## FNIRSI 2D15P
### A basic battery powered 2 channel digital oscilloscope with added functions
**Abreviations used in this review:**
Scope - Oscilloscope
MM - Multi-Meter
Sig-gen - Signal Generator
DUT - Device Under Test (the thing you are measuring on)
Please note that I'm far from an expert on scopes, just a happy amateur.
This review is written after a rather short time of usage and a mostly ignored manual (shame on me).
### Functions and features:
* Scope up to 100 MHz, 2 channels
* Signal generator
* Multi-Meter
* Built in probe calibration*
* Touch screen
* AC/DC coupling
Cost: About 150 € + VAT directly from Fnirsi
Included: 2 probes (switchable 1x/10x)*, Cable for sig gen, MM-cables, Charging cable (USB)
Usage:
The two channels share ground with the signal generator but the MM is separate as is the USB-port (only checked with separate MM, I'm not risking this scope by verifying insulation with a megger).
### What it can do:
* Freeze current data manually (run/stop).
* Stop after a trigger (Single measurement).
* Works with common osc-probes (tested with an old for an analogue CRT-scope). Can be set to compensate for 1x, 10x & 100x probes individually on each channel.
* Self calibrate (recommended when temperature changed more then 5℃)
### What it can't do:
* Record / Save over time (see Freeze above). There is however a small workaround that gives some abilities here. Adjust the horizontal scale so it gets "way to crowded", after an event has been triggered (or the scope stopped) you can then change the vertical scale and pan left and right for a slightly longer period.
* Decode serial data (like CAN-bus codes).
### Be aware of:
* When getting into the higher frequency range of the meter it's not only the Hz that limits it but other factors as well, some of the shared between functions so turning off unused channel (and sig gen?) helps if you need to see this high (100 MHz is in the FM-radio band).
* The Sig-gen is rather basic (but still way better then none!). Limitations are that it doesn't generate true analogue signals but stepped voltages. These are fine enough that it doesn't matter much if the output is set to 2V or so (and higher) but if you need to go down to 0.1 V the result is just to coarse to emulate analogue signals. (Unlike an issue with vehicle diagnosis.)
### Likes and dislikes:
+ Build quality and feel.
+ The folding feets are better then I expected.
+ That the value from the MM always is shown on the osc-screen (as is the sig-gen data).
+ Battery powered, minimal risk of short-circuit between device under test and mains ground.
+ When using the MM there is also a graph shown over time.
+ Auto-button is usually a good place to start with getting start settings for the scope.
+ Standard connections for scope probes, sig-gen output as well as MM.
+ Power on is just a short (but reasonably firm) press while off requires a short hold time.
+ Auto off can be set to various times or disabled.
+/- Mounting screws in the back but not camera standard thread.
+/- Being able to save a screen-dump is nice but a file with the data itself would have been so much better (if in some standard format).
- Haven't timed it but runtime on batteries feels a bit on the short side (haven't seen any issues with powering it from USB).
- The MM-value isn't frozen when the scope is stopped (auto or man).
- Ranges can't be set manually in the MM.
- Max/Min values in the MM can't be reset manually (they follow the diagram). This "auto reset" also prevents the function to be used as a long time monitor to see if the value might fluctuate (when not actively watched).
- USB connectivity uses some special communication, not Linux compatible (FFS, a standard USB storage protocol would have solved it for all OSes (rant over)).
### Not tested:
Use with amp-clamp for scopes (don't know if generic are available)
Detection of ignition events (spark). I wouldn't be surprised if a probe can detect a spark by being held close to a wire or plug cap.
### Personal conclusion:
Well worth its price. And since Fnirsi seems to be a company that listens to their customers I wouldn't be surprised if they will come out with an improved version. Some things they might be able to do in firmware (the first update is already out and was applied to mine at delivery) others might need a "gen II" revision. But I have no guess of time schedule for these possible updates.
### Why did I pick this scope?
I've been wanting a 2 (or more) channel digital scope for some years but the prices have been to high for my needs.
First I stumbled on some YouTube reviews of its smaller brother 2C53T which peaked my interest.
Looking into them I found more reviews that were satisfactory even when professional equipment was used as reference.
The 1014D looked very interesting but isn't battery powered.
I felt that the larger display on the 2D15P made it worth the extra ...