What I want (and probably a lot of other hobbyists too....) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 10:14:07 am
content: I work a lot with Arduinos so I need a 'scope, but nothing on the market really seems to fit the bill.2 channels isn't enough for the job (I often look at three or more signals at a time) and the price of a 4 channel DSO is a massive jump from a 2 channel. I can't really justify spending that much.But...usually some (or all) of the signals I'm looking at are digital. Even if I bought a 4-channel 'scope, all the extra input circuitry would be wasted/unused.What I really need is a 2-channel 'scope with 4 (ordigital inputs.Analog bandwidth doesn't need to be great, 50MHz would be enough. I also don't need massive buffer depths, etc., basic functionality will do.The same goes for the digital inputs, if I can see a 25MHz signal, that's plenty. Some basic logic analyzer functions (I2C, SPI) would be appreciated.Is there anything out there that fits this description? I own a DSO Quad and that _kinda_ does the job but I hate the controls (and the limitations created by them). I'd be happy to pay double for something like that with real knobs on it that lets you scroll/zoom/etc.I know of exactly *one* candidate which looks very close to what I want, the Hantek MSO5102D. The MSO5102D hardware looks fine, the analog side looks good, but the digital side seems like a bit of an afterthought. As far as I can tell it just displays the inputs, nothing more. With a bit of logic analysis functionality in the firmware...? I'd probably be buying one.So, any ideas about something that fits the requirements (2 analog, 4/8 digital, reasonable price)?Anybody own a Hantek MSO5102D and can confirm my suspicions about the digital side?

author: kizzap
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 10:19:24 am
content: You want a Logic analyser.Google Saleae.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 10:22:35 am
content: Quote from: kizzap on June 03, 2014, 10:19:24 amI was about to suggest that. Their new analysers do low frequency analogue as well but they are on pre-order so I don't know if they are available yet.https://www.saleae.com/logic

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 10:24:39 am
content: It would probably help you more to get a logic analyzer like the ones Saleae sells, for example this Saleae Logic one which 8 digital inputs, at $149 :https://www.saleae.com/logicYou can find clones of these on eBay much cheaper, but I don't know how well the software works with those.Arduino (and other microcontroller) projects don't generally do digital communication through their pins at such high frequencies that these logic analyzers would have problems "reading" the digital data.You can get a separate scope for under $100 on eBay, some analogue or old 50-100 Mhz digital scopes.edit: yeah, the two above me were faster.. less text, faster reply

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 10:25:06 am
content: Quote from: kizzap on June 03, 2014, 10:19:24 amNo, I want a real device. With twisty knobs on it. One that doesn't depend on having a PC attached to be able to do anything.I'm not always doing logic analysis and USB devices suck for analog work.

author: kizzap
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 10:28:22 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 03, 2014, 10:25:06 amso you want a top of the line standalone device, capable of working with every signal under the sun, and for the low, low price of free? Good luck.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 10:33:27 am
content: Quote from: kizzap on June 03, 2014, 10:28:22 amAs noted above: Hantex are already making the hardware for it, in the right price range...PS: I never said "top of the line"or"free". Quite the opposite in fact. Facepalm yourself.

author: kizzap
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 10:43:33 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 03, 2014, 10:33:27 amSorry, just frustrated, and took it out on the wrong person.Look for "Mixed Signal Oscilloscope" exactly what you are after it seems.

author: Creep
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 10:57:19 am
content: Your closest bet for a good scope that can accomplish what you desire would probably be the Rigol DS1074Z. If you need more than 4 channels, then your mentioned Hantek or the DS1052D are most likely your only options left in that price range. You can't just magically say you want something, have to live with the options available. Plenty of people here would love to get their hands on a DS2000 4 channel model, as do I, but so far it looks like it is not meant to be.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 11:07:21 am
content: I just get by with a DS2xxx scope and a Hantek 4032L analyser (cheap, wide bus and relatively fast.) If it need to time correlate between the two I just do it manually by triggering the LA off the scope's trigger out. Once upon a time I started writing some software to do that automagically (join analog and digital signals on the PC with a correlated trigger), but as I was the only one interested it sort of died.The simple problem is MSO's are quite expensive compared to their DSO equivalents (in terms of analog side specs.)

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 11:20:25 am
content: Quote from: Creep on June 03, 2014, 10:57:19 am$950?No sale...Quote from: Creep on June 03, 2014, 10:57:19 amI don't even need 4 analog channels, that's the whole point.Analog channels are expensive to add, digital channels aren't.Quote from: Creep on June 03, 2014, 10:57:19 amTrue, but maybe I don't know what all the options are. That's why I'm asking.This seems to be a new-ish market (cheap MSOs). Discounting the "toys", I've only seen one entry in it so far.2-channel DSOs have 99% of the necessary hardware. All I need is a few digital inputs (which is cheap) and the rest is just software.Hantek have proved they can make the hardware, they just need better software. I think they can make a lot of money if they do it.Maybe I'll hang onto my DSO Quad for a little while longer and see what develops.

author: owiecc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 11:32:53 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 03, 2014, 11:20:25 amYou basically want a scope but you don't want to pay for it. The only solution for you is to either steal one or find a used/demo model. You may cut 1/2 of the price of a new scope if you're lucky. Good luck!

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 11:45:53 am
content: Quote from: owiecc on June 03, 2014, 11:32:53 amHuh? Where did I ever say I wanted a free 'scope?(First of all, I got the price wrong, it's about $600...let's correct that and continue)What I want is for Rigol to remove two of the channels from that 'scope and replace them with handful of digital channels. If they want to reduce the buffer sizes and remove some advanced analog features for marketing purposes? That's fine.Hardware-wise it should work out about the same.(or maybe cheaper - decent analog inputs are expensive!)A 2-channel version of that with 4 digital inputs for $600? I'd be mighty tempted.And last time I checked, $600 isn't "free".

author: Creep
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 11:54:39 am
content: If you only need 3-4 channels for your probing, then what is the issue with using the DS1074Z for that? Companies can't make a separate model for every detail someone has in mind. Rigol is already providing amazing bang for your buck.If your so dead set on the digital channels, then have a look at the already mentioned DS1052D.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 12:03:36 pm
content: Quote from: Creep on June 03, 2014, 11:54:39 amThe price.(Of the scope .... plus the "upgrades" needed to enable the logic functions)Quote from: Creep on June 03, 2014, 11:54:39 amIt just seems like a hole in the market.Quote from: Creep on June 03, 2014, 11:54:39 amI'm looking at it right now.Itdoesseem to have the functions I was after.$800 bucks though, ouch! That's a lot of money for a hobby...

author: Creep
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 12:07:22 pm
content: According to rigolna, the DS1052D is the same price as the DS1074Z...And speaking about the upgrades: the scopes are hackable and you can get all the functionality for free. Look around the forums, you will find plenty of info (in fact, there is a 200+ page thread about it here).So those 600$ are going to be your end price.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 12:39:16 pm
content: Considering the typical architecture of scopes these days, and the almost universal need for digital channels, it's surprising that all modern scopes don't have at least 8 digital channels - cost would be minimal - just a few comparators and some pins on the main FPGA.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 12:48:36 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on June 03, 2014, 12:39:16 pmInput protection for high speed data and high speed comparators aren't particularly cheap, plus you need to dedicate extra FPGA fabric to it so you have to upgrade to a bigger FPGA. The DS1074Z main board has the provision for 16 digital channels, however, there's an extra FPGA with DRAM on the board for that, which isn't placed on the current boards. I think Rigol might be considering releasing an MSO1074Z at some point - if they do they will grab a good part of the market.

author: avvidclif
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 12:57:39 pm
content: Try Bass Fishing if you think that's an expensive hobby. Or Ham Radio.

author: idpromnut
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 01:03:42 pm
content: @Fungus: If you go here:http://www.rigolna.com/products/digital-oscilloscopes/ds1000d/ds1052d/,it says the list price is 610$.I don't know where you're located, but I'm in Canada, and when I bought my DS2072A, I got quoted essentially the exact price on Rigol's site but in Canadian dollars. So I don't know where the 800$ for that scope is coming from.However, I will agree that there are cheaper options for MSO's, namely the Hantek that you're pointing out. You could also take a look at the new Siglent SDS2000 series, and specifically the SDS2072:http://www.siglent.com/en/product/detail.aspx?id=100000008529687&nodecode=119008001EDIT: Note that I don't know if the DS1052D does protocol decode, which may or may not be important to you. The SDS2072 is supposed to have protocol decode in it (but it may be an add-on you need to purchase).

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 01:09:12 pm
content: Quote from: avvidclif on June 03, 2014, 12:57:39 pmOr motorsport

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 01:15:39 pm
content: Quote from: idpromnut on June 03, 2014, 01:03:42 pmHere in Spain I get 479 Euros + TAX (20%).

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 01:28:54 pm
content: Quote from: Creep on June 03, 2014, 12:07:22 pmIt's closer to $800 around these parts.If the DS1074Z can be hacked to unlock the serial functions then it works out about the same price as the DS1052D.Looking at the two:The DS1074Z+serial looks like it can do everything I need.The DS1052D has more logic connections but it's damn ugly with those digital probes attached (grey ribbon cable plus nasty plastic box, really?) It also looks like it needs an extra couple of feet of desk space to even use it (something I hadn't really thought about before).On balance.... I might go for the DS1074Z if I have to chose between the two.Still, it's nearly $800.I'm not saying it's not a bargain in the professional test equipment world but that's a lot of cash for a hobby. I can buy an awful lot of LEDs/servos/Pro Minis/etc. for $800.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 01:35:24 pm
content: PS: How noisy are these new Rigols?The previous generation of Rigol engineers seemed to design their products in a tin shack next door to a rocket engine test facility.

author: KedasProbe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 02:01:39 pm
content: Maybe this one is an option although the digital probe is not cheap.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-hmo-1002-economy-dso-from-rohde-schwarz-hameg/

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 02:08:47 pm
content: Quote from: tom66 on June 03, 2014, 12:48:36 pmMost of the hobbyist level LAs aren't high speed.

author: kizzap
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 02:13:08 pm
content: Fungus: maybe this one is more suitable at ~$600 AUD (you don't specify a location so we can't help find something more local)http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-Channel-70MHz-1GSa-s-Oscilloscope-8CH-Logic-Analyzer-2in1-USB-7-LCD-MSO5074F-/141247691492?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item20e304bae4&_uhb=1edit: looks like another Hantek, possibly more modern (don't quote me on that)

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 02:26:25 pm
content: Quote from: KedasProbe on June 03, 2014, 02:01:39 pm798 Euros+probe (plus 20% tax, I imagine)I dunno...

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 02:30:26 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 03, 2014, 01:35:24 pmMy DS1074Z's fan is noticeably loud, about as loud as my PC running under moderate load. It's enough to be distracting.

author: kizzap
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 02:34:18 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 03, 2014, 02:26:25 pmIf you want some better help, Set your country in your profile, and give us some idea of what price-range you can afford. Look on eBay for that model, I am sure you will find cheaper, closer to you (the one I linked is Australian, so postage is going to be killer).

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 02:48:19 pm
content: Quote from: kizzap on June 03, 2014, 02:13:08 pmThey don't ship to Spain, but this seller does:http://www.ebay.com/itm/121294014966$549 for 4 analog channels and 8 digital, with shipping.Nice.Also, separate control knobs per channel (unlike the Rigol), utra slim design, no fan noise...looks like all the cables are included, too.That one definitely goes on the shortlist.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 02:51:02 pm
content: Ebay. Try to find a 54645D. Or a 54622DRock solid machines. Can be found as low as 200$ (real lucky). Typically in the 500$ ballpark

author: leppie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 02:52:40 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on June 03, 2014, 02:51:02 pmAhThose look quite nice. Will keep an eye out.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 03:05:23 pm
content: Quote from: kizzap on June 03, 2014, 02:34:18 pmI always look on eBay, etc., which is why country doesn't matter a lot.Price range? Not really fixed.In my head they ought to be able to put this together for $450-$550: 2 Analog+8 logic, 70MHz, 1Gs/sec. What's the closest thing to that spec. that will work nicely?The Hantek MSO5102D is within half a bee's dick but doesn't appear to have any logic analysis functions. Is there anything else which does, even if it's a bit more expensive?

author: Creep
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 03:59:01 pm
content: Batronix (german seller) has the DS1074Z for 740$ shipped (tax included). Not sure if it's worth dicking around with the hantek etc. scince the price difference is only about 100$. IMO unless you manage so somehow miraculously find something below the 500$+VAT (your going have to pay the taxes when ordering outside europe anyway) mark that would be a worthwhile purchase, the Rigol is probably the safest bet. Been drilling through reviews and info on the available DSOs in the 400-800$ range for the past week, haven't found anything that can really compete with the Rigol for the price. Plus it has an intensity graded display and that's a feature most people, once tried, do not wish to live without.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 04:41:51 pm
content: Quote from: Creep on June 03, 2014, 03:59:01 pmI see a price of 450 Euro+tax when I go there.In theory I can buy that tax-free via my company (I'm in Europe too), so it would be 450Euro*If* I can wangle that, and *if* it's definitely hackable to enable the serial analysis functions, then that's very hard to resist.Update: I just tried a dummy order and, yes, they seem to handle the tax correctly. That's German efficiency for you...It'll have to wait 'til at least next month though. I need to save up.

author: politoleo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 04:52:31 pm
content: I didn't read the whole thread, so maybe someone else already suggested you that:http://uk.farnell.com/digilent/410-244/design-kit-analog-discovery/dp/2143587It does what you ask and it looks good for price/performance ratio!Plus I remember there was a special price for student!

author: idpromnut
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 05:25:33 pm
content: I don't know if Hantek's 'scopes suffer from the same poor firmware as their function generators of the same generation, but there are quite a few bugs in their HDG2002B line of function gens (UI, a bit of non-critical functionality, etc).

author: Creep
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 05:40:24 pm
content: Yes, it's 450 EUR indeed, I already included the calculation for adding taxes.So if you can get around paying the taxes, then definitely go for it. And regarding the firmware hacking: I already mentioned, read around the forums, there is plenty of info on it. Decide for yourself afterwards what you think of it. The main thread is the one 200+ page thread in the first page of this forums (Sniffing the Rigol...).

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 06:02:22 pm
content: Quote from: Creep on June 03, 2014, 05:40:24 pmI've got a month or so to decide what to doThanks for the help, BTW.Quote from: Creep on June 03, 2014, 05:40:24 pmYeah, I see it. 223 pages and counting...

author: alexwhittemore
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2014, 10:31:31 pm
content: I love my 1104z, but even with the protocol analysis it's hardly an MSO. The analysis is all in software, so there's lots to go wrong: it's pretty slow, it can be more intolerant of signal issues than if it were properly digital input, memory depth is substantially worse than a proper logic analyzer (much less a PC analyzer with effectively infinite memory...) And if you're playing by the book and paying for the analysis features, they're also another $150 or something over the base price of the scope. Definitely worth the price if you need them, but it's much more for the use case of primarily analog need, with light duty digital needs rather than the other way around.Here's the thing on price: The 1104D is about the same price mostly because the 1104Z is much newer and represents an aggressive increase in value. You'll notice that the 1074z isn't substantially more expensive than the much older 1104, despite being wildly better. It's mostly because they're not dropping the bottom out of the price on the older series, they're just moving sales over to the newer stuff.Anyway, for what you seem to truly need (a couple okay analog channels with a bunch more good digital channels on top), what fits the bill perfectly (I think) is the new Saleae Pro series that's available for preorder. I know you'd rather have an integrated device, but the fact is that in test equipment sorts of volumes, an applications processor, screen, housing, and UI cost a couple hundred bucks, so it doesn't make sense to spend, say, $300 or $400 on those things tacked on to a front end that's only $100 or $200. Rigol basically does that, but it's why you're not going to find even the cheapest device to fit your needs for less than $6-700.On the other hand, the pro series has, at one price point, 8 channels, all selectable analog or digital, for $200. The digital channels are great and plenty fast enough for anything you might need that isn't a high speed serial bus (USB, SATA), and the analog sampling rate is basically just-good-enough (you'll see what's going on, probably enough to get the job done).

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 10:28:20 am
content: Quote from: alexwhittemore on June 03, 2014, 10:31:31 pmPeople keep mentioning those, but the Analog side is terrible. 5MHz bandwidth at best, and only in the $400 model. The $200 model only has 1MHz.I dunno. I don't really domuchprotocol analysis if I'm honest, and I'm old enough to be able to just look at an I2C signal and do the binary-to-hex conversion in my head (which is what I do on my DSO Quad at the moment).What really want (I think) is the functionality of my DSO Quad but with proper knobs and buttons to control it. It's a heart thing as much as a head thing.Question: Can the saleae do a decent real-time analog display or do you hit "record" then look at the signal later? It's not clear from what I've seen so far (which makes me suspect the answer is "no")Does it even do a real-time digital display?As I said earlier, I've got a month to mull it over. Maybe the head will win. Maybe something else will appear.Quote from: alexwhittemore on June 03, 2014, 10:31:31 pmI think you'll find it's $400:https://www.saleae.com/(plus there's the possiblity of paying tax+shipping on that so it could easily end up nearer $600 if I'm unlucky)

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 11:19:03 am
content: I've just been watching this:Nope. Not impressed.Absolutely not a substitute for an oscilloscope (or even close to what I'm after).

author: ctm2matman
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 09, 2014, 06:47:18 am
content: From the Tektronix used equipment available on eBay you can find 7000-series mainframes for 100, 250, 400 or 500 MHz bandwidth for under $200. Into any one of these, you can install a 7D01 logic analyzer good for 4, 8 or 16 digital channels. If you insist on a analog signals, you can install a pair of 4-channel vertical preamps for eight analog channels. If bandwidth is not an issue, you can drop to the 2MHz 5000-series with a pair of 4-channel preamp for even less money.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2014, 04:17:08 pm
content: Since you already have a scope, and once you start looking at multiple logic signals then 4 (or 8, or 16, etc) is never enough, why don't you just buy a nice used logic analyzer? They can be very cheap, and will more than do the job.For instance I got a fully working Tek 1240 complete with all probes, manual, etc, for $38. Plus shipping.Even much more modern ones can be quite cheap.Edit: Oops, I re-read your original post, and realized you don't actually have a scope.So, my modified advice: buy a 2nd hand cheap logic analyzer, and a 2nd hand scope. Trying to get both functions in one unit means you'll be paying a lot more. And there's no need. You can easily trigger either one from the other.

author: TomThomas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2014, 08:28:58 pm
content: Quote from: alexwhittemore on June 03, 2014, 10:31:31 pmHi,I was just around in the web and simply googled MSO1074Z and found the following...http://www.batterfly.com/shop/rigol-mso1074zBatterfly is an Italian Rigol Distributor...so it seems Rigol has/will release MSO1074Z ?But I couldn't find this anywhere else in Europe.Rigol.com (chinese Website)has this and also MSO2000A listed.For me this sounds very promissing... Maybe I will contact Batterfly directlyRegardsTom

author: gmit77
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2014, 06:51:04 am
content: hello! yes MSO1000Z MSO1000Z-S MSO2000A and MSO2000A-S will come soon.first bunch of units is expected for July.more tech questions? just ask

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2014, 09:55:47 am
content: If one of your scope has a trigger output, you can connect that to another scope trigger input. This way you can ghetto rig together two cheap two channel scope, maybe you already have one. Just sayin.

author: Creep
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2014, 10:44:17 am
content: Speaking of the MSO2000A, I would like to ask about the number of channels. Is it going to be a 2 channel scope like the DS2000A or a 4 channel one?Will our dream of a 4 channel DS2000 come true?

author: jimjam
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2014, 12:20:30 pm
content: Does DS1000Z have similar issues / bugs as the DS4000 series?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/rigol-mso4000-and-ds4000-tests-bugs-firmware-questions-etc/I hope the MSOxxxxx will have newer firmware with fixed bugs (and probably introduce new ones!) I'm glad I haven't jumped the guns and bought a DS1000z. Besides I am still very confused over all this:- DS1104Z-s- DS4014- Agilent DSOX2014A (because it's about the same price as DS4014)Out of those, Agilent seems like the best quality gear. I especially like the responsiveness of it. Although NOTHING is ever perfect in life... (unless $$$ is unlimited but even then...) - Agilent has very small memory depth (100k) and even with the upgrade to 1M, my impression is that it's still not great (Based on the review by mjlorton on youtube). Not to mention that Agilent will be expensive to repair / upgrade features for etc.The MSO1000z will change this again.

author: NYEngineer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2014, 06:51:55 pm
content: Quote from: TomThomas on June 09, 2014, 08:28:58 pmI got a Father's Day e-mail from TEquipment.net today and saw that they are also now taking pre-sales for the Rigol MSO1074Z (and -S and 1104). No stock, of course.

author: Creep
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2014, 07:24:19 pm
content: http://translate.google.lv/translate?hl=lv&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fcn.rigol.com%2Fnews%2Flatest%2F058a9f8a.htmlFound this looking through the net. Was able to answer my own question: sadly the new MSO2000A series is still going to be only two channel...

author: jimjam
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2014, 11:41:00 pm
content: I'm sure that they are just adding the digital inputs to the existing boards, no new design, so I guess there won't be anything new except for the firmware for the added functionality (extra menus).http://www.tequipment.net/Rigol/MSO1104Z-S/Mixed-Signal-Oscilloscopes/

author: classicTEK
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2014, 07:05:20 pm
content: I think TEK made a solution for that about 45 years ago.How about a TEK 556 oscilloscope with (2) 1A4 Plug-ins?Just saying.............