Equipment Purchase Questions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: dolivas27
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2018, 09:15:58 am
content: Ok looking for some input on following equipment purchase.These are the items I am looking to purchase at the end of the month or the first of next month. I am also look for suggestion on the best place to purchase the items from.Agilent 34461AThis will be my first bench meter I have looked at the Rigol DM3068 but for the extra money I think the Agilent is a better unit? Are there others in this price range or a little more I should be looking at?Rigol DS1054ZThis will be my first scope in probably 20 years and for the cost I think it should be fine for me right now. Looks like TEquipment has the best pricing on this unit?Rigol DP832 or Instek GPE-3323Really not sure on this one is the Rigol worth the extra money? They both seems to get positive reviews. I don’t mind spending the extra money if the Rigol is better unit this will be my first bench power supply.Thanks,Dean

author: dolivas27
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2018, 08:57:34 pm
content: Really no one has any options?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2018, 09:05:18 pm
content: Quote from: dolivas27 on February 17, 2018, 08:57:34 pmOf course !None of the above but what else would I recommend.https://www.siglentamerica.com/digital-multimeters/sdm3065x-6-%C2%BD-digits-dual-display-digital-multimeters/https://www.siglentamerica.com/digital-oscilloscopes/sds1000x-e-series-super-phosphor-oscilloscopes/https://www.siglentamerica.com/power-supplies/spd3303x-spd3303x-e-series-programmable-dc-power-supply/All good units that have served my customers well.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2018, 09:32:38 pm
content: Quote from: dolivas27 on February 16, 2018, 09:15:58 amThe Keysight 34461A DMM isn't that much more expensive once you start spending money and you'll get the real deal + good customer service.When it comes to the bench power supply I think the GPE-3323 is a good buy because of the good price and accurate readback. If you want more features then it is also worth to look at the Keysight E36312A or E36313A power supplies. I took a long hard look at the power supplies from Rigol and Siglent but in the end their features didn't really justify the extra money for me compared to the GPE-3323. The Keysight E36312A/E36313A OTOH have a low current range which is very nice to measure the current of low power devices accurately without any extra equipment. I ended up buying the E36313A.Regarding the oscilloscope: you should take a look at GW Instek's GDS-2000E and MSO-2000E series. These are several times more expensive compared to the Rigol DS1054Z but do offer more features and mature firmware (=they work as advertised without nasty surprises). Another scope to look at is the MicSig TO1000 series. Less expensive compared to the GW Instek but it still comes with mature firmware and lots of features.

author: rogermanlleu
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 17, 2018, 09:38:18 pm
content: I've tried a few years ago the DS1054Z and it is good value for money, 4 channels, plenty of features, but its user interface is not very responsive, it is rather slow and therefore I can't recommend it. If 4 channels is not that important I would go for a DS2070, it is hackable and fast.In the other hand a 34461A seems a very good meter. You might want to consider as well a Fluke 8845A which has similar specs. 34461A runs Windows CE and has a TFT display, 8845A doesn't run Windows, has a VFD display and can do dual measurement. Actually 34461A is a more modern instrument, but I found a good deal for a 8845A on ebay and order it instead (still waiting it arrives!).About the power supply, the Rigol DP832 is programmable while the GW-3323 is not. I would certainly look for a programmable power supply.

author: DaJMasta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2018, 09:59:50 pm
content: I love my 34461A - yes it has comparable specs to generation or two older 6.5 digit meters that can be had for a lot cheaper, but the graphic display and most notably, the trend charts, are just such a handy feature. I love having that kind of analysis functionality without having to own specialty software or code up anything on a computer - you can just see the trend as it happens on the instrument.Not that there aren't other current generation meters that do the same, but the 34461A is one of the cheaper ones with the feature and it does it well.For the scope, the siglent 1104x-e or 1204x-e should be considered, at least, though I think the Rigol is still a fine option.In the same way, the DP832 is a good unit, but Siglent's SPD3033X-E is a bit cheaper and is similar in most ways in terms of specs and performance. I've got one of the Siglents and have been happy with it, but again I think either would be a good choice - those are basically the two it came down to for me when I was looking and then I found a deal.

author: BillB
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 17, 2018, 11:08:13 pm
content: +1 for the Siglent stuff. Just picked up an SPD3033X-E, SDS1104X-E, and SDM3045X and am very pleased with the price vs. performance.