03-11-2017, 01:40 PM
My view is the opposite. For someone who is learning electronics, a 'scope is absolutely invaluable, and given how cheap they are today, denying yourself one is just perverse. I used one from the age of 14, and had my own aged 16.
I fully appreciate that others weren't so lucky as they learnt in a time when 'scopes were expensive things. These folk often went on to work in workshops that didn't have a 'scope, again for cost reasons. These people obviously got by, but many faults would have been diagnosed more quickly with the help of a 'scope. However, the world is a different place now. Use a 'scope to learn electronics, then use it to help diagnose faults, design circuits and keep the shed warm! Don't feel guilty about putting the 'scope on, for fear of "wearing it out". I've worked with people like that in the past, and I've seen first-hand how it cost the business money.
When we teach electronics, we get on to using 'scopes as soon as we've covered basic DC theory. I can't imagine trying to understand a transistor circuit without being able to see the signal. A lot of people (including some with lots of experience) struggle to separate AC and DC, for example, but sitting down with them and a 'scope for 5 minutes is enough to clear it up.
I fully appreciate that others weren't so lucky as they learnt in a time when 'scopes were expensive things. These folk often went on to work in workshops that didn't have a 'scope, again for cost reasons. These people obviously got by, but many faults would have been diagnosed more quickly with the help of a 'scope. However, the world is a different place now. Use a 'scope to learn electronics, then use it to help diagnose faults, design circuits and keep the shed warm! Don't feel guilty about putting the 'scope on, for fear of "wearing it out". I've worked with people like that in the past, and I've seen first-hand how it cost the business money.
When we teach electronics, we get on to using 'scopes as soon as we've covered basic DC theory. I can't imagine trying to understand a transistor circuit without being able to see the signal. A lot of people (including some with lots of experience) struggle to separate AC and DC, for example, but sitting down with them and a 'scope for 5 minutes is enough to clear it up.
