Why you need an oscilloscope

[akillj 10+ year member]

Personally I would rather be able to see the signal than trust a box with an idiot light.

That's what I was thinking. I just didn't know which one would be preferred. What about the V2 version of this o-scope, looks a little cleaner aesthetics wise IMO. Worth the extra few bucks?

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

it has abuilt in test signal but you are still able to play your own through the HU right?

Yes you need to provide a sine wave source. The test signal is a square wave, not very useful in audio.

 

[tat2bass 10+ year member]

You willing to rent it out along with whatever you used to produce the test sine wave?

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

Sorry mang, not considering renting it. I use it for work as well as for my CA hobby. The source I used was just test tones on a CD.

 

[Joe89 10+ year member]

Awesome... I think I will be picking one of these up A.S.A.P. I had no idea they could be so affordable.

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

I had a chance to play with my little DSO Nano digital 'scope and I thought I'd share what it told me about my system.
First I wanted to find the maximum volume setting from my HU. I monitored the front speaker outputs and input a 100Hz 0 dB source in the CD player. Classic clipping at 34/50 volume. With a -5dB source I could get to 38/50. I decided that 32/50 was my max setting. Note the voltage is 24v p-p which is battery rails. This is with engine off:

Next I checked the output of my David Navone LOC at 40 Hz and volume 32/50:

Well now, that's a funky waveform. It cleaned up to a nice sine wave at 100 Hz but I think I'll send this to David Navone and ask him wtf.

My final revalation was when setting the gain on my sub amp (bridged rear channels) at 40 Hz volume 32/50:

The revalation is that with engine not running I only get 22.9 vrms = 131 watts before clipping. I started the engine and at 13.5 vdc I could get 200 watts. I did not expect that much difference. And no wonder my G3 sub barely moves...

What a useful tool this is. Worth the 80 bucks.

Still using this bro? Just wondering how it's holding up. Going to pick one up for my new build. Quite a bit of power, so I want to be sure I'm setting things accurately. Does the x1-x10 switch work well?

 

[TaylorFade 10+ year member]

I've had he same scope for almost 2 years now and set I don't know how many amps. The 1x probe is good for ~ 80V p2p which is around 3kw. If it's got a 10x switch, you can set some big ass amps just fine. My buddy sets his 8k's with the same scope no problem.

When I first got mine, I set my amp to "about half" like most people who don't know any better would just to see. I got this...

No bueno. A little turn of the gain and bingo...

I decided right then and there that it was maybe the best money I've spent in CA.

 

[av83 10+ year member]

Imma hafta git one of dees...

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

I've had he same scope for almost 2 years now and set I don't know how many amps. The 1x probe is good for ~ 80V p2p which is around 3kw. If it's got a 10x switch, you can set some big ass amps just fine. My buddy sets his 8k's with the same scope no problem.
When I first got mine, I set my amp to "about half" like most people who don't know any better would just to see. I got this...

No bueno. A little turn of the gain and bingo...

I decided right then and there that it was maybe the best money I've spent in CA.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Good to see it's not something that's going to take a dump in 6 months. Was thinking about a DD-1 but I'd much rather actually see what's going on. Have you used it to test HU's? Fairly easy to use?

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

Still using this bro? Just wondering how it's holding up. Going to pick one up for my new build. Quite a bit of power, so I want to be sure I'm setting things accurately. Does the x1-x10 switch work well?

Yep, it's a keeper. Mine came with a nice velvet carrying pouch that keeps it safe & cozy. My only concern for durability is the tiny connector on the probe wire. It's a little coaxial plug that I've never seen before, and I dunno how it'll hold up with time so I keep it plugged in all the time. I've noticed that probes are sold separately on eBay now, so even if it gets fugged you can score a new one.

Much easier to tote around than my old Tektronix analog scope. It goes with me anytime I'm working on my system.

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

Yep, it's a keeper. Mine came with a nice velvet carrying pouch that keeps it safe & cozy. My only concern for durability is the tiny connector on the probe wire. It's a little coaxial plug that I've never seen before, and I dunno how it'll hold up with time so I keep it plugged in all the time. I've noticed that probes are sold separately on eBay now, so even if it gets fugged you can score a new one.
Much easier to tote around than my old Tektronix analog scope. It goes with me anytime I'm working on my system.

Good to hear man. Definitely picking this up. I want to learn more than just looking at a couple lights on a DD-1.Maybe it's just me, but I want to be more educated than that and know as much as possible about the things I am doing. I don't have the cash for a Tektronics, not to mention I don't need the accuracy it offers. I'll only be using this for car audio. I definitely feel as though this will be the most important thing I will spend a little amount of money on.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Yep, it's a keeper. Mine came with a nice velvet carrying pouch that keeps it safe & cozy. My only concern for durability is the tiny connector on the probe wire. It's a little coaxial plug that I've never seen before, and I dunno how it'll hold up with time so I keep it plugged in all the time. I've noticed that probes are sold separately on eBay now, so even if it gets fugged you can score a new one.
Much easier to tote around than my old Tektronix analog scope. It goes with me anytime I'm working on my system.

That place you got yours from still has them right? If so I'm getting one...

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

That place you got yours from still has them right? If so I'm getting one...

Amazon, Newegg, there's a bunch of places that carry them now. Just google it, you'll get a bunch of hits. Just make sure the probe comes with that x10 switch on it, but I'm pretty sure they all do.

 

[maylar 10+ year member]

Also be aware that the DSO's firmware has been updated by third party developers (it's open source) for bug fixes and new functions. The firmware that ships with the 'scope works OK for most people, but the enhanced version is even better.

The DSO Nano hangout...

Seeedstudio Forum • View forum - DSO nano

 

[Falcons 5,000+ posts]

I'm gonna buy one of these