Hand size Oscilloscope from Gearbest

Review of a low cost handheld Oscilloscope from Gearbest. This is the DSO138 Oscilloscope.
www.gearbest.com/Transistor-T...
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Gearbest provided this product, at no cost to me, for review on this channel. I was free to do the review how I wanted with no strings attached.

[@friedmule5403]

This is great, I do think that you are fair in your review, yes it does not knock a Siglent or a Rigol out of the water, but it is 22$ not 400$. Combined with what you say, this will be a great help if lets say you get a strange result on your main scope and then want to know if the boards input signal is looking like you expect. Also great if you are not sure about some strange over voltage and don't want to blow your main scope up. 22$ is a fine price for a tool that can act as an extra set of "eyes". I think of it like the cheaper DMM's you also have, just to see if there is a signal. :-)

[@KissAnalog]

Well said! Some of them come with a plastic box - I think I’d go for that option for a couple of bucks more. When I am doing my power supply designs - I can have up to 8 meters or more hooked up. It would be cool to have one or more of these to show me the actual ripple of my output or input without buying those more expensive scope meters.

[@KissAnalog]

@Janardan S That’s great! Let us know how you like it:)

[@strummergr]

I bought one of these and it sat unused for about 6 months. I lost the instructions, so watched your video to refresh my memory! You explain the functions as well as can be done, and I quickly figured out how to use mine! I use it in what you call the differential mode, across amplifier speaker outputs having no ground reference - an op-amp push-pull as it were. More than once I've hooked up my bench scope to speaker jacks, forgetting that the probe ground is 'real' ground (usually through the power cord or the sig gen input), and I'm shorting one of the outputs. I have a high-wattage dummy load with a meter calibrated to watts out at 8ohms, and this little scope allows me to push the power to clipping without worrying about shorting an output! Absolutely worth the price, and as long as I stick to audio frequencies, up to 20kHz, it's worth its weight in tantalum! Thanks for your video!

[@KissAnalog]

Thanks Geoff! I need to pull mine out and use it more in videos. They are pretty great little inexpensive devices that can be very useful - especially in applications like yours.

[@rdormer]

As a beginner / learner who just built this last week, I have to say, it's been money well spent. I figured I could buy this and a basic soldering iron and see if I was interested enough to actually study some electronics. If it turned out I was, then I'd have a bit of experience and a useful (for a beginner, at least) tool that could help me learn more - and it certainly has! If not, I'd be out the princely sum of 20 bucks. Since putting it together I've been having lots of fun using it, trying to figure out why it does things that it does, and how it all works. I also have one of those spring board electronics kits, and wiring up some of the circuits and poking around them with this little scope has already taught me a lot. If you're a pro, obviously, this isn't going to show you anything you don't already know. As long as you don't mistake it for anything more than a useful toy, it's great as a way to learn the basics without spending 500 bucks.

[@KissAnalog]

rdormer Great feedback! I agree with you, it is a great learning tool and how can you go wrong at this price! I’m going to use it in more of my videos;) Thanks for sharing this!

[@WistrelChianti]

totally agree

[@WistrelChianti]

I've actually just adapted an old 9v transformer to work with mine so I don't keep burning through batteries, and even doing that proved to be an interesting learning experience. It's a device that keeps on giving.

[@chris-sc]

Well done Eddie! Good review and quite a useful little oscilloscope. For all critics out there: any comparison should not be made against scopes that cost 10x as much (or more), but against not having a scope at all. For $20, those starting out in electronics can make their hobby come to life. Even with only 50kHz effective bandwidth, the scope is great in the audio range, and it can depict the output of oscillator circuits such as 555 builds.

[@KissAnalog]

Thanks Christian! Well said - and I agree with you. At this cost it is hard to be critical.

[@JamesChurchill3]

I received my DSO-138 Mini kit today, had it assembled in less than an hour and used it to diagnose an annoying car problem. I think this will be a great addition to my automotive toolbox, I'm not a radio engineer so this unit suits my needs perfectly!

[@KissAnalog]

That's fantastic ! Thank you for the great feedback!

[@diggleboy]

Nice little portable oscilloscope! I've seen great transparent cases for it too. I may pick one up for portability and its functionality. Great channel reviews on measurement equipment! Thanks for taking the time to put these videos together!

[@KissAnalog]

It really is - especially for how low cost it is. I wish I had found one with the transparent case. I need to use it more, maybe I can find just the case. Thanks for the great feedback!

[@WistrelChianti]

@@KissAnalog I think you can. Some sellers on amazon I think had a drop down where you could select either version of the board, or the case. I got mine pre-built from ebay though with the case as a "flat pack" extra

[@petersnyder1642]

Great review. It Helped me out .... just finished building mine and your vid made the testing easier.

[@KissAnalog]

Great to hear! Thank you so much for this feedback! I appreciate you!

[@nutgone100]

Great review, & I just found your channel, so I’m gonna enjoy watching some more videos. I got one of these, pre-assembled then bought the flat pack kit for the clear enclosure (a must in my dirty workshop). It’s a great little scope for the money & this is a very fair review, so thanks.

[@KissAnalog]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ladislavhorvath604]

Hello. Today I put it together in acrylic. At first I didn't want to, but I watched the videos and your explanation. It doesn't take up much space. Calibration is a complete science for me. Thank you for your video.

[@KissAnalog]

Glad I could help! Thanks for your feedback!

[@airgliderz]

Nice review, $20 scope, decent for cost. Good for audio work.

[@KissAnalog]

Thank you! I think you are right, they should be useful for lower frequency designs.

[@WistrelChianti]

Thanks so much for such a detailed review. It was seeing this that convinced me it would be a good thing to get to learn about scopes and see if I'd benefit from getting a proper one. For just one evening of playing around with it I'd say it was completely worth getting as I feel I've already learnt heaps. Looking forward to trying a few more things with it [will probably knock up a signal generator] and seeing how I get on (and I have the case to build too - I opted for one with a case). Incidentally, there is a new "mini" version now that allows download of the data on a "held" plot to a PC via the TTL serial. I was reading up on the library they make available too. From what I can gather, I "think" it is for writing your own custom firmware however it looks like the example source code is from an earlier firmware. If so, that is a shame as there have been bug fixes/enhancements since then, so one wouldn't want to have to throw those out and start from scratch. All very interesting anyhow and a great little device for learners.

[@KissAnalog]

WistrelChianti That’s fantastic - I’m glad that you are having fun and learning. Thanks for the feedback! Let me know if you have questions.

[@els1f]

I've been thinking of getting one of these things to keep around the guitar pedals, or maybe turn it into a Eurorack module. Thanks for the incredibly in depth overview 👍😁

[@KissAnalog]

Thanks so much Elsif! I've meant to do a follow up showing this scope again. I think it is a great deal and have been happy with it.

[@markj3851]

Great video and was helpful figuring out how to use my DSO scope. Looking at your other videos for info on a better beginner scope. Keep them coming!

[@KissAnalog]

Mark J Thanks Mark! Great to hear from you!

[@andyj2106]

If you think about it, the ARM Cortex M3 processor and 2.4” TFT have to be pretty much worth that price. As you mentioned, you can buy it in kit form, with a case, for more or less the same price and the reviews indicate it’s great fun building it. I guess you get what you pay for and it does what is says on the tin so you couldn’t expect more. Nice review, you got me sold. I’m hoping when the wife sees the pretty pictures it can draw she’ll let me buy a bigger one :). Maybe I’ll hold out until Keysight send you a MSOX6002O scope to give away.

[@KissAnalog]

Andrew Johnson I’d love to have a scope giveaway! We’ll see how it goes. Keysight does like to market that way- works for me;)

[@andyj2106]

I got one of the kit versions - a genuine Jyetech kit - for a DSO150/DSO Shell. Soldered it up incorrectly, doh!, and got a new one. Faulty PCB board which I was able to bodge with a piece of hook up wire soldered into place and it works a treat. As far as I can tell, the only difference is that this one comes with a case and a slightly different layout of buttons. It's a nice little tool for what it is. Apparently there are lots of knock-off versions out there so you want to be supporting the original designers - Jyetech - and buy from an official channel (I don't know if Gearbest is one of those, might be.)

[@ZeroMass]

Fine video, Good Sir.. Bought a few for entry level use for my kids.. Neat little scope, thanks for the walkthrough 😎

[@KissAnalog]

Thanks for the great feedback!

[@electronone5219]

Thank you for your review. I had the ProbeScope by RadioShack that I purchased about 2.5 decades ago--it still works. I think the bandwidth is larger than the Gearbest, but the screen was harder to read. I think this item would be great for the times you don't want to get out the big gun. Or if you were to build your own audio amplifier and want a display for the user. Anyway, I have watched some of your other reviews on Digital Oscilloscopes. The big things that you seem to point out is the "Deep Memory". I watched your top 10 basic scopes for about $300 , top 3 for $500 and others indicating that they are the best. I'm always looking for the best for the least amount; however, after your reviews, I'm wondering if one should forget the ones in the $300 dollar range and aim for at least the $500 dollar ones. After a year since your review of the top 10 for $300 and the ones for $500, are there any new scopes that in that $300 range that can get close to the three that you reviewed with deep memory? I'm surprised that they don't have scopes that can be updated with plugin memory or other such upgrades. It seemed that some of the analog scopes in the past had some modules that could be plugged in to get extra features. I know that some digital scopes can be hacked to increase the bandwidth and such. it would be great to hear your input.

[@KissAnalog]

Thanks Electron One - great questions and insight. I have been thinking that it is time to do another review - maybe of the top 3 scopes today. I know that some of the older ones that are still for sale have offered those options for free now - to keep up with some of the latest releases from Siglent - I think. Those modules that you could buy to put in a Tektronix scope for instance, they now mostly come free in a $300 scope. It is crazy that people call these scopes entry level. They have so much capability. Deep memory is the thing that makes a digital scope capable of replacing the analog scope. I do have an inexpensive scope that is being shipped to me - but I think it is stuck in transit because of this virus:( I'll use it to show what you can get today - whenever I get it;)

[@davidpierce3054]

like you said, for $20 it's an incredible buy. I do audio work so I basically just want to see clipping and distortion. The only drawback might be the 50v max voltage but I guess I could look at a voltage probe but I like to just use patch cords as I'm not doing board level bench work. the size is great to keep in my bags of goodies for the field.

[@paul-c7541]

I've had one of these on the bench for about 1 Year, nice for quick tests I use mine mainly to see if a oscillator is doing it's thing, it stops me from putting start up counts on the main scope.

[@KissAnalog]

Nice idea - thanks for the feedback!

[@stevenmiller279]

I built one of these as a kit, tons of fun to build and solder together, nice little scope if your not sure if your going to blow something up

[@KissAnalog]

I agree - pretty low cost project and a nice meter for the money;)

[@TRONMAGNUM2099]

So it's pretty late and I can't sleep so I'm going through your older videos I haven't seen. This is a good scope for audio work like setting gains to avoid clipping. For electronics work I would spend a little more and get a FNIRSI handheld scope for 56 bucks. They are listed as 110 mhz.

[@KissAnalog]

Thank you Tron! I'm glad that you are watching my videos;) I agree - it is an inexpensive way to see signals. Maybe I need to get a FNIRSI;)

[@squidkid2]

This would be good for someone who was a hobbyist or someone learning about basic circuit designs with some low frequency oscillating signals or someone doing working on simple audio circuits. Also would be good for just learning about the basic functionality of an oscilloscope. That having been said I'm viewing this in mid 2022 and even though this same unit it still around there are now much better options available. There are handheld models that resemble a DMM and go for less than 100. They will also measure up to 50 Mhz. Anyway it was a good video to demonstrate what even a very basic oscilloscope can do and why you need one to analyze any kind of circuit with alternating currents of any type.

[@VioletGiraffe]

I wanted to design and program my own primitive oscilloscope based on ARM Corrtex CPU (Arduino Due board) and a similar TFT display, but now after watching this review I realize I'll be hard-pressed to implement all these features, just drawing on the screen with this update rate and this many extra text and features is going to be very tight on this MCU. Bottom line: this device is very cool for the price, and I can tell programming it wasn't trivial. I'm still gonna give it a shot, of course :)

[@KissAnalog]

VioletGiraffe I think you should give it a go - who knows? I’d be interested in hearing about your progress;)

[@neilbarnett3046]

I went hard core, I got the kit. They are less than £10 now. The only problem that I have found with mine: "The tail wags the dog": the input cable is so stiff that the oscilloscope won't stay still. I have a little case around my 'scope, but it really adds no weight. One good thing, it will keep going for ages just supplied by a "power bank", though I have two that work and one that turns off in 30s, presumably the 'scope isn't a heavy enough load. My USB meter says 50mA, not 120. I intend to make myself a prototyping bench with breadboard, power supply, displays and sensors mounted on it, so the 'scope can be bolted to that.

[@herbertjoyasensi5802]

thankz for demo sir..

[@KissAnalog]

Always welcome! And thanks for the feedback!

[@scottmarshall6766]

Looks like it would be handy for auto troubleshooting in less critical signals (verifying pulse presence etc). 1-14-20 They are on sale for $12.98 US Got a couple. Thanks for the tip!

[@KissAnalog]

Yes not a bad little device - especially at the low cost! I need to use it in more videos ;) Thanks for the price update!

[@victorpolanco3493]

Hi, just a question nothing to do with the DSO, what model of camera do you use for those cloose ups?

[@KissAnalog]

I use a Panasonic GH4. Sorry, I thought I responded... Sometimes I have to refresh my screen I think;)

[@petersage5157]

I have the same scope in a lasercut case. At 120mA it should be useful for a few hours running off a PP3 battery (considerably longer with 6 AA cells) and is a fair substitute for a scopemeter if you need to trace signals in audio gear. Bandwidth is more than adequate for audio.

[@KissAnalog]

Thanks - I agree !

[@petersage5157]

@@KissAnalog Of course this won't show the banshees you sometimes get if a bean counter Muntzed out some dominant pole compensation, but I'm not sure if typical scopemeters have that kind of bandwidth either. Also, I forgot to mention that I use this with either a standard switchable 1x/10x or 100x probe (sometimes I work with high voltage valve gear); obviously you don't want to go fumbling about with those alligator clips in some unknown bit of kit.

[@KissAnalog]

Thank you! I'll have to show this in more videos. It is amazing how capable it is;)

[@petersage5157]

@@KissAnalog I think some side-by-sides with a logic probe or a faster scope would be fun within your logic gate series. There's a lot you can do with a slow single channel scope! A lot of the early Heathkit scopes (the kind that Paul Carlson likes to convert into X-Y component testers) had even lower bandwidth, and many enginerds made effective use of them.

[@dahlavibez5726]

Heya bro, this is old video I know but it’s so helpful to this day, I’m wondering there is a similar exact looking device I want from Dicksmith NZ it’s fully assembled along with manual n probes hope it’s the same one ?

[@RicardoPenders]

Hi Kiss Analog, I'm searching for an LCR meter so that I can measure capacitors mainly but I can't find any LCR meter capable of measuring capacitors above 100uF, I need to measure caps with a rating of up to 10.000uF, most caps I'm using are 470uF up to 1000uF and I just have no way to measure those caps. Do you have any suggestions of an LCR meter that can do that or is there another way to measure big caps?

[@KissAnalog]

I have had good luck with my CEM DT-9935. It will measure automatically or manually in 5 different frequencies. amzn.to/38LfvUf. I also did a video - awhile back;) but it shows this meter in action. kzbin.info/www/bejne/joGunpZ-oM9lhrc

[@willbarnz6960]

It seems it's good for what it is and its price point. You're not going to do any retro PC diagnostics with it... well maybe checking reset and such, but it seems like it could be fine for basic audio diagnostics. (Just remember to use the 10x or even a 100x probe if you're doing any tube/valve stuff.) Plus using a no-ground power supply with it you don't have to worry about blowing something up using an elevated ground point. Another plus is it's cheaper than even most old analog scopes on the used market. (My Hitachi V-152 comes to mind.) The review in general seems to be neutral and fair enough. You don't skip the weaknesses and you don't skip its strengths.

[@generaza7609]

Does anyone know if there is a way to re-engineer this DSO to sample at a lower rate, such as 1 sample per second or minute? If someone new how to do this, it would make a great solar power sampler for custom solar setups. I have checked the suppliers and they all state it can sample at a max of 1 mega samples per second. They do not tell you how to change this. The docs say nothing regarding that or the USB connector.

[@KissAnalog]

Try changing the time base to time base to the longest time setting. The scope should go into roll mode and then you should see the lowest time gathering. The sampling will still be high as the scope has deep memory so you will get great resolution at that slow time base. Make sense?

[@administratorperson3272]

Thanks for the review. Im looking for a cheap scope just to calibrate amp output, to visualise clipping.

[@KissAnalog]

Glad I could help! I think this will do it. If not, it isn't an expensive loss;) I'm surprised how well it works.

[@administratorperson3272]

I want the case too, only way to get that is 59$ completed unit. But that 400A DC clamp meter plus the scope is about the same cost as the 2000A DC inrush clamp meter im looking at.

[@Stephen_Strange]

Can you please do a video of this within the Solfeggio ranges :) ?

[@KissAnalog]

You bet - that’s a great idea. Thank you!

[@tibipoka6467]

Hi is this one good to measure digital signal of a d-a conveter ic ? like pcm1802 ??

[@KissAnalog]

Great question - thank you! Yes I think it would work for that.

[@ronysetiawan7184]

can this oscilloscope see the IC or Fet output waveform in the SMPS circuit?

[@KissAnalog]

That's a great question Rony! I'll have to check and do a video on it;)

[@ronysetiawan7184]

@@KissAnalog Thanks in advance, I will follow you

[@mydogworriesalot1840]

Hey can I check my ham RF output on my radios with this little critter 🧐😎

[@KissAnalog]

Great question! I think it depends on what you would be monitoring. If you are looking at the RF band frequencies then they are too high in freq band, but if you are possibly looking at a carrier wave or power supply ripple, then it would probably work great;)

[@davidluther3955]

IT IS IMPRESSIVE BUT,YOU CAN NOT EXPECT MUCH FOR THAT PRICE RANGE.IF THEY CAN BUILD THIS NOW CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT THE FUTURE WILL BRING.

[@KissAnalog]

You are so right! Even today the equipment I am picking up is so far ahead of what my bench once looked like.

[@dwgwnr1969]

Mine came pre assembled and didn't have the display on the screen that shows the data..also the voltage on tp25 is -14.59 v

[@KissAnalog]

Thanks for sharing this! How do you like it?

[@dwgwnr1969]

@@KissAnalog well I don't like it because it doesn't work right..the voltage is exactly twice the amount it says on the schematic for test point 25. I don't know what part is wrong on here..probably the regulator

[@adaml52]

Hi Eddie, Amazing what's available for the price. ATB Adam

[@KissAnalog]

Adam L Really is - good to hear from you;)

[@adaml52]

@@KissAnalog I just been a little busy, clearing out some vehicles from my parents house. Old cars that me and my sister left on there property, seized brakes and dead batteries. Ready for the junk yard. In the process of sorting out my motorcycle ready for sale, time for a change, something else to restore. ATB Adam

[@KissAnalog]

Wow - you have your work cut out.

[@Dennis-mq6or]

Bandwidth should be checked with the 10X probe attached (ON ANY SCOPE), You are not performing the calibration procedure correctly, and the little scope is working pretty well anyway!

[@KissAnalog]

Yes, I keep telling people in labs to use the 10x or your bandwidth is in the toilette;) Thanks for your feedback but I'd like to know how to calibrate it correctly - can you tell me?

[@AllboroLCD]

Can one conclude this scope is sufficient for amplifier Biasing?

[@KissAnalog]

Great question! Thanks! I think so, I’ll try it in a video;)

[@AllboroLCD]

@@KissAnalog That would actually be pretty awesome if possible! Still a noob, but I was advised I need a scope fed with a 1khtz tone and adjust the pot until no distortion is visible. Im good if this little scope can do that : )

[@SparkY0]

"There's no strings attached... If things go well, they'll give me more stuff..." So yes, there's definitely strings attached.

[@KissAnalog]

LOL Well, if this were a scope that cost hundreds, then I’d hope things went well;) As it is, making this video cost me far more than a sub $20 device;) I never reached out to them or responded to their email since. My time is far more valuable then cheep meters I get. I give most away but this is so low cost it would cost more in shipping than it cost. I do this to help people as a fun but expensive hobby for me. Hopefully you got more out of this than your comment would suggest.

[@Onkel.Moetrik]

Hey I realy like your videos. But you have to do something about the sound. On many videos it sounds like you are sitting in the middle of a hurrucane, very noisy...

[@KissAnalog]

Thanks so much for the feedback!! I hope my more recent videos have better sound quality. Let me know;)

[@markclark787]

The one you have is a "Fake" check the boot screen and the manufacture, there should be a Logo in the rectangle on the back.

[@KissAnalog]

Thanks for the feedback! What do I look for? Do the fake ones not work as well? How could you tell it was fake?

[@thelightwielder]

i bought one of these, but I had to solder all the components on it

[@KissAnalog]

Thanks for the feedback. So you bought the kit? Was it difficult to assemble, and did it work?

[@tristunalekzander5608]

It cost like 10 dollars if you buy the kit.

[@KissAnalog]

Thanks Tristun - and it can be fun to assemble:) Great feedback - that is useful for those that want to have some fun building their own scope!

[@andyj2106]

Also, what is it about you electronics guys and your knives? Have you seen Dave’s - he does the same: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3yrmGZopJ2liMk. I’m feeling left out.

[@KissAnalog]

LOL

[@alklapaxida850]

i cant believe this cost 23 buks ! in vk3 cheese burger meal cost more

[@MrWhaatay]

Two minutes and 30 seconds in and he hasn't even started yet. Blah, blah, blah. No one cares. Just get on with it.

[@KissAnalog]

Whatatay T Thanks Whatatay T for the feedback. Sorry I went on, but I guess I was excited to have the first company notice my channel. I spend hours if not a couple days to provide these free videos. It is kind of a hobby that’s why I spend so much money on it. Most people are grateful and some give great feedback, and I try to get better. So, thanks for trying to help.

[@MrWhaatay]

@Rami Ghazzawi Name calling, insults, and vulgar language are the tools of low class people who lack intelligence and who do not have a valid argument.

[@MrWhaatay]

@Rami Ghazzawi Hahahaha. Your technique is weak. I would mop the floor with you. Stop supporting videos that waste our time.