Diagnostics Doctor

GENERAL

Oscilloscope choice

Q As a novice to oscilloscopes, but a keen DIY Jaguar and Ford enthusiast, I would like to add a ‘scope to my toolbox. I am therefore looking for a low-cost unit that allows sensor data analysis. For instance, would you recommend a small self-contained unit like the AESwave Uscope over say a Handtec with PC USB connection?

Any recommendation from your workshop experience would be much appreciated.

Len De Jong

A With the vast improvement in the Chinese technology market over the past few years, the price of a good usable ‘scope had reduced dramatically. It is also the case that most top-end diagnosis equipment is now designed to allow a scope to be added, operating from the diagnostic systems built in software.

The ‘scope is in simple terms a voltmeter which will capture changes that occur in less than 1/1000th of second tracking the details on the screen. This information is then what is used to make the diagnosis and because you are using it to compare information, two channels should be the minimum and four is desired. Units such as the Hantek are sold as having eight channels but the realistic processing speed means the unit can only be used to compare two channels at one time.

The AESwave Uscope certainly represents value for money and my personal preference is always for self-contained units. This is mainly because they are normally easier to handle, and the integrated circuits have less opportunity for connection problems. But when looking at a budget unit you need to know the screen will respond.

Unfortunately, I have no personal experience of the budget units and