Owon VDS1022I USB PC Oscilloscope, MIT USB Isolation, 25 MHz

The Owon vds1022i seems to work well on a Raspberry Pi 2 using the software published on github by florentbr for use on Linux. Even on that very low-powered platform the display is responsive As someone who learned to use oscilloscopes on Tektronix 500-series instruments the menu-driven format is somewhat alien to me. However, the ability to easily capture single-shot events is well worth the learning curve. With only 100 megasamples per second for both channels, I think a 10 MHz single channel and 5 MHz dual channel analog bandwidth is probably more realistic than 25MHz in practice. Attempts at single-shot risetime measurement were subject to the usual artifacts of digital instruments. Tapping the probe on a battery terminals reported a sub-10 ns risetime in some cases, an obviously impossible result (100 MS/sec implies a single data point collected). On recurrent signals the risetime measurement looks reasonable. For audio and mains-frequency signals the performance is perfectly adequate. Given the sophistication of the software an "out of range" warning for situations like this would be a helpful added feature. The role of the "sampling" mode is not clearly specified. It's possible that the instrument can deliver 25MHz bandwidth on _recurrent_ signals, a well-established technique used to extend the frequency range of digitizers on stable, repeating pulse trains. The record mode looks extremely useful, but the recording parameters are not very clearly described. A glossary of terms and a description of the data format would be very helpful. Allowing the instrument to function as a data logger would extend its utility immensely. I'm far from an expert with the Owon and may still find problems, but for the money it looks quite good. November 2, 2024: A recent attempt at installing the factory-supplied software on a Windows 10 laptop has so far been a frustrating failure. The setup program runs and creates an icon in the start menu but the 1022i isn't recognized when connected. In particular, when the software CD is inserted in the laptop and the setup file is run it seems unable to find drivers. Searching on the Web finds the Owon website, but the download menus is confusing, with the 1022i not appearing by name in the menus.

I both own and have used many digital and analog scopes due to my career as an engineer. However, I wanted an inexpensive scope that can be used with a PC for presentations. I bought a Hantek 6022BE for that purpose, and while it is very similar in features and performance to this OWON VDS1022i and nearly half the price, the software was not very good. The OWON was purchased based on positive reviews. I was not disappointed. While the features and performance are good for an inexpensive scope, the software is a big improvement to the Hantek. One example is the FFT feature, which I use, is pretty useless in the Hantek as it is displayed in a manner that does not make it easy to view or take readings. The OWON allows for a better display of the spectrum information and allows for easy measurement as well. Preset measurements, such as rms, rise time, etc., are much better with the OWON. The software allows for Printing, Screen Capture, and saving the data of the wave form(s) in a file with several popular formats to choose from. Now as an oscilloscope it has the advantages (easy to save and display data) and limitations (low bandwidth and waveform distortion near the the top end due to low sampling rate) of an inexpensive digital scope. The 25 MHz bandwidth is limiting, but the 100 MS/sec allowed for display of about 30MHz sinusoidal signals with minimal distortion. The record length is surprisingly limited at 5 kB. It comes with 2 basic 60 MHz, hard plastic, 1x/10x probes. [The Hantek's are a bit better.] It was relatively easy to setup with the software, documentation and drives included on a CD. You can download all the material from their website as well. The units gets it power directly through the usb connection on my laptop. However, it has an additional usb connector that can be plugged into a 5vdc power supply if you wanted to use it on an Android phone like the Hantek can with a proper adapter and software not included. It runs well on my 8 year old HP laptop (i7 with 8 MB)using the latest version of Windows 10.

Great simple econ scope. It shines in the class room. I teach Electronics classes. Fits in my laptop case. It connects to my lap top (WIN11) and two HDMI 55 inch monitors. Beautiful displays. I can save .png images, full motion video, mark up the image, etc. It's much easier to use (logical controls, etc.) than a $1000 plus scope. Yes some limitations in bandwidth etc. but not much. I am getting another one for the benchtop here at home. Good enough for almost all typical non-pro scope use. Not a toy.

Considering what it is, and how much it cost, this oscilloscope is excellent. It isn't as good as an expensive bench oscilloscope, but I'm impressed by the features you do get with it. Very easy to set up and use. I use it on Ubuntu Linux and Windows, works well on both. Great oscilloscope for beginners and hobbiests, and for technicians to use in the field (very mobile compared to a bench oscilloscope). Nice sturdy build. The supplied leads are a bit noisy, but you can use better quality leads.

Tried to download driver from Owon website unable to do so. Windows 11

The product has serious EMI issues. Proximity within 2 feet of a USB hub power supply results in 60mv of noise on the signal from a B&K battery powered audio signal generator. Moving the Owon further from the power supply and hub improves this to 5mv but it does show a seriously bad design for test equipment. Note that the same setup with my other oscilliscope (Velleman handheld) shows 0mv of noise. With this OWON you will never know how much HF noise is a circuit problem or just spurious noise from the OWON being near the equipment being tested. It works best direct to laptop running only on battery. Previous reviews of the non-isolated model by experienced engineers have noted the same noise problem, and I submit that it is due to poor EMC design quality, not due to lack of isolation. The software is crude from a human factors standpoint, but it does function. The CD that came with it is useless and won't load on W7, you have to download from Owon both that and the USB driver, which doesn't self install, either. Owon's software overall seems like it still needs work. I really like the peak sample mode, which shows higher frequency signal noise and oscillations even when the sample rate is low. Alas, you don't know how much of that higher frequency noise is just OWON artifact. Edit- After comparing this to a Picoscope 2205 MSO, I've decided to upgrade my review from 2 to 4 stars. The built in isolator saves $39 which makes it a $60 scope. Yes, the Picoscope fried my laptops's video extender (to a remote workstation) while working on a 120VDC 1A pulsing circuit that the OWON with isolator did with no trouble. For the money, the OWON scopes are hard to beat. The scope works well for everything except low level signals and looking for EMI on signals. Something the Picoscope can't do either since it's got some noise issues too. The OWON software is no where near the polished and professional level of the Picoscope. The biggest disappointment was the print and image save functions. The print doesn't give you anything you can put in a report or you development records- no scales, 2nd trace yellow (invisible) and the formatting is a bad joke. The image save shows the scope screen, but the background being black makes it again, something you don't want use in printed records because you can hardly see the traces. Owon REALLY NEEDS TO FIX THE PRINT FUNCTION! The image save function could also be improved by offering a selectable white background with darker color for the 2nd channel. Then you'd have an image to stick in a printable document. And they should also change the trigger level set software; what they have is time wasting and doesn't get better with use. My bottom line is that for many slower speed 2 ch scope functions, the OWON does work pretty well, and the built in isolator IS important and will save you from frying your PC and connected gear. It's pretty hard to beat that combination for $100.

Great oscilloscope! So far I've used it to test the MAF, IAC, and CPS sensors on a Ford Explorer. Trigger works great and is easy to use. You can set the trigger in a menu or by sliding a cursor on screen to the desired voltage. You can also freeze and the save data displays. Has a wide variety of features. Attached is a photo of the MAF sensor output at lo rpm. Update: Someone asked about the Math function. Initially it didn't appear to work. I used a sine wave and the internal square wave and added Ch1 and Ch2. I found that you had to fake out the V/div scaling and use 10nv/div for 10V/div for the math to work out right. Below is an image of the signals that I added.

I like this virtual odsciulloscope very much. I'm a lower-end user so I can't speak to all of the higher function this thing has, but what I use it on works very well. Connects and communicates vis USB just like I needed. A bit steep for me on the learning curve (had to read manual several times), but that's probably on me. Two probes. I would highly recommend.

Very good little scope, the two channels show exactly the same signal, no delay and same amplitude. Work very well. As other have said, install from the web site, first the USB driver, then the scope software. Works fine with Windows 11. Very user friendly if you have already use a PICO scope, the software is not flexible, but the price is not comparable either. The FFT work fine and show the harmonics. And the cursors work with the signal and the FFT, useful to get the total harmonic distortion. Amazing for the price. Display on your PC is much bigger than the screen of and oscilloscope. All in all amazing for the price, and I have used equipment worth the price of a house. The provided probe are good 60 MHz, so they don't filter the signal. The trigger offer options that would only be available on oscilloscope costing way more.

Super produit, Facile d'utilisation, dommage qu'il n'y ai pas de fiche banane.

Die Treiberinstallation hat gut funktioniert. Allerdings sollte in der Beschreibung hervorgehoben werden, dass man das Oszi vor der USB-Teiber Installation das Notebook anschliesst. Auch fehlt in der Beschreibung, was mit dem 3.USB-Stecker am USB-Kabel geschehen soll. Habe mal angenommen, dass es als zusätzlicher Stromversorgungsanschluss dient. Die Bedienung des OSzis erfolgt danach fast ausschliesslich über Pull-Down-Menues. Das ist doch etwas umständlich. Ein paar Button an der Seite, neben dem Grafen wäre besser. Also nur 4 von 5 Sternen. Aber wer nur selten ein OSzi braucht, ist damit dann doch gut bedient. Nachtrag am 26.03.20: Jetzt nur noch 3 Sterne. Die Triggerfunktion ist nur für Ablenkzeiten kleiner 100ms möglich. Bei grösseen Zeiten läuft das Signal einfach durch. Kein stehendes Bild . Also: KEINE Kaufempfehlung.