The best budget Rigol option - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Willem
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 05:11:19 am
content: I am in the market for an oscilloscope. There are many sub $800 options available for the not so serious hobbyist. I have done my research and feel that Rigol deserves the #1 lowest priced quality product award. There are many other makes too, but for built quality I have decided that I will invest in Rigol. There are some confronting decisions to be made. What would your choice be?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 05:14:19 am
content: If you are buying Rigol, then the new Z series is by far the best bang-per-buck.70MHz vs 100MHz is not worth worrying about.The 2000 series is nicer, with a bigger screen and more controls, but ultimately the 1000Z can do most of the good stuff for less cost, and 4 channels is very handy for future things.For sub $800, if it was my money I'd buy the 1000Z

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 05:18:37 am
content: z series out of those, if you want more frequency then I would consider the 2 channel DS2072A. And if you look around the forum you'll know whyBut since you put 4 channels on the 2000 series I didn't select it. Maybe you were thinking of the 4000 series?

author: Willem
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 06:01:39 am
content: Miguelvp | Yep, thanks for pointing out my mistake :-) meant 2 channel

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 06:30:30 am
content: Well I can't change my vote but take one z out and add it into the 2072 then

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 06:55:25 am
content: I would avoid the DS1052E and DS1102E simply because they lack peak detection. What they call peak detection in the manual is envelope detection.

author: hans
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 08:05:18 am
content: I think the DS1052E can be considered as a deprecated product, and is greatly outperformed by the 1074Z and 2000 series.Between those two it's a classic question; 4 channel scope or 2 channel but with bigger screen/more buttons/more bandwidth/higher sample rate (yet in general - it only has a few extra software options). I considered that the 2000 has "a bit" more of everything, but also costed a bit more while featuring less channels. So I got the 1074Z, because I valued the channels more.As in 70vs100MHz; I don't really think that's a big deal. Forum topics have shown that bandwidths are not an very exact quantity of measure, and can be off by some margin.In fact, if I recall correctly, I've seen 70MHz scopes perform well (-3dB at) 80-90MHz.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 08:33:07 pm
content: How badly do you want/need 4ch vs. extra BW & features (assumes hacking whatever you get)?Tough call, especially without further information.BTW, hacking any of these will give you increased BW, features, and value for money (i.e. DS1074 bumps to 100MHz as well as enables the trial options to official/permanent status). Also, TEquipment.net offers EEVBlog members a 6% discount (call or email for code), so that puts the DS2072A within your $800 budget cap.

author: Willem
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 01:22:19 am
content: Thanks for the advice Nanofrog. Shipping to Australia is around US$100 and with the bank exchange rates currently at 1.1 to convert, the Tequipment prices are roughly bang on with what we pay here for Rigol from our local EMONA shop. We may save say $45 getting it from the States. Swings and roudabouts...I am keen however to know how many people are genuinely and truly using a four channel?- perhaps hire one when you really need one- perhaps buy a Rigol DS1052 (or whatever) to back as channels 3 and 4Perhaps it is best to invest in a good DS2000 series as the DS4000 series is way too much for a hobbyist/ student who is not able to draw income generating potential from the investment. Naturally if you were earning a living or able to increase revenue it is a different story, but also not what this discussion is about...In short, it sounds as if I should definitely go for the Z series above the 1000E series, but trade the 4 channels for a 2 channel 2000 series if I can afford it...

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 01:44:42 am
content: My solution when I was looking for an inexpensive 4 channel DSO was to buy two cheap 2 channel DSOs.

author: andrewwong2000
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 01:49:08 am
content: A blatant plug for my own ad.. I'm selling my very new Rigol 1074S with Aus warranty.. Upgraded to a different class of scope but there is nothing wrong with using a 1074!Pm me if interested

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 04:11:32 am
content: Quote from: Willem on August 03, 2014, 01:22:19 amThe problem is when you need it, you usually need it right then and there.

author: MattSR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 06:58:04 am
content: Damn, just when I had decided on a 2072, I see there's a new entry level model in the Z series! EEVblog - how's does the Z series compare with the 2000 series?

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 07:29:00 am
content: Imo, currently the best combination for "enthusiast" grade scopes are DS1074Z + good old 100 Mhz or above analog scope which if you're lucky can be sourced for < $100.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 09:51:56 am
content: Quote from: MattSR on August 03, 2014, 06:58:04 amAlready been mentioned, and also much discussion on the forum.The Z has 4 channels standard, and most of the features of the 2000, but a really small screen.So you trade a bigger screen, a bit better usability, less max bandwidth, and the 500uV mode for the lower price and smaller size.

author: petieken
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 09:31:45 pm
content: I was also in the same situation as you a few months ago, DS2072 or DS1074Z. Eventually I went for the 1074z, as I would be stretching my budget for the DS2072 and I don't need the higher bandwidth....yet.I'm also a hobbyist who is teaching himself with the help of textbooks and a breadboard. At first I thought I wouldn't use the extra channels much but when trying to understand some circuits it's very nice to see what the signal is doing at various points in the circuit without having to switch probes.I've also used those channels a few times as a 4 channel "logic analyzer"

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 10:22:15 pm
content: This topic comes up fairly often. Made same sort of decision some time ago. Went for the DS1074Z (instead of DS2074) because of 4 channels & lower price.The choice of 2 vs 4 channels really depends on what you want to do with it. For example I recently used the 4 channels for 2 logic channels (H-bridge) and the other 2 as a poor man's differential probe using the A-B math function.The smaller screen matter depends on your eyesight. Personally I can work with it just fine, but I can imagine other people would prefer a larger screen. Hell, for exactly the same price I'd also rather have the 8" screen, but can't have everything...

author: Chipset
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 08:30:49 am
content: BW and options aren't a problem because hacking the scopes is piss easy.I recently had the same choice as you and went for the 1074z. I often wonder if I should have gotten the 2000 series for the larger screen and such, but if I had I just know I would instead be kicking myself over spending a couple hundred bux more for two fewer channels. In the end you won't be completely happy, the grass is always greener on the other side etc. All I can say is given the circumstances I'm very happy with my 1074z and hacking it really is trivial.