While standard multimeters give a good reading on instantaneous voltage, resistance, and even current if things are set up correctly, a device that can graph how values vary over time would be quite useful. You know this instrument as an oscilloscope, and have probably debated about whether you really need to spend a few hundred bucks for one.
They can also take up valuable bench space. One option is portability and I’ve always liked scopemeters; oscilloscopes made in the form of voltmeters. While the best of these can cost more than $1000, the portability and convenience of one would be great for your yacht’s workbench—or you could look around for bargain versions that would be fine for intermittent use.
Still not sold on the idea? You could also check out this PIC-based device pictured in the image above. It comes as a DIY kit, and also features a signal generator, making it useful for more than pure input tasks. It doesn’t have the full versatility of a bench oscilloscope, but it is something of a swiss army knife of common tasks. If it fits your needs it will certainly fit your budget.
Those who need even more functionality out of a device should also check out the Evive prototyping platform. Evive includes an oscilloscope as a secondary function. It features an Arduino Mega, along with a breadboard and other accessories, allowing for a wide range of experimentation.
Another way to save space and money on an oscilloscope is to use a computer to display signal information. Take a look at the Arduino-based oscilloscope seen in the video below for an idea of how this works.
