Rigol DS4012 100 MHz hackable to 500 MHz? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: bozidarms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2016, 01:07:16 pm
content: Hi to all,i am new in group and have question before baying:(i cant find nothing about DS4012)can somebody, please, finally tell is it possible to convert Rigol DS4012 into 500MHz scope?Thanks and best regards,Bozidar

author: bozidarms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2016, 07:00:16 pm
content: Does, relay, nobody wont to help with answer?I know that this theme was here before, but simply a cant find nothing about DS4012.

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2016, 07:21:12 pm
content: Quote from: bozidarms on March 03, 2016, 07:00:16 pmI guess noone else here has done it. There are probably not many 2 channel DS4000's out there.You could be the first one to try

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2016, 07:23:43 pm
content: Here is an epic thread that details how the hack was derived for 1k and 2k models.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/sniffing-the-rigol's-internal-i2c-bus/Not many people have the 4k Rigol, but it may be similar to unlock it. So feel free to read the thread and potentially come up with a hack yourself.

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2016, 07:28:57 pm
content: Several users here (me included) with Rigol 4000 series scope but I can't remember a single one reporting they own a 2 channel model. As has been said in the other thread there's really no reason for the hack not to work on the 2 channel models but again, either no one owns one or the one(s) who do haven't tried to hack it.

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2016, 07:37:39 pm
content: Quote from: H.O on March 03, 2016, 07:28:57 pm^^^ Yep exactly, wot he said ^^^

author: bozidarms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2016, 08:35:41 pm
content: Thanks for now.I have a chance to get one for reasonable price (i think so),and if all goes right i will try to hack that one.Regards

author: Gunb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2016, 05:37:25 pm
content: Quote from: H.O on March 03, 2016, 07:28:57 pmWhat?I've reported a few times to own the 2-channel version for years. And I hacked it to 500MHz successfully, at first I used the firmware later on the serial.Rgds

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2016, 07:49:44 pm
content: Sorry about that, I do recall you've got a 4000 model but not that it was the 2 channel version. But that's great, the OP has received the answer he was looking for. Thank you!

author: bozidarms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 07:46:17 pm
content: Thanks you all,specially to Gunb with nice news.I didn't receive Rigol yet, but is on the way.I would allow me to contact Gunb when is applicable.Best regards,Bozidar

author: bozidarms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 08:10:15 pm
content: Hi to group,finally received Rigol DS4012, and hard to believe but it is true -unlocked all options, 500MHz BW toojust amazing...Tnx to all.Best regards,Bozidar

author: bozidarms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2016, 12:48:28 pm
content: I know, is perhaps too much,but i can't hide my enthusiasm.I swear don't do that anymore.It seems that the upper limit is over 1,1GHz - hats off Rigol, AWESOME!regars,Bozidar

author: lifeclock
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 01, 2016, 12:13:24 pm
content: Quote from: bozidarms on March 19, 2016, 12:48:28 pmHi,Do you have a link to the instructions you followed? I would also like to do this.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2016, 01:46:53 pm
content: I found out the same with my MSO4014. Trigger works up to somewhere between 1.1 and 1.2GHz, yet the displayed signal (voltage) is attenuated by approx. 24dB (or 1/16th of the actual input signal). 3dB bandwidth is round about 600MHz. Anyway, that's an amazing performance for a 100MHz scope...

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2016, 09:53:16 pm
content: Quote from: bozidarms on March 19, 2016, 12:48:28 pmHaha it's a pretty cool feeling, I posted the same thing when I got mine.For me the triggering still works up to 1.6GHz, although once the freq gets up there you need to use averaging to see a trace.That proves that the trigger is working as if it wasn't the averaging would show a flat line.- This was tested with a -10dBm signal from my Signalhound and an ~ 0dBm signal from a PLL eval board. Scope input set to 1Mohm, not 50ohm for the higher freq.Edit: Also I found 2mV/div was more sensitive than 1mv/div at these frequencies - and of course the trace isn't useable, it's just fun to play with.

author: vedro
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 26, 2016, 03:37:49 pm
content: Hello,I am new to this forum and from what i`ve seen so far I regret not joining earlier. Allot of great threads on electronics (especially on my favorites, FPGA`s)we are planing to purchase a Rigol DS4012. I like the possibility for a 500 MHz hack. Could you guys please shed some light on how to do the hack.Best regards,vedro

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2016, 04:58:55 pm
content: Why not buy the model with 4 channels?

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2016, 06:18:03 pm
content: PRICE for 4 channels is much higher

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2016, 07:19:56 pm
content: QuoteWell, it IS more expensive but really not that much.At this time Batronix sells the DS4012 for €1795 and the DS4014 for €1995, the difference there is probably less than what the two extra probes you get is Worth alone, not to mention the two extra channels. Then again, if you know you don't need it then "wasting" €200 is of course stupid.Whichever model you buy you now get all the options (excluding bandwidth) for free.They also have the "Economy model", with 2GSa/s and 14Mpts memory, it would be interesting to see a teardown of such a device, if they're TOO the same 4GSa/s, 500MHz, 140Mpts hardware being sold at an even lower pricepoint.

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2016, 09:16:17 pm
content: But if you buy it here you´ll get it for considerably less:http://www.rigol.eu/clearance/#a_DS40122 years warranty included...appears like someone bought it alreadyprobably it was temporarily hidden in someone´s shopping basket...

author: vedro
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 08:19:44 am
content: Hello,I have searched this forum and found a possible "solution" for the update.Link:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/sniffing-the-rigol's-internal-i2c-bus/msg523679/#msg523679This is reported to work. I am not sure which version of firmware are nowadays models shipped with. You guys, who bought the oscilloscope recently and performed the update, what FW version was installed?Best regards,vedro

author: bozidarms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 01:43:09 pm
content: Hi,that is right solution / i have done so.Since then i haven't upgraded / everything work perfect.Regards

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 06:21:37 pm
content: Are you really sure about the 2 years warranty? On the top of the Rigol product deals list it says explicitly "90 days warranty". I am under the impression that the "2 years warranty" description, as you can find in the product itself, is a copy-paste artefact from the new product list

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 08:32:29 pm
content: I´m 99% certain that the specified warranty in the product description has to be correct since there are several items with no warranty explicitely mentioned, some with one, two or even three years specified. In the "standard" product description, there´s no warranty period mentioned. I placed an order on one instrument with apparently a two year warranty period. It´s already delivered but I´m remote from home at work during the week so as yet I cannot confirm anything. I´ll report once I´m back home and opened the box and checked the documents.Cheers,Thomas

author: TurboTom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 02:35:19 pm
content: Okay, just went through the shipment and papers: There's nowhere a note to be found regarding a reduced warranty period. So I guess european legislation is valid here that grants the consumer a limited 2-year warranty (which of course I already voided anyway)...P.S.: FYI, here you can read more about my purchase:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/rigol-mso2000-series-hacking/msg1038258/#msg1038258Edit: Added post scriptum

author: Twoflower
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 03:00:49 pm
content: Quote from: TurboTom on September 30, 2016, 02:35:19 pmTo my knowledge there is no way around the two year warranty for new goods (within the EU). OK, after 6 Months it can be interesting to argue as the end-user has to prove that the problem already existed from the beginning. But that highly depends on the seller. Because not the manufacturer but the seller has to cover this warranty. But this looks different outside the EU.If the manufacturer offers other time spans (e.g. 90 days) this does not shorten this 24 month warranty. But it could be other way around (e.g. some manufacturer offer 5 years for cash or even for free). So the 90 days do not really apply in the EU but in other regions that could make the difference.At least that's my understanding.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2016, 11:54:32 pm
content: If there is nowhere a note to be found regarding a 2 year warranty, it will be 90 days.Every new Rigol product comes with a warranty note. The product which you bought is not a new Rigol product. The 24 months rule in Europe indeed applies to new products, but again a demo unit is not a new product. I would strongly suggest to "burn-in" your scope during the first 3 months to find any caveats before the 90 period is over

author: der_michel
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 13, 2018, 06:06:34 pm
content: Just for anyone that is may interested - yes the Rigol Scope DS 4014 can be unlocked (to 500MHz + all Option) easy on the same page that als 1050Z Buyers use. So for $1400 best buy i could possible make ;-)Cheers der_michel