SDS804X: upgrade, firmware, probes, opinions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: al_al10
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 09:32:56 am
content: Hi everyone,this is my first post here, hope I don't violate any rule.I’m thinking of buying a Siglent SDS804X HD and I have a few questions about it.I’d really appreciate any help!1. I’ve seen that there are scripts around to unlock the full 200 MHz bandwidth. Does anyone who bought the scope recently (especially with firmware version 1.1.6.2 stock and hardware revision 31, c1) know if the script still works?In the release notes of 1.1.6.2 it says:"If the hardware version number is 31, c1, it cannot be rolled back to a version before 1.1.6.2"So I’m worried they blocked the upgrade somehow.2. I found this PDF from Siglent (https://www.siglenteu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SIGLENT__Probe_Datasheet_V15_Basic_Passive.pdf) and I see there are several types of passive probes. Does anyone know if the SDS804X HD ships with the PB470 probes? Can they be an issue after "upgrading" it?3. I was also considering the SDS1202X-E as alternative. From what I understand, the SDS804X seems better in almost every way (ehm, after upgrade). Are there any good reasons to choose the SDS1202X-E instead?4. What is the state of the art for "firmware inspection" () of the SDS804X? Is there any way nowadays to unpack and decompile the firmware (e.g. using Ghidra)? I tried downloading the file but at first glance it looks encrypted. Are there any public scripts to decrypt it?Thanks a lot in advance!Cheers

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 09:41:27 am
content: Welcome to the forum.Everything you need to know is in these threads:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/sds800x-hd-review-demonstration-thread/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sds800x-hd-12-bit-dsos-coming/

author: TomKatt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 10:57:10 am
content: Quote from: al_al10 on April 10, 2025, 09:32:56 amI upgraded from the similar SDS1104X-E to my current SDS804X HD. While nearly every aspect has been improved (quicker response, better specs), I personally have don't believe that the advancement from 8bit to 12bit has added any meaningful accuracyfor my needs. There are, however, two features the older series offers that you may find important -1: SDS1202X-E offers WiFi dongle for wireless remote operation.2: SDS1202X-E has data logging feature to capture slower measurements over very long periods of time.I never really used the WiFi, but I was disappointed to lose the data logger. I may have kept my old SDS1104X-E instead of selling it had I realized that option was no longer included.Both are somewhat fringe use cases, but where they matter they are important.

author: al_al10
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 11:53:44 am
content: Thank you @tautech and @TomKatt for the prompt replies!I'm quite satisfied with answers to questions 2 and 3.If I understood correctly:2. The SDS804X comes with 70MHz probes that can also be used at higher frequencies (they seem to work quite well even at 100/200MHz). If needed, I can purchase better ones.3. The SDS1202X-E offers WiFi (which I don't need) and data logging, that's actually interesting, but I can use some logic analyzers to address this issue.I thoroughly read the linked threads, but I haven't found a reply to question 1 yet. The closest message found in recent threads mentions that a recently purchased SDS804X was updated to the latest firmware (so it wasn't the latest hardware revision locked to that) and then had its bandwidth "upgraded."

author: TomKatt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 04:51:44 pm
content: Quote from: al_al10 on April 10, 2025, 11:53:44 amThe ability to 'update' the SDS800X HD series remains the same - no issues, no 'locked' firmware problems. You can use the Python script available in threads here and it works 100%. Furthermore, after running the 'upgrade script' you can still apply future firmware updates as normal and the 'upgrade' remains applied afterwards. I can personally attest to this. Also, I'm lazy and used an online Python compiler so I didn't even need to install anything on my pc.I think what those comments are referring to is Siglent preventing 'downgrading' firmware to prior versions on some models. I've never needed to revert back, so I cannot speak to that. For most people I don't think that would be an issue even if it were the case - the current FW runs just fine.Quote from: al_al10 on April 10, 2025, 11:53:44 amJust to be clear, the data logger feature can capture analog measurements over days, weeks or possibly even months (depending on measurement interval and storage space). I have an LA as well and that would not be a substitute for being able to log something such as voltage levels over the course of a week or more. There are cases where this type of monitoring can reveal issues that might not show up over short periods of time. I've had multimeters that offer data logging as well, and while the process is similar the scope did a much better job and it was easier to identify data points of interest (not to mention the ability to log4channels of analog data).

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 06:42:30 pm
content: Quote from: al_al10 on April 10, 2025, 11:53:44 amNot sure that the 2ch SDS1202X-E offers WiFi at all however the 4ch X-E models certainly do.SDS800X HD models don't support WiFi although we've requested it so for now I'm using a TP-Link TL-WR802N N300 WiFi 4 Nano Router in Bridge mode which also has the advantage of providing LAN connectivity to any other device that requires it.Properly configured these Nano routers are completely invisible to your network.

author: al_al10
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 11, 2025, 08:48:39 am
content: Thank you so much everyone, that really helped!Just one last thing: what’s the current state of the art in firmware reverse engineering for the SDS804X HD?I downloaded the firmware file from the Siglent website, but it looks encrypted.Has anyone made progress analyzing it? Are there known tools, scripts, or unpackers for this model/firmware version?Or is it still considered a black box at this point?Would love to dive into it if there's any starting point. Thanks again!