Handheld DSOs have prices starting under $1,000

The first handheld digital storage oscilloscopes from B&K Precision, the 2510 Series dual-channel DSOs are available in models starting at $935, with 1-Gsample/s rates, 2 Mpoints of waveform memory, and functions such as floating measurement capabilities, a built-in DMM, and a trend-plot recorder. Four models initially make up the series; the 60-MHz 2511 and 100-MHz 2512 models provide nonisolated 300-V CAT II rated inputs and are suitable for general electronics, while the 60-MHz 2515 and 100-MHz 2516 models provide two fully isolated 1,000-V CAT II / 600-V CAT III rated inputs for industrial applications.

Powered by rechargeable Li-ion batteries, all these 3.4-lb models have 5.7-in color displays and 6,000-count DMMs with dedicated terminals for current measurement. The recorder function can capture up to two voltage or time parameters from the scope, or graph any of the DMM’s measurements, which include dc/ac voltage and current, resistance, capacitance, diode, and continuity test. Additional features include digital filtering with adjustable limits, 32 automatic measurements, FFT and math functions, multi-language interface, and USB connectivity for remote PC control. A side-panel USB-host port is available for saving setups, waveform data, screenshots, or CSV files to a flash drive. Each model comes with two passive probes and a pair of DMM test leads; models 2515 and 2516 include a hard plastic carrying case.