On 3/9/2010 7:03 PM, Russell McMahon wrote:
> Sounds fantastic.
>
> Pros of in probe version:
>
> - Smaller :-)
>
> - Gee Whizz factor
>
> - Pocketability is great, but eg my HP mini sets something like the
> lowest size system I'd use it with so absolute smallness is not an
> absolute advantage.
>
> Russell


I would mostly second Russells opinion; of course, I think the essence 
of what you are proposing is the "Gee whizz" factor.  Otherwise, you are 
simply one more vendor of low end USB scopes.  If you could get it all 
in the probe, great.  I'm fairly sceptical however.

Recently, I purchased a Link Instruments MSO-19 single channel USB 
scope.  This last weekend, I used it to get a project going that could 
not have been done without a scope so that worked out well.  The box 
that is between the USB cable and the scope cable is about 2.5" x 3.5" 
roughly.  Not near big enough to be a problem.

No knobs: a good thing.  I'm an old analog guy with a great Tek 7603 
scope, full of knobs.  But the knobs are within glancing distance of the 
screen and indicate what's going on.  A small box half way from the 
circuit being measured and the PC screen is just one more distraction.

The biggest drawback to the MSO-19 is the fact that it is a single 
channel device.  I would be very happy if it had but two channels.  I 
don't use two that often but when you need it, you really need it.  So 
if your USB device can't provide that, it is far less useful.

For me, the gee whiz factor for a single channel "in the probe" scope 
would only be of interest if it was VERY cheap.

If you proceed, I wish you luck!
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