2 questions, Tom.

What type of performance increase, if any, are we expecting from the new scopes?

Will captures taken with a new scope open up on the software that we already have, or will an additional software program be needed to view those files when someone with a new scope inevitably posts one?

This scope will use the same PicoScope software but there is not a release or beta version currently available to the public that has the drivers for it.  Now that the new scope has been announced though, I'm sure we will see a new build very soon that supports it.

The performance increase is mostly in block mode.  Of course, longer block mode screen times mean longer periods of a blank screen as data is collected over a longer time.  Sample buffer has increased from 32 million samples to 250 million.

There has been little or no increase in performance in streaming modes and using the USB 3.0 also did not increase steaming mode speeds.

The main operational difference is the independent floating inputs.  Grounds are not common so all channel grounds must be attached.  This does allow you to place a channel across a signal without disrupting another channel or causing a ground loop.  So, completely different hookup logistics.

Nice

Looks like channel BNC's are further apart from each other.
Easier to put attenuators on:)

Looks like you'll be re-designing The protective Autonerdz covers too.
I see the channels are up-t to 200V very nice
http://www.picoauto.com/support/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10231&view=unread#unread

Tom Roberts wrote on Sep 16^th, 2014 at 11:13am:



Man I am jealous of that part of your job.

I LOVE pushing things too far and seeing where they break.

As long as I didn't have to pay for it, of course

jarvissamuel wrote on Sep 16^th, 2014 at 1:15pm:


The older style will be available while supplies last but be phased out.

jarvissamuel wrote on Sep 16^th, 2014 at 1:15pm:


No.  The new kits are going to be more expensive anyway, so the 4423 kits are still a great deal while they last.  No reason to feel bad about recently purchasing a kit either.  In spite of the upgraded specs, these really don't perform any better at all in streaming mode.  And, the hookup logistics are not as simple.

Block mode performance is 5-8x better but in order to make use of that, you have to wait through the blank screen for the entire capture (maybe minutes) time before you stop the scope or you lose all.  This will take some getting used to.  There was no practical reason to use block mode past a one second capture time with the 4423 scope so that was just never an issue.

I think part of the reason for some of the changes in the input architecture was compliance with some of the Euro regulations.

This is surely a fine piece of scope.  However...I'll shoot myself in the foot here, but I really don't see a really compelling reason to upgrade from the previous models.

jarvissamuel wrote on Sep 16^th, 2014 at 1:15pm:


Sorry, no.

There are some cool things you could do with the floating inputs on some things.

Like this....

Note the throttle motor voltage is displayed going both positive and negative because we can place channel A input and ground across the motor with no concerns about crossing stuff up or creating a ground loop.

I would post the data file but you would not be able to open it.   

This kind of thing might be the best reason to have one of these.  But really, how often are you really going to need to do this?  Still kinda cool though.   

jarvissamuel wrote on Sep 19^th, 2014 at 10:29am:


The waveform generator is a hardware feature, the 4824 8-channel is one example.  When the appropriate hardware is connected, the software will show the related buttons.  The 4425 does not have a waveform generator feature.