Using & Creating Reference Waveforms in Picoscope Automotive Software.

Brian at trained by Techs explains how to create, upload, and manipulate reference waveforms in the Picoscope software to aid technicians in diagnosing vehicle problems.   http://snip.ly/weyqv

SanDisk Uses ABI's SENTRY to Check ICs

SanDisk® has found a great way to operate long-term component level quality check by using SENTRY from ABI. As well as being the world's most cost-effective counterfeit IC detection tool, SENTRY also offers IC manufacturers and end users the possibility of safely check for damages and alterations to the component's internal structure throughout the product lifecycle.  

Product page: https://www.saelig.com/product/TSTEQICT001.htm

RFID Test Solutions

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an automatic method of collecting data from tags and transmitting it directly into computer systems using radio waves and without human intervention. An RFID tag is an object that can be integrated into or attached to a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking. The tags are read by an RFID reader using radio waves. Most RFID tags contain at least two components. One is an integrated circuit for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency (RF) signal, and other specialized functions. The second is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal.

RFID tags are powered in a variety of ways:

·         Passive. Passive tags are pure passive devices that are powered by the incoming radio signal, and require no internal power source. Most passive tags signal by backscattering the carrier wave and modulating it to transmit data.

·         Active and semi-passive (also known as battery-assisted or semi-active). Active and semi-passive tags require a power source, usually a small battery.

·         Beacon. Beacon tags also require a power source. They transmit autonomously in a blink pattern and do not respond to interrogation.

Communications from active tags to readers are typically much more reliable (generating fewer errors) than those from passive tags and are much more robust in complex RF environments since they can transmit at much higher power levels.

An excellent application of RFID technology is in the field of contactless RFID smart cards, which are used for electronic payment in Metro systems. These money cards employ a passive RFID tag using Manchester coding at 212 kbps in the 13.56 MHz range. A proximity of 10 centimeters or less is required for communication.

In order to test RFID readers, signals need to be generated by and transmitted to the tag, whose response is received and interpreted by the RFID reader. An arbitrary waveform generator serves as an ideal signal source, simulating the signals transmitted by the RFID reader.

In order to test the RFID reader, the waveform generator must be able to generate a 13.56MHz carrier wave together with a series of binary (0/1) codes that can be combined in any sequence. The waveform is output for at least 16ms, and the ASK modulation index must have a range of at least 5%-40%. An example of the waveform is shown in below:

Figure 1: Required Waveform for RFID Reader Testing

Solution

Tabor Electronics’ Wonder Wave family of ArbitraryWaveform Generators (AWGs) offers an outstanding solution for the testing of RFID readers and tags.  Wonder Wave is easily programmed to generate the carrier wave and the data specified in the above example. First, the carrier wave and the data are stored in memory. A sequence is then programmed with the required data. Background noise and frequency variations can then be applied to test the reliability of the unit.   Wonder Wave’s powerful sequence generator provides outstanding support for highly complex applications, offering storage of 10,000 repeatable waveform segments, with up to 4 million memory points.   Wonder Wave is supplied with ArbConnection – Tabor’s comprehensive software tool that controls AWG operation, and supports the creation of unique, arbitrary waveforms using its powerful Waveform Composer.

More here:   http://www.saelig.com/category/tabor-arbitrary-wfg.htm

Focus on Tabor Electronics

Established in Haifa (Israel) in 1971, Tabor Electronics has become an ISO-9001:2000-certified world-leading source of price-competitive high-end test and measurement equipment. Although the Tabor name may not be familiar to some, the company has extensive test and measurement instrument experience, having designed and brand-labeled signal generators that have been sold for many years by leading instrument companies. Tabor signal generators compare favorably in specification with the two leading brands (and in some cases beating them!) but at considerable cost savings.

With experience spanning over three decades, the company has earned global recognition for its highly skilled workforce and innovative engineering capabilities. In addition to its range of self-branded instruments, Tabor is also a world-class OEM supplier that private-labels products for industry leaders. Many companies have partnered with Tabor for its unique in-house design and development capabilities and unwavering commitment to excellence in developing advanced test and measurement solutions. Agilent Technologies Inc. recently announced an OEM agreement establishing Tabor as a manufacturer of Agilent test solutions for the high-speed arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) market.  

Tabor’s extensive product portfolio includes universal counters/timers, synthesizers, pulse, function and arbitrary waveform generators, waveform creation software and more, in various platforms, interfaces, and frequency ranges. Technologically advanced, featuring the highest levels of performance, reliability, and most of all, price-competitive, they are sought-after in a diverse array of applications and industries.

Here's video describing Tabor Electronics:  http://www.saelig.com/supplier/tabor/tabor_video.mp4

"EMC Intensive" Training near Las Vegas

EMC WEEK - an "EMC Intensive" Training near Las Vegas, is on for Feb 26 to March 2, 2018! Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with the highest ratio of instructors to participants anywhere. This course has it all! Some of the top instructors in the country will show you how to make accurate high frequency measurements, including ESD design & PC board design for compliance, EMC testing concepts, and EMC design for compliance, how to make an EMC troubleshooting kit and use the tools for pre-compliance testing. All for one price of $1,995 (includes most meals, if staying at the historic Boulder Dam Hotel where the course is taught)! Registration info here: http://emcesd.com.

FREE EMC CONSULTATION INCLUDED!

Intel Corporation (Israel) Joins the ABI Club

Great news! Intel Corporation joins the club, orders a custom ABI Electronics electronic troubleshooting solution. Intel's Fab 28 in Israel is a high-volume manufacturing Fab, which runs 300mm wafers on a 45nm process technology.

ABI products are widely used by the industry in the repair of complex and expensive machinery used in the manufacturing of semiconductors. Intel's Fab 28 manufactures products across all of Intel segments, including servers, workstations, mobile computers, desktops, as well as chipsets for 32 nm technology, and Intel® Atom™ processors aimed at mobile devices.
#ABISavesYouTime // #Repairdontwaste

http://www.saelig.com/category/MFR00134.htm

In the Detroit area?

Come on over to TL's office in Farmington Hills for this FREE Seminar tomorrow! Not all protocols are created equal. Understand the differences, how to decode, and how different protocols influence the bus. Jan 24th https://lnkd.in/ggcR3Sf

Add isolated inputs to your oscilloscope using passive probes.

Siglent's Isolated channel module (ISFE - https://www.saelig.com/product/M0011018.htm  enables floating ground differential signal analysis.

 
The ISFE provides isolated input capabilities to any oscilloscope. Independently developed by SIGLENT, it is designed to measure signals that do not share earth ground with the oscilloscope. It is suitable for use with SIGLENT’s full range of oscilloscope products. It adopts USB port 5V power supply of the oscilloscope, and its maximum input voltage is up to ± 600Vpp.

Features and Benefits:
● Plug-and-play oscilloscope option
● USB 5 V power supply, power consumption less than 1 W, ease of use
● Single channel isolation voltage 1000 Vrms, channel segregation voltage 2000 Vrms
● Can be used to measure: Household 220 VAC signals, three-phase AC, three phase power, etc.
● Achieve common oscilloscope channel isolation, measured signal and ground isolation

Input voltage range	-600 Vpk ～ +600 Vpk
Voltage attenuation ratio	about 200:1
Bandwidth	≤ 1 MHz
Output voltage range	-3 Vpk ～ +3 Vpk
Working voltage	5 V±5%，USB supplies power
Working current	< 200 mA
max isolated voltage to ground	1000 Vrms
max isolated voltage between channels	2000 Vrms
Input impedance	10 MΩ

DSO (with data recorder) + ISFE (isolated channel option) + PSA (power software analysis) can be used to measure high currents or circuits without ground references.

View the ISFE Users Manual

Sol Chip Pak Replaces Batteries ...

We've just learned of a significant USA design win for the patented Sol Chip Pak™ (SCP-R2801) Power Modules to control LED lighting fixtures.  https://www.saelig.com/product/sol-chip-pak.htm

They offer 24/7 non-stop functionality by combining state-of-the-art solar cells, a rechargeable battery, and advanced power management circuitry. These power modules include all the components that are required to harvest energy from ambient light, charge a built-in rechargeable battery, and deliver a stable voltage to a load. Sol Chip’s patented technology integrates solar energy conversion with very large scale integration (VLSI) techniques to produce unique ambient light harvesting devices that can even extract energy from office lighting to provide constant power. These versatile boards, based on Sol Chip’s unique Saturn cells, provide power even in office light conditions.

The output voltage of these "everlasting solar batteries” is regulated to 3.6V, but other voltages are available by request to suit alternate applications. Versions are available with 1, 2, 3, or 6 Saturn solar cells depending on the power needs. The 6-cell version provides an average output current of up to 750mA from the integrated solar cells, with up to 1.5A peak current. The capacity of the 3.6V onboard rechargeable batteries in the series is 190 - 1100mAh. 

The SCP series of boards allow product designers to build fit-and-forget light-powered products that can recharge themselves. Existing products can be modified by simply disconnecting a device’s traditional batteries and plugging in an SCP to create a self-powered, no maintenance device. All that is needed is a small window to allow light to reach the board - it does not even need to be pointed to the sky. Operable in sunlight and indoor environments, it removes the need for a battery power source in low power applications, removing maintenance headaches and hazardous battery waste issues. 

Incorporating an SCP module into mobile designs is perfect for hard-to-reach locations, and eradicates the significant costs and time associated with installing and maintaining wiring to connect deployed sensors, and thus reduces the cost of system ownership. The SCP series is ideal for designing in to remote sensors and monitoring systems that are used in diverse applications such as: agriculture, farming, drip-irrigation systems, weather testing, as well as security, IoT, wireless sensor networks, wearable electronics, etc. Other applications include smart city solutions for everything from parking to security and utility meters, data loggers, GPS emergency locators, animal tracking devices, GPS asset/container tracking, GPS vehicle tracking, environmental measurement and radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, etc.

The design win incorporates the solar chips on to the customer's own PCB, thus saving significant costs.

Saelig Introduces RSA5000 3.2/6.5GHz Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers

Ideal for monitoring intermittent and frequency-hopped wireless signals in real-time.

Today Saelig Company, Inc. announces the availability of the Rigol Technologies RSA5000 Series of RF spectrum analyzers.  These real-time devices scan a complete frequency spectrum of 9kHz to 3.2 or 6.5GHz with a maximum sample rate of 51.2MS/s.  They offer significant performance improvements over traditional swept spectrum analyzers with a 1ms full span sweep, an expanded vertical range to +30dBm, reduced phase noise to -108dBc/Hz, 1 Hz RBW (resolution bandwidth), and a reduced noise floor (DANL) to -165dBm. They can also be used in a traditional swept scan mode.

Offering up to 40MHz Real-Time Bandwidth, the RSA5000 series calculate >146,000 FFTs/sec, delivering down to 7.45us for a 100% Probability of Intercept.  They provide seven display modes (Normal, Density, Spectogram, Power v. Time, Density & Spectogram, PVT & Spectrum, PVT & Spectrogram) and include a Frequency Mask Trigger.  The Frequency Mask Trigger is especially useful for triggering measurements of sporadic or transient events.

The flexible User Interface allows customers a choice for interacting with the units since they feature a 10.1” capacitive touch screen display with gesture support, mouse/keyboard support, as well as traditional knob and button control.   Rigol calls the high-speed real-time measurement technology of these units “Ultra-Real” to describe the rapid signal acquisition and data analysis, together with various display modes that facilitate comprehensive signal interpretation.

Tracking Generator versions are also available that add a built-in signal source of 100kHz – 3.2/6.5GHz with an output range of -40dBm to 0dBm for plotting circuit or component frequency responses. 

Building on the tremendous success of Rigol’s DSA800 series of swept spectrum analyzers, the RSA5000 series of analyzers offer a combination of outstanding swept spectrum performance and 40MHz real-time Bandwidth, with category leading 7.45us POI, making the RSA5000 a great choice for customers in spectrum monitoring, transmitter test, RF component characterization, and EMI applications. Customers working with hopping/channel shifting technologies in crowded ISM bands will find a real-time analyzer essential, as will customers integrating PLL technology in their designs, identifying sources of interference or characterizing rapidly pulsing applications:  all will benefit from the seamless capture capabilities of the real-time spectrum analysis capability of the RSA5000 series.  Real-time spectrum analyzers are essential for anyone dealing with signals that vary dynamically in amplitude or are agile in frequency: pulsed radar systems, frequency-hopping spread spectrum radios, and pulse modulated radios; multi-signal environments: ISM bands – 915 MHz, 2.4, 5.8; or unwanted signals such as unintentional or self-interference, intentional interference (jammers), and listening devices (bugs).

Made by Rigol Technologies, a leading manufacturer of precision electronic instrumentation for test and measurement, the RSA5000 Real-time Spectrum Analyzers are available now from Saelig Company, Inc. their USA technical distributor.

Reverse Enginer an Obsolete Board?

ABI Electronics was asked by the British Defence Ministry to reverse engineer an obsolete driver card so that replacement parts can be manufactured and faulty cards more easily repaired. RevEng from ABI Electronics is just perfect for that task and ABI was happy to oblige! 

#Repairdontwaste 

Link for video: https://youtu.be/0AZOTsuxvbM

Tuesday Motivation - Never Give Up!!

Thanks ElectroPages!

http://bit.ly/2DfJVmw

ABI seals a record-breaking deal with Philippine Army

ABI seals a record-breaking deal with the army's electronic and communications group in the Philippines.  http://bit.ly/2FvVRh6

The Communication Electronics and Information Systems Service for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CEISSAFP) selected ABI Electronics' test and schematic generation products to advance staff's ability to support tactical equipment in house.

The CEISSAFP is a support unit of AFPGHQ that provides communications, electronics and information systems services and facilities for the effective command, control and administration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

It's an innovative and dynamic Command that provides a reliable, responsive, secure and cost-effective CEIS services and facilities for the effective command, control and administration of the AFP.

CEISSAFP's main functions are:

► Operate & maintain the AFP Fixed Communications Systems.

► Provide other C-E services to GHQ-AFP, Unified Commands & other AFPWSSUs.

► Operates and maintain the Camp Aguinaldo Local & AFP Wide Area Network.

The unit's capabilities include to establish, operate and maintain strategic and tactical communication facilities, provide electronic warfare capabilities as well as calibration and support for the army's test equipment.

ABI Electronics is a British manufacturer of specialist test, fault finding and schematic generation equipment used by organizations operating in a vast range of sectors, including military, rail, aviation and more. ABI started in 1983 and operates in over 120 countries.

ABI's area manager and local distributor worked with the CEISSAFP leaders to establish a suitable package to cover electronics troubleshooting and schematic generation that would be used for internal training and support.

In December 2017, ABI supplied multiple BoardMaster and RevEng units as well as training, which will be conducted at the customer's site in March 2018. The BoardMaster is an unparalleled, easy-to-use universal electronic diagnostic system. It that provides over 25 different tests that can be applied on components as well as complete assemblies. RevEng is capable of recreating schematics from an existing electronic card which might no longer be supported by the OEM. Click on the video below to learn the unique value ABI products deliver to the electronics industry.

Compact 6GHz USB RF Vector Spectrum Analyzer Under $1000!

Pocketable RF spectrum analyzer provides features comparable to full-size desktop analyzers in a tiny package.

The Triarchy Technologies VSA6G2A Vector Spectrum Analyzer is an economical USB RF tool that plugs into the USB port of a PC and is controlled with the provided PC application software.  It offers almost all of the functionality of a benchtop spectrum analyzer.  Its frequency range of operation is from 100Hz to 6.2GHz, with an amplitude measurement range of -140dBm to 24dBm. The RBW (resolution bandwidth) range is from 0.2Hz to 10MHz and the noise level (DANL) is as low as -140dBm.  

The VSA6G2A is very compact (4” x 1” x 1”) and easy to use. The software user interface has been designed to resemble the front panel of a standard desktop spectrum analyzer, allowing users to use the application intuitively without a steep learning curve. Touch screen support is also provided, making the VSA6G2A quick to operate.

The VSA6G2A’s demodulation capabilities allow it to measure analog and digitally modulated signals, such as AM, FM, PM, MSK, and QPSK. Additionally, the VSA6G2A has I and Q signal ports, enabling it to work as a wide-band I/Q receiver platform. Visualizing pulse modulated signals is usually not very easy, but with the VSA6G2A’s trigger input it is straightforward to view these waveforms. 

The analyzer’s operation is divided into two bands to cover the complete operating range: a low band (100Hz to 2MHz) and a high band (1MHz to 6.2GHz). The VSA6G2A offers an N (female) RF signal input connector and a mini-B USB connector for interfacing with the PC. Four MMCX connectors provide I/Q port access.

Signal spectra are clearly displayed on the attached PC, as well as density, waterfall images, and demodulated waveforms and eye diagrams.  The waterfall display helps in showing signals like frequency hopping Bluetooth. The VSA channel power function makes it simple to measure signal power automatically.  Production testing is also facilitated when using preselected Pass/Fail criteria. 

Weighing only 3.5oz and powered from a PC’s USB port, the VSA6G2A is ideal for field test and installation since it can be easily slipped into a laptop bag and used for monitoring RF signals in temperatures from -10decC to +50degC.  It is also suitable for use in benchtop EMC testing with near-field antennas.

Made by Triarchy Technologies Corp., an innovative Canadian RF design house, the VSA6G2A Vector Spectrum Analyzer is available now at $950 from Saelig Company, Inc. Fairport, NY, Triarchy’s authorized US distributor. More here:  https://www.saelig.com/product/vsa6g2a.htm

ROI in less than 3 months?

Yes, that's possible with ABI.

A customer in Argentina repairing medical equipment with ABI's BoardMaster since October 2017 said this: "We've already repaired several very expensive PCBs with the help of your system and could not be happier!"    Machines used to deliver radiotherapy treatment are too important to be left waiting for parts in case of an electrical fault. ABI's BoardMaster provides companies like Linac Systems in #Argentina, the set of test tools required to locally diagnose and repair PCBs driving linear accelerators as shown in the picture. #ABISavesYouTime http://linac.com.ar/

The same was true with a semiconductor house in Texas - they saved $40,000 in a week!

Check out these stellar products here!

Siglent 200MHz, 1Gsample/sec SDS1000X-E DSO is based on Zynq SoC

Siglent’s new SDS1000X-E family of entry-level DSOs (digital sampling oscilloscopes) feature 200MHz of bandwidth with a 1G sample/sec sample rate in the fastest family members, 14M sample points in all family models, 256 intensity levels, and a high-speed display update rate of 400,000 frames/sec. The new DSOs also include many advanced features not often found on entry-level DSOs including intelligent triggering, serial bus decoding and triggering, historical mode and sequence mode, a rich set of measurement and mathematical operations, and a 1M-point FFT. The SDS1000X-E DSO family is based on a Xilinx Zynq Z-7020 SoC, which has made it cost-effective for Siglent to migrate its high-end SPO (Super Fluorescent Oscilloscope) technology to this new entry-level DSO family.

Siglent’s new, entry-level SDS1000X-E DSO family is based on a Xilinx Zynq Z-7020 SoC

According to this WeChat article published in January by Siglent (Ding Yang Technology in China), the Zynq SoC “is very suitable for data acquisition, storage and digital signal processing in digital oscilloscopes.” In addition, the high-speed, high-density, on-chip interconnections between the Zynq SoC’s PS (processor system) and PL (programmable logic) “effectively solve” the traditional digital storage oscilloscope CPU and FPGA data-transmission bottlenecks, which reduces the DSO’s dead time between triggers and increases the waveform capture and display rates. According to the article, the system design employs four AXI ports operating between the Zynq PS and PL to achieve 8Gbytes/sec data transfers—“far greater than the local bus transmission rate” achievable using chip-to-chip I/O, with far lower power consumption.

The Zynq SoC’s combination of ARM Cortex-A9 software-driven processing and on-chip programmable logic also reduces hardware footprint and facilitates integration of high-performance processing systems into Siglent’s compact, entry-level oscilloscopes. The article also suggests that the DSO system design employs the Zynq SoC’s partial-reconfiguration capability to further reduce the parts count and the board footprint: “The PL section has 220 DSP slices and 4.9 Mb Block RAM; coupled with high throughput between the PS and PL data interfaces, we have the flexibility to configure different hardware resources for different digital signal processing.”

Further, the SDS1000X-E DSO family’s high-speed ADC uses high-speed differential-pair signaling to connect directly to the Zynq SoC’s high-speed SerDes transceivers, which guarantee’s “stable and reliable access” to the ADCs’ 1Gbyte/sec data stream while the Zynq SoC’s on-chip DDR3 controller operating at 1066Mtransfers/sec allows “the use of single-chip DDR3 to meet the real-time storage of the ADC output data requirements.”

Siglent has also used the Zynq SoC’s PL to implement the DSOs’ high-sensitivity, low-jitter, zero-temperature-drift digital triggering system, which includes many kinds of intelligent trigger functions such as slope, pulse width, video, timeout, rungs, and patterns that can help DSO users more accurately isolate waveforms of interest. Advanced bus-protocol triggers and bus events (such as the onset of I2C bus traffic or UART-specific data can also serve as trigger conditions, thanks to the high-speed triggering ability designed into the Zynq SoC’s PL. These intelligent triggers greatly facilitate debugging and add considerable value to the new Siglent entry-level DSOs.

Here’s a translated block diagram of the SDS1000X-E DSO family’s system design:






The new SDS1000X-E DSO family illustrates the result of selecting a Zynq SoC as the foundation for a system design. The large number of on-chip resources permit you to think outside of the box when it comes to adding features. Once you’ve selected a Zynq SoC, you no longer need to think about cramming code into the device to add features. With the Zynq SoC’s hardware, software, and I/O programmability, you can instead start thinking up new features that significantly improve the product’s competitive position in your market.

This is precisely what Siglent’s engineers were able to do. Once the Zynq SoC was included in the design, the designers of this entry-level DSO family were able to think about which high-performance features they wished to migrate to their new design.

Siglent's Tech Expert Jason Chonko Visits Saelig HQ

A new series of three videos by Siglent's Tech Expert Jason Chonko explain the neat features of  their SDS1204X-E 200MHz 4-ch Oscilloscope and SDG6000X 200/500MHz Arbitrary Waveform Generators:

https://youtu.be/hgAluROOPqQ

Everybody Loves Pico Auto Scopes!

34 reviews 

Ron Hovestad
2-Channel Starter Kit

We all love the picoscope here. \We already had the COP probe and amp clamps, so the starter kit works for us. We are taking the NAPA training and looking forward to the May session of wave form analysis.. We found a Snap an old Councillor 2 with boom and stripped it down, retrofitting the Pico with its gear and a nice big laptop. It is a great fit to a well equipped shop that loves to diagnose modern day vehicles. The Pico scope is a welcome addition. Cant believe we lived with out it so long..  No one picks up the Snap non scope anymore…

Mads Budolfsen
2-Channel Starter Kit

AWESOME - that’s for sure.
Consinder spending a bit extra and buy a 4 channel kit.
You’ll sometimes be stuck and you are not able to see what you want to see, because you miss one or two channels.

Andrew Kucek
2-Channel Starter Kit

I am new to Picoscope, so my experience with this product is limited. Having said that, I find this product amazing. The level of detail in the waveforms is incredible; no more guessing. Every video and review about this product, from its operation to customer service is 5 stars. The kit is well thought out, and complete. The computer program, with its probe recognition and scaling is top shelf. The free updates means I have the support of Picoscope, and will always have the latest technology. I feel I have purchased the best product on the market.

Alex from New Zealand
2-Channel Starter Kit

I’ve been using this for automotive diagnostics, the hardware is excellent but do have issues with software.
I was drawn to this product as they do provide regular free updates but this is what I’ve found.
Pico Diagnostics is simply not reliable, You can repeat test like cylinder balance or relative compression and the results are not consistent
Picoscope Automotive basics is excellent, over the 10+years I’ve owned a Pico, new features have been added but some software versions is not stable and crashes, also found some new features buggy and later removed rather than fixed - what’s going on here???

Pawel
2-Channel Starter Kit

In Poland not many people know what is the pico and what does it can. I bought it because I want to be really good car specialist and I want to be able to see much more then typical diagnostic tester or multimeter can show me. I want to diagnose many difficult faults, that are in many cases not possible to find without sophisticated scope like pico. The most important for me is the free pico software where is updated constantly. Can and lin protocols decoding features shows me that Pico is developing himself and wants to be on time with the technology. Pico it’s my best investment.

dennis vandruff
2-Channel Starter Kit

This Picoscope is awesome. still considered a new user. I have used other scopes before. None of them were as easy to use as Pico. I have saved a ton of money with mine since acquiring it. Instead of guessing and replacing. Now i am sure that something will fix it. It is such a piece of mind knowing instead of guessing.

Arjen
2-Channel Starter Kit

Whe upgraded from the Pico 4423 to the 4425. Both are perfect scopes.
The great points of the Pico scopes:
- Fast and easy set up.
- Measuring speed.
- Creating your own probes or measuring channels.
- Good service, the guy’s at Pico are always willing to help with diagnosing problem cars.
Whe have more scopes, but non of them come close to the performance of the Pico.

Cristian Todeschini
2-Channel Starter Kit

I arrive from Bosch school and i worked with your products, but for me, now Pico is higher than Bosch, so I think that Pico has many strengths , portable case, high bandwidth, lot of accessory (NVH, WPS etc..) , amazing software with hundreds of functions… but especially, for me, is the mentality and the passion for research and development, qualities that have brought innovations such as : the free software to date, the waveforms of the reference and the library… all this with little cost ... thanks for your job.
For me there is only one small defect, I would improve the USB and BNC connectors, if Pico is used as a portable oscilloscope remains a little weak.

Elijah Sumner
4-Channel Advanced Kit

I have been using the 4 channel PicoScope since the age of 15, purchasing my own kit when I turned 18. Without a shadow of a doubt, I believe it is the best diagnostic scope/tool you can buy. No other scope I have used is so easy, accurate and clear. A great feature of the software is the library which allows you to view other “known good” waveform so you can make a quick and accurate diagnosis. I will soon be purchasing the pressure transducer as I have seen what a great compliment it makes to the 4 channel PicoScope.

johan Verdeyen
2-Channel Starter Kit

My best investment in the workshop.
It is not only a tool, updates, support and ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY are very valuable information for starters as well as experts. And for FREE.

Sid Parr
2-Channel Starter Kit

My PicoScope is undoubtedly the best tool I own. So many uses you wouldn’t think possible. Keep up the good work guys.

Steve Ashcroft
4-Channel Standard Kit

Absolutely brilliant. Well worth saving for and getting what is renown as THE BEST! The guided drop down section is fantastic for helping get the right connections for the test being done and to get the scope settings right. This kit has made me hungry for more information and diagnostic experience.  It even came in handy at home on a boiler failure. I tested the modulated gas valve and the flame failure device. So it even got me brownie points from Her In Doors, can’t say any better than that!
Just to add, the test lead arrangements with the “banana” type plugs are dead good, with the advantage of a really good connection with croc clips and even dedicated back probing pins that fit on the end of the actually lead (no need for croc clips onto pins)

Nishul Arora
PicoScope 4225 2-Channel Automotive Oscilloscope

First of, I want to say that I am not an auto technician by trade. Being an enthusiast, it was a really hard decision for me to justify the money needed to buy a picoscope. I bought one anyway, because I thought it can be a really cool toy to play with. As of yet, I have used the picoscope to look at the waveforms on my car (have not really diagnosed anything). It was very easy to use, and setup. To my surprise, I am using the picoscope the most to calibrate pressure sensors for my PhD research. The size factor of the picoscope and its ability to take power from my laptop, made it an o-scope of my choice. The other o-scope I have is bulky and more tedious to setup.
Bottomline - I don’t regret even a single bit that I invested in picoscope. My only regret is that I don’t have enough time to use it on more automotive applications.
Thanks,
Nishul

Jonathan Leonard
2-Channel Starter Kit

Moved on from my Modis to picoscope and never looking back.Brilliant functionality along with features and option that make it easy to implement unusual or different diagnostic techniques

Peter Vavoulis
2-Channel Starter Kit

4 channel review for 3424 and 4423 auto scope kit. I made the transition from a Snap On Verus to the Pico. I no longer own a functioning scope it blow up due a lighting strike love to own the new 4425 kit one day. There is no other scope that compares to the detail and simplicity you get with Pico. The training and information others share is exploding. Users are eager to share their experience and knowledge. This scope is a step ahead it adapts with technology. Love to own it again one day. Whether a beginner or advanced user you are always learning. Thanks for the opportunity to write this review. Hope it helps others.

Michael John Eilbracht
4-Channel Diesel Kit

Please note this review is for the 4423 Commercial Vehicle Kit.  This scope is awesome!  You can zoom in with such clarity to look at waveforms it is unbelievable.  Plus all the features you can use with the scope such as Math Channels, Reference waveforms, different scope views.  The main thing I like about this scope is the gigantic screens you can capture.  I use this feature on test drives so all I have to do is hook up the scope, drive it around the block and I don’t have to worry about looking at the scope because it is recording!  Awesome!  The only thing that will limit you in the use of this scope is your imagination.  If there are any HD Techs out there contemplating if they really need scope, you won’t be sorry if you purchase one of these units, it’s going to make you faster and more accurate in diagnostics, therefore less comebacks. n

Tom Godfrey
2-Channel Starter Kit

Being involved in vehicle diagnostics on a daily basis i can not rate this tool enough. Working for main dealers i have been trained on and used several different oscilloscopes in the past but every time i prefer and will use my own pico scope. The ability to actually see the fault is a great feeling for me and ensures a proper and efficient fix. When mentioning using the scope a lot of technicians shy away but it really is such a easy tool to use. The support from pico is great from the you tube channels to the seminars they hold. Really do recommend the pico package.

Mark Stammers
2-Channel Starter Kit

I took a long time to switch from Fluke to Pico, but since doing so I have never looked back. I have a 4423 and now a 4425 and I use the 4425 every day. I sometimes use both together. For use with automotive diagnostics in my opinion, there is nothing close to Pico for the ease of use, complexity and resolution and price point. The continued development of the software and the superb support is without doubt the best reason to choose Picoscope. These tools just work and as I like to say; “The only restriction is your imagination”

jerry smith
2-Channel Starter Kit

After using a Picoscope a few times on the job. I realized how
incredibly useful they were. After checking some of the other scopes on the
market and seeing the difference in sample rating. There is no match for PICO.
If you are serious about diagnostics, you need to get one!!!

Mark Dalton
2-Channel Starter Kit

The tool is excellent, no doubt. Once you start using it you’ll want to use it all the time. But the support from Pico and on the Forum is what will turn you from a customer to believer.

johan verdeyen
2-Channel Starter Kit

my first contact with PICO was my friendchip with Carl Hills
Now it is a small passion
I am impressed by the possibilitys, quality and the continue improvements of the products
I appreciate very much the support via the pico site and Steve
As Triumph dealer i am very pride of my investment, as a teacher in evening classes I must fight against the Syntra FLUKE-obsession

Robert Burgy
2-Channel Starter Kit

This scope has saved me so much time and money!
After searching on the internet i settled with Pico because of
its ease of use, product reliability, tech support (which has not disappointed)
and overall sample rate. take a bow Pico. You are the best!!!

ANDREW BISHOP
4-Channel Starter Kit

Brought this after having very good results with a pico data logger got to say this is now becoming the scope of choice in the workshop as the software is light years ahead of the others we also have 3 different snap on scopes and a owon but the pico is the best and easy to navigate and as the waveform library gets bigger the jobs get easier