How to Find High Quality Oscilloscopes for Sale Without Sacrificing Signal Integrity

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As an engineer, you know firsthand the importance of signal integrity in your projects. It can mean the difference between accurate and unreliable measurements, successful and failed tests, and the success or failure of your project.

Finding a quality oscilloscope that doesn't sacrifice signal integrity can be challenging. There are many cheap, inaccurate digital oscilloscopes on the market. It can be difficult to tell the difference between these models and ones that offer reliable measurement data.

One of the main drawbacks is that cheap oscilloscopes often have inferior signal integrity, resulting in inaccurate measurements when characterizing digital signals. These inaccuracies lead to wasted time and effort.

A High-quality, calibrated used oscilloscope is the best way to ensure accurate measurements without sacrificing signal integrity. This article will consider why signal integrity is so important, the dangers of buying miscalibrated scopes, and how you can buy a quality used oscilloscope.

What Is Signal Integrity, and Why Is It Important?

Signal integrity is a measure of the quality of an electrical signal. It is a critical factor in the design of electronic systems and components, particularly high-speed digital devices. Different specifications of an oscilloscope, when combined, make up signal integrity.

But how do you know what these specifications are? Some of the most important specs to consider include the following:

Factor	Explanation
Bandwidth	The bandwidth of an oscilloscope is one of the most important specs to consider when evaluating the integrity of a signal. A scope with a wide bandwidth will be able to capture high and low-frequency signals with greater fidelity than a scope with a narrower bandwidth.
Sampling rate	The sampling rate of an oscilloscope determines how often the scope measures the signal. A higher sampling rate will allow higher measurement resolution of high-speed signals but requires more processing power and memory.
Rise time	The rise time of an oscilloscope measures the speed at which the scope can transition from low to high voltage levels. A scope with a fast rise time will be able to capture sharp changes in signal level with greater accuracy than a scope with a slower rise time.
Signal-to-noise ratio	The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a measure of the quality of the scope's input stage. A higher SNR means less noise in the signal, and the scope will be able to reproduce the shape of the waveform accurately.
Jitter	Jitter is a measure of the stability of the timing of the scope's signals. A scope with low jitter will be able to capture repetitive signals with greater fidelity than a scope with high jitter.

These are just a few specs that need to be kept in mind when evaluating the integrity of a signal. While high-end oscilloscopes tend to have better signal integrity than cheaper models, even expensive units can have poor signal integrity if not calibrated.

One of the biggest dangers of buying a used oscilloscope online is that it has compromised signal integrity. If an oscilloscope has poor signal integrity, it can affect many other factors, including the accuracy of the measurement and the shape of the signal.

This can lead to:

Errors in determining frequency, amplitude, time interval, and other critical measurements
Errors in data transmission
Reduced performance
Reduction in operating speed

Good design practices and proper testing and calibration will help ensure a used oscilloscope meets its signal integrity requirements.

Should You Buy Oscilloscopes for Sale Online?

Many online vendors sell used digital storage oscilloscopes at discounted prices. Many do not calibrate these types of scopes before selling. These vendors cannot guarantee the accuracy of an oscilloscope's measurements or its signal integrity.

It's tempting to want to buy a cheap oscilloscope. But in doing so, there is a significant risk that you will be sacrificing signal integrity, accuracy, and reliability. Even the quality of the device may be poor, having different broken components not working as expected.

With no assurance that you'll get the quality of product and reliability you need, you don't want to take that kind of risk.

The best way to ensure accuracy and signal integrity is to buy a high-quality, calibrated, used oscilloscope from a reputable vendor. This will guarantee that your oscilloscope has the highest quality signal integrity. Reputable vendors will always have the instruments they sell tested and calibrated by experts. They also stand behind their product with warranties and guarantees.

When you buy a used oscilloscope from Keysight, you can be confident that you're getting a high-quality, tested product. Engineers have trusted us for decades, and we offer various models suitable for any application or budget.

Dangers of Miscalibrated Oscilloscopes

When working with electronics and electrical equipment, it's vital to have accurate measurements and reliable data. As engineers, your reputation depends on the accuracy of your readings. But if you buy a miscalibrated oscilloscope, it can result in:

Incorrect measurements. Even a small margin of error can lead to incorrect data and inaccurate calculations that could result in costly mistakes.
Damaged components. A miscalibrated oscilloscope can produce false readings when assessing the integrity of a circuit or system. This leads engineers to make assumptions that are not correct and can cause damage to components or systems.
Undermine credibility. If the readings are off or incorrect, this can damage an engineer's credibility, resulting in loss of business or respect.
Wasted time. All the above can take up valuable time and resources, costing engineers hours in troubleshooting, repairs, or replacements.

It's easy to see why buying a quality, calibrated oscilloscope is essential. At Keysight, we guarantee the accuracy and reliability of our refurbished digital scopes so that you don't have to worry about signal integrity or incorrect measurements.

With this peace of mind, you can focus on your work, knowing that the data you measure is accurate and trustworthy. Trust Keysight for superior signal integrity and ensure your measurements are on the money.

How To Ensure That You’re Buying a Properly Calibrated Oscilloscope

Keysight is the only company that can provide calibration. You can rest easy knowing that your oscilloscope has been tested and calibrated when you buy from our Premium Used Equipment page.

You can get straight to work using a reliable and accurate piece of equipment of the highest standard. No other reseller can provide that guarantee. That's why choosing Keysight for refurbished products is always the smartest choice.

Our ten-step checks on our Premium Used Equipment remove any uncertainties you may have. This ensures that your refurbished and calibrated oscilloscope will have accurate readings and quality data. These ten checks are

1. Used unit arrives. The used unit arrives at Keysight's largest manufacturing site in Penang, Malaysia.

Keysights largest manufacturing site is located in Penang – Source: Keysight

2. Condition check. After arrival, the used unit undergoes a thorough initial inspection to check its condition.

Keysight carries out thorough initial inspections on all its Premium Used Equipment when it arrives at their factories – Source: Keysight

3. Comprehensive cleaning. In-depth cleaning with specific vacuum-based technology. Whatever can't be cleaned is replaced.

Keysight ensures its Premium Used Equipment is deep cleaned like new – Source: Keysight

4. Update to the latest firmware and software. After verifying its performance, we update the unit to the latest compatible firmware and software (updated operating system software only, not upgraded).

Keysight updates all software, ensuring when you receive your equipment, it's running like new – Source: Keysight

5. Customization process. Hardware options, applications, or software options are added or removed according to customer order.

Full customization is available on the majority of Keysights Used Equipment – Source: Keysight

6. Calibration and safety tests. The unit gets calibrated and safety tested.

Keysight is the only company that offers complete calibration – Source: Keysight

7. Original manuals and accessories. The unit receives the same brand-new accessories and manuals as a new Keysight instrument.

Premium Used Equipment sent by Keysight comes with all new manuals and accessories just like a new unit would – Source: Keysight

8. Final 101-point inspection. Before leaving, each instrument goes through performance verification and a final 101-point quality check.

Keysight completes an in-depth quality assurance check – Keysight

9. Standard like-new warranty. The factory-refurbished unit receives the same warranty as a new Keysight instrument (varies by model and region).

Keysight promises the same like-new warranty on all of its Premium Used Equipment – Keysight

10. Unit packed and shipped. The instrument and its accessories are carefully packed and shipped to the customer.

Keysight offers a fast two-week delivery time available for US customers, depending on item availability – Keysight

As an extra layer of protection, Keysight offers support, service, and upgrade possibilities. That kind of assurance is invaluable and only possible through Keysight.

Benefits of Purchasing Oscilloscopes From Keysight

When you purchase a high-quality used oscilloscope from Keysight, you get the superior performance and functionality of a new unit. You can also save up to 70%. We offer two standards of used products: "Premium Used" and "Used."

Premium Used:

Up to 70% savings
Like-new condition
Updated firmware
Fully calibrated
Same great warranty as a new product (1-5 years depending on the model and region)

Used:

Up to 90% savings
In full working condition
30-day right of return

Whether buying new or used, you can always count on the quality standards and reliability Keysight prides itself on. You will have peace of mind knowing that you're buying a reliable and accurate piece of equipment and not just a cheap alternative.

If high prices have stopped you from purchasing an oscilloscope or upgrading your current one, the Keysight Used Equipment platform is the perfect solution. Here, you can find high-quality instruments at significant discounts. Thanks to our ongoing trade-in program, we continually add more items to our inventory.

Our used oscilloscope shop is updated daily with new devices coming in for sale.. We have budget oscilloscopes that are perfect for a student wanting to learn more about circuits, and advanced scopes for technicians troubleshooting complex electronic equipment.

Regardless of your engineering experience, take advantage of the great deals that we have to offer! We would love to help you, so contact us today and tell us what type of oscilloscope you are looking for.

Closing Thoughts From Keysight

As we have seen in this article, buying a used oscilloscope from some resellers can be nerve-racking! Unless you get certain seller guarantees, you don't know what level of signal integrity you'll get.

At the same time, purchasing a used oscilloscope is a great way to save money. So what's the solution? How can you find a high-quality, used oscilloscope for sale without sacrificing signal integrity?

The answer is Keysight. We work hard to ensure that you can trust your oscilloscope and the measurements it gives you! Our rigorous testing, inspection, and calibration process ensures that all of our used oscilloscopes are top quality with the best signal integrity on the market. And with our reliable warranty, you can trust that if anything goes wrong, we’ve got your back.

So don't buy a used oscilloscope from anyone else. Shop at Keysight and get the peace of mind that comes with our quality assurance! See our Used Equipment options to find our huge range of oscilloscopes available for your needs.

Whenever You’re Ready, Here Are 4 Ways We Can Help You

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