Siglent SDS2104X+ vs. Rigol MSO5074 - display readability - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: sbrom
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 02:45:51 pm
content: I own aSiglent SDS1104X-E. It’s a fine ‘scope, but to my eyes thedisplay text is hard to readat normal working distance (too small).From avisibility perspectivewhich is a better upgrade? Both are attractively on sale :-)Siglent SDS2104X PlusorRigol MSO5074?

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 05:19:30 pm
content: I have both the 1104 and the 2104, but not the Rigol.The 2104 Siglent is a easier to read than the 1104 due to the larger size, however I don't find the 1104 all that hard to read.Maybe these scope should allow font size adjustments.

author: mushroom
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 05:28:18 pm
content: Same for me. Readability is not great on the SDS1000.Considering one of those flat Fresnel lenses. They where pretty common and cheap in the '90s for 14" monitors, and worked pretty well (used one for some time, before I switched to 17").Using the scope through the network and a browser, duplicating the display on a larger monitor, could also be considered before spending big bucks... (not great, but does work)

author: skander36
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 05:55:12 pm
content: You can indirectly(filmed) compare here :But is not a real feel.I don't have Siglent SDS1104X-E, but I think SDS1202X-E is similar. Compared to Rigol 5074 I think the upgrade worth because of the bigger screen 9" vs 7", not because brightness. Also in this way Siglent SDS2104X is a clear winner, because his screen is 10", and does not seem to have a lower brightness than Rigol.Another reason for winning is that SDS2104X is curently in a promotion that challenge price supremacy of Rigol 5074.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 06:17:05 pm
content: QuoteMade my day..

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 07:53:40 pm
content: Quote from: sbrom on November 16, 2022, 02:45:51 pmHave you attempted to change any settings in the Display menu to improve readability ?

author: sbrom
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 08:07:18 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on November 16, 2022, 07:53:40 pmYes, good suggestion! I tried optimizing the ‘scope but it comes down to my aging eyes…. I have reading glasses but the range at which they work is optimal for my laptop screen (for programming), the scope is farther away.

author: sbrom
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 08:14:05 pm
content: Quote from: skander36 on November 16, 2022, 05:55:12 pmThanks, I’ve checked the video and the Siglent does seem to have a slight visibility edge. I can get all-in with the Rigol for $900 (5074 model for $800 + $100 homemade logic cable). All-in for the Siglent is $1200 (SDS1204 for $1K + $219 LA license and cable). Tough decision, the Siglent is worth it, but my wallet says think hard first.

author: skander36
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 10:53:43 pm
content: I'm not a financial advisor, but if I really want a good scope I will buy the scope now, and after a short period (for refilling the wallet) I will invest in a logic cable. In the meantime I will uise a 8 $ chinese Saleae clone, for digital signals ( with Sigrock will decode much more protocols than a scope).Or if I have a neighbour student I will ask him to help me(Tequipment).

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 11:06:11 pm
content: Quote from: skander36 on November 16, 2022, 10:53:43 pmWell if you could see the real savings of the MSO promotion you may have another POV.It’s one hell of a deal compared to normal RRP.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 11:26:07 pm
content: Have you checked with an optometrist?Quote from: mushroom on November 16, 2022, 05:28:18 pmYeah, either use the HDMI on the Rigol or the Ethernet on the Siglent to an external monitor, would result in the largest text size.Getting a larger screen scope, will increase some font sizes a bit, but may still not be enough for OP.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 12:17:19 am
content: Elder man as I am, I can´t live anymore with 7" screens...The 9"of my former owned rigol was a huge step, the 10" of my siglents another - But the 15.4" of our lecroy waverunner are too much,.12.1", the size of our lecroy HDO6034A, was the perfect one in every case...

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 06:31:23 am
content: Quote from: sbrom on November 16, 2022, 08:14:05 pmBoth of them have HDMI output so you add a 20" screen for not much money. I think that would be the real solution rather than trying to compare tiny differences in pixels on Youtube.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 02:13:18 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 17, 2022, 06:31:23 amThe SDS2104XP has no HDMI output.

author: colorado.rob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 03:32:52 pm
content: Quote from: BillyO on November 17, 2022, 02:13:18 pmProbably *the* main thing that kept me from buying one months ago.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 08:29:20 pm
content: A "bigger screen" you can get via webinterface.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 08:49:50 pm
content: Quote from: Martin72 on November 17, 2022, 08:29:20 pmThat's the only option, port the display to a PC with LAN and the inbuilt webserver as they used the rear cover from the earlier 2000X whereas the 5000X was a new design and offered a VGA output.2000X HD also has no display output other than via the webserver so currently only 5000X with VGA or SDS6000A with HDMI and their webservers offer the whole package to port the display to a larger screen.

author: sbrom
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 09:40:13 pm
content: Thanks to all respondents for some creative and well-considered suggestions.I lean toward the Rigol - lower net cost and built-in HDMI port. If the display is too small I’ll add an external HDMI monitor.Final decision early December.What a great site EEvblog!

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 09:57:29 pm
content: Quote from: Martin72 on November 17, 2022, 08:29:20 pmExactly. And you can also monitor and control it remotely. The other day I used AnyDesk to show a friend of mine a waveform I had captured from a memory device. We were able to control the scope and look at the history. All being 30KM away.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 10:29:28 pm
content: Quote from: BillyO on November 17, 2022, 09:57:29 pmA Oregon beta tester opened a port for us in NZ and we were operating his instrument and grabbing screenshots from the other side of the world !

author: skander36
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 10:45:16 pm
content: For Rigol 5K, HDMI is a plus as it also has Web interface.I don't understand why Siglent 2k does not have HDMI as it cost more.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 10:49:40 pm
content: Quote from: skander36 on November 17, 2022, 10:45:16 pmIt is also more scope.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 10:59:22 pm
content: Hi,Let´s be honest, the missing video output on several siglent models is a feature lack.Honest the second, only the two highest models got it, one of the two, the 5000X, got an ancient VGA output...VGA in times where every new monitor got hdmi only...And honest the last, yes, having the webinterface is a fine thing, remote control and external visibility, no question.BUT:The mentioned rigol got it too AND a hdmi output...I like my siglent very much and my former siglent scope too plus I don´t need a external monitor output, because I´m sitting 50cm from the 10" screen away.But some people want to have a external connection without using LAN and then siglent will lost in this case.Sad but true because nearly everything else is better with a siglent.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 11:28:04 pm
content: Quote from: BillyO on November 17, 2022, 10:49:40 pmKind of a meaningless statement, its better in some ways worse in others. Better screen, better noise, 4x less wfm/s (in normal mode), 4x less sample rate:https://www.tequipment.net/Rigol/MSO5074/Digital-Oscilloscopes/https://siglentna.com/product/sds2104x-plus/

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 11:49:33 pm
content: Well, it depends on the question if worse is really worse, especially what the hunting of wfms/s concerns.Samplerate is another thing, we got lecroy waverunners here, which got 500Mhz bandwith and 500MSa/s max.That would be a fine idea for a new thread - having more samplerate, benefits in practice.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2022, 12:06:00 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on November 17, 2022, 11:28:04 pm4x less sample rate (for1 channelon the Rigol) while the Siglent has 4X more vertical resolution for all 4 channels. For me I'll give up 4x waveforms for 4x vertical resolution every day and all day. And lower noise? That is pretty significant. So your Rigol can capture 450K history pages over the Siglent's 95K pages. Have you every tried going through 95K history pages? It takes many hours. 450K would take days .. no one in their right mind is going to use that feature.Memory depth? 200Mpts for each 2 channels on Siglent .. On the the Rigol 200Mpts shared across 4 channels.Screen size? 10.1" for Siglent .. 9" for RigolTime Base 10x more precise on Siglent (1ppm vs 10ppm on Rigol)External trigger in, trigger out and pass/fail simultaneously on Siglent .. Trigger out OR fass/fail on Rigol (no both and no ext. trigger). This another hugely important thing.Built in WFG? 50MHz on Siglent .. 25MHz on RigolVastly more configurable FFT on Siglent.Maximum BW? 500MHz on Siglent .. 350MHz on Rigol.I could go on ..The Rigol is a nice scope, but the Siglent is just plain a better scope.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2022, 12:29:55 am
content: We struggling into OT....QuoteSames as samplerate - means what in practice?QuoteYes, but rigol got TWO channels AWG independent from each other (if you want to)and fully armed (Modulation).And so on, and so on...we should stop the comparison via specsheets.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2022, 12:56:34 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on November 18, 2022, 12:06:00 amI already mentioned the screen.400Mpts vs 200Mpts yes. 500MHz vs 350MHz, yes. Which seems fair for the $200 increase in price.It doesn't have 4x the vertical resolution, both are 8-bit.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2022, 01:16:48 am
content: Quote from: Martin72 on November 18, 2022, 12:29:55 amNo, I disagree. This is about repeatability and precision in measurement. Especially when you are getting into measurements in the single ns range (or even 100s of ps)Quote from: Martin72 on November 18, 2022, 12:29:55 amOkay, I'll give you that, but only because I use a much better external WFG anyway (can the Rigol even control an external WFG?).Quote from: Martin72 on November 18, 2022, 12:29:55 amI dunno. Specifications for test/measurement equipment are pretty paramount. Besides, I enjoy bench racing ..

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2022, 01:20:49 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on November 18, 2022, 12:56:34 amNo, the SDS2004XP has a 10 bit mode. Mind you it's at a lower bandwidth (100MHz) but it is there.That's what I'm saying though, the Siglent justifies it's higher price.

author: sbrom
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2022, 04:07:07 pm
content: Quote from: sbrom on November 17, 2022, 09:40:13 pmI decided on the Rigol. Lower cost ($799 US) and what appeared (to me) as a more intuitive UI were ultimately the deciding factors.After a day of “playing” I’m very happy with the Rigol MSO5074. The 9 inch display characters are easy to read and bright enough. Equally important: I felt immediately comfortable with the controls and operation. It reminds me of the Tektronix digital scopes I used in firmware development 20 years ago.Thanks again to all who chimed in with comments and suggestions!