Which one should I buy Siglent SDS1202X-E 200Mhz or Hantek DSO5202P 200Mhz - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: suryaputhra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 07:23:27 am
content: Hello expertsSiglent SDS1202X-E 200Mhz 379USDHantek DSO5202P 200Mhz 274USDApart from price Siglent offers serial decoding and 14mpts memory depth but Hantek offers 24K apart from serial decoding does this low 24K is an issue. Thanks in advance.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 07:44:25 am
content: Quote from: suryaputhra on August 16, 2017, 07:23:27 amOf course any comment from me may seem biased so I add those of a long time member with many decades of experience:Quote from: rf-loop on December 29, 2014, 09:18:53 amFurther info to help you decide can be found in other threads if you use a search.Here's just one:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/owon-xds3202e-vs-siglent-sds1202x-e/

author: suryaputhra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 07:59:09 am
content: I had gone through many threads on the eevblog but again confused on the decision so opened new thread to get conclusive answer.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 08:04:24 am
content: Quote from: suryaputhra on August 16, 2017, 07:59:09 amDownload each datasheet and study them carefully comparing each spec and then one or the other will stand out for sure.The SDS1202X-E are selling very well...........why would that be ?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 08:32:36 am
content: @suryaputhra:I would leave Owon and Hantek in the shop because they are riddled with bugs which never get fixed. Siglent and Rigol are slightly better but it may still take years before all the bugs get fixed.What do you need the scope for? Hobby or work? Which features do you require? Most scopes will display a signal just fine but the cheaper scopes usually fail when it comes to features like measurements, maths and decoding because the firmware isn't thouroughly tested by the manufacturer.

author: suryaputhra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 08:54:08 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 16, 2017, 08:32:36 amThis is for small enterprise company work

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 09:11:43 am
content: Quote from: suryaputhra on August 16, 2017, 08:54:08 amIf that is the case then good support from the product distributor should be a consideration and part of the decision, unfortunately it's an important aspect that is quite often taken for granted until assistance is required, saving a hundred bucks now could cost you more in the long run particularly for a business who depends on this equipment being reliable.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 09:56:53 am
content: I run a small business and I own the SDS1202X-E, I've very happy with it. It's a new scope that uses a Zynq 7020 FPGA at its heart, that is a VERY powerful device that makes the Siglent a delight to use. It has had 1 firmware update and another is on the way (apparently), it also has a nice FFT feature that maybe the Hantek does not.I paid right around $350 US for mine so maybe there's a discount to be had that you haven't found yet? The serial decode alone is worth the extra $100 and the deep memory clinches the decision IMHO.I own 2 other scopes, a 2-channel Rigol MDO2072A and an Agilent MSO7104B, both are embedded in my test bench stack and both cost more than the Siglent (way more in the case of Agilent) but the SDS1202X-E is my portable scope, I put it in the back of the car and take it to client sites without worrying that it might be stolen or broken.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 09:57:26 am
content: Quote from: suryaputhra on August 16, 2017, 08:54:08 amThen I'd spend some more and get a scope which works for sure especially if it is going to be your daily use (primary) oscilloscope. There is nothing more frustrating than having a tool which doesn't deliver when it has to (been there, done that). Also consider getting a 4 channel (or MSO) model if you work with digital circuits.

author: suryaputhra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 10:20:31 am
content: MR(Materiel requirement department) shortlisted these two models only based on the allotted budget so need to select between these two only. So the question which one to select Pros and cons.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 10:21:42 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 16, 2017, 09:57:26 amA long time ago I watched a quality training film where the presenter made the point that quality simply meansmeeting the requirement; he used the example of a small economy car vs a Rolls Royce, pointing out that most people would say that the RR is a quality car but the economy car is not but, if the economy car does what yourequire; starts when you turn the key, gets you from A to B, andmeets your budget requirements, then it too is a quality car.I paid $350 for my SDS1202X-E and it'smeeting my requirements. Last week I needed 4 channels so I used my $10,000 Agilent MSO7104B but that didn't make me think that the SDS1202X-E was a bad purchase. For a 2-channel, 200 MHz scope with free serial decoding and deep memory, it's hard to beat. Oh and I can report that yes, the SDS1202X-E actually works.

author: borjam
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 10:27:18 am
content: Quote from: suryaputhra on August 16, 2017, 10:20:31 amI can only vouch for the cheap oscilloscopes I have actually tried. These are the Rigol DS1000Z and the SDS1202X-E. Both are useful for my purposes.Maybe you can share some of your requirements (I understand that you want a 200 MHz scope, which rules out the Rigol DS1000Z) and we can answer wether they hit good or bad points for each model. However I have absolutely no experience with the Hantek.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 11:05:18 am
content: Quote from: Gandalf_Sr on August 16, 2017, 10:21:42 amDid you do a full functional test?You keep harping on the SDS1202X-E works great for you but you don't even use it as your daily scope. Why not? Why not get rid of your Agilent and Rigol scopes if the Siglent is so great? The OP is clearly asking for a scope for daily use and not one which is not a big loss when it gets damaged or stolen.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 11:25:50 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 16, 2017, 11:05:18 amYou keep 'harping on' with statements like...Quotewhich I thought was misleading because it implies that cheap scopes don't work - I have news for you, they do.Have I tested every last feature of my SDS1202X-E? No. Have I tested every last feature of my MSO7104B or any other piece of test equipment I own? No. It's possible that there are bugs in both scopes and it's likely that Agilent did more thorough testing than Siglent but I would expect nothing less from a scope that cost 28 times as much.I do use the SDS1202X-E as my daily scope and 90% of my requirements are met by it but that doesn't mean that I should get rid of my 4 channel, 1 GHz bandwidth one although the thought has crossed my mind.The original question was should the poster buy Hantek or Siglent - I chipped in with my experiences of the Siglent but I don't believe you own either.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 11:37:54 am
content: I have owned a Siglent SDS2204 scope and I ended up selling it for scrap (and losing 1700 euro in the process) because the firmware wasn't useable for any real work. Even today the firmware isn't bug free for the SDS2204. The same goes for my Siglent SDG1010. When I got it, I installed Lecroy's firmware on it because Siglent's own firmware was even more crappy. It has taken years until Siglent got rid of most bugs but there are still things which don't work (like log sweep).So when I bought a new scope (a GW Instek GDS-2204E) I did a full functional test on it to see if it actually worked (which it did albeit after some bug fixes I received within 4 weeks) before deciding to keep it.If you need a scope for work you need one which doesn't throw you surprises at least convenient times. Example which happened with the SDS2204. I took it to a customer to look at a CAN bus. Turns out triggering on specific CAN message IDs didn't work!That just reflects bad on someone because:A) you have shitty toolsB) you don't know how to use your toolsC) A + B

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 11:42:25 am
content: Quote from: Gandalf_Sr on August 16, 2017, 10:21:42 amLucky you, having a fancy 4-channel 'scope available.This isn't an option for a hobbyist at home. Choosing a 2-channel scope could be a mistake.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 12:12:17 pm
content: I do consider myself lucky although the purchase of the MSO7104B was a MAJOR purchase decision that was made in part because I'd had a really good year and any purchases I made would be offset against taxes.I grew up in the UK as a poor hobbyist and I always look for value for money; my Siglent SDS1202X-E has worked well for me and seems to offer good performance at a very reasonable price. Clearly nctnico has had a bad experience with his Siglent SDS2204 and that has (reasonably) made him suspicious of Siglent quality - I own 2 pieces of Siglent test gear (I also have an SPD3303X-E power supply) and they are both good quality IMHO.If I could only afford to own 1 scope, I might go for a 4 channel model but the OP asked about 2 specific 2-channel scopes. I would add that, for bus decoding, scopes are good for seeing the actual waveform is good - and yes this can be done on 2 channels (4 is better), but for actual traffic capture there are many $10-$20 tools available that would be more useful like the (quirky) Bus Pirate or the cheap $10 logic analyzer clones from eBay used with SigRok.Peace brothers! Live long and prosper.

author: suryaputhra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 12:24:28 pm
content: Hello Experts,Our company manufactures Multi functional three 3 phase energy meters, power supplies for various industrial needs. flow meters, FCU control units, SMPS power modules. We should deal with various kinds of micro controllers, ICs and as you know other parts this our work. So suggest suitable scope.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 12:48:35 pm
content: It does sound like you'd be better off with a 4-channel scope. There are many 4 Ch scopes available, Rigol DS4024 or (premium used)Keysight MSOX2024A on eBay- both in the $2,000 to $3,000 range.Do you have a budget limit? If you can run to $3,000 then I'd recommend the MSOX2024A with the application bundleDSOX2APPBNDLfor $1,250. Note that all the Keysight scopes on eBay have a [Make Offer] option and most people find they'll accept 90% of the asking price, this would put your company right around $3,000 for a 4-channel scope with full manufacturers warranty, all original accessories, and official I2C, SPI, CAN, LIN, RS232 serial decode and 20 MHz wavegen + more for a very reasonable price.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 01:23:08 pm
content: The Keysight MSOX2000 series isn't bad but another good option is the GW Instek MSO2000 series. The price is around $2000 for the most complete model. It has deeper memory, faster & longer FFT, input filtering, internal storage, dual waveform generator and some other extra features.

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 01:38:05 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 16, 2017, 01:23:08 pmNot really. It is digital side post processing filtering. This do not prevent ADC aliasing at all.

author: suryaputhra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 01:40:04 pm
content: Hi Experts, high end models suggested by you are there in the company's Design and manufacturing head quarters. The scopes in question are for field executives mainly at service centres. That is the reason MR dept shortlisted cheaper models. If you feel even for service work these short listed models not suitable then suggest us suitable cheaper models. Thanks in advance.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 02:07:00 pm
content: Quote from: suryaputhra on August 16, 2017, 07:59:09 amBut, later, you provided a couple of important points that make all the difference in the world!These scopes are for field service and cheap is a criteria.Some of the 'gee whiz' features that are helpful to the hobbyist or lab tech are seldom useful to the field service tech. Mostly, they need to see waveforms. If they don't see the waveform, they replace the board. It is unlikely that anybody does chip level troubleshooting/replacement in the field. The inputs or outputs don't look like, replace the board.Your choices are from a small set of two or three: The Rigol DS1054Z running with 50 MHz capability but 4 channels or the Siglent SDS1202X-E. I doubt that any reputable company would go along with unlocking the DS1054Z so unless 4 channels is an absolute requirement, the Siglent is probably the way to go. You simply can't go wrong with more bandwidth, particularly if you are troubleshooting digital circuits.Buy a few, put them in the field and see what happens. You'll get plenty of feedback whether you want it or not. For certain, the requirements will become a lot more clear.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 02:14:13 pm
content: Quote from: rf-loop on August 16, 2017, 01:38:05 pmWho was talking about ADC aliasing? Input filtering is an extremely usefull feature if you want to look at low level signals which are otherwise masked by other signals. For one of my more recent projects input filtering has been a huge help.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 02:17:03 pm
content: Quote from: suryaputhra on August 16, 2017, 01:40:04 pmIf it is for field service then you should definitely take a look at MicSigs TO1000 tablet scopes. They can be used battery powered, they have a big screen in a relatively thin case and have a touch-screen only interface so no knobs which can be broken off.

author: suryaputhra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 02:44:01 pm
content: Quote from: rstofer on August 16, 2017, 02:07:00 pmYes that is our opinion too. As you said no one will replace chip on the field, we just see wave forms. So I will suggest our MR dept to buy Siglent scopes.ToAll Experts, Thanks for your great suggestions and contribution.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 02:46:26 pm
content: Quote from: suryaputhra on August 16, 2017, 01:40:04 pmI agree withrstofer, given 'cheap' is a key requirement, you can't go wrong with the SDS1202X-E, they are solidly built, have excellent performance in terms of features and bandwidth, and will do the job for a triage-level technician IMHO.I have no association with Siglent but I am an electronic engineer and I am recommending a scope that I own.

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 07:09:38 pm
content: I got mine today and I'm very happy with it, nice instrument.

author: dos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 16, 2017, 10:00:53 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on August 16, 2017, 02:17:03 pmI normally wouldn't touch one with a ten foot pole but for this particular guy's use case it seems like a really great option.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2017, 05:35:31 am
content: Of course, we still don't know what bandwidth is required. It could be some kind of specialized equipment operating up in the GHz range.That's the problem with these threads. We rarely get the full list of requirements up front.

author: suryaputhra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2017, 07:20:47 am
content: Quote from: rstofer on August 17, 2017, 05:35:31 amMost of the components work at 70Mhz.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2017, 07:49:23 am
content: Quote from: suryaputhra on August 17, 2017, 07:20:47 amFor a field tech's instrument then 200 MHz is an appropriate choice especially at this price point.

author: suryaputhra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2017, 01:06:56 pm
content: I had gone through the article "Oscilloscope memory depth: when bigger is not always better" your opinions please.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2017, 01:11:27 pm
content: Quote from: suryaputhra on August 18, 2017, 01:06:56 pmIgnore because it is just marketing wank. More memory is always better but Keysight doesn't have long memory in their entry level models so suddenly long memory is bad.If you let a service engineer save the data from a long trace it might have enough resolution to see the problem.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2017, 01:17:53 pm
content: Quote from: suryaputhra on August 18, 2017, 01:06:56 pmnctnicois correct, more memory is always better