#1648

Episode 1648
sent into the channel for review
Buy: www.amazon.com/Oscilloscope-P...
Miniware DC load review: • #1621 Miniware DC Elec...
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[@tizianob8590]

A little trick if you own it: When changing the trigger level or when you need to change a parameter by a lot, instead of spinning the encoder like crazy, just move it by one position while keeping it pressed and it will enable fast scrolling (until you stop pressing it).

[@quandiy5164]

I've had this for years and always spun it like crazy. I didn't know it had that. Thanks!

[@scottbrown4534]

I've had mine for about 4 years now, and after numerous drop tests it is still doing the business. It is my only scope and has served me well in audio applications (not an rf guy...). My only real complaint is the MCX connectors failed on my scope probes after a short time. I use BNC probes and adapters, but they take up too much space to be able to use two at a time, and they dramatically increase the chances of another drop test. The only other annoying thing about this scope is that my first indication that the battery is low comes in the form of erratic waveforms progressing to flat lines on the screen; Annoying when I'm trying to debug a board or something. I haven't upgraded the firmware, so maybe that would help, but probably not. I still think it was a good purchase, and it is just too cute for words. The weirdness of the power is probably the backwards mosfet bug, but my shaky hands don't play well with SOT23 devices, so paraphrasing the immortal words of Dave Jones, "It's Good Enough For America."

[@markgreco1962]

The build quality of this brand is amazing.

[@TeslaTales59]

Nice little scope!

[@thetechgenie7374]

Lol on the throw it in the trash can if it is garbage. I prefer to throw most Miniware products in my bag. Their modular power supplies and electronic load being my favorite and then their portable solder iron being the one I use the most. Nice to be able to power off a LIPO, or power bank when out. Especially since race drones and etc and I and other crash them all the time, so yes very useful especially in the RC community. There oscilloscope hate the MCX connector as come loose over time, I wish they would use a better connector. Yes there oscilloscope a bit pricy for what you get but small and don't take up much space in bag and most stuff don't need much bandwidth, or vertical sensitivity, for everything else use my Tektronix THS 720 for HV, motor control or power supply troubleshooting.

[@superrodder2002]

I think my Tectonics TDS 1gighertz scope for $250 used was a better choice but for a teenager starting out it may be a good Christmas gift

[@Sonnell]

Miniware should create an all in one package. So you would have a portable scope, signal generator, PSU, soldering station, perhaps part identification and testing unit... These mini tools would make a lot more sense that way imho.

[@thetechgenie7374]

I hope they realize this and actually do this. It nice and small and easy to throw in bag. They are missing the signal generator. They were leaning towards that before CoVid with the PSU as was suppose to have many modules and even a separate battery pack to power everything off of. They only did the PSU and electronic load in that series.

[@paulperano9236]

Looks like it would be fine for checking audio stuff, low to medium speed digital or maybe a little higher.

[@bobisyouruncle1]

A function reviews fail to test is the overlay accuracy/uniformity of both channels simultaneously. Important when checking audio amplifiers.

[@neiljolliff8170]

A great looking alternative product, the Zeeweii DSO3D12, has come to my attention and I would love to know your opinion of it, if possible, before pulling the trigger on it. Thanks for the great informative and educational videos.

[@inerlogic]

It's and MCX connector, same center conductor dimensions as SMB, but smaller overall

[@ivolol]

There's some other chinese scopes doing way higher bandwidth for about the same price now, but the fact it's OSS if you are a true tinkerer is nice.

[@awksedgreep]

I love all miniware products and have most of them. I don't have the DC load yet tho.

[@awksedgreep]

The big brother to this DSO is awesome. The DS213. Great for a portable electronics sachel. I have this, a nanovna, tinysa, miniware soldering iron, a miniware screwdriver all in a 10x6x3 case. There's also some solder, all necessary adapters, and attenuators for testing ham radio gear and antennas.

[@quandiy5164]

I had mine for a few years but doesn't get much use. Mainly because I have a rigol on the workbench. This is very useful in the field where I need to check something not very fast (looking if there's a signal present). I hope they fixed the charger issue in your unit though if it's a new revision. A mosfet on the B+ has the drain and source reversed so the 5v from the usb bypasses the 4054 ic and goes straight to the battery via the mosfet body diode. I flipped the mosfet in mine deadbug style and the charging circuit worked as it should after the mod.

[@digiphil]

Can you please provide more info on the problem and fix please? Is the reversed MOSFET on the main PCB or the very small PCB attached directly to the battery?

[@quandiy5164]

@@digiphil I forgot the Q designator of the MOSFET in question. It is on the main pcb. You can trace it with the source and drain connected between the battery + and the cathode of a Schottky diode whose anode is connected to usb 5V. The connection should be the drain at B+ and source at the diode cathode.

[@digiphil]

@@quandiy5164 Thank you for quick reply and info provided! I have board version 1.6 and measured 4.8V on battery terminals with battery and USB charger plugged in yesterday before sending you this query. Now that you've sent me full info will open device again and check.

[@uni-byte]

The connectors look like MCX. There are much cheaper little scopes that perform much better for the money. Kind of disappointing coming from MiniWare. Yeah, for the same money the Zeeweii DSO3D12 offers BNC connectors, USB C, honest 120MHz BW, rock steady triggering and has a DMM built in.

[@absurdengineering]

This thing should not have users tweak the compensation capacitors. It shows so few samples on-screen that the CPU has plenty of performance to run a FIR filter that perfectly compensates the probe. It has on-board signal generator after all so it can characterize the impulse response of each probe. It’s such a basic feature. I understand that bigger cheap scopes may not have enough DSP resources in the FPGA to run such filters in real time. But this one? No problemo.

[@babumanikuttan2258]

Good video

[@Penfold42]

At a glance it looks like they use MCX connectors.

[@DavidMulligan]

It looked like you had both channels enabled when you were testing the bandwidth. It might be better at higher bandwidth with just one channel enabled.

[@rahulkushwaha9500]

Those connector are MCX, they are very bad thats all I got to say. I had to put a piece of wire inside the connector because the pin broke. I never abuse my instruments or tool, but this made me question myself.

[@Alpine_flo92002]

MCX are not made to be often plugged but they are VERY durable compared to most other tiny connectors

[@KG4JYS]

I generally like Miniware products and own a few. They're good for doing stuff in the field. This scope might be something I'd throw in my bag with my Miniware TS100 soldering iron and portable multimeter. Unfortunately, Miniware is pretty proud of their stuff, and they want $100 for this thing. That's too much for what you get, IMO. Makerhawk has a portable scope that will do 120 MHz instead of just 1 MHz, and it's only $8 more than this.

[@VigneshD25]

Can you share more details about the Makerhawk scope you are talking about ?

[@TheDefpom]

Look like MCX connectors

[@clems6989]

Dude, you have got to oil that chair....lol Thanks for the video...

[@IMSAIGuy]

the sad part is, months ago I took it all apart and lubed it. was quite for a short time. 😕

[@Homer19521]

Never did the generator and no link to the seller.

[@IMSAIGuy]

added link

[@mr1enrollment]

looks like triggering is digital instead of analog,... jitter can't say I would have any use for such a thing other than to see it. maybe for embedding into another project. If they were to make this device user programmable - that is - release the source code so that others could customize it for there own use,.. then I would be interested.

[@absurdengineering]

The code is available AFAIK.

[@mr1enrollment]

@@absurdengineering Source Code or Binary?

[@absurdengineering]

Digital triggering is fine as long as a timer is used to measure the exact level crossing time. Then the sweep needs to be fractionally time-shifted. Works well if it’s done. Trigger only needs a comparator with adjustable threshold then - most MCUs have something like it.

[@mr1enrollment]

@@absurdengineering a simple sounding argument is not the same as solving all the problems.

[@absurdengineering]

@@mr1enrollment Oh I know, but I’ve designed such things. Here they just put it out when it looked done and they didn’t care.

[@jspencerg]

$75 on aliexpress

[@leewilliam3417]

Mmmmmm😊

[@bobisyouruncle1]

Bad product. Claims 1mhz but only stable up to 100khz. My faithful dso150 does better than this scope.