Quiet but crucial in the lab - Tektronix 2 Series MSO reshapes bench space

Reviewed: ad hoc news Software & Services desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-18, 14:15. Details in the imprint.

Tektronix 2 Series MSO looks almost shy next to the heavy iron scopes many engineers grew up with, yet the first grab of the slim chassis and the bright 10.1-inch touchscreen immediately signals a different idea of what a mixed-signal oscilloscope can be on the bench.

What this slim scope offers

The Tektronix 2 Series MSO is a mixed-signal oscilloscope family with bandwidths from 70 MHz up to 500 MHz, four analog channels, and up to 16 digital channels via an optional logic probe. It uses 12-bit ADC technology for higher vertical resolution than classic 8-bit scopes.

Tektronix positions the 2 Series MSO as a fully featured benchtop instrument that is just 38 mm deep and around 4 kilograms light, so it can be carried between labs or out into the field in a backpack. That alone changes how often engineers actually take the scope to the signal instead of dragging setups around.

Touchscreen, software, and feel

The 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen dominates the front, with smooth pinch-zoom and drag gestures that feel closer to a tablet than a traditional instrument. Hardware knobs for vertical, horizontal, and trigger controls remain, so experienced users still get their tactile feedback.

Under the hood, the 2 Series MSO runs a modern UI with context menus and integrated measurements that can be navigated quickly via touch. Optional TekDrive cloud connectivity lets users save, share, and analyze waveform data remotely, tying the hardware into Fortive’s growing software ecosystem.

Probes, power, and everyday use

Unlike many portable scopes, the 2 Series MSO supports a wide range of Tektronix passive and active probes through its standard BNC inputs, including differential and current probes for power electronics work. Engineers can reuse existing probe sets, which matters in budget-conscious labs.

A key detail in daily use is flexible powering: the instrument can be run from mains, but Tektronix also offers a hot-swappable battery pack option that enables up to eight hours of untethered operation. For troubleshooting in cramped racks or noisy factory corners, that freedom can be the difference between “later” and “fixed now”.

Licenses, options, and pricing

The 2 Series MSO uses a software-licensed feature model: protocol decode for standards like I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, and LIN can be added as needs grow rather than forcing a larger upfront purchase. Bandwidth upgrades from 70 MHz towards 500 MHz are also software enabled, extending hardware lifespan.

According to Tektronix, US pricing starts around the low four-digit dollar range for entry bandwidths, with higher configurations and options pushing the system deeper into five-digit lab-budget territory. European distribution is handled via authorized test-equipment resellers and direct sales, with prices varying by configuration and local VAT.

Where it fits in Fortive’s world

Tektronix is part of Fortive Corp., which has been steering its portfolio increasingly toward software-enabled workflows in test, industrial, and healthcare. A portable, connected scope like the 2 Series MSO fits that narrative by generating shareable data instead of isolated screen photos.

Shares of Fortive Corp. (US34959J1088) trade on the New York Stock Exchange in US dollars.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.