How many guys here use a scope?
How many use it all the time? To record properly functioning vehicles or just on broke ones?
Do you have a personal library of good waveforms?
I think scopes are great. I have and use multiple versions. I cant wait til I get the newest PICO one, Im excited about it. It took me years to become any kind of skilled at it. I read about usage and techniques and tests at least once a week. I spend time to test good vehicles to develop procedures for diagnosing bad ones whenever I can.
That said....when I get asked for in person, or offer assistance anywhere, I almost NEVER ask another tech if he has "scoped" something, nor do I recommend that same tech do so. Even if its established this person has a scope.
Just knowing how to hook a scope and get a waveform is a skill, and then knowing what that waveform is supposed to look like when its good, and what a "bad" waveform actually means are all additional proficiencies that this person needs to have to make hooking up the tool even worthwhile.
Its my personal belief and experience that with rare exception, that the guys who could actually use a scope to diagnose a problem, do actually use it.
And that the people who are asking for diagnostic assistance on a problem where a scope would help, don't know how to effectively use one. Most likely unless you hooked up, set up, captured the waveform, and then analyzed it would a scope be useful in such situations.
It happens on S/T, it happens in my shop, it happens in other local shops. I get called by professional friends who've been told to "scope" something, and thats it...no explanation. No instruction for what to look for, no information about what a bad waveform would be, etc... I see it on guys faces when they get told it....they just go blank. You might as well have just told them to read Japanese.
How many use it all the time? To record properly functioning vehicles or just on broke ones?
Do you have a personal library of good waveforms?
I think scopes are great. I have and use multiple versions. I cant wait til I get the newest PICO one, Im excited about it. It took me years to become any kind of skilled at it. I read about usage and techniques and tests at least once a week. I spend time to test good vehicles to develop procedures for diagnosing bad ones whenever I can.
That said....when I get asked for in person, or offer assistance anywhere, I almost NEVER ask another tech if he has "scoped" something, nor do I recommend that same tech do so. Even if its established this person has a scope.
Just knowing how to hook a scope and get a waveform is a skill, and then knowing what that waveform is supposed to look like when its good, and what a "bad" waveform actually means are all additional proficiencies that this person needs to have to make hooking up the tool even worthwhile.
Its my personal belief and experience that with rare exception, that the guys who could actually use a scope to diagnose a problem, do actually use it.
And that the people who are asking for diagnostic assistance on a problem where a scope would help, don't know how to effectively use one. Most likely unless you hooked up, set up, captured the waveform, and then analyzed it would a scope be useful in such situations.
It happens on S/T, it happens in my shop, it happens in other local shops. I get called by professional friends who've been told to "scope" something, and thats it...no explanation. No instruction for what to look for, no information about what a bad waveform would be, etc... I see it on guys faces when they get told it....they just go blank. You might as well have just told them to read Japanese.
Comment