OWON HDS272S 3-in-1 Handheld Oscilloscope/DMM/AWG Review - The Oscilloscope is Very Impressive!

[@k.hanbok2297]

Thank you. This video is one of the best HDS272S reviews I've ever seen. Yesterday, I bought the HDS272S scope and it started shipping. Siglent's handheld oscilloscope was discontinued last December and I'm going to use this OWON scope while waiting for a new model to go on sale. I got a lot of information from the video and I saw a lot of answers in the comments as well. As a result, OWON doesn't seem to be enough for my needs.

[@scharkalvin]

They now make a 100mhz BW version with 500ms sampling rate. Same Freq Generator though. I suspect that the 40mhz version might be software hackable to 70mhz as both have the same sample rate.

[@kuro68000]

Thanks, I have been thinking of getting something like this for a while. Very handy for checking that stuff is working when bringing up a board or debugging firmware, before doing detailed measurements.

[@7c3c72602f7054696b]

Same here, it looks like a very neat unit but won't replace my Tek. That said, ungrounded input so that would be very useful.

[@eman59461]

I just got the HDS2102S yesterday. I love that model. I measured a 150uF cap in circuit it was spot on. It also read a 10uF ceramic cap in circuit again it was spot on. Way better than hantek. Great video.

[@MatthiasLenardt]

Big thumbs up ;-) Much love Matthias 👋

[@opal177]

That is a thorough review. Very informative. Thank you.

[@VaZso8]

I have bought the very same instrument from the very same source exactly a week ago. Still waiting to receive it but it looks very impressive and it seems they have greatly improved multimeter function and I think also auto setup in oscilloscope mode is much faster than what I saw in older reviews. Thank you for the review, I hope to also receive my unit soon.

[@peterbroad1772]

What a great, detailed product review!

[@pirulito99]

Thanks Kerry, this video is the better I saw and is being very ussefull for learn about my new OWON 272S.

[@geirendre]

Great review. I bought this back in April 2021 and have been using it daily since then, and I think it's really good for it's price. Don't think you can find a better 3-in-one unit at a price comparable to it. But you'rr way to quick with removing the leads when you test things, this instruments needs more time to make a reading than "normal" multimeters do it seems like. That's also the reason why you struggle with measuring capacitors. You just didn't give them time to charge up. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't look like Owon is pushing out Firmware updates to these units.

[@KerryWongBlog]

Yeah, the capacitance range is extremely slow and there is no visual feedback on the screen indicating the measurement is still going on. But for occasional use shouldn't be an issue.

[@xiaomiredmi3217]

hello. it can write data stream to internal memory?

[@82sledge]

@@xiaomiredmi3217 You can store up to 4 measurement files into internal memory (+ 4 Reference ) as CSV files (or pictures), 1x 8k or 4k samples. If you switch the USB mode to MSC, then PC will see it as external memory and you can read the files. However, the files are not updated when Owon is connected, so you have to store the desired files first and then connect to PC. The format is as follows: Channel :,CH1 Frequency :,F=2.000kHz Period :,T=500.0us PK-PK :,Vpp=3.680V Average :,V=1.517V Vertical pos :,0.00mV Probe attenuation :,1X Voltage per ADC value:,40.00mV Time interval :,0.80uS index,CH1_Voltage(mV) 0,3080.00 1,3160.00 2,3080.00 3,3160.00 4,3080.00 ....

[@MoesKeckeEcke]

So maybe hantek does firmware updates?

[@barrybogart5436]

@@MoesKeckeEcke I wonder. I just ordered one of these because Hantek drivers for their older DSOs and AWGs do NOT work with Win 10 and Win 8.1! Don't trust them now.

[@lucaslittmarck2122]

What a great review.

[@kuro68000]

I was going to say that the lack of a bar graph on DMM mode was a bit disappointing, but I guess with a scope built in you can just look at the waveform. Would be nice to have the option to view the waveform from the multimeter probes, just for taking a quick look.

[@KerryWongBlog]

The multimeter performance is mediocre at the best. It's definitely on the slow side compared to most of the dedicated multimeters I have used. So a faster bar graph would be nice.

[@eddy2561]

I owned an early model OWON scope and I found the user manual worthless!! Lots of unanswered questions where I had to guess what to do next......I just ordered the HDS272S model and I hope the manual is better written.

[@glencarey2664]

Kerry, absolutely great video. Please do a video on owon hds272s software demo showing Windows PC features when connected to Scope. I would love to have software that offered vb scripting.

[@82sledge]

Kerry, actually the generator has output imepdance 50 Ohm. The settings of the impedance is LOAD impedance and it changes the amplitude and max/min/step when you set up the geenrator. When you select the 50 Ohm, you can actually change the value from 1 Ohm to whatever using arrows and the output level in the signal generator will change accordingly....

[@JAKOB1977]

did you start the measurement at 50Mhz and used that as reference? 15:57 If you use 50MHz as your -3db reference, wasnt there no attenuation already at 50MHz? as when you earlier put in 60Mhz.. there was quite a noticeable jump in attenuation when you plugged in 60Mhz 8:52 so woudlnt you BW measurement be off, if your using a MHz reference that is already attenuated. what bw value shall a person use to calculate -3db from.? usually I adjust to the highest part until I start to see amplitude attenuation drop, then take the -3dm from there.? anyway to easy test the waveform update rate on these scopes without an outtrigger socket?

[@bn880]

good question

[@colinstamp9053]

24:30. The warning message is a nice try, but they got it back to front. It should warn you when you switch from current to voltage, not the other way round!

[@Scott_6666]

I strongly disagree.

[@colinstamp9053]

@@Scott_6666 On what grounds?

[@Scott_6666]

@@colinstamp9053 It is far safer to be inadvertently connected to the fused current input. The purpose of the warning is to prevent you from accidentally trying to run a large current through the unfused voltage input. I have seen DMM's literally explode in someone's hand when they accidentally did that.

[@colinstamp9053]

@@Scott_6666 That's not how current and voltage measurement work. If you connect a meter to make a current measurement, but accidentally use the voltage terminals, virtually no current will flow since the meter impedance is very high - typically 10MOhms. Depending on the load, the meter will normally see the supply voltage and you'll wonder why your load isn't working. The current terminals on the other hand, are a practically a dead short. If you attempt to measure the voltage of a low impedance power source with the leads in the current terminals, the very best outcome you can hope for is a blown fuse. Connect it across the mains for example and thousands of amps can flow whilst the fuse is just starting to think about blowing. Things can get very exciting very quickly.

[@Scott_6666]

@@colinstamp9053 Thanks for the info. I knew most of what you stated, but I thought the resistance value was much lower on the voltage input. I wonder what caused the explosion in the incident I witnessed. Perhaps the resistor is/was very small and couldn't handle the high current/voltage.

[@lindsay5985]

Why did they use left and right arrows to change the vertical scale? Did they use and up down arrows to change the horzontal ??

[@romanaryal3142]

i wanted to buy this 272s model.I tried to buy it,lots of effort for an year but nobody helped me even though i offered the amount in advance. I'm an electronics engineering student and i want to learn how these gadgets work but living in country like NEPAL isnt easy for learners as its almost impossible to buy items from foreign lands and this is not available here.

[@prooffypro5834]

Hi... You should short the cap before measuring its capacitance with the OWON.

[@jodocus12]

This plus beeing less nervous when dooing a measurement.

[@richardschmidt5512]

I liked your review of this instrument. I am in the process of restoring a 1940's vacuum tube receiver. I need to measure the power supply voltage that is around 500V DC. I see the spec for the multimeter is for max input voltage of 750V DC. Yet the plug connection shows only 600V cat III. I'm not sure what that means.

[@KerryWongBlog]

CAT III rating voltage is lower than CAT II rating. For electronics, it's mainly CAT I and CAT II.

[@richardschmidt5512]

@@KerryWongBlog Does that mean that if I apply a 700V DC input, it will damage the instrument ?

[@KerryWongBlog]

@@richardschmidt5512 The meter can handle that voltage with no problem. You need to be careful though, as the old vacuum high voltage power supply has large capacitors...

[@ivansperanza]

Great video, i just ordered one from Amazon.

[@jtveg]

Great review. Thanks for sharing.

[@KerryWongBlog]

Thanks!

[@yankovalsky7696]

Is it worth to buy HDS272S instead of HDS242S? Both have the same sampling rate for single/dual channel. The only differences are bandwidth (70 vs 40 Mhz) and "rise time" (5 vs 8 ns).

[@christatler7378]

Did I see that correctly? the timebase was set using the up down arrows and the amplitude was set by the left right arrows. Seems like the opposite would be more intuitive. Anyway not too worried about that I’m gonna get me one of these.

[@82sledge]

Yes, it's because the other direction is for horizontal and vertical shift, so the shift is completely intuitive. However I still canot be familiar with de direction of time base settings - arrow Up means slower timebase (more time per div), which is counterintuitive, because turn right is arrow up and shorter time base..... but the SW designers has not these habits....never use the scope in reality....

[@stevenspmd]

I got one of these a few months ago. A shrouded BNC to banana plug adapter would be a good addition; the scope is floating but a bare BNC could still zap you?

[@tonyknightsecreto8338]

Hi! Great stuff 😅 my name is Tony can you tell me what I can use to add power to these hand held scillyscopes thank you /Yeah I don't have a high powered ocillascope thanks again😊

[@tonyknightsecreto8338]

Yeah its tony again I have a DSO-TC2. (FNISI) TYPE THANHs again or anyone can wheigh in for you

[@D800Lover]

Seems that the probes are not the best, and that is affecting the capacitance measurement. Maybe some oxidation? But thanks for the vid, I think I will get one. Low that you can null the probes and start with a zero.

[@aritrasinghachowdhury]

Hi. Can it be used for automotive work? Thanks

[@rifatahmed4659]

Does the pc software supports multimeter functions ?? Or its only for the oscilloscope ??

[@KerryWongBlog]

No, the PC software is only for the oscilloscope.

[@electricsanti4518]

Would u recomend buying micsig automotive scope instead of this, is waveform detail a factor

[@albertoolmos21]

I found a flaw in the oscilloscope with fast pulses at low frequencies (short duty cycles). The sampling rate at 1 sec/div is 500 Sa/sec, which is acceptable for a waveform with a bandwidth under 250 Hz. However, a 1us pulse with 10 secs period is not measured correctly.

[@KerryWongBlog]

Yes, I forgot to mention that in the video. the Hantek 2D72 (I have a comparison video if you haven't watched yet) does it properly. A couple of folks asked about that I was debating whether to make another video to point this out... Also, under 50ms/div the OWON automatically changes to ROLL mode.

[@82sledge]

This scope has memory up to 8000 samples. I am preatty sure you could measure this pulse quite precisely (Normal mode, appropriate time base for 1us pulse, e.g. 500 ns/div), but NOT with the whole period, just because of the low memory. But one finding - if you switch acquisition mode to sample, you can have issues with alliasing at long time base settings. But with Peak acquisition mode, it seams that te scope is able to display like span of Peak-peak values within sampling period so in this case HF signal will not disappear as with "sample" mode....

[@andynonimuss6298]

Is it possible to measure dirty electric in mV (a clean or bad AC sine wave) using the HDS272S?

[@TheRecocebo]

you have to wait for about 5 second when measuring capacetance with owon

[@ClaudioMartella]

I’m totally new, so sorry for the stupid question. Will this 3-in-1 unit do signal generation AND measurement AT THE SAME TIME? In want to put a signal into a guitar pedal circuit I m building and see what comes out, at the same time with this single unit.

[@bobwhite137]

Is it just me, or is the Amplitude measurement reporting 2X what it should be? Vpp and Va are almost identical (the only difference appears to be that Va may be ignoring the peak ringing that Vpp reports - that part is ok, but the 2X scaling is not). Many thanks for this excellent review!

[@xiaomiredmi3217]

Hello. it can write data stream to internal memory?

[@MoesKeckeEcke]

Hantek or Owon which one to buy :-) Can a portable scope like this measure time between two rising edges on different channels? I would like to use it on gearboxes when they change from one gear to another i get a square signal from two sources and maybe i can see the "change" time with this.

[@pascalphase2556]

Hi, just received my owon today, but i'm a bit little disapointed !!! Can't find Voltage RMS, on measure /Oscilloscope , there is of course : Pk to Pk, min, max, périod...etc but what about : voltage RMS (or efficace) ? is it missing ? can't imagine such à big mistake on an oscilloscope ! And what about the term "mean" what is it ? Tell me about your own stuff please. Sorry for my bad english, i'm French

[@KerryWongBlog]

I am not seeing that option either. Now to be honest, I have rarely used the RMS measurement on other scopes that have it. It is pretty easy to derive from Vpp for most common waveforms. That said, I agree it should come as standard (interestingly, the Hantek 2D72 I reviewed a while back is also missing this feature, coincidence?). The "mean" measurement seem to measure the "arithmetic mean" of the signal (e.g. DC offset).

[@mikesalins7805]

Is it possible to use the scope function with the regular DVOM leads and not have to use the BNC connector?

[@KerryWongBlog]

No, the input sections are separate.

[@brizee993]

I tried capacitance on my HDS272S and it works fine, but takes a little time to acquire a reading

[@KerryWongBlog]

Thanks! Yeah it just takes a long time which obviously I am not used to...

[@slip0n0fall]

I assume CH1 and CH2 are not ground isolated (from one another)? Thanks!

[@KerryWongBlog]

Correct, they share the same ground.

[@traditionaltools5080]

Interesting. Could you use this scope as a curve tracer?

[@KerryWongBlog]

You will need two independent function generators. I did a video on that kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp_ChnRpmduDlZY

[@hussainnaeem7783]

I'm wondering if this will be suitable for automotive measurements?

[@michaelroberts1120]

Can you use the FFT on the device without the PC application?

[@ryanzhecks5543]

I have the same instrument and yep, the capacitor measurements are bad. So it seems that all OWON HDS272S have the same issue :( And also thank you for the video, I just started studying at university. So your video opened to me how to use this 3in1 device properly :)

[@KerryWongBlog]

Thanks for the info. As I commented later on in the video, it appears that the issue with the capacitance measurement range is just it's very slow and there is no visual updates on the meter. If you are patient enough the it will show the results eventually....

[@lindsay5985]

Picofarads are a bit small to measure with leads.

[@pchunter168]

Hi Kerry, I watched your Hantek 2D72 and Owon HDS2772S testing and review. Could you advise which one is better?

[@KerryWongBlog]

I will have a comparison video coming out between the two in a week or two and you can decide for yourself. Both are great products. But IMO, if you don't mind not having the ability to create your own arbitrary waveform and mainly use the oscilloscope function and are satisfied with the shorter battery life per charge, I think Owon would be a better choice. For some folks though, not able to create arbitrary waveform could be a deal breaker as I mentioned in the video.

[@pchunter168]

@@KerryWongBlog Thank you for your advice, we don't need the arbitrary waveform and the HDS272S has a bigger screen, so I have just ordered an HDS272S from Taobao.

[@meierthomas]

Bought this on the back of this great review. What would you suggest for the second probe as it only comes with one?

[@KerryWongBlog]

Any standard x10 probe (e.g. TP6100) would be more than adequate. Those cost just over $10 for a pair on eBay.

[@xiaomiredmi3217]

Hello. it can write data stream to internal memory?

[@andymouse]

Nice, i look forward to the side by side ....cheers.

[@mfreiher]

Will you be able to use this meter to test crank/cam shaft and injector sensors?

[@roseelectronics4582]

I'm having the same question in mind

[@davidtcheki7685]

Thanks for the video. I have a question : Is it possible to use the device while the battery charging process ?

[@KerryWongBlog]

Yes.

[@romeojr.fiecas4952]

Thanks...May i ask what is the firmware version of that scope???

I heard that firmware version corresponds to hardware revision of the mainboard. I have 3.3.0 fv - probably one of the newest.

[@romeojr.fiecas4952]

Mine has fw3.2.0, time to email owon if they can tell where to get the latest firmware.

[@KerryWongBlog]

The one I reviewed is 3.3.0 as well.

[@thelandlord2134]

Based on this review I got one of these from Amazon. This really misses the boat. It's my 3rd (and last) Owon scope, as you say it is not very intuitive but it's doable. The biggest problem with it is that the software is completely broken. Opening the remote control makes it crash, and changing any of the horizontal sweep or vertical v/div does nothing. Trying to move the traces where you can see them on the screen doesn't work either. This is going back to Amazon. Extremely disappointed, I really wanted to like this scope but it doesn't work.

[@joshuaamissah8275]

Please when I use x100 Please can I use it to measure 600v AC please

[@KerryWongBlog]

You will have to use the x100 range with a x100 probe. With x100 probe you can test 600V AC as long as the probe is rated for it.

[@ed-jf3xh]

When you were testing bandwidth, it looks like you actually have two signals of the same frequency with a phase difference.

[@KerryWongBlog]

The signal from the HP 8642B is very pure so anything you see would be the artifacts from the scope itself.

[@ed-jf3xh]

@@KerryWongBlog Yes, I was assuming it was a scope issue. Poor isolation at the higher freq's, maybe. Sometimes the opamps are not the best choice for the frequencies they are pushed to. Thank you for the review. I look forward to your side by side comparison.

[@ianongcoy6338]

Is this a good choice for school lab purposes?

[@antoineblanchard]

Thnk´s for listen and review this owon.

[@GabrielAssis89]

Kerry, how it handles slow signals on scan mode, like 250ms-1s/div? I've a handheld Hantek one that is totally useless and buggy on that range. It'll be nice to know how this one handles that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

[@KerryWongBlog]

Thanks for reminding me of this. I forgot to mention this in the comparison video I just released (you can check it out :)) Unlike the Hantek where in 250ms-1s/div the screen appear to be refreshing at the time interval of the set time base (which means it freezes for a long period of time), the display on the OWON is updated continuously at a high refresh rate regardless of the time base. But The Hantek does the triggering better IMO. Hopefully this helps! I may do a quick video to illustrate...

[@82sledge]

It offers up to 1000s per div (0,25 Hz sampling rate), so you can measure battery discharge with it. At longer time base settings the display looks good (roll base) - let's say that at 200 ms/div and 2Hz sinus signal there is a very decent shade after the trace, but thinner than thickness of the signal itself. Normal and single mode available as well. The refreshing rate of the display might be like 50 Hz or lets say display speed like 20 ms (based on the shade of moving trace)

[@ivantazelaar5177]

Thanks for the great review Kerry, do you know if it can be used to display DC 430V + AC with a passive x100 probe? I read that AC/coupling mode may add a cap in front of the 1M resistor affecting the voltage divider exposing the device to the DC component. Do you know if this applies to the HDS272S?

[@KerryWongBlog]

If you use AC coupling, the you won't be able to measure the DC component due to the blocking cap as you mentioned. This applies to pretty much all oscilloscopes.

[@ivantazelaar5177]

Thanks Kerry :) AC is exactly what I need to measure, but I am worried about the 430V (or more) reaching the coupling capacitor on this oscilloscope, which is rated at 400V with the 10x probe, so mainly 40V. Do you know if that could be a risk?

[@KerryWongBlog]

@@ivantazelaar5177 You are pushing the spec with a x10 probe. But you should be able to safely measure it with a x100 probe.

[@dimitris470]

Wow this looks awesome for the price. Can it do any FFT or spectrum analysis?

[@KerryWongBlog]

No FFT unfortunately.

[@joshuaamissah8275]

Please what is the highest Ac and Dc voltage you can measure with the oscilloscope

[@KerryWongBlog]

Hi Josh, the maximum voltages can be measured according to the spec are as follows: ACV 750V, DCV 1000V.

[@hendersonsobers396]

Nice video thanks for this. I have some limited experience with oscilloscopes. Can this model be used to determine total harmonic distortion for ac power output or will it only show me what the waveform looks like?

[@KerryWongBlog]

No, it does not have FFT/distortion measurement.

[@hendersonsobers396]

@@KerryWongBlog ok thank you.

[@tabitha1d]

Thank you Good Thorough review Can it be used for automotive?

[@KerryWongBlog]

It doesn't have any specific diagnostic tools. Hantek does have a version made for auto applications (2D82)

[@havocking9224]

When i switch range manually, will it measure capacitor fast?

[@KerryWongBlog]

As I mentioned in the video, you can't do manual ranging in capacitance mode unfortunately.

[@havocking9224]

@@KerryWongBlog ah i missed that, thanks

[@allinoner]

What do you use to give exact mV for testing ?

[@KerryWongBlog]

Krohn-Hite MV216A voltage standard.

[@allinoner]

@@KerryWongBlog ty for the answer 😍

[@KerryWongBlog]

@@allinoner You are welcome!

[@AshyLarryTM]

I am doing a vintage Stillwater Design (Kicker), audiophile grade car audio install and I'm going to showcase it at Kicker's headquarters in Stillwater Oklahoma this spring. I haven't used an Oscilloscope since my introduction to electronics class back in 1987 but I'm a pretty tech savvy guy. In your opinion, do you think this scope is sufficient enough to set amplifier gains and frequency's? If so, would this scope be simple enough to re-learn how to access those basic functions? If not, what basic scope would you suggest I purchase? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[@joeluang8695]

You need a scope with at least a 12 bit vertical resolution for analog signals. This scope is advertised as having 14 bits of resolution but in the teardown the AD chip is only 8 bits. ?

[@box420]

Didn't know kicker was in stillwater. I live there

[@jcbarros71]

According to this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIeTYmmtea2gopo through PC software, the scope has FFT

[@engineereuler1762]

love it when one of those comrades causes a tornado behind him because of how fast he mentions the "true rms" to avoid giving the highest frequency for this so-called "true rms". Most of this yt thing is basically advertisement for one central party and it's ugly

[@pchunter168]

淘宝見到一直想買它，thx

[@TheJakeman789]

Hi I don’t care