Revolutionizing Oscilloscopes: Tektronix 5 Series MSO

Award-winning design by Tactile and Tektronix Teams

The Tektronix 5 Series MSO was inspired by Tektronix's desire to elevate their oscilloscope product line. The main objective was to create a next-generation, approachable usability solution while retaining an appropriate amount of Tektronix heritage. The design team traveled all around the US and to five countries to research and understand the user experience. The team identified core design traits based on their research: approachable and easy; trustworthy and durable; and powerful and precise.

Unique to the 5 Series MSO and an industry first, are the locking foldable feet (patent-pending) that give users more viewing angle flexibility by making simple adjustments to the feet and then locking them into place. The new 15.6-inch HD display allows most functions to be performed on screen, minimizing knobs and buttons. The limited knobs and buttons offer haptic feedback interaction without interrupting the user flow of typical access points.

Operating a highly technical machine can be overwhelmingly complex. The 5 Series MSO offers engineers a dramatic improvement in usability. A seamless solution blending the new hardware and software, the 5 Series MSO uses panel controls, or mouse to analyze and manage multiple signals. The design team created a user interface providing intuitive touch input, visual and statistical feedback, and improved contextual problem-solving.

The project was designed in September 2016 in Seattle, Washington, USA and produced in September 2017 in Beaverton, Oregon, USA. The design team was challenged with developing a long-lasting oscilloscope that would live for 10+ years, a typical oscilloscope lifespan. Despite these challenges, the Tektronix 5 Series MSO has been recognized for its innovative design, winning the Golden A' Audio and Sound Equipment Design Award in 2020.

The Tektronix 5 Series MSO is a testament to the power of innovative design and the potential it holds to revolutionize an industry. It is a shining example of how a focus on user experience and a commitment to innovation can lead to a product that is not only functional and efficient, but also intuitive and user-friendly.