Considering buying a Rigol DSA815-TG spectrum analyzer .. opinions, etc.? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: KC9KEP
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 27, 2012, 06:58:24 pm
content: Hello all,I've been considering purchasing one of these Rigol DSA815-TG spectrum analyzers.http://www.rigolna.com/products/spectrum-analyzers/dsa800/dsa815-tg/They go for around $1500.It sounds expensive until one compares to Agilent equipment which isreally nice stuff but very high priced.Has anyone else considered this analyzer? (I have already purchased a Rigol Scope.)And, does anyone know where I could get the best price on one of these units?Thanks!--KC9KEPPS: I tried posting this topic before, but my computer kicked me out of this site which it perceives as "phishing")

author: clarksnel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 27, 2012, 09:19:25 pm
content: I am also looking into Rigol equipment and it seems impressive for the price. One comment that I think I heard here was that many of the feature in the Rigol line are not well developed (poor software, weak support, where to get repairs and calibrations done, etc.) Anyone out there who has experience with these issues please chime in. Agilent may be high priced but one thing that I have always found is their stuff is good and well thought out. I have always found good support from Agilent directly and just about everybody will fix it even if it is really old. Can the same be said about Rigol? If the support infrastructure is not there then for a professional lab like mine I can't take the risk and will have to find a way to pay the Agilent price.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 27, 2012, 10:04:05 pm
content: Apart from the support issues, nothing else can beat the Rigol SA in this price range. In fact there is nothing else in this price range at all.If you need/want a basic SA and this is all you can afford, then get it. It's very impressive for the price.Dave.

author: KC9KEP
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 27, 2012, 11:50:17 pm
content: clarksnel,Yes, I agree 100%. Agilent is absolutely the Cadillac of test equipment and I have absolute respect fortheir excellent products and service!But, I cannot justify the cost for my home hobby use, hence the interest in Rigol :-)I'd be using the analyzer primarily for homebrew ham transmitters, I.F. filters, sideband filters, and so on ..--KC9KEP

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2012, 04:25:26 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 27, 2012, 10:04:05 pmJust a shame there doesn't seem to be an NZ dealer :-(Yeah, I can get it from Oz but the cost of returning it to Oz if it breaks is more than the cost of returning it to China -- and the Oz dollar is pretty damned high right now.I may just wait for a cheaper 3GHz model from Rigol. 1.5GHz is okay but (as I've mentioned before), there's a lot of use for an SA that reaches up through 2.4GHz.

author: clarksnel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 28, 2012, 02:47:58 pm
content: Dave,It sound like you have heard the support concerns before. Are the local country reps handling support or do all of it need to go back to china? I am in the US, are there people who will work on the stuff if it break here?As mentioned before, for the price it looks like great stuff. I would love to have a hobby shop but can't justify it when I have a professional shop at my disposal. With that said my professional shop is not stock with all equipment that I needs for all of the new tests that I am being required to make. Being a small company and trying to grow within our means it is hard to afford all that we need cash. Agilent has some really good leasing deals going on right now (0%, 18 month lease with a $1 by out at the end) so we will probably use that for some or needs.Thanks for the nice equipment review that I have watch so far.Clark

author: gregariz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2012, 06:40:00 pm
content: Quote from: KC9KEP on November 27, 2012, 11:50:17 pmYour only other option would be to buy a 90's model HP starting around 1500. These are still in common use in industry.

author: KC9KEP
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 28, 2012, 07:02:22 pm
content: Well, I *do* have a vintage HP 8558B but the horizontal sweep doesn't want to auto-sweep.I can rotate the manual knob left & right and see the trace. But, of course, this is just an analyzer andprovides no stimulus. And, it's big and heavy! :-)So, this am, I've just ordered the Rigol analyzer with tracking generator. I think the model is DSA815-TG.Heck .. 'Yah can't take it with you ..'73--KC9KEP

author: kg4arn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 30, 2012, 12:38:22 am
content: Quote from: KC9KEP on November 28, 2012, 07:02:22 pmCongratulations and welcome to the magical world of the RF frequency domain

author: jh15
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2012, 05:38:35 am
content: I would like to know if the unit is certified to NIST for testing broadcast FM transmitter to FCC 73.317 compliance, and an antenna characterized with NIST to do this with the dsa815.This would involve measuring out of band attenuation, and of course give me justification to buy a new toy, oops! tool.Still looking into if I need a calibrated or home-brew antenna.

author: jimeagle
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 05, 2013, 02:48:41 am
content: I doubt that the DSA815-TG is certified for the uses you mentioned though it certainly can be used for development of antennas or pre-certification evaluation of broadcast equipment before spending money on a certified lab.