What is your secondary/back-up scope?
This question is for techs that have two or more oscilloscopes, or can borrow another one if needed. Let's call the scope they use most often the primary one, and the other one(s) -- secondary.
Why have two scopes? Well, an obvious reason is that the primary one might decide not to work when you most need it. However, there are other reasons such as:
- Different/special functionality: for example, capturing and analysing high-speed communication signals such as CAN and FlexRay; compatibility with special tools and software (e.g., NVH).
- Enhanced Portability: quick and easy check may be all you need in some scenarios;
- Increased ruggedness: for those windy and rainy days in the shop's parking lot.
So, what are your primary and secondary scopes? How does the type of the primary scope affect your choice of the secondary one? Are there popular combos?
I hope this discussion will help techs to choose their secondary or may be even their future primary scope. Thank you.
I have 2 scopes. I have a Vantage pro and I have a pico. My vantage pro was my first scope that I learned on and then I got a pico which became my primary scope. The nice part about keeping my vantage pro is it is still used as my day to day DVOM as well. My Vantage pro is usually my first scope to bring out in the parking lot due to quick and easy to grab and im not worried with weather as I
My backup is a Steelman Scope. It is reasonably priced. I use it quite often for quick tests. It is only a single channel but has high end meter functions. If interested I can work with the manufacturer to put together a special deal for network members.
Primary is currently a Verus Edge, secondary is an original vantage (not a "true" scope so to speak), third is a uScope, fourth is a Verus I got for a song and a dance. - Primary choice (Verus Edge) is simply due to the nature of my work, and lack of a Pico. I spend my days on off-road equipment and having a semi-rugged (it's fallen off a baler a time or two) tablet style scope makes it an
I started with a legacy modis scan tool / 4 channel scope but I soon realized I needed to be able to look at scan data as well as scope patterns at the same time so I added a vantage pro then a Vantage ultra. I upgraded to a Pico that I use when things get saucy or for psi testing and NVH testing, the ability to manipulate waveforms is a huge plus , I use my Vantage ultra for fast and nasty
My primary is a 4ch modis. Used it as my primary scanner for a long time. When it broke, I bought new scanner then bought a used one for 500 bucks just so I could have a 4ch scope still. Saving up for that pico though...
I have Pico that I have been using exclusively this year, I have a vantage pro that has not been used much, I am interested in a U scope or other small scope for quick / easy hook up.
I have a Pico 4425, a verus edge and a vantage pro. I try to use the Pico as often as I can. For fast checks that do not require a whole lot of detail I usually grab the vantage. Honestly I hardly use the verus for anything other than a scan tool anymore, which is a shame because it is a good tool.
My secondary scope is a U-scope, which allow quick testing.
I've had a Verus Edge since they came out, before that I had a Vantage Pro, 2 weeks ago I bought a Pico kit and it has become my primary scope and the Verus edge the back up. I'm really impressed with the Pico. Much different than any Snap on I have used before.
I have a U Scope, Vantage Pro, and a Pico. It really depends on what I am testing on which scope I use. Pico would be my primary simply because I have a ton of presets that I have built. Vantage Pro I will take on road tests because its a durable unit. U Scope is for checking quickie stuff like Oxygen and Coolant type... I'm getting older so the U Scope screen is harder for me to see stuff
I have 2 original Modis' that are my primary scopes. Its what I learned on way back. I also have a Verus Pro that I dont really like as well as an Autel which is okay. I have a Pico on order because I wanted one. I have an LS2000 and a Snapon microscope around that I like to use to teach guys basic scope skills with. Both of my mastertech scan tools have the 2 channel scope module, my Subaru SSM
I have VERUS Edge as my go to grab scope since it’s usually the scanner I always grab. I also have ls2000 from sun I got long time ago. I have vantage pro also i use a fait amount. And I recently picked up pico 4423 for fairly cheap price with lots of extras. So now I got start playing around with that scope also.
- My primary is the Escope Pro with Transducer kit. It gives me a wide range of testing capabilities - Secondary is a Verus Pro - It lacks a lot of power user features but it's portable and has 4 channels - 3rd choice and the first scope I ever owned - Interro PDA - Still works after all these years. It's a little dated by today's standards but I keep it around just in case
My main scope is a Pico and my back up is a Verus Edge, the edge I use for quick and basic scope work, the more intense use I always grab the pico and laptop
My primary unit is a 4 channel pico. The back up is a vantage pro. The vantage to me is handy because of It’s mobility. It’s easy to grab and go into the parking lot to check a no start and not have to push the vehicle In. The downside is it’s small screen and the lack of an easy way to store and share files. That’s where the pico is far superior for starters. The pico is a deep dive unit that
Well reading the replies It appears the PICO is everyones primary scope including myself. So I have a few scopes and will list them in order I would use them for a cam/crank type test and then in order I would use them for a fuel pump diagnosis. Having multiple tools allows you to see how one tool does something better than the other. Cam Crank type testing. 1st scope out of car is a PICO
Sam, What is the difference between the 4425 and the 4423?
The 4423 is not fast enough for flex ray. 4425 is better built than the 4423.
The 4425 has a higher voltage protection. 250 volts on the 4425. 50 volts on the 4423.
Yes that is correct. Thanks justin
Justin, 50 volts must be a typo somewhere, or, perhaps, you mean 50 volt less? Even most non-automotive Picoscopes are protected to 100V (not a widely known spec, though). One big feature of the 4425 compared to many other scopes is the Floating Inputs. diag.net/file/f16j9tw8x…
I must be misinformed.
My primary go to is the Pico 4425. I also have a Verus Pro and a vantage pro. I started on Snapon products and find that I hate using them now that I have the Pico. I wish Pico would make a tablet/handheld unit. This is the only complaint I ever hear about the Pico.
Hi Justin, you're not the first and you won't be the last person to mention the tablet/handheld version from Pico. Rest assured it is on the wish list and we will continue to push for something. If people have ideas about what they would like to see in terms of a handheld Pico then please let me know and I can add it to the list. I don't want to takeover over this post so please PM me here are
I have so many scopes that I won't go through the whole list. My situation at hand definitely has a bearing on my go to first scope, that being said...nowadays my #1 is E-scope elite, followed by E-scope pro, followed by the original E-scope 8 ch, followed by the original E-scope 4 ch, I use the 5200 often, uscope, 5100, then there are several others I have including an older pico, too many to
Good morning Dmitriy, this is my scope list: PICO 4425 Scope + pressure transducer DITEX 4 CH LAN SCOPE DITEX 2 CH VISO Component testing scope OWON 2 CH Handheld Scope OWON 2 CH USB Scope SNAP ON VERDICT 2 CH Scope SNAP ON MODIS 4 CH Scope CEM DT9989 SINGLE CH Handheld Scope HANATECH P1 4 CH Scope KAISE 2 CH Handheld Scope FLUKE 98 AUTO 2 CH Handheld Scope meter FOXWELL (HANTEK) OS100 4 CH USB
In brief, my Vantage Pro is my go-to for quick, run and gun. I utilize my VERUS Edge when four channels are desired. For harder, trigger based intermittents I use my Pico 4423. I also have the UScope and the USB Autoscope III that are used less often. Deep in my collection is a Vetronix Mastertech that hasn't seen the light of day on decades. Also a couple Heritage Vantage....
Tremendous amount of responses, thank you guys! A few patterns start to surface: - Snap-on scopes are often paired with another, simpler, Snap-on -- quite understandable. - That the Pico is so often paired with Vantage Pro is quite a revelation (to me), though. That rugged multimeter/scope just keeps on ticking; sort of a benchmark in the segment, right? Now I would like to take a look at
Primary scope is Pico 4 channel with WPS500X. Back up is an ancient but still functioning Fluke 97 Scopemeter.
Hello I have a Vantage Pro that I like to use inside the car or for certain things. I used to love my Sun LS2000 it was easy to get a running signal and was very adjustable plus did a very good job of ignition signals or I used to love it for pump or electric motor patterns or vacuum waveforms. But I had to lay it to rest, Now I have a 4 channel Owon usb scope. Its settings are like an…