RIGOL DG1022A Arb Funct Gen or Funct Gen built into my Agilent 2000x Series? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: obsoletepower
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2013, 08:21:06 pm
content: Hi guys,I've been a lurker on EEVblog for years now but I finally decided to create an account. I am looking into getting a function generator at around 20-25MHz but I can't seem to make up my mind. I don't need anything too fancy, I just want one that puts out a clean signal and has a good reputation (for warranty and longevity sake). I have an Agilent 2000x series scope that has a wave gen. built-in but it requires a license purchase to use.The Rigol generator is about $500 which is pretty much the same as the Agilent one ($508). The only thing is that the Rigol one has arbitrary function and AM, FM, PM, PWM, FSK, and linear/logarithm Sweep and Pulse train waveform outputs for modulation whereas the Agilent only has AM, FM and FSK modulation, no sweep and no arbitrary waveform option.......for the same price.Obviously I have considered others such as BK Precision, Instek but the Rigol seems to be a good balance between features and price.What do you guys think? Of course I can live without the modulation capabilities of the Agilent one but I like to future-proof.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2013, 08:34:11 pm
content: Aaaaah! Pet peeve! Pet peeve!20mHz = 0.020 Hz. 20MHz = 20000000 Hz. m =/= M. Attention to detail will get you far.I see no real reason to pay for the Agilent one when the Rigol does much more for the same price, except perhaps the nagging feeling ofbut it's sitting right there on my bench...

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 09, 2013, 08:37:30 pm
content: The Agilent WaveGen starts at 100 mHz. The Rigol DG1022A can do 1 uHz. Only the DG1022A will meet the stated specs.The Rigol has more features. The Agilent will have better software, support and documentation. It will also take up less space on your bench. Which of these is more important is up to you.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2013, 08:40:30 pm
content: Quote from: alm on February 09, 2013, 08:37:30 pmDo people actually use this kind of resolution? What for?

author: obsoletepower
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2013, 08:44:14 pm
content: Ahh yes that sort of attention to detail may save a life! Big difference between a wire at 20 mV vs. one at 20 MVIt is tempting to take out the ol' credit card and throw it at Agilent for the Wavegen. and the logic analyzer licenses ($1300 in total) but I am trying to be non-impulsive and make a wise decision. First of all, a separate device is always better than one device that does it all, from a serviceability standpoint. Another point to consider, of course, are the features.

author: pdav
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 03, 2017, 09:50:16 pm
content: Wanted to let you know that I'm currently in the same spot. I'll be going for the Rigol DG1022Z for sure. The in built waveform generator on the Agilent scope is convenient if you don't have a wave gen around, but it cant do sweep, no more than 5v peak output, and it takes a lot of button pushing to adjust the parameters. What did you end up doing finally? If you got the Rigol wave gen, how is holding up?

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 03, 2017, 10:52:40 pm
content: There is a zero cost option for all the Agilent options. If you've been lurking you should have seen quite a few comments about it.

author: _Wim_
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2017, 07:30:35 pm
content: Quote from: pdav on January 03, 2017, 09:50:16 pmTo the OP, I would also go for the DG1022Z and not the DG1022A (older design). There is also a good chance this is the same hardware as the DG1062Z, so there might be a future "upgrade" possible...

author: NorthGuy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2017, 10:42:57 pm
content: Rigol DG1022Z also has 2Mpts of the waveform memory (16Mpts as an option) so you can generate nearly everything and with great details.