TImothy asked:

>Hey everyone,
>        I am, in the near future (a month or so), thinking about buying a
>oscilloscope, and I was wondering what everyone thought I should get.

Given that you're in it for the long haul, take the time to shop around.
But it doesn't make sense to agonize over it either. Even if you could
afford a top-of-the-line scope right now, in a couple of years there would
be something better available.

IMHO the PC based scopes are interesting toys, but have too many
limitations for practical workbench use. The one attraction is that you get
digital functions cheap.

Digital is very, very handy for certain kinds of analysis. Most current new
models do both digital and analog.

I think you'd get the best value with a used scope. Tek and HP build solid
units that last a long time.  As other list members have pointed out, you
can often find bargains at hamfests and flea markets. Don't buy anything
without firing it up and exercising every function.

Catalogs from companies like Tucker and Test Equity have used scope prices
that you can use for comparison shopping.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck with your career.

Reg Neale