Need some advice on a scope upgrade - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: SodaAnt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 05:54:38 pm
content: So I currently have a Rigol DS1102E that I got for christmas, and its great having a decent scope, but its soon enough already that I'm looking for an upgrade. Since I would be selling my Rigol, my budget is hopefully somewhere under $600.The main features that I'm looking for as an upgrade are a larger screen, four input channels, and a arbitrary function generator. One feature that particularly looks good on the Hanteks is the ability to have both a zoomed in and zoomed out display of the waveform on the screen at the same time.The best option that fits those specifications seems to be the Hantek MSO5074FG, but I have a few concerns with it. To begin with, it seems like a new product, and I can't quite tell how much it shares with the older model Hantek scopes. Also, I am curious if anyone has any details on how good the waveform generator is, or if it shares the specs of that with another scope that is better reviewed.Finally, I assume that I can expand the bandwidth of the MSO5074FG to 200Mhz like the other Hanteks based on the information posted in Tinhead's thread, but I don't see any conclusive statement that it is indeed hackable to the same degree.Based on all that, is the MSO5074G the best choice, or is there another scope people would suggest?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 07:26:44 pm
content: Welcome.Since you already have a scope, you don't have to be in a hurry to upgrade.You describe a Dual timebase/Zoom function, it is not uncommon.Search for the Siglent SDS2000 thread here. It is well featured at base level with options you can add at purchase or later.

author: bronson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 07:32:29 pm
content: Just curioius, why do you want an arb in the scope?

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 07:41:28 pm
content: Have you thought about a Rigol DS1074Z before?

author: SodaAnt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 07:44:34 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on February 19, 2014, 07:26:44 pmThat's true, there's no real hurry. A better scope would be nice, but for the most part the Rigol does what it needs to do. Agreed that the dual timebase/zoom function is quite common, but unless I'm missing something, my scope doesn't have it, which is one of the reasons I'm looking to upgrade.The Siglent SDS2000 looks like a nice scope, but a little out of my price range. The cheapest scope in that range I can find is 70Mhz 2 channel for $900. The primary advantages it seems to have over the Hantek is a much deeper sample memory and better triggering, but I'm not sure those features are enough to push my budget out by that much.Quote from: bronson on February 19, 2014, 07:32:29 pmI don't need one in the scope really. If there's a good combination of standalone function generator and scope with the same features and price I'd be happy to look at that, but I don't think I want to go much above a $600 budget.

author: iDevice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 08:11:55 pm
content: Quote from: SodaAnt on February 19, 2014, 05:54:38 pmSeems to me you just defined the Rigol DS1074Z-S.Maybe a tiny bit more than your budget, but unbeatable bang for buck.

author: SodaAnt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 08:23:53 pm
content: Quote from: iDevice on February 19, 2014, 08:11:55 pmWell you know what they say, budgets were made to be broken! Other than the advantages of US based support, and what looks like better memory depth, what would be the advantages of the Rigol over the Hantek? Its still a $250 difference or so, and there's no LA on the Rigol either, though I admit that the LA on the Hantek is almost worse than nothing in all probability.The other thing that brought the Hantek to my attention was the possibility for increasing the bandwidth to 200Mhz. I'm not sure if the MSO5074FG can do that, but it would be a nice perk, since I do sometimes deal with signals that are around 100-120MHz.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 08:39:51 pm
content: With your specified 4 CH, do you need LA as well?Maybe just a good triggering suite will meet your needs?

author: SodaAnt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 08:42:32 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on February 19, 2014, 08:39:51 pmLA is a nice value add, if all other things are equal, but its certainly not first on the list. I'd rather have higher bandwidth than more channels, or better triggering.

author: SodaAnt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 04:31:10 am
content: So it seems that there are three choices right now:Rigol DS1074Z-S: A bit out of my budget, but seems to have pretty good memory depth, and has NA distributor and NA support as well, which is a nice plus in case anything goes wrong with the scope itself.Siglent SDS2000: Way out of my budget, at around $1300 for the 2074, but looks like it has excellent sample depth and waveforms per second. Support maybe not as good as the rigol, but probably a lot better than Hantek.Hantek MSO5074FG: Cheapest of the lot, probably doesn't have great support, and not the greatest waveforms per second or memory depth. Has a logic analyzer built in, though its probably not of the best quality.I'm still leaning towards the Hantek due to the combination of features and cost, but I'm still wondering if the bandwidth can be expanded via software, or if there's something I'm missing in my analysis.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 05:54:11 am
content: Although it is not quite released yet, the Siglent is well spec'ed with AWG, Decode and Power analysis options. These options are incorporated in hardware ex factory. They just need to be bought and enabled. It has Serial triggering as standard.http://www.nationalsiliconsupply.info/about-siglent.htmlis the US distributor.(Googled)Going on my pricing, your around $1300 should almost include one of the cheaper options(AWG or Decode).

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 05:59:46 am
content: GoogleHantek vistatech (Amazon)orHantek TechRecommends (on ebay)This guy / store is apparently the North American dealer for Hantek. I picked up a couple power supplies off ebay a couple weeks ago. Service was first rate. I'm in Canada but I think he? they? ship from the US as well.

author: SodaAnt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 07:01:10 am
content: Quote from: tautech on February 20, 2014, 05:54:11 amSadly I think $1300 is a bit out of my budget right now. Since I'll be selling my DS1102E (hopefully for around $300-350), I am only hoping to spend $300 max, which would put my max budget at around $600-650. I don't think I can justify paying 3x as much in the end for a new scope right now.Quote from: pickle9000 on February 20, 2014, 05:59:46 amDoesn't have the MS5074FG though. I'm not sure if its a new model or just less common.

author: staze
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 07:19:33 am
content: Having had both a DS1000 series, and currently a DS2000 series scope, I would definitely recommend the 1000Z series. Even without the arb... for that price, and 4 channels, nearly the same capabilities as the 2000 series, and the ease of the 1000 series (I actually prefer my old DS1000e for simple "turn on, set, get waveform" to the 2000 series).But that's just me.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2014, 06:31:18 pm
content: Quote from: SodaAnt on February 20, 2014, 04:31:10 amRigol & Siglent have "digital phosphor"/intensity grading.Rigol is easily hackable to 100MHz + all options; Hantek is hackable for higher bandwidth; Siglent is unknown (?).Rigol only has 1 set of vertical control knobs, Siglent has 4 sets, Hantek has 2 or maybe 4 (?).Rigol is only 250MSPS in 4 channel mode vs. Siglent 1GSPS and Hantek 1GSPS (??).I have a quote of $1050 for the Siglent 2074, so it's not quite as expensive as you say.