Which waveform generator to choose from these two? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: alexg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2017, 06:47:04 pm
content: Hi All, due to lack of experience and knowledge actually tooI need to ask you for an advice, which of these two waveform generators you think is better?GW Instek AFG-2005 Arbitrary DDS Function Generator:https://www.amazon.com/GW-Instek-AFG-2005-Arbitrary-Generator/dp/B009D6MRK8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1501785825&sr=8-3&keywords=AFG-2005orOwon AG051 5MHz Waveform Generatorhttp://www.testequipmentdepot.com/owon/signal-generators/arbitrary-waveform/5-mhz-single-channel-generator-ag051.htm?gclid=CjwKEAjwk4vMBRCg6PDR27eK72sSJADh-0uzXl0xBYGmCzvZeYTzJkPrOXonAEzA5kDehBKkJ52JKxoCZwHw_wcBThank you.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2017, 07:07:28 pm
content: Did you look at the generators from Feeltech? I think these offer better value for money (and two channels).

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2017, 07:12:23 pm
content: Whilst they both have SYNC outputs - I would only entertain a unit with a dual output, SO much more useful.I have a had a Rigol DG1032Z for the last year - and for the money I'm pretty impressed. Also gets used alot more than I imagined, especially the dual channels.

author: alexg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2017, 07:14:37 pm
content: Thank you for posts, more opinions also welcome, I am researching that is suggest thus far, I asked about those two particular units because I filtered them out on saelig.com based on my budget and I also have a coupon form them to burn.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2017, 10:00:47 pm
content: Quote from: alexg on August 03, 2017, 07:14:37 pmDon't overlook the EEVblog member discount either, you can ask for it here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/equipment-discounts-from-saelig/If you can combine your coupon and the discount you might be able to stretch your spend to a SDG1032X or if not quite that far SDG1010 or even the single channel SDG800 series. All have threads on the forum if you want to research them.Good US support for these ^.

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2017, 01:49:35 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on August 03, 2017, 10:00:47 pmAnd all these all named Siglents beats both of these two generators just hands down and not marginally, they are far over these both.This Owon model do not even have any modulations and it is single channel like SDS805 what have features totally highly over this bottom class Owon. Btw, SDS805 is NOT single channel SDS1000 series. It is much more modern technically, including also Siglent developed EasyPulse technology what do lot of advantages to pulse features.And this GW. 20MSa/s and 10bit resolution! 1 channel, no modulations... this is real bottom class. Best before the date expired years ago.Then there are of course other, more modern soap boxes what every car garage "factories" make and copycat each others... labeled with different names and no one is responsible about nothing. Also here in forum is many examples.Of course also Owon and GW have other better models.But if budget can not go at all over these prices then you need carefully inspect and filter first all total junk toys out. Also using 200 can get acceptable performance. But what ever you select or do, do not touch these two your examples. With your previously told budget or bit more you can get LOT of better, real tools or acceptable toys.

author: alexg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2017, 02:18:24 pm
content: Thank you very much for detailed explanation, as I said I have zero experience in waveform generators so all makes sense now after you explained why, I am retiring the idea of getting those two I mentioned at first post and it does seem like only about a hundred bucks more can get you something much better. Researching all proposed Siglents right now. Thanks everyone for help.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2017, 03:54:59 pm
content: If you can spend more then GW Instek has an interesting model: the MFG-2000 series. Some of these have a built-in RF generator up to 320MHz and an internal power amplifier to drive low impedance loads.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2017, 06:39:57 pm
content: What about the cheaper options, like the JDS6600 or the FY6600? They seem to offer a lot of bang for buck.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2017, 07:24:47 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on August 04, 2017, 06:39:57 pmOne thing is for sure: a beginner can't lose money on these! If you need a better generator later on then it will make an excellent second generator.

author: alexg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 06:52:48 pm
content: Quick update, so after all suggestions I ended up ordering JDS6600 15Mhz off aliexpress and it arrived yesteday, so far so good, no complains so far, works well and does all can demand it to do as of right now, I may of course outgrow it but probably its more than I need for new few years.Thanks all.

author: Diabolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 08:27:37 pm
content: Hello,There is also the new Feeltech FY6600 which is fine.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/feeltech-fy6600-60mhz-2-ch-vco-function-arbitrary-waveform-signal-generator/Regards,Diabolo