looking for a auto oscilloscope what's your opinion on the Hantek 4 In 1 Automotive Diagnostic 2CH Oscilloscope Multimeter Signal Source
I have been searching for one for some time but would like a stand alone model so I don't have to get my lap top out every time
it depends on your application. It's probably too cheap and nasty for professional use. But it seems like overkill for the homeowner. How much signal analysis are you doing?
@mountainmanjoe
you know your getting old when you deiced to take up electrical analysis for a hobby LOL motorcycles have evolved over the years and now even switched to cam bus and it beats walking around a grass field smashing white balls around I've change so many electrical components during my career that i wouldn't mind experimenting once you get use to using them its like reaching for voltmeter
I laughed out loud at the lawn bowling joke (or is it croquet). I can completely understand needing to keep the old noodle warmed up.
So here's the thing .. CAN bus is a digital communications protocol so the analog scope won't get you very far. Reading CAN bus data requires an adapter and a computer and that still only gets you half way there. They you need software and manufacturer proprietary specifications. This is very deep and very expensive rabbit hole. This is why most people buy the ready to use OBD readers like Scotty shows in his videos. So again , the answer depends on exactly what you wish to accomplish.
Now if you just want to monitor simple stuff like ignition timing, injector pulses, vehicle speed sensor signals etc., then sure it'll work for that.
If you don't want to go broke buying one, I use regular electronics oscilloscopes. I have three of them. One is a color handheld digital, one is an older LG with a 5 inch CRT in it. Dual trace 100 mhz, and the other is a hand held Fluke Scope meter. I use the fluke to ferret out problems with bad alternators. Since alternators are three phase and have a 6 diode rectifier, the ripples on top the power in a car are very slight, but when there is a pulse on the DC and there are two spaces, its trouble in paradise. Two of the phases are out meaning a bad diode or bad alternator. Something a meter or tester won't spot and sometimes there is no warning light till its completely dead.
None of them are mechanics oscilloscopes. They are real engineering/electronics scopes that are very good and ferreting out BS in cars or anything else for that matter. I use them for bench work but I have used them to figure out forkery in cars that are devil possessed and old nissans ( which are owned by idiots like me and are devil possessed because the engineers have crazy ideas and put pins and needles in stuffed toy cars and trucks LOL)
Suffice to say that a good scope will help you find out your problems. Take a good look at ExTech Fluke Agilent AllSun and many others. I was looking on ebay and there are lots of nice ones out there. Depends on what you are looking for in your car.
