Good Inexspensive probes fo 25 mhz siglent. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: rwgast_lowlevellogicdesin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 08:10:28 pm
content: I just bought thishttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/(fs-eu)-siglent-sds-1022dl-digital-storage-scope/. I need a decent scope BADLY i currently us thishttps://www.parallax.com/product/32220]https://www.parallax.com/product/32220 its great for anything under 1mhz especially since it has a 12bit ADC! But im growing out of it and have been for some time. So this siglent seemed to be areasonably priced next step up!My question is my probes:Are these probes good?? or are they cheapies?My probes are pvc wire and im pretty impressed with probe master, there DMM probes are great plus im so close I get it there stuff overnight for 5 bucks! Im looking at these, is the 10:1 model like my probes.http://probemaster.com/3900-series-scope-probes/are these much better or should I be looking at something else, I do lot of RF and low noise stuff and none of these probe come with ground springs! Also a probe with 20mhz bandwidth at the 1 ratio would be nice!

author: rwgast_lowlevellogicdesin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 08:31:00 pm
content: These also look ok... come with ground springs!http://ast-labs.com/shop/cable_alligator/200mhz-1x-10x-oscilloscope-probe-hp-tektronix/?gclid=Cj0KEQjw9o-vBRCO0OLi2PfPkI8BEiQA8pdF4MhdoVv8FNB-s9jQqv6D01Jd9HZozNB9yB9QO2Tp1UAaAqdN8P8HAQ

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 08:33:56 pm
content: Which version of the pictured probes do you currently have? If it's the 20 MHz model, you will obviously losing a bit of signal at the high end of your scope's frequency range. But even then, it does not mean that the probe will not let anything pass beyond 20 MHz. Just expect a 3dB drop in signal level or so.Hence, even if you have the 20 MHz probes, I would keep them and use them for now. If you have the 40 MHz model or better, even better -- I would certainly keep using them. For a 25 MHz scope, they should be fine.You will probably not see terrible problems from the ground leads. Why don't you try a comparison with some signal of interest, using first the standard ground lead, then an improvised ground spring? (Remove the hook tip, roll your own ground spring from a bit of copper wire, give it a try.) If you feel the difference is significant for your work, you can probably get some replacement ground springs -- while the diameter of the ground ring round the tip is not standardized, I think there are not too many different diameters around.

author: rwgast_lowlevellogicdesin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 08:39:44 pm
content: they are the 20mhz ones, just checked the probe :/

author: JackP
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 08:45:40 pm
content: As ebastler mentioned - keep them, or at least use them in the meantime while you buy some higher frequency probes. At 20MHz, they aren't really going to limit you in any significant way (at least much more than the scope's bandwidth).

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 08:54:58 pm
content: I bought these and like 'em:http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-100MHz-Oscilloscope-Scope-analyzer-Clip-Probe-test-leads-kit-for-HP-Tektronix-/161591604294?hash=item259f9c3446At this price I bought two sets.They don't come with the ground clips although I have one from another probe.As for finding a probe that will do 20 Mhz at 1X ...yeah...I wouldn't hold my breath

author: rwgast_lowlevellogicdesin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 09:54:28 pm
content: Well what do u guys think of the probe master stuff i love th company. Are they pricey for what they are? Ive looked all over is there anywayy to unlock a siglent? If it was 50mhz itd be perfect.

author: JackP
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 10:11:49 pm
content: For you and me, I don't personally think they are. $50 is one third of the whole scope, and for simple proof of concepts I don't believe they are a worthwhile purchase. Having said that, no money spent on quality tools is wasted, and with a minimum bandwidth of 125MHz and high quality build, they will last you a long time and have no detriment on your current measuring setup. For a professional (who NEEDS traceable, accurate results) yes, they are a must for low frequency work.I did some research, and found this (http://probemaster.com/4900-basic-kit-passive-probe/) table of their products. It appears that they do relatively high bandwidth fixed 1x probes for about $50, which does seem very reasonable, and I think for your application, then they could be worth the upfront cost. Of course I don't know the application, but I'm guessing from your mention of it. Think if you need this feature though.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 31, 2015, 10:21:06 pm
content: I used to recommend the P6*** YPioneer probes, they are cheap and reasonable quality BUT honestly the OEM probes from Siglent are better and very well priced. PB470 RRP US$9. Hard to beat IMHO.http://www.siglentamerica.com/prodcut-fjxx.aspx?fjid=355&id=26&tid=1&T=2I'd add the OEM Siglent probes have insulated BNC's.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 01:08:34 am
content: Quote from: rwgast_lowlevellogicdesin on August 31, 2015, 09:54:28 pmAFAIK nobody has spent the time to find out how.If you want to start that process and thread I'm sure you'll get some help and interest.

author: SkyMaster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 02:10:57 am
content: Quote from: rwgast_lowlevellogicdesin on August 31, 2015, 08:10:28 pmQuote from: JackP on August 31, 2015, 10:11:49 pm$36.00 for the 3900 Series Scope Probe and $52.00 for the 4900 Basic Kit- Passive Probe; this is not expensive at all, especially if they are made in USA.You can also get accessories, and probably spare parts, from Probe Master.From Probe Master website:By re-investing company profits in tooling and special molds, we are now able to offer a complete line of oscilloscope probes, test leads and accessories.Probe Master has been an individually owned, self financed company since 1980. Our goal is not to look toward high quarterly profits, but rather to build a solid company, where our employees can work with pride and feel they contribute. Today, we may not be as big as Tek and H.P., but like them we are proud of our "U.S.A. made" products.

author: rwgast_lowlevellogicdesin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 02:32:09 am
content: Does the siglent even have a payed upgrade feature, printed manuals looked at site cant find it.. Id like to unlock the scope but im not sure how. I reverse engineer and crack PC stuff using IDA pro and ollyDebug for fun... but this may be alot harder. IDK maybe dumping the firmware is easy I have no idea what chips they use! Apparently these are the same as lecroy wave runners. Id be willing to pay for a 50/100mhz upgrade though.Btw TEequitment has siglent 70mhz probes at 8 a pop, but the cheapest shipping is like 12 bucks, so buying the siglents come out to be as much as probe master.... Unless I want to wait around on some aliexpress ebay stuff from china.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 02:43:52 am
content: Quote from: rwgast_lowlevellogicdesin on September 01, 2015, 02:32:09 amNot ATM, although this option is being included in recent FW.QuoteThey might be.But there are 4 versions of the SDS1000 series, the DL being the lowest spec'ed with the least sampling speed and 32 Kpts of memory. You'd be best advised to compare specs.http://www.siglentamerica.com/pdxx.aspx?id=26&T=2&tid=1

author: rwgast_lowlevellogicdesin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 05:18:22 am
content: So what kind of real hope these scopes will get bandwidth upgrades, theyve been out for a long time.....

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 05:38:36 am
content: Quote from: rwgast_lowlevellogicdesin on September 01, 2015, 05:18:22 amSorry there has been no indication of when BW upgrades from Siglent might be enabled for existing products.I can inquire but stuff like this is usually guarded with secrecy.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 06:41:51 am
content: rwgast -- my recommendation is not to buy any new probes now. Chances are that, sooner rather than later, you will find yourself looking towards a scope upgrade: More bandwidth, maybe four channels and/or a logic analyser section... That new scope will likely come with probes, and then you will have a slow scope andtwosets of probes to unload.Hence, why not use your current scope and probes productively, learn what you like about the setup and what you find limiting, save the "new probes" money towards a new scope -- and then make an informed decision in a few months or so?On the other hand, most of us have been there (I certainly have), so I can understand your current drive towards upgrading your probes immediately: The affliction is called "gear acquisition syndrome".

author: rwgast_lowlevellogicdesin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 12:22:47 pm
content: LOL ya im still undecided on weather to just buy some cheapies and call it a day or get the last probe masters ill ever buy for for most any scope! The scope doesnt have the probes and mine are 5mhz under bandwidth.

author: rwgast_lowlevellogicdesin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2015, 01:59:53 pm
content: I got two brand new 100mhz AVEX-510 probes for 30 bucks, is this a good deal I dont think avex is american so I had a hard time doing my research but they had nice looking strain relief, multiple accessories and were still in boxes.EDIT: Looks to be about 40 a probe...