Agilent MSOX3104A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 09:34:37 am
content: Hello Agilent loversI would like to buy a Agilent MSOX3104A.Could you share your experience and satisfaction about this scope?And yes did a search on the forum and watch 3 time the review from Dave, I just wait to push the trigger to buy it, it is a very expensive peace of gear.Thanks in advance for your input.eurofox

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 10:52:29 am
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on January 30, 2014, 10:45:17 amI'm retired and electronics is for hobby use. You can wonder why I need 1 GHz bandwidth .... is just because I like to have the best. I have a Tek TDS784D but I like the new technology.I like to repair instrument and start to be good in that and write some code for micro controllers that is why I like to have the 16 digital I/O's.With respect to hacking .... I will see since I don't want to brick the instrument.eurofox

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 11:00:17 am
content: I trust you've seen this - might be a very decent saving over the new price if you can make do with just 2 analogue channels:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/fs-agilent-dsox3102a-1ghz-scope-including-extras/I have the MSOX3054A and love it. I actually find myself using the digital channels much more than I thought I would; much of the work I do involves only one or two channels that really need to be analogue, with the extra channels used for triggering or serial data. The serial decoding capabilities are reliable, responsive and a pleasure to use.For what it's worth, I upgraded from a Tek TDS754D. In terms of outright capabilities they're really not that different - a credit to the Tek - but you're getting a much more portable, quieter instrument that won't warm your lab all on its own. You get deeper memory and much better (optional!) analysis options, of course.It would help to know what you'll be using it for, especially since you'll more than likely need a substantial investment in active probes too. If you're not going to be using high bandwidth probes, then it's a complete waste having a 1GHz scope.Don't forget also that there's still (I believe!) a promotion on where you can order a scope from Agilent and receive the next bandwidth model up - so your 3104A "only" costs the price of a 3054A if you buy new. Or you could do what I did, and get a 3054A from the agilentused Ebay store

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 11:35:39 am
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on January 30, 2014, 11:00:17 amThank you for your comment.I think as well on the Agilent used that is available, I'm just on the edge to buy it, I was just looking here for some positive input to help to push the "buy" button.With respect to the unit for sale on the forum it is to expensive for a 2 channels and I know I don't really need 4 channels, I have a Tek 2465B analog scope with 4 channels + Rigol 1000z with 4 channels as well but it is a pity to buy such an instrument with 2 channels, if for some reason I want to sale it there is a big difference is value.The Tek TDS784D that I have is a full option with extra memory, hard disk etc ...., my only complain is the display size but is is a very nice instrument and I got the 1Ghz probes as well. I suppose I will be able to find a new home for this one, nice cosmetic and technically 100% ok including calibration.I have quite nice lab with top instruments, it is for me a big satisfaction to have this and "play" with it.eurofox

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 02:28:37 pm
content: OK guy's I did it and bought itIncluding LAN interfaceeurofox

author: rfbroadband
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 11:25:00 pm
content: well I guess my post I too late, for that money I was going to suggest an R&S RTM (or even RTO) if you are willing to spend that much money. I owned the MSOX3104 and it is a nice scope (congrats on your purchase), but the FFT is annoyingly bad the way it is implemented. (I2C triggering does not work for Adr > 0x7f, confirmed by Agilent).The new R&S scopes are brilliant in their usability and the FFT works so nicely that you effectively get a free low end SA with the scope. It is the first scope on the market that enables you to set a Res BW when using the FFT mode to reduce the noise floor, like one is used from SA.Anyway congratulations on your purchase.

author: dc101
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 02:30:51 am
content: Too late indeed, but I second the R&S option. I have an RTO-1004 that I bought used from Instrumex GmbH and I love it, it's possibly the greatest scope ever. Like Dave, I'm not sold on touch screen tech, but that's not what makes it great. Like the previous poster mentioned, the FFT is to die for. It's actually like using an spectrum analyzer. By that I mean when you look at the FFT, it actually shows you meaningful data and you can adjust the span, RBW etc... just as you would on an spectrum analyzer. You can even apply a color gradient to it if you chose. Try to adjust the FFT settings on a Tek scope. Forget about it! Knob A to adjust some random setting and knob B to adjust some other setting and still no markings anywhere that tell you what the heck you're looking at. Another thing I love about the scope, segmented memory is a standard feature and is included even on the lowest end scope. I imagine in other respects it's quite similar to Agilent. It uses hardware for decoding/triggering etc... so it's wicked fast even when performing multiple measurements, or decoding SPI/I2C etc.. If people are interested, perhaps I'll do a review on the RTO. There's a number of good videos on the Rohde & Schwarz youtube site, but I've never seen an actual review.-Tim

author: rfbroadband
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 04:34:58 am
content: great to hear that someone else has a similar view on the RTO. I started with the MSOX3104 (used a Tek TDS5104 for many years) then moved to the RTO1004. After using it for a few months, I upgraded to higher bandwidth RTO because I knew this was the scope I will use for an long time to come. dc101, If you do a review and want some help let me know, we could share the work. I compared RTO against the Agilent Infiniium 9000 for one week. Well I am getting off topic here...congratulations again Eurofox on your MSOX3104 scope. It is a nice scope you will have lots of fun with it.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 04:55:47 am
content: I have its baby brother a DSO 3024 and have been very happy with it, I think Agilent's support esp of manuals etc online is very good, to me it seems a bit better than R&S but it just may be my bias toward HP/Agilent/Key……..Enjoy!

author: djghost
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 04:38:26 pm
content: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have the impression the R&S is more to be compared to the 9000 series Agilent : it has 20GSA, ranges from 600Mhz to 4Ghz, has a max 80Ms memory, big screen, etc. These features are nothing like the 3000x.Certainly it looks more recent than the 9000 series...which only calls for an updated 9000x series with capacitive touchscreen etc.

author: rfbroadband
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 05:06:06 pm
content: R&S offers two lines of scopes. You are correct the RTO series is the high end series. The RTM scopes are medium level series (depending how someone defines high end vs medium level). RTOs are available for BW of 600MHz to 4GHz and RTM scopes only up to 500MHz. FFT modes are excellent in both models.

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 07:23:41 pm
content: We are talking about different prices here, the Agilent I bought cost new 12000 Euros + VAT and the equivalent R&S 18000 + VAT.With respect to the better FFT of the R&S and used instead of an SA I have some comment about that, you cannot replace an SA because an oscilloscope use 8 or 9 bits conversion of the analog signal and you cannot compare this to the dynamic of the signal from an SA.eurofox

author: rfbroadband
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 08:04:17 pm
content: It was not my intention to indicate that that scope with good FFT can replace a SA. I agree with you and I think I described key differences between the two types of equipment in another post.What I am trying to get across here is the following: The FFTs on the R&S scope is so extremely good, that you suddenly have a scope that can be used for certain measurements in the frequency domain (I mean measuring -90dBm CW with a scope? who would have thought...). I have the scope next to a spectrum analyzer on my bench and I find that for measurements that don't require the dynamic range, low noise floor and selectivity etc of a SA, I use the scope more often now, especially when I need the scope for other measurements anyway. In addition, you now have basic and useful frequency domain capabilities on 4 channels vs just one in a SA.Based on my experience I can confirm that, until you see that FFT mode on an R&S scope, you will not realize what you are missing. I have used the Tek 5104B for many years, as well as other scopes and for your day to day lab work you just don't use a scope in the frequency domain until now with the R&S scope....A comment on price. Don't compare list prices. R&S is not known for scopes, they have to overcome an (unfair?) perception and many people won't even consider R&S for scopes. In short, R&S will work with you because they want to enter a new market segment. I did not purchase my scope at list price either (would have never done that)....That willingness to be flexible on price will change once they established themselves in that market segment.eurofox, again congratulations on your purchase. I owned exactly that scope, it is a nice scope and I know you will enjoy it.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2014, 08:23:51 pm
content: Agilent MSOX3104A is a good scope if you do not need more than 4Mpoints memory...

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 01:59:47 pm
content: Quote from: eurofox on January 30, 2014, 02:28:37 pmDelivery next weekI will order the DSOX3APPBNDL (full options)eurofox

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 02:57:30 pm
content: Quote from: Hydrawerk on January 31, 2014, 08:23:51 pmI suppose you need really more memory for significant higher bandwidth.Maybe Agilent 3000 users could share their experience here.eurofox

author: MarkL
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 06:42:17 pm
content: Quote from: eurofox on February 21, 2014, 02:57:30 pmThe most important aspect of more memory is a longer capture time.I've found myself wanting more than 4M when I was debugging a long I2C transaction. 8M or 16M would have done it, but the reality is you're never going to find one piece of gear that fits every situation. It's good to have multiple options available.In this case I used the scope to verify the signal integrity, and then hooked up a Saleae Logic to do a long capture. Done.

author: MarkL
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 06:44:40 pm
content: PS - I hope you were also able to take advantage of the "Supercharge Your Bandwidth" upgrade program that ends on March 31.

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 07:16:39 pm
content: Quote from: MarkL on February 21, 2014, 06:44:40 pmOn the bandwidth I'm already on the 1Ghz but order this morning the "full options"

author: MarkL
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 08:19:09 pm
content: I'm just saying I hope you got your MSOX3104A for the MSOX3054A price + free BW upgrade program. If you're buying new, that is.If you bought it new from a reseller and they didn't tell you about the free BW upgrade, you might have some arm twisting to do.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 22, 2014, 08:51:10 am
content: Had the 200MHz 4ch dso version for 18 months or so, love the clear lcd, upgrades are not too hard, boot up time a bit slow, pity I missed all the recent 'candy' but good gear, never regretted the bit extra you pay for it.