The first 2000-series Tektronix oscilloscopes were introduced in the 1982 catalog. New models available that year were the 2213, 2215, 2335, 2336, and 2337. They offered excellent portability along with light weight and low power consumption. Very rugged, they were rated to withstand 50g! Most of this was due to the simplification of circuit design, and a light weight but very well designed switching power supply. Compared to the weight and complexity of the 400-series, they were a dream.

These early models were limited in bandwidth, but in 1984, that changed with the introduction of the 2465 and little brother, the 2445. Not only did they have 4 channels, but the 2465 bandwidth was 300 mHz, with triggering to match. Completely micro-processor driven and firmware controlled, these were a new breed, similiar in appearance but not otherwise related to the 2200 scopes. By 1989, the 2465B had brought 400 mHz bandwidth with triggering beyond 500 mHz to the table.

The peak of the 2000-series  seems to be in 1984, when there were no less than 21 models introduced for a total of 33 models offered. The 2430, the 2432A, the 2465B and the 2467B lasted until 1996. By the 1997 catalog, there were no longer 2000-series listed. Still, a run of 14 years in this rapid-change business only says good things about these models and the vision of those that produced them.

These scopes come in many different flavors and the differences between them are not very clear. I have a complete set of Tektronix catalogs, so I am able to look up the various models, but even then it is hard sometimes to determine the differences.

If we are talking about non-storage, non-digital analog scopes in the 2000 series, the main differences are this. The 2200 series is 2 channel. The 2335 and 2336 are 2 channel, ruggedized versions mostly made for the military. The 2400 series are 4 channel, 2 of the channels having full attenuators. Other wise, within each the main difference is bandwidth. The 2200 series is 20 - 100 mhz. The 2400 series starts out at 100 MHz but goes up within each model, i.e. the 2445 is 100 MHz, 2245A is 150mHz, then the 2445B is 200 MHz. Same with the 2465 (300 MHz) 2265A (350 MHz) or 2265B (400 MHz).

The 2467 is a special case, having a multi-channel plate (MCP) CRT. This oscilloscope offers extremely high speed writing, making one-shot pulses at nanosecond duration visible in normal room light. In that aspect it was the only non-storage CRT to be able to do this. The same crt was used in the 7104.

What years were the varios models introduced?

Looking at the Tektronix catalogs, I have gathered this information regarding years of introduction:

1982 (first models) 2213 2215 2335 2336 2337

1983 no new models

1984 2235 2236 2445 2465

1985 2213A 2215A 2235L 2236/01 2465CTS 2465DMS 2465 DVS

1986 2220 2230 2430

1987 2225 2245 2246 2430M 2445A 2455A 2465A 2465A-CT, -DM and -DV 2467

1988 2235/01 2246/1Y 2430A

1989 2201 2205 2210 2245A 2246A 2246/1Y 22447A 2402 2432A 2465B 2445B 2465BCT 2465BDM 2465BDV 2467B

1990 2211 2232 2235A 2235A/01 2235L 2236A 2431L

1991 2221A 2252 2402A 2439 2467BHD

By 1994, the decline had started, no new 2000 models being listed after that, and by 1996, only the2430A, 2440, 2465B and 2467B were being offered. The TDS series had completely replaced the 2000 series.

The 2246 and 2252 very similiar. The difference is that the 2252 has printing and programmable setups, useful in many applications. Both are excellent scopes.

Most of us want too much horsepower, too big a house, and too much oscilloscope! Bandwidth 2-3x what you anticipate using is lots. So if you do audio, a 10-50 MHz bandwidth is fine. Computer work requires maybe 100 mHz, but more is ok.

Excellent low bandwidth scopes include the 2213, 2215 and 2225. These 2 channel scopes have excellent triggering, no fan and are extremely light. Their power consumption is so low that they will easily run off a small inverter for portable and ground-isolation applications. They are cheaper and easier to get parts for than the 2400 series, because more out there are being parted out.

Many of the less expensive models offer TV triggering. In the 2400-model, it is an option (05) offering line-by-line precision display and setup for different vidoe formats.

A key factor in selecting one of these units is the need to take measurements. By that I mean, is the scope going to be used as a measuring device, or simply as a signal tracing instrument? Do youe want to know voltage,  frequency, etc., or just presence of a signal or pulse train? If accurate measurements are a requirement, then a buyer should definitely consider an oscilloscope with CURSORS. Cursors allow doing measurements that are independant of the graticule. With a cursor-equipped scope, you can accurately and quickly measure, as a minimum, voltage, time, and frequency of all or parts of the waveform. Accuracy varies, but even the most basic cursors give more accurate results than taking readings from the graticule. Oscilloscopes with cursors include the 2246, 2252, and all of the 2400 series (2445, 2465, 2467). The TAS 465, in inexpensive analog 100 mHz scope, also has a cursor system. The 2467 has an option called CTT, which links a highly accurate frequency counter with the cursor and readout system, a useful option if you are looking at a 2467.

The storage scopes go even further with various systems of PARAMETER EXTRACTION.  Because the waveform is a slice of time, digitized and stored in the scopes memory, the scope can work on that one set of data. In a flash, as many as twenty parameters, or attributes, of the signal can be derived and displayed on the screen. Scopes that can do parameter extraction may also be able to communicate to a computer over a GPIB setup, and do even more advanced math on the waveform. These include the 2430, 2432, and 2440 digital storage oscilloscopes.

There are also two ways to buy. You can buy from an eBay auction, hoping to get a working unit that will stay that way, and if you are in luck, you will. Or you can buy from a store, such as mine, that offers return privilege (mine is 30 days) with no questions asked. You also may get some promise of a warranty. Mine is 1 year pro-rated, which means I can fix and return the unit or credit you with a monthly percentage for what is left in the warranty. Like they say, you pay your money and you take your chances.

I hope this helps clear up the issues somewhat. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to email me. Thank you for visiting The Oscilloscope Store.

Larry Christopher