DHO802 purchase advice. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Zielsziek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2023, 08:43:49 am
content: Thank you for taking your time to read this.I have the following dilemma: I am an EE student and I would like to purchase my first oscilloscope. I have read the 64 page thread about this new scope and truth be told I feel bewildered. I have also watched Dave's review on the scope. Here's what I do not understand:I would like to purchase a scope to work on development boards like the ESP32, sensors, linear power supplies and other "beginner level" applications. I feel confused about the 70 MHz bandwith. Should I get this scope or should I get the SDS1202X-E. I am asking because a local company is offering a pre-order discount on the Rigol which means I could get the 2 channel 70 MHz DHO802 for 356 euro VAT included. The SDS1202X-E is 369 euro VAT included. I feel that both scopes are priced fairly.Is my presumption that this new Rigol is a great bang for buck and it will be hackable Bandwidth wise( I already noticed that it has already been done) correct? I feel that in the long term it is a better choice despite the 70 MHz BW. Also, would a lower BW 4 channel scope be better than a higher BW 2 channel? I could also get the classic DS1054Z for the same price(it's more expensive in my country)Thank you.

author: Swainster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2023, 09:10:04 am
content: From your use cases, I would say that you will get from benefit from extra channels rather than extra bandwidth. I would always go for a 4 channel scope over a 2 channel, if budget permits. However, at the end of the day, either of these choices would be a great scope for the beginner.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 23, 2023, 09:22:02 am
content: Like most things in modern life, oscilloscopes are available online with quick delivery.Don't buy anything until you are certain you need it.Until then, try using the equipment available at your education provider's premises.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2023, 09:54:43 am
content: For development use: definitely get a 4 channel scope. But I'd be wary of buying the DHO802 though; it looks like the firmware is not finished at all.The best thing to do when buying a scope is preparing a bunch of tests that resemble your usage (make a detailed test plan). Make sure to buy the scope from somewhere you can return it to. So once you get it, you run the tests and if the scope fails (or has other issues), simply return it and order the next one.Going by forum recommendations can look easy but what works for person A, does not work for person B. So in the end you have to do testing / validation yourself.

author: iMo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2023, 10:39:03 am
content: Quote from: Zielsziek on October 23, 2023, 08:43:49 amI think yes, for your use cases above.And you may also search for a second hand offer on the DS1054Z as there will be people getting rid of it after they got a new 12bit one.. You may get it cheap, perhaps..

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2023, 01:07:40 pm
content: Quote from: Zielsziek on October 23, 2023, 08:43:49 amNeither. Get something with 4 channels.Yesterday I changed my 70Mhz Rigol DHO804 into a 250Mhz DHO924. It took me two minutes to do and all I needed was an Ethernet cable.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2023, 03:06:08 pm
content: +1 for 4 ch

author: Zielsziek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2023, 07:30:46 am
content: Thank you all for taking your time to reply to me. I now know in which direction to head. I will also browse for a second hand older Rigol.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2023, 10:13:42 am
content: I'm a 4ch fan boi, but if you have integrated LA channels, the need for more than 2ch is significantly diminished IME, although it does depend what you're using it for of course (eg, if you're rolling your own SMPS). With that in mind, the Analogue Discovery remains a worthy contender if bandwidth isn't a blocker, especially for microcontroller development. I wouldn't be without mine. I have three of them!

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2023, 01:30:10 pm
content: Quote from: Zielsziek on October 25, 2023, 07:30:46 amNow is a good time for that. The price of second-hand DS1054Z should go down rapidly now that the DHO series has launched.