Opinion of Tektronix 2230 and 2232 scope

[Don]

I am looking at buying either a new outboard PC Scope or a used Tek
digital storage scope. I am intending to use the scope to trap
transient waveforms in (slow) digital circuits and automotive analog
circuits.

I am having a hard time finding out some details on the Tek 2230 or
2232 scopes, and would like some opinions.

1. are these OK DSO scopes in the $600-700 price range?

2. do they all have RS232 ports or was that an option?

3. how can I download the captured data to my PC?

4. do they do FFT? Or can I cheaply do this on my PC - with what
software?

Finally, I am looking at a 10bit 2 channel 5Mhz outboard PC Scope for
$900. Is this a better way to go?

Thanks for any help.

Don

 

[TekMan]

I am looking at buying either a new outboard PC Scope or a used Tek
digital storage scope. I am intending to use the scope to trap
transient waveforms in (slow) digital circuits and automotive analog
circuits.

I am having a hard time finding out some details on the Tek 2230 or
2232 scopes, and would like some opinions.

1. are these OK DSO scopes in the $600-700 price range?

2. do they all have RS232 ports or was that an option?

3. how can I download the captured data to my PC?

4. do they do FFT? Or can I cheaply do this on my PC - with what
software?

Finally, I am looking at a 10bit 2 channel 5Mhz outboard PC Scope for
$900. Is this a better way to go?

Thanks for any help.

Don

Hi Don,

answers (OOPO):

1. for 600 to 700 $ check the newer models too . There is not much
price difference, but a lot more features and support (tds1012, etc,).
And they have FFT integrated (to 4.)
No more support from Tektronix for these 2230/2232 models - and these
scopes have a lot of hard to get special ICs inside, so be prepared
for a nightmare when on repair.

2. AFAIK rs232 is standard, IEEE488 was an option

3. yes, you can. Procedure described in scopes operating manual.

4. no, definetely no onboard FFT.

4b. (PC board): Wll, I would not spent 900 bucks for a 5 MHz board,
you get better stuff for this money.

Just my opinion: Stay with a newer model if you need support, even if
it's highr in price. If your budget is limited, go for one of these
outdated units (tds210/220 with IEEE option, or even TDS 340A (100MHz,
clearly outdated, no support; BUT onboard standard feature FFT and
optional IEEE/rs232 - sometimes cheap on ebay, etc.) I paid 100 $ for
my tds340A on garage sale, so it's ok for me. But you have to check
for yourself what's important for you: price, support, etc.

just my 2 cents...
hth,
Andreas