B&K Precision's new 4050 Series Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generators - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: rfmaker
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 04:38:28 pm
content: Has anyone here had any experience yet with this new series of B&K Precision function generators that were announced on August 1, 2013? Specifically they are:Model Frequency Price (don't know if this reflects the 10% discount being offered until Nov 30)4052 5 MHz $4994053 10 MHz $5994054 25 MHz $8504055 50 MHz $1,050I'm particularly curious about who actually manufactures these units.I hope Dave will be able to get his hands on one soon so he can give us a close look at it.Thanks.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 04:46:03 pm
content: Overpriced and rebranded, probably...

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 04:54:55 pm
content: Quote from: rfmaker on October 02, 2013, 04:38:28 pmThese are designed and manufactured by Siglent.Equal Siglent models:SDG1005SDG1010SDG1025SDG1050

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 05:10:46 pm
content: AHhh. That's the OEM. Yep. A 25MHz SDG1025 is only $345

author: rfmaker
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 06:44:41 pm
content: Quote from: rf-loop on October 02, 2013, 04:54:55 pmThank you, rf-loop, that's very useful. There's plenty of information available on the Siglent units, including on this forum.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 07:34:46 pm
content: Looks worthy of consideration:https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PL-5eLlYjah0IjiumpT8VGFN__vPFsCSi7B&K is a good company that makes/sells good products but if the Siglent is the same thing for considerably less Siglent would have to be worthy of consideration too.Guess it might come back to a popular decision: something vs. Rigol

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 07:40:53 pm
content: If these are truly re-badges then where does the extra $505 for the 25MHz model get you? A different badge?

author: mcinque
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 07:51:45 pm
content: Quote from: tom66 on October 02, 2013, 07:40:53 pmProbably. I would expect more quality in components (like electrolytics ecc.) but I didn't see the difference in their other products teardown. The same is for some of their PSU. Simply rebranded Manson.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 08:17:01 pm
content: I've seen BK gear with CapXon and Suscon, which are utter shite, so I wouldn't be expecting better caps in any piece of BK gear. It just seems insane to me to charge $500 more for essentially nothing extra, other than maybe a local warranty provider, but for that price you could have twice as many Siglents and keep them as a backup.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 08:58:12 pm
content: The Rigo DG1000Z might be better...

author: rfmaker
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 09:49:42 pm
content: Quote from: mcinque on October 02, 2013, 07:51:45 pmSpecifying "more quality in components" was hinted at in the explanation I received years ago when I asked B&K Precision directly about this. But the response didn't seem to be made with much conviction, as if they didn't really want to discuss the subject.Still, B&K Precision has been in business for a long time, seeming to market overpriced rebadged equipment, but just the same succeeding in selling "their" products. I wonder if I'm missing something. Is it that they are mostly selling better customer support? For example, the above function generators come with a 3-year warranty. Does Siglent offer that? Does it matter with such a large difference in price?I'm repeating myself, but I'd love to see Dave do a teardown/review comparison of these apparently identical B&K Precision and Siglent function generators.