How physically reliable are modern Rigol scopes? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 09:37:05 pm
content: I'm considering buying a Rigol scope from abroad to save 25% of the price. Are these things reliable enough to not need an effective warranty?

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 10:20:56 pm
content: It is much better to have a warranty. There have been many cases of encoder malfunctions. On the other hand,official distributorsare said to have a good customer support.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 10:58:47 pm
content: My original Rigol 1052E is still ticking after almost 6 years. And that's after being used as Sagan's toy oscilloscope!

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 11:05:51 pm
content: Saganprobablydoes not use it 8 hours a day.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 11:07:54 pm
content: Are you sure?

author: Noise Floor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 11:10:42 pm
content: I've had one in service for 4 years, no issues. When I first got it there was a problem I don't even recall, my distributor replaced it and its been fine since then. I move it around about once a month, buts it usually stationary.

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 11:17:52 pm
content: Quote from: Hydrawerk on July 06, 2014, 10:20:56 pmSo you think a distributor might handle it even if it was purchased somewhere else?Quote from: EEVblog on July 06, 2014, 10:58:47 pmOuch.Quote from: Noise Floor on July 06, 2014, 11:10:42 pmI'm not going to be able to check it before it ships. Sounds like nearby warranty might be, well, warranted.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 11:20:07 pm
content: I've always found the most critical period for any gear is making it through the door in one piece and the first 10 hours on the bench. After that chances are that the blow ups are not warranty related.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 11:31:36 pm
content: Quote from: lpc32 on July 06, 2014, 11:17:52 pmI am not sure.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 11:56:58 pm
content: Quote from: lpc32 on July 06, 2014, 11:17:52 pmI wouldn't count on it. A lot of times a warranty is only valid in the country you bought it from and the local dealer will not touch a grey import.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 01:02:23 am
content: I will happily provideanyassistance for the Siglent's I have sold and for those I haven't I consider this a cost to my business andmaydirect them to the manufacturers "service" email.Sounds harsh I know, but if the buyer has not given me his support,mustI give him mine?This is what your local guy might think if you need his services.Failures are rare in my experience. Never had one with a Siglent here in NZ.But you could find yourself without an English manual or software and the wrong power lead if you go the cheapest route.If you want service, access to full product support, product selection advice and the product correct for your location ......... buy local.Applies to any product or brand.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 01:11:56 am
content: Doesn't sound harsh at all. Your position is completely reasonable. People (customers) can't have it both ways.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 01:18:28 am
content: Quote from: Hydrawerk on July 06, 2014, 11:05:51 pmIt ain't the hours. He abuses it more than an entire class of first year EE students.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 01:55:14 am
content: Quote from: David_AVD on July 07, 2014, 01:11:56 amFrom what I have seen with equipment made by Rigol and Siglent is that a local seller will match the price from Ebay if you take the shipping costs, VAT and custom's charges into account.If I where a distributor I wouldn't turn away customers who didn't buy from me. I'd charge them for my services though. This business model worked for me in the past when I was selling PCs. People found my PCs too expensive but had me fix the cheap crap they bought later on. In the end I made more money

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 02:02:47 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 07, 2014, 01:55:14 amNice, I'll take that onboard.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 02:34:36 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 07, 2014, 01:55:14 amYes, you don't have to turn the customer away. I was meaning that the local agent shouldn't support for free if they didn't sell it. Of course there may also be some warranty agreement with the manufacturer where the dealer is an authorised repairer.

author: Rory
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 03:15:34 am
content: A couple of folks had some heat sink retainer clip problems on the DS2072, I think Teneyes had to send his in to fix under warranty.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 03:20:23 am
content: Quote from: Rory on July 07, 2014, 03:15:34 amYes, for some reason the clip retainers where not properly soldered, but seems it was not a common problem, I always look through the vent grid when I move my scope around to make sure they are still in place

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 06:18:42 am
content: Buy your test equipment from the company that answers the phone and gives you quick, intelligent answers to your questions. Warranties and support really are worth paying for sometimes. I was seriously considering a heap of Rigol, gear but went with Agilent due to the consistently fantastic tech support. The actual end cost of the scopes was actually similar by going through Agilet's ebay refurb center.I'm not saying you have to buy Agilent, but just do the exercise to see what happens when you need help.

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 09:28:08 am
content: Quote from: tautech on July 07, 2014, 01:02:23 amWhile this is understandable, this attitude is also very shortsighted. A good business person would see this as a chance to gain a new customer and to market their own services. This doesn't mean it would be free. But for example, you could offer to do the repair at low rate labor costs only (Siglent should provide you with spare parts for free if the device is still under warranty, no matter where it has been bought). If the device owner's other option is to ship the device back to China this could be a very attractive proposal. It would also demonstrate the level of service you can provide, and might convince the device owner to become a new customer.On the other side, all you achieve by pointing the device owner to the manufacturer's service email is to make sure he won't bother you again.

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 10:42:41 am
content: I didn't expect a local distributor to handle warranties for products bought elsewhere. I was trying to interpret what Hydra meant. But while it's not necessarily common, there are cases of international warranty, or of importers/distributors/manufacturers that are unofficially easy going. Another option is a small payment for service, where the manufacturer anyway honors replacement or parts.But that's not what I want to count on. I was wondering if I wouldn't need a warranty at all, but it seems like this isn't the case. I just hope there's no error in the figures I've been quoted, because with the other local importer it is +40% to the price.Speaking of unofficial service, one such cool case was years ago when I bought abroad, by proxy, a graphics card. Turned out it was PCI and not AGP. The local importer was willing to replace it for free, I just mailed them the card.LabSpokane: I don't foresee ever calling the store or asking questions. That's what the internet is for.Quote from: EEVblog on July 07, 2014, 01:18:28 amThe kids of today... Think what you could do if you had a scope at his age.

author: xenocide702
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 01:04:48 pm
content: I've been using an 1102d at work for around 2 years and several of the encoders have just started acting upWe bought through Rigol directly, so I guess I'll see how good their customer service is.FWIW, I have had a 1052e at home for ~3 years and it's still fine. It arguably sees more use than the one at work too

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 08:08:45 pm
content: Agilent DSOX2000 has easier firmware update process. And you can download the firmware without any registration or any problem.But yes, it is hard to beat the Rigol DS2000's huge 56 MB memory.

author: hlokk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 02:25:44 am
content: Out of interest, what country are you in?Just bought my first scope yesterday(A rigol too)