How to buy a used o-Scope?

[vacpress]

hey guys. I am going to look at this oscilloscope i found local throug craigslist.

http://d.im.craigslist.org/Xd/dB/pVh...DmsVlwQei0.jpg

Goldstar OS-9020A - 20mhz dual trace

my question - how do i test the thing to see if it works? ive got a pulse generator and the guy said i could bring it, but he dosent know how it works. he sounded old and befuddled.

apparently the thing has special TV functions, but I just need it to look at a 100khz signal being passed between two balloons (he he).

I havent used an oscope in 8 years, I used one like 4 times in a high school class. The guy said it had a callibration button that produces a square wave, but he dosent know how to set it for a squarewave.

any advice is sweet. thanks!

[smarbaga]

i would say that scope is worth about $15. us
i got a tech 4 channel, digital on screen,storage, 100 mhz
model 26 xxxsomething for $66.00 usa
e_bay has a lot of good scopes ( cheap )
if you know what to look for.
usually either they work or they don't.
the 1 volt calibration ref. pin on the scope should be enough to tell u if it works or not.

[vacpress]

grrr.. arghhh. ok. stinking ebay. i do not have much time for this project i am involved in. it sounds like you got a good deal. i have looked at scopes off and on on ebay, and found them to often seem expensive and a risky purchase...

$15 eh... will it not serve the same functions as the bottom-end 10mhz oscopes i see for like $250? i just need it to verify analog circuits are passing the right frequencies and op amp gains are right...

one advantage of this scope is that it is maybe 10 miles from my house.. right down the street really.. i think i will bring a function generator with me. if i cannot get it to display a reasonable looking sine wave, i will pass.

[pastera]

Your function generator is a good test but $250 is a very high price for this scope. You can get a good condition 100MHz Tektronics for that.
I would offer no more than $100 if he can't verify full operation.

Check out this link: http://www.madelltech.com/m1-4.html $250 new
http://www.elexp.com/tst_2620.htm

BTW where are you located?

Aaron

[vacpress]

this is really late. i got it for $60. It works fine.