Iwatsu ss-5702 oscilloscope is it any good? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Chiphead · 12th May 2022, 8:17 am

Good day,I'm looking at a Iwatsu ss-5702 oscilloscope in excellent working condition for $38 usd.I would like to know if anyone knows how reliable and fixable are they.

Thank you

WME_bill · 12th May 2022, 10:03 am

Iwatsu. Looking at the service manual, which is readily available on the web, it appears a conventional circuit with standard commodity components and CMOS and TTL and Linear integrated circuits. The tube is a common Toshiba. All on two boards.
I would have thought straigtforward if repairs ever necessary. Very good training ground for your own knowledge of circuitry. wme_bill

MelJon66 · 12th May 2022, 12:41 pm

Hi,

I have an Iwatsu SS-5711 which is a 4 channel 100MHz 'scope. It's more sophisticated than I need and the front panel is too busy with many small buttons so it's not the easiest to use. It was available locally at a good price when I was buying one and I didn't trust couriers to deliver one in one piece. CRT 'scopes don't like rough treatment in the post so collection is always best.

Iwatsu machines use good quality Japanese components and are considered reliable. The SS-5702 looks quite straightforward and if 20MHz is enough for your needs it should be a good choice. The SS-5711 has been very reliable so all I have ever had to do is spray the rotary switches. But, most CRT 'scopes are old so you should be prepared to do some work at some point. Having a manual with schematics is essential so don't buy an old 'scope if a manual and schematics are not available.

Finally, don't buy a Topward, they can be tempting because they are cheap. They are nice and simple to use and have a good Toshiba CRT but no manuals are not available and the schematics are poor, making them hard to repair.

Cheers
Mel

Chiphead · 12th May 2022, 1:28 pm

Thank you for the replies so far...yes 20 Mhz is fine for now.

Chiphead · 12th May 2022, 1:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiphead

Good day,I'm looking at a Iwatsu ss-5702 oscilloscope in excellent working condition for $38 usd.I would like to know if anyone knows how reliable and fixable are they.

Thank you

...

12th May 2022, 8:17 am	#1
Chiphead Diode Join Date: May 2022 Location: Capetown, South Africa. Posts: 3	Iwatsu ss-5702 oscilloscope is it any good? Good day,I'm looking at a Iwatsu ss-5702 oscilloscope in excellent working condition for $38 usd.I would like to know if anyone knows how reliable and fixable are they. Thank you Attached Thumbnails

12th May 2022, 10:03 am	#2
WME_bill Octode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Exeter, Devon, UK. Posts: 1,554	Re: Iwatsu ss-5702 oscilloscope is it any good? Iwatsu. Looking at the service manual, which is readily available on the web, it appears a conventional circuit with standard commodity components and CMOS and TTL and Linear integrated circuits. The tube is a common Toshiba. All on two boards. I would have thought straigtforward if repairs ever necessary. Very good training ground for your own knowledge of circuitry. wme_bill

12th May 2022, 12:41 pm	#3
MelJon66 Pentode Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 174	Re: Iwatsu ss-5702 oscilloscope is it any good? Hi, I have an Iwatsu SS-5711 which is a 4 channel 100MHz 'scope. It's more sophisticated than I need and the front panel is too busy with many small buttons so it's not the easiest to use. It was available locally at a good price when I was buying one and I didn't trust couriers to deliver one in one piece. CRT 'scopes don't like rough treatment in the post so collection is always best. Iwatsu machines use good quality Japanese components and are considered reliable. The SS-5702 looks quite straightforward and if 20MHz is enough for your needs it should be a good choice. The SS-5711 has been very reliable so all I have ever had to do is spray the rotary switches. But, most CRT 'scopes are old so you should be prepared to do some work at some point. Having a manual with schematics is essential so don't buy an old 'scope if a manual and schematics are not available. Finally, don't buy a Topward, they can be tempting because they are cheap. They are nice and simple to use and have a good Toshiba CRT but no manuals are not available and the schematics are poor, making them hard to repair. Cheers Mel

12th May 2022, 1:28 pm	#4
Chiphead Diode Join Date: May 2022 Location: Capetown, South Africa. Posts: 3	Re: Iwatsu ss-5702 oscilloscope is it any good? Thank you for the replies so far...yes 20 Mhz is fine for now.