Hobby good quality oscilloscope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: wons
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2023, 02:40:47 pm
content: Although there are many threads about it - i still cant figure out what oscilloscope to buy.Im an engineer, worked mainly with keysight and tectronix equipmentI was hopping to buy relativly cheap oscilloscope for smps, vhf RF, and FPGAsAlthough i found some options that their specifications answer my needs - though they were reviewd as toys not good for real lab use.So the main requirements would be :At least good for 200MHzAt least 8 digital inputsDicent screen and controls (usb scope will also be good)Some level of channel OV protectionBasic functioning triggeringFFT functionExporting plots to matlabHopefully 4 analog inputsAlso hopefully arbitrary function gen includedAnd im hoping to spend less then 1000usd

author: Warhawk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2023, 02:53:32 pm
content: There are multiple threads on this topic. I try to make it short:It often does not make sense to buy 2nd hand quality brands (Tek, LeCroy, etc) on eBay because they are expensive for what they typically offerRigol, Siglent offer very good bang per buck that exceeds 2nd hand offerings ^^Since you want at least 200MHz, the SDS2104X is probably the right thing for you. Search the forum how to "hack it" to higher bandwidthMSO5074 from Rigol can be an alternativehappy readinghttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/rigol-mso5074-or-siglent-sds2104x-plus/(both have pros and cons)

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2023, 02:57:14 pm
content: We use old Hameg analog scopes , very cheap and reliable at ham raio fles and local PtoP sites.Seldom had any use for digital inputs.Word Rec is an otprion on some scopes.Your specs will not be met by any one scope esp <$1k.More realistic for "hobbyest"digital scopes we preffer old Yokogawa DL/DLM series. But none os <$1KBest classic analog scopes were Tek 2465B/2467B 4 ch analog but fly by waire.Otherwise for <$1K you will find old Lecroy, HP/TEK but need fixing.We have no clew on junk from China like sigalent, Rigol,The Chines CCP fanboys will infomrm you.Bon chanceJon

author: tv84
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2023, 03:12:18 pm
content: My old recommendation:Rigol MSO5074 (totally "licenseable") - 1.069€Siglent SDS2102X+ (totally "licenseable") - 1.069€If you can do 1.421€:Siglent SDS2104X+ (totally "licenseable") - the best in the class "all-around bang per buck"

author: colorado.rob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2023, 03:42:51 pm
content: Note that for the Siglent scopes you still need to purchase an expensive (US$380) adapter to use the digital inputs. I have no experience with Rigol MSOs, but I think the same applies there as well.

author: mwb1100
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2023, 04:05:39 pm
content: Quote from: wons on August 11, 2023, 02:40:47 pmExcept for "Exporting plots to matlab" (which I know nothing about), I think there are two scopes that meet these requirement (assuming you're OK with the widely available hacks):- Siglent SDS1104X-E ($500) - can be hacked to 200MHz and to enable all options.You'd need to also purchase the SAG1021i hardware option for wavegen ($165) and SLA1016 ($335) hardware for digital logic inputs.The total list price would be $1000. You can often find the scope itself for less than list; I'm not sure how often the wavegen and logic modules are offered at a discount.- Rigol MSO5072 ($909) - can be hacked to 350MHz and all options including all 4 analog inputsNo external wavegen module is needed. For digital logic you need the PLA2216 digital probe kit ($399).So list price would come to $1308 - BUT you can find discounts for MS05000 scopes (but I don't think as often as for SDS1104X-E) and there are 3rd party logic probes available on eBay for under $100 - though I can't speak to their quality. They appear to be based on discussions on this forum about designs for alternatives to the expensive PLA2216.Also, if you go the MSO5000 route you might want to consider starting off with the MSO5074 instead for $90 more since it comes with 4 probes instead of 2.

author: schmitt trigger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2023, 04:22:09 pm
content: For the digital inputs, I would strongly suggest that you consider instead an USB logic analyzer.They can have more analysis and decoding capabilities, and protocol upgrades are usually a couple of clicks away.I have got a SALEAE Logic 8, which for hobbyist use is plenty.Yes, brand new are pricey. But you can find used ones on Ebay, or brand new clones.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2023, 04:22:47 pm
content: Quote from: colorado.rob on August 11, 2023, 03:42:51 pmThere's a thread on here to make your own logic probes for the Siglent, with all project files available. Like 1/10th the cost.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2023, 09:17:25 pm
content: Quote from: wons on August 11, 2023, 02:40:47 pmTall order.SDS2104X Plus as others have mentioned meetsallyour criteria bar cost and stock has a BW of ~185 MHz however these are currently running a promo free BW upgrade to the next BW model, SDS2204X Plus which my tests indicate has a 300 MHz -3dB BW point.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2023, 06:22:54 am
content: Quote from: tautech on August 11, 2023, 09:17:25 pmI'd say impossible.Quote from: tautech on August 11, 2023, 09:17:25 pmYou still need the digital interface, etc., so it's going to be nowhere near $1000.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2023, 08:34:16 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on August 12, 2023, 06:22:54 amTo matchallthe OP's criteria, yes.Quote from: Fungus on August 12, 2023, 06:22:54 amYet the wish was for 8+ch LA/MSO capability and we all know/should know OEM probe sets are additional cost.How much depends on the brand and if DIY LA probes are available.