Unless you're buying locally you could end up paying as much for shipping as you pay for the scope.  Although if you buy a new scope sometime you can get a really good deal on shipping,  Possibly even free shipping from someone like Amazon.

I have an old Heathkit oscilloscope I've been thinking about putting on Craigslist.  I figure I might be able to get $25 for it if someone comes to pick it up locally.  The thing weighs a ton.  It would probably cost over $100 to ship it anywhere, possibly even more than that.

You're best bet is to either find something locally (possibly through Craigslist?), or maybe a local pawn shop or electronics store.  Something you could just pick up locally and carry home yourself.

Barring that the next best thing would be to just buy a new one from an online store that has cheap or free shipping.

You'd probably be hard-pressed to beat something like this.  $250 with free shipping at Amazon:

Unless you're willing to settle for a hand-held then  maybe something like this one for $150 and free shipping:

You can probably find cheaper ones on AliExpress if you don't mind getting a free virus with it.  ? 

Hello Folks,

I too am looking for equipment for my little lab but space and money are tight.  Thinking an Oscilloscope is the place to start  Just wondering if anyone has looked at the Hantek line of Oscilloscopes like this:

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07RHSKPSR/?coliid=I4BYPZ89ZQOYW&colid=3TQQRQL14CUS0&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

It looks good for the price but I don't know enough to reach any kind of decision.  Hooking this up to my PC or Laptop seems to make a great deal of sense to me.  Any thoughts?

For now though, I have built a very simple and limited little scope for about $20 which has been able to tell me where my signal is failing and really, until I learn more it's probably all I can justify.  Check it out at:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Oscilloscope-in-a-Matchbox-Arduino/

Thanks

Brian

@bwchester

I'm totally gonna make that simple one! Thx ?

I'm up in the air to which one to choose here? Is 4 channels really that helpful for my little Arduino projects?

The 2 channel SainSmart is only a little over $100.

The Hantek is just under $200 and has some nice features like being more than just a scope and connecting to your PC so you can see the results on a bigger screen. 

Not sure which to get ??‍♂️

SainSmart Mini DSO213 Handheld Pocket-Sized Digital Storage Oscilloscope 4 Channels https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JQ3HRMX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ZLmpEbZFZ73WR

SainSmart DSO212 Pocket Size Portable Handheld Mini Digital Storage Oscilloscope https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074QBQNB7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TMmpEb8PGCM3B

Hantek 2D72 3in1 Digital Oscilloscope Waveform Generator Multimeter USB Portable 2 Channels 70MHz 250MSa/s Multifunction Tester https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MQJR6W9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_aNmpEbTWVNC3M

I went with four channel to help with SPI communications. You need one for each of MISO, MOSI, Clock, and Enable. I2C only needs two probes. As mentioned else where in this thread, there are quite capable for digital logic analysis. 

Posted by: @dale

I went with four channel to help with SPI communications. You need one for each of MISO, MOSI, Clock, and Enable. I2C only needs two probes. As mentioned else where in this thread, there are quite capable for digital logic analysis. 

Do you use 4 channels all that often? I just bought a nice multi meter so I guess the multi meter option in the Hentek is not all that needed. I thought the signal generator would be good to have.  Is that useful? I found a cheap DIY  signal generator project on Amazon so maybe that would be good enough? 

I'm not sure if I will use it all that often. As mentioned, I do plan to use 3 or 4 probes while debugging SPI testing. I purchased my 'scope (Rigol DS1104Z) as my xmas present this year and splurged a bit. It also comes with a port that accepts an eight probe logic analyser pod. Don't think I'll be buying that accessory soon, as it costs about $350. 

One of the first pieces of test equipment I bough was a multimeter. Lower-mid range type. Nothing special but it measures volts, amps, ohms, and capacitance; while being portable enough to take on the road. That being said, I would like to have a nice bench meter. 

I'm mixed on the signal generator. I have an old one (circa 1970) but never use it. Perhaps if I did more analog filter work (audio?).

Here is the multi meter I just bought. It's pretty nice and not that expensive. Though rather then saving the money I just bought the case and extra probes which made it expensive again HAHAHA! 

AstroAI Digital Multimeter, TRMS 6000 Counts Volt Meter Manual Auto Ranging; Measures Voltage Tester, Current, Resistance; Tests Diodes, Transistors, Temperature

https://amzn.to/3bdJhmC

@garnold

Looks good. It's pretty much what I have. Plus an old cheapy I bought years ago at Canadian Tire. I've often used them in tandem when messing around with battery charging. One to monitor voltage the other for current. 

https://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/digilent-inc/480-001/1286-1076-ND/4090113

@dale

Agreed. So I have this older one that was given to me from a friend. Nothing wrong with it but it was not shiny and new 🙂 Since the new one was not that expensive I thought I could use them together when needed. I've seen in some of the Drone Bot Workshop videos use more then one meter.