DS212 Mini Oscilloscope Tutorial

This tutorial is an introduction to using the DS212 mini oscilloscope. It covers topics like using the function generator, triggering, setting the x and y axis scale, automatic measurements, and manual measurements. Click the links below to jump to timestamps in the video.
0:00 intro
0:39 probes
1:41 turn on
2:11 menu navigation and scroll wheels
3:28 restore factory settings
3:57 function generator
4:29 connecting probes
5:13 time and voltage scales
6:20 triggering
7:55 volume control
8:15 automatic measurements
9:24 cursors and manual measurements
11:52 math function channel
12:19 vertical position adjust
13:09 coupling
13:59 file export
Additional electronics tutorials available here: • Electronics Tutorials ...
/ benfinio

[@user-qs7yf1iw6w]

EXCELLENT tutorial of the product for this novice. Actually, the intro to the Page1 functions are excellent for any scope newbie. Thank you!

[@FordSeniorMaster]

Ben, Thank YOU for making this presentation my friend! VERY well done! My "DS212" will be delivered this Monday (8-9-21) and I will definitely be using your instruction again to familiarize myself with my new "DS212". Again, MANY thanks! Patrick

[@BenFinio]

Thanks!

[@mirzageeelectronic999]

Excellent Review Sir Thanks for the video Review . I didn't find the best Review on DSO212 On KZbin. Your Review is better.

[@j.rayscott4681]

Great job. I bought the DS212 as an impulse buy. Your video helped keep from just collecting dust on the workbench. Thanks!

[@BenFinio]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@Dr.evil.porkchop]

and ... your thoughts now that you have one??? Doing the same research 6months late from your post..

[@RandomUser311]

This was super helpful, thanks!

[@DonnySRT]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@dismaldunc]

thanks for this, just got one of these and you really helped!

[@NoirpoolSea]

VERY informative. Thank you.

[@johnny0454]

Great video! 👍

[@Katana50cc]

So informative, thanks! : )

[@chandikasudulkiriella1260]

Nice review.. specially on trigger mode and x window option.. great work bud...!!! keep it up (Y)

[@BenFinio]

Thanks!

[@geoffprotheroe1201]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you. As far as automotive applications, Arduino and bread boarding it works extremely well and I would not recommend a cheaper version. As you learn you will find the extra features and reliability become more important and usefull. Price wise you would only save maybe £10 or £20. For automotive use I would recommend one of the plastic/rubber covers to help protect it.

[@truthhurts2149]

Im looking for one for basic automotive diag. This looks like it should work.

[@orfeous]

@@truthhurts2149 same here, my DSO201 just RIP'd today after a couple of years in service. Time to buy something else. Did you buy something? My application would be for car use.

[@Atetus94]

Thanks man! :)

[@tmdrake]

I know there was a custom firmware years ago that did FFT? Which scope was this.

[@fargoloomis3569]

Does the frequency for channel A auto populate? I think mine might be broken, I followed step by step multiple times and mine didn’t look the same.

[@charleswelch6074]

I know it was a year since you posted this tutorial, but I'm hoping you will see this. My question is does the ds212 have xy mode for testing components. Chuck

[@BenFinio]

Hi Chuck - as far as I remember it only has Y-T mode, not X-Y mode.

[@macdenewf]

Hi. Great tutorial. Will this scope provide a direct measurement for THD ( from a whole home generator ) or does a person have to calculate that from the discrete harmonics?

[@BenFinio]

Thanks. As far as I know there is no direct THD measurement.

[@macdenewf]

Ben Finio Appreciate the reply. If you ever come across a decent priced hand help scope that does be great if you would post that too. Cheers.

[@BenFinio]

@@macdenewf the only other handheld scope I've used is the Hantek 2D42. Haven't had a chance to make a review/tutorial for that one. It is pricier (about $150) but a big jump up in quality - has real buttons and not the annoying scroll wheels. Also much beefier - size of a brick and feels like it. Not sure about THD feature though, don't think it has it.

[@jmbcorreia72]

Thanks for all the info! Great video. How do you set the maximum voltage of the output wave signal? On my DS212 I get VPP of around 400mV. How do you generate, e.g., a saure wave if 0-2V?

[@BenFinio]

I don't think you can adjust the amplitude of the function generator. If you are only getting 400mV you may be driving too small of a load, causing voltage drop - it cannot source very much current. I'd try connecting the function generator directly to the oscilloscope probe with no circuit in between to test it first. I've seen a noticeable voltage drop even with a 10K resistor as the load.

[@TitanTrigger]

Check your probe, you might have it on x10...

[@orfeous]

Will the AC coupling feature let me measure AC-ripple on the car alternator blocking/filtering out DC voltage?

[@BenFinio]

I don't have any experience with automotive use, but in general, the AC coupling feature will remove any DC offset in a signal. However, if all you care about is the peak-to-peak amplitude, that measurement should be the same whether you are set to AC or DC coupling.

[@pigeonsil240sx]

if not and you want a tool that does test alternator ripple i know for sure my ancel ba101 battery load tester tests the alternator ripple because i just did the alternator test and was confused on what the ripple test was.again ancel ba101 and costs around $38.make sure you get this model as the cheaper ancel battery load tester thats about $25 doesnt have any charging/cranking tests like the ba101 does.hope that helps.

[@planker]

Excellent. I have put one on hold, is your current opinion on this still good? 12/25/22. usage is for op-amps in audio circuits.

[@BenFinio]

My opinion on these hasn't changed much since I made this video. We've had some issues over the last couple years with students having trouble with USB connectivity for downloading stored data, but I think the problem was usually something like a bad USB cable.

[@planker]

@@BenFinio I got one this Christmas and I'm impressed. I looked like a pro handling it for the first time, Thanks for the intro. This will do just fine, because of the form factor it will find itself employed more often. Excellent work, you got my attention.

[@BenFinio]

@@planker Thanks! Glad you found the video helpful.

[@coreywhite2754]

Is there any way to change the output voltage of the function generator?

[@BenFinio]

Unfortunately I don't think so, the amplitude of the output is fixed.

[@yurkshirelad]

@@BenFinio What is the amplitude?

[@runnybabbit5631]

thank you super helpful! is it just me or does it take a super long time to update the screen when you're changing grid spacing etc?

[@runnybabbit5631]

like several minutes

[@BenFinio]

@@runnybabbit5631 I believe if you are using the built in function generator at a very low frequency and you have it set to normal trigger mode, then yes. Note that it is actually displaying way more data than can fit on the screen at once, and you can scroll side to side using the "x window" option on page 1. So I think at low frequencies it is scanning the whole way across and then doesn't trigger again until it reaches the end. Since you can only see a bit of the screen at the time, this can make it look like it's just freezing.

[@runnybabbit5631]

@@BenFinio I bet that's it; it became way more responsive as I increased the frequency. Good to know about the "x window" option; thank you so much that's really helpful!

[@BenFinio]

@@runnybabbit5631 Glad it helped!

[@pigeonsil240sx]

how come it only allowed you to go up to 10v?doesnt this allow 40v max?will this work for automotive that have up to 14v?as long as it will work for automotive im sold but i know nothing about these

[@BenFinio]

The manual says it will handle +/-40V max inputs.

[@greje656]

Fantastic video! One thing I haven't been able to do is to calibrate the 10x probe :( I can't find a scew on the probe?!

[@BenFinio]

I don't have my oscilloscope handy but I think you are correct - I don't remember the probes being adjustable.

[@greje656]

@@BenFinio I actually found it! Its ON the board :)

[@gillandro2]

I gather those extra rods are spares as are the other plastic rings

[@rutwijmulye6381]

What is maximum input voltage?

[@BenFinio]

From the datasheet, +/-40V with a 1x probe.

[@johnny0454]

Do you think this is fast enough and accurate enough for automotive use?

[@BenFinio]

Hi - I'm not sure what kind of speed/accuracy you need for automotive applications. The manual says it has an analog bandwidth of 1MHz, maximum sampling ratel of 10MSa/s, horizontal sensitivity range of 1uS/div - 2S/div, and vertical sensitivity range of 20mV/div - 10V/div.

[@MrPoconoracing]

Absolutely it is. You’ll need some longer better leads but the unit itself is great for diy, mobile use.

[@pigeonsil240sx]

the model before is ds211 has a sample rate of 1msa/s and this one has a rate of 10msa/s so looks like the other version is what you want?

[@yurkshirelad]

Would this be enough for a beginner Arduino hobbyist who is also learning some basic electronics?

[@BenFinio]

Yep, it's perfect for that! I use it in an introductory Arduino/circuits course that I teach. If you do not care about the ability to export data, there may be some even cheaper options out there though.

[@yurkshirelad]

@@BenFinio Thanks Ben. Which cheaper options would you recommend? I'd also like to learn about things like 555 timers, transistors etc, voltage regulators, so something that has enough bandwidth for this.

[@BenFinio]

@@yurkshirelad Unfortunately I don't remember the details for specific models cheaper than this - I just know they exist, and may have fewer features. For example maybe there is only one measurement channel, or maybe there's no built-in function generator, or it's just a handheld scope with no ability to connect to a PC to export data. However, we use this scope for exactly what you described (RC circuits, op amps, transistors, etc) for homework assignments and labs for college students, so I don't think you can really go wrong with it.

[@yurkshirelad]

@@BenFinio Thanks Ben.

[@yurkshirelad]

@@BenFinio I assume it can work with audio frequencies ok? Does anyone have any experience with the long term reliability?

[@carlmen6567]

Still didn't tell about probe x10

[@ghostface089]

i cant get past the 2 flat lines

[@BenFinio]

Hi - you'll have to be more specific than that for me to help.

[@ghostface089]

@@BenFiniowhen i connect the probes there is no signal - it stays as 2 flat lines. i changed trigger settings as well

[@BenFinio]

@@ghostface089 In my experience the probe that comes with the oscilloscope is a little loose. Try jiggling it and pressing it against the sides of the plug. Also if you assembled the probe improperly it will not have an electrical connection so will not detect the signal.

[@ghostface089]

@@BenFinio ok thanks