Help choose a signal generator Rigol vs Siglent - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: mrt6644
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2016, 06:16:14 am
content: I'm a beginner or amateur and want to purchase an arbitrary function generator.My budget is about 350.I like the Rigol DG1022Z and the Siglent SDG1032x.I like the large color screens, and they both have decent features. 2 channels and decent specs.I know the Siglent has a slightly better better spec at 30mhz, but for me that doesn't matter much.If you had to choose between these 2, what would you take?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2016, 08:17:54 am
content: Quote from: mrt6644 on December 06, 2016, 06:16:14 amStudy the datasheets some more for :RisetimeInbuilt waveformsVoltage source ratingArb Wave Waveform LengthStandard interfacesTo name a few.............

author: montemcguire
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2016, 09:44:00 am
content: Before you buy a generator, it's useful to figure out what you want to do with it. It's also useful to consider buying several generators of different types to handle different tasks.An arbitrary waveform generator seems like a safe, "limitless" option, able to handle all tasks, but that's not actually the case. If you want a really clean pulse or square wave, with no Gibbs phenomenon ringing and a fast rise time, the arbitrary generator cannot do this. If you want to generate a sine wave with extremely low distortion, the arbitrary wave generator can't do this.If you're just starting out and have no generator at all, it's not a bad thing to buy either of the two devices you mentioned. But also consider that it's OK to have a handful of other generators for specific purposes. And, sometimes you'll need two generators or more to rig something up. A great complement to an arb. generator would be an analog generator like an HP 3314A, which will give you flat topped square waves and pulses, as well as some easy to set up traditional waveforms. And, maybe a fast pulse generator would be useful, or some sort of an RF generator that can produce quality RF sweeps, maybe as part of an RF analyzer.To answer your original question re. the Rigol and Siglent, go with the device whose interface makes the most sense to you. But, if you can find older gear, you might be happier with a clean, working analog generator, and you might spend less $$. I picked up an HP 3314A at a ham radio flea market for $225 and it's a great device. Yeah, not the cheapest, but it's a solid piece of gear that does an enormous amount of stuff, and it's pretty easy to use. Sometimes you can find quality gear from Wavetek, General Radio and other companies that can do the basics really well, and are cheap. Then, even if you want to upgrade, these classics are still worth having around, and will get used with some regularity along with the new box.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2016, 10:13:06 am
content: If you've already got a modern digital oscilloscope, and you want to be able to "copy" recorded waveforms directly from scope memory to the arbitrary generator, you may also want to check with what combinations this is possible. In this case, it may be reasonable to purchase the generator from the same manufacturer as your scope (or vice versa, depending what gets / got acquired first).Cheers,Thomas

author: vpetrog
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2016, 10:40:27 am
content: Quote from: mrt6644 on December 06, 2016, 06:16:14 amI am facing the same problem. Spec-wise i, m leaning towards the siglent one, however i am not sure which one is more reliable long term

author: djnz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2016, 10:48:03 am
content: The video compares two different Rigol and Siglent function generators. In these the difference seemed to be that the Rigol had slightly higher signal purity at higher frequencies, but could output a lower amount peak-to-peak voltage swing at higher frequencies. The Siglent had slightly lower signal purity at lower frequencies, but could output a higher peak-to-peak voltage swing at higher frequencies.You may want to look at these specs in detail on the 2 units that you have shortlisted...Also, if you are considering old analog function generators like montemcguire suggested above, I had bought a Wavetek 143 20MHz generator back in 2009 on ebay for something like 80 USD and it has been a very good buy.