Rigol DS1052E vs Agilent InfiniVision 2000/3000 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: tekati
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2011, 02:53:35 am
content: I have been playing with electronics stuff for a few years. I am wanting to purchase some lab equipment and find the eevblogs to be extremely valuable information. The question I have between these oscilloscopes is what type of projects require the better scopes where say a Rigol won't do?I understand the idea of having the single unit able to do function generator and logic analyzer stuff but besides that when would you really benefit from the extra power?

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2011, 05:59:16 am
content: Quote from: tekati on May 09, 2011, 02:53:35 amwhen you go more advanced.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2011, 06:57:13 am
content: The more powerful scopes get you more advanced triggering and faster screen updating and more "analog like" operation.This can be essential for tracking down really elusive faults or glitches in signals for example.To meet any given measurement requirement with scopes you usually need X amount of bandwidth (with adequate real time sample rate), X amount of memory, and X triggering ability, and possibly X waveform updating speed. All scopes have X amount of that, so the answer to how much X you need is always "it depends". It's hard to generalise it to "types" of projects.Any others features usually falls into the "nice to have" category instead of essential. But as always, YMMV.One example might be segmented memory. If you need that for some obscure application, then there is absolutely no substitute for it, simple as that.But the general answer is, if you have to ask this question, then the Rigol will almost certainly be all you'll need for a long time.Dave.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2011, 07:03:32 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on May 09, 2011, 06:57:13 amYep. I agree. If you don't know exactly what you will need start with a lower base dso. The one that needs an oscilloscope with advanced features like Serial or any other protocol decoder knows it in advance. If your needs after a while is for something better you could sell the one and go for a better model.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2011, 09:02:14 am
content: Another way to look at it is to consider how much you value your time.Higher-end scopes like the Agilent will generally make debugging faster and less frustrating. In a commercial environment, spending money on good tools is a no-brainer, for hobby uses, it's more of a 'quality of life' decision.The function gen is a red-herring as a standalone one will usually be cheaper than the option on the Agilent, and the advantage of having it integrated into the scope is minimal.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2011, 10:40:23 am
content: It very much depends on the types of project you are contemplating. If you could give examples of these we could probably advise you better.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2011, 04:49:34 pm
content: Its an interesting truism. I agree completely. The Rigol should serve you well until you've outgrown its usefulness, and then you'll really appreciate what the Infinivision can do.Quote from: firewalker on May 09, 2011, 07:03:32 am

author: tekati
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2011, 04:56:27 pm
content: All of these are really good answers and very much appreciated. I just did not want to get say the Rigol and find that there is something about the Agilent that was one of those oh crud if I had for sight I would have just picked up an Agilent in the first place. I am one of those who does like to have the good stuff and am spoiled a little in my hobbies and Electronics has been one of those hobbies that I am always in the middle of. Other hobbies come and go but Electronics is always there. I should own stock in Spark Fun for example.As always thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I will most likely pick up the Rigol now and if I have a need for something more advanced ill probably either keep the Rigol around or hand it down to my son who I am sure would not mind. Probably a little like a multimeter and not a bad idea to have more than one lying around.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2011, 09:29:37 pm
content: Don't forget that test gear always has good resale value, probably better than any other sort of electronics, so it's by no means a once-and-for-all decision.