Recommendation wanted for Laptop PC Oscilloscope

[ZapZilla]

I have a Dell XPS M170 laptop and am looking for a PC oscilloscope for use at my job as an automotive technician.

Recommendations welcome, Thanks !

 

[wwswimming]

http://www.tiepie.com/uk/products/

http://www.bitscope.com/

this last one uses your sound card
http://www.zelscope.com/

and, oh yeah, National Instruments - make lots of stuff like
this.

 

[ZapZilla]

The ones you listed above are too slow for use on the newer CAN systems.

This one is fast enough PicoScope 5000 250 MHz bandwidth 1GS/s sample rate and is comparable in both price and specs with Fluke Scopemeter 190 series.

I am familiar with the Fluke scopes, but not with the PicoScope and its additional software features.

Anyone used the PicoScope, or that can offer advice?

 

[nineball9]

Just curious - what does one use a scope for as an automotive tech? The basic car is DC except for the internals of the alternator, the spark and spark timing circuits and the system contoller(s). My guess would be the latter but I really have no idea.

 

[bruceb]

Apparently, you do not work in the auto trade or read Motor Magazine.
Scopes are very useful in fixing today's cars, as they can pinpoint
Ignition Misfires, Fuel Injectors not working properly by seeing the
actual Pulse Width that controls them, it can be used to see if a Sensor
is outputting the proper Voltage and Waveform (say the Crank Position Sensor)
Same for Oxygen Sensor .. Their use is becoming more necessary as new model
cars come out. You also can not troubleshoot the Controller Area Network without one.
Cars in a few years, will not have the normal wiring harness. All will be controlled
by a Muxed Bus .. some cars have it already.

There are many other sensors it can test as well. I named only the tip of the iceberg.

Personally, I would buy the Fluke unit. Their quality is top notch. Or buy from Snap On Tools
Also top quality.

 

[nineball9]

Thanks for the info Bruce! (You are certainly correct; I do not work in the auto trade nor read Motor Magazine.)

 

[bruceb]

I don't work in that trade either. But I do work on my own car
when I can handle the work. I also do not work in building trades,
such as Electrician, though I have taken classes for it, know and
understand most areas of the NEC & can do residential wiring with
no problems. I also read EC&M which is devoted to the construction
/ electrical trade. Not licensed, so I only do some of my own work.

My main work area is Telecom circuits (T1, T3, cell sites) and I
also do some electronics work (licensed ham operator) ... I also
do my own AC Service work (EPA certified ... Section 608 & 609)
for both Home and Auto units .. And of course, I like to fiddle around
with computers.