Oscilloscopes are essential tools for modern diesel mechanics to accurately diagnose engine and electrical issues. Complete laptop oscilloscope kits provide all the accessories you may need to conveniently measure waveform signals within diesel vehicles.
Having an automotive oscilloscope kit empowers diesel technicians to quickly pinpoint problems so repairs can be made efficiently. Keep reading to find out which ones we think are best.
Quicklook: Top oscilloscope kits for semi truck mechanics
- Best overall standard oscilloscope kit: Diesel Laptops Diesel Scope Standard Oscilloscope Kit
- Best specifically for medium- and heavy-duty trucks: Diesel Laptops Diesel Scope Advanced Oscilloscope Kit
- Best DIY oscilloscope kit: XMEGA Xminilab
- Best mini oscilloscope kit: Digilent Analog Discovery 2
- Best 4-channel oscilloscope kit for the money: Rigol DS1054Z-AMZ2
5 best oscilloscope kit options
Diesel Laptops Diesel Scope Standard Oscilloscope Kit
The Diesel Scope is a digital oscilloscope kit geared for the heavy-duty diagnostics community. It allows efficient voltage and current analysis of vehicle electrical and electronic systems to diagnose a wide range of potential faults. Built around a Diesel Scope 4-channel, diagnostic oscilloscope, the kit is ideal for viewing voltage and current signals from sensors, actuators, and starting/charging systems.
Best for: Overall standard oscilloscope kit
Features
- Safety guide: PicoScope 4225A and 4425A
- Carrying case
- Diesel scope PS4425A-095
- S hook
- Red and black multimeter style test probes (two each)
- Red and black small crocodile clips (two each)
- Red and black dolphin clips 1000V CATIII
- Back pinning probe set
- Red and black 4mm shrouded to unshrouded adapters (two each)
- 3M PicoBNC+ to 4mm blue, red, green, and yellow test leads
- USB 3.0 blue 1.8m
- Red and black battery clips, 4mm socket (two each)
- Red and black flexible back pinning probes (two each)
- 2000a large jaw current clamp with BNC connector
- PicoBNC+ automotive 10:1 scope probe (x2)
- Breakout lead for ATC style fuses
- Extension leads for mini, maxi and JCASE style fuses
- PicoBNC+ current clamp: 60A AC/DC
Benefits
- Spec’d to handle all of your automotive needs with power to spare
- Has features specific to heavy duty vehicles
- Helps to increase efficiency
- Allows technicians to get more granular than with most ordinary diagnostic tools
- Can be run with the larger diameter cables of heavy duty vehicles
- Software extras include one free year of access to Diesel Laptop repair platform
Disadvantages: Limited bandwidth and doesn’t offer as many accessories as the advanced kit
Price: $2,495
Diesel Laptops Scope Advanced Oscilloscope Kit
The Scope Advanced offers all the functionality of standard tools, with the added benefit of the incorporated guided diagnostic tests specifically for medium and heavy duty vehicles. These tests help walk technicians through specific types of diagnostics, along with examples of good waveforms for comparison. This expanding library of guided tests will keep new and more efficient ways of doing things at the forefront of your diagnostics.
Best for: Medium and heavy-duty trucks
Features
- Safety guide: PicoScope 4225A and 4425A
- Carrying case
- Diesel scope PS4425A-095
- S hook
- Red and black multimeter style test probes (two each)
- Red and black small crocodile clips (two each)
- Red and black dolphin clips 1000V CATIII
- Back pinning probe set
- Red and black 4mm shrouded to unshrouded adapter (two each)
- 3M PicoBNC+ to 4mm blue, red, green, and yellow test leads
- USB 3.0 blue 1.8m
- Red and black battery clips, 4mm socket (two each)
- Red and black flexible back pinning probes (two each)
- 2000a large jaw current clamp with BNC connector
- PicoBNC+ automotive 10:1 scope probe (x2)
- Breakout lead for ATC fuses
- Extension leads for mini, maxi and JCASE fuses
- PicoBNC+ current clamp: 60A AC/DC (x2)
- Manual: WPS500X pressure transducer
- WPS500 compression adaptors
- WPS500X low-pressure transducer with vacuum hose, exhaust adaptor, and small Schrader fuel hose
- USB A male to mini 5 pin 2m, insulated BNC to insulated BNC 5m
- Diesel fuel rail adapter hose
Benefits
- Spec’d to handle automotive needs with power to spare
- Features specific to heavy duty vehicles
- Helps increase efficiency
- Allows technicians to get more granular than with other diagnostic tools
- Can be run with larger diameter cables of HD vehicles
- Software extras include one free year of Diesel Laptop repair platform access
- More accessories than standard oscilloscope kit
Disadvantages: Potentially overwhelming and expensive for technicians who don’t need additional accessories
Price: $3,995
XMEGA Xminilab
The Xminilab is a mixed signal oscilloscope with an arbitrary waveform generator in a DIP module. This kit measures only 3.3 x 1.75 inches, and can be mounted directly on a breadboard. The Xminilab can also be used as a development board for the AVR XMEGA microcontroller.
Best for: DIY oscilloscope kit
Features
- Mixed signal oscilloscope: Simultaneous sampling of analog and digital signals
- Advanced trigger: Normal/single/auto, with rising or falling edge and adjustable trigger level
- Meter mode: Average, peak to peak and frequency readout
- XY mode to plot lissajous patterns or see phase difference between two waveforms
- Spectrum analyzer with different windowing options and selectable vertical log
- Horizontal and vertical cursors with automatic waveform measurement.
- Arbitrary waveform generator with sweep on all parameters
- Display options: Persistence, different grid options, and more
- Can purchase a build your own oscilloscope kit version of the same product (CRT oscilloscope kit)
Benefits
- The ability to decode I2C, SPI, and UART
- PDI programming header accessory included and only needed to do firmware development on the device
- Includes jumper wires
- Can function as a PC oscilloscope kit interface with USB connectivity to Windows, Linux, MAC and Android
- More affordable than other options
Disadvantages: Less expensive but not for complex or mission-critical use
Price: $59
Digilent Analog Discovery 2
The Digilent Analog Discovery 2 is a multi-function instrument that allows users to measure, visualize, generate, record, and control mixed signal circuits of all kinds. The low-cost Analog Discovery 2 is small enough to fit in your pocket, but powerful enough to replace a stack of lab equipment, providing diesel technicians the freedom to work with analog and digital circuits in virtually any environment.
Best for: Mini pocket oscilloscope kit
Features
- Two-channel USB digital oscilloscope
- Two-channel arbitrary function generator
- Stereo audio amplifier to drive external headphones or speakers with replicated AWG signals
- 16-channel digital logic analyzer
- 16-channel pattern generator
Benefits
- All-in-one USB oscilloscope, logic analyzer and function generator
- Extremely versatile with 100MS/s and 100MHz bandwidth
- Highly customizable
- Only 7 x 6 x 2 inches, and 8.48 ounces
- Runs on a laptop or desktop computer; Mac, Windows, and Linux compatible
Disadvantages: More expensive than other pocket oscilloscope options
Price: $299.00
Rigol DS1054Z-AMZ2
The Rigol DS1054Z-AMZ2 is arguably the best 4-channel oscilloscope kit for the money because of its impressive specifications and capabilities at an affordable price point. With 50MHz bandwidth and a 1GSa/s real-time sample rate on each channel, its impressive specs rival higher-priced models. Its capabilities include pulse width, line-selectable video, slope, and alternate triggers to help isolate events even in complex signals. The kit also comes loaded with 7″ WVGA color display, USB connectivity, free software upgrades, and a three-year warranty.
Best for: 4-channel oscilloscope kits for the money
Features
- 50 MHz digital oscilloscope with 4 channels plus 24 mpt memory and 1 GSa/sec sampling
- Number-one selling oscilloscope for four years running!
- Four channels, 50 MHz bandwidth
- Free software bundle BND-MSO/DS1000Z built into the unit
- UltraVision: Deeper memory 24mpts included
Benefits
- Can measure and analyze most common electronics signals with solid performance
- Widely used in education due to its combination of capabilities and affordability
- An external trigger can enable analyzing RF frequencies up to 300 MHz which is useful for debugging circuits like amplifiers, filters, detectors etc.
- Deep memory helps find signal issues occurring over longer time periods
- Supports several serial bus decode options for I2C, SPI, RS232, CAN etc.
Disadvantages: Limited built-in capabilities
Price: $349
What to look for in the best oscilloscope kit for diesel mechanics
When choosing the best oscilloscope kit for diesel mechanics, there are several key features to look for:
- High bandwidth: Look for at least 100MHz bandwidth or higher, as diesel engine systems often have higher frequency components such as the fuel injection systems. Greater bandwidth will ensure those high speed signal details are not lost.
- Peak detect: The ability to capture brief high-voltage spikes and short intermittent events is important to see irregularities during engine starting, stalling, etc. Peak detect ensures capturing signal peaks and glitches.
- Robust/weatherproof construction: Since the equipment sees a lot of daily hard use in the shop and can take knocks / spills, having durable casing, sealed buttons, and water resistance is vital for longevity.
- Analysis tools and graphic capabilities: Integrated tools like cursors and automatic measurements for waveform analysis, along with ample data logging capacity, takes the guesswork out of signal interpretations.
- Oscilloscope probe kit: Having an assortment of probes tailored for tasks like power electronics, automotive, or general-purpose troubleshooting saves significant money over buying individually. They ensure safe connectivity and optimal visibility of signals on accompanying oscilloscopes.
- Expandability and accessories: Look for provisions to connect external specialized probes for diesel applications, automotive breakout harnesses, IR thermocouple attachments to broaden measurement capabilities.
The right oscilloscope kit with advanced capabilities will last for years, simplifying even challenging engine performance diagnosis. A budget-minded kit may compromise essential features, so invest wisely based on must-have technology to maximize long-term value.
Find an oscilloscope kit that works for you
While high-end oscilloscope kits enable advanced capabilities, a solution tuned for core automotive tasks can accelerate diagnoses without breaking the budget. Prioritizing bandwidth, sample rate, memory depth and flexible triggers yields an affordable tool to tackle sensors, actuators and controller issues. This sweet spot between features and price makes such an oscilloscope a wise equipment investment.
FAQ
Entry-level digital oscilloscopes suitable for hobbyists range from $200-1000, offering decent capabilities for basic tasks. More advanced engineering models go from around $1000-5000, providing greater bandwidth, analysis features and versatility.
Standard electronic oscilloscopes normally handle peak voltages of 60-100 volts, adequate for most circuit troubleshooting and analysis. Specialized high-voltage probes enable measuring signals up to 30,000 volts or more for applications like high-power equipment testing.
An oscilloscope displays a plot of voltage over time, allowing users to visualize and measure the waveforms of electronic signals. Key applications are verifying circuit design, diagnosing issues, and characterizing signals.
For non-critical needs where accuracy and performance are flexible, an extremely low price tag improves access and experimentation. However, those with rigorous, professional or business applications should carefully weigh their performance tradeoffs. For many, an entry-level mid-range oscilloscope balances utility and access at a reasonable value.
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