Rigol DS1102Z-E - alernatives in this price point? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2021, 10:38:14 pm
content: I'm curious, from what I can see, the Rigol DS1102Z-E seems to be a good, cheap scope. It's currently C$314, which is a good price as I think it used to be C$390 until recently. I don't think it has I2C/SPI decoding or FFT, though the datasheet does list I2C/PSI but it doesn't say which models has them.What alternatives are at this price point? I'm a beginner and I'm enjoying playing with audio/basic guitar pedals and learning about microcontrollers with various sensors etc. Not saying I'm definitely buying, just curious when I saw the price for this scope. It's almost low enough it's worth considering.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2021, 11:21:17 pm
content: Quote from: YurkshireLad on November 27, 2021, 10:38:14 pmSDS1202X-E

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2021, 12:15:36 am
content: Quote from: tautech on November 27, 2021, 11:21:17 pmThat's about C$525 according to Amazon. Not in the same ballpark.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2021, 06:40:50 am
content: Quote from: YurkshireLad on November 28, 2021, 12:15:36 amYou'd do better contacting your local Canadian agents than Amazon.https://siglentna.com/how-to-buy/Not knowing where you are here's a couple of random ones:https://rcce.com/siglent/siglent-sds1202x-e-super-phosphor-oscilloscope?page=2http://catalogue.techno-test.com/products/1-Test___Measurement/8-Oscilloscopes/324-Siglent___NEW___SDS_1000X_Series__100Mhz____200Mhz_/

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2021, 07:44:57 am
content: Quote from: YurkshireLad on November 27, 2021, 10:38:14 pmIt definitely has FFT and SPI.See manual:https://www.batronix.com/pdf/Rigol/UserGuide/DS1000Z_UserGuide_EN.pdfThe Rigol DS1102Z-E is basically a Rigol DS1054Z but with only two channels and anExternal trigger input (the 'E' in the name). Anything the DS1054Z does, it will do too.

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2021, 02:07:19 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on November 28, 2021, 06:40:50 amC$466 AND US$379 for the two you listed, which is quite a jump from the Rigol.

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2021, 02:09:05 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 28, 2021, 07:44:57 amI saw them in the manual but I didn't want to assume the base 2 channel scope would have them. C$314 is very cheap after all.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2021, 02:14:00 pm
content: Quote from: YurkshireLad on November 27, 2021, 10:38:14 pmGW Instek GDS1054B (can be hacked to a higher bandwidth as well)

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2021, 02:56:07 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on November 28, 2021, 02:14:00 pmThanks but it's US$345 direct from their own site. Their gds1102b is nearer and only about C$40 more expensive.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2021, 03:13:11 pm
content: Quote from: YurkshireLad on November 28, 2021, 02:56:07 pmHow much would it cost you here?https://www.testequipmentdepot.com/instek/oscilloscopes/digital/50-mhz-4-channel-digital-oscilloscope-gds-1054b.htmPrice varies a lot by country but the Instek is a nice little 'scope if you can get it cheap (or cheap shipping from USA).Quote from: YurkshireLad on November 28, 2021, 02:09:05 pmFFT is always available on the Rigols. SPI is an option but it comes as standard these days. Even if it wasn't included you could easily unlock it using Riglol.(and all other features as well, except 200MHz bandwidth which seems to be hardware-limited)

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2021, 03:19:19 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on November 28, 2021, 03:13:11 pmC$400 before shipping, so more expensive.

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2021, 05:52:27 pm
content: Get a 4 channel scope, you won't regret it.Even if you don't use 4 channels now, just the ability to have a "poor mans diff probe" with channel subtraction sometime is worthwhile.With your budget I'd go for a used 1054Z but, I'd definitely save up the the double value and get a SDS1104X-E or if you can't wait to save the X-U which is the equivalent for DS1054ZAnyway, I'd go for the Siglent because the FFT on the 1054Z is a joke/toy

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2022, 12:53:48 am
content: It's practically impossible to buy a used Rigol DS1054Z here in Ontario. The GW Instek GDS1054B and Rigol DS1054Z appear to be about the same price. Is the GW Instek a lot better than the Rigol? How do they compare in build quality and reliability?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2022, 06:27:52 am
content: If they're the same price then I'd get the Instek.

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2022, 03:18:23 pm
content: How many probes are included with the GW Instek 1054B? Their website doesn't seem to clarify this.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2022, 03:43:28 pm
content: You get four probes.

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2022, 01:50:10 am
content: Based on current prices, the best options for 4 channel scopes in my price range are the obvious ones. They're all within a few bucks of each other. My favourite might be the Siglent based on what I've read on these forums.Rigol DS1054ZSiglent SDS1104X-UGW Instek 1054B

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2022, 10:29:04 am
content: Quote from: YurkshireLad on April 18, 2022, 01:50:10 amBeware: The SDS1104X-Uis probably NOT the 'scope you've been reading about on these forums. The one you've been reading about is probably the SDS1104X-E.I'd get the Instek.

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2022, 12:43:08 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on April 18, 2022, 10:29:04 amI'm aware of that, but thanks for checking.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2022, 02:40:11 pm
content: Quote from: YurkshireLad on April 18, 2022, 12:43:08 pmIf all three are "within a few bucks" then don't get the Rigol.The Siglent has higher bandwidth.The Instek has better UI (separate channel controls, a proper button for menu selections, etc. It's also the fastest.

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2022, 02:47:37 pm
content: Thanks. I read some comments from last year here that Instek scopes suffer from UI slowdown. But I hadn't seen any comments to say this has been fixed. So I wasn't sure if it was something to be wary of.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2022, 02:49:28 pm
content: Quote from: YurkshireLad on April 18, 2022, 02:47:37 pmhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/to-all-siglent-sds1104x-e-owners-is-this-normal/

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2022, 02:50:58 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on April 18, 2022, 02:49:28 pmThanks I'll read through that. The Instek is also much bigger than the others and desk space is kinda at a premium for me.

author: YurkshireLad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2022, 01:24:23 am
content: For reference, the SDS1104X-E is C$100 more than the SDS1104X-U, which is why I didn't Iist it.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2022, 02:14:17 am
content: Quote from: YurkshireLad on April 21, 2022, 01:24:23 amTo be fair the X-E easily has $100 more value in both better HW and a greater feature set.They look much the same however the X-E is certainly the better choice for the advanced user.X-U have been steady sellers in NZ however not as strong as we expected as I believe most buyers see the additional investment to get the X-E as money well spent.Still, for the budget conscious X-U is a sound choice.