for things that are not analog synth, shortwave, or HAM radio, whose enthusiasts usually already have scopes.

Even 10-50MHz could be mildly useful, but not 1MHz.

I'm happy with my Picoscope 2205.

http://www.picotech.com/oscilloscope.html

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