Unlock the Siglent SDS804X-HD for higher bandwith and other features or not? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Kabala
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2024, 11:20:51 am
content: I am a electronics hobbyist, and I dont have access to highly advanced and expensive instruments like 15k+ oscilloscopes and signal generators. I really cant justify buying a 15k oscilloscope. This week I bought my first oscilloscope.Oscilloscopes like the Rigol DS1054Z has been around for years, and multiple ways are available to unlock higher bandwith and other functions in this oscilloscope. Often beyond what the oscilloscope is intended for it seems. The Siglent 800X-HD series seems to be the latest hit, and is quite easy to unlock.My question is; how precise are these 50/70MHz standard oscilloscopes when the 100MHz option is unlocked/jailbreak compared to more expensive oscilloscopes which are intended for the 100/200Mhz bandwith?And, will the 70MHz probes be able to handle 100MHz, and if so, what is the deviance/error in measurement? I dont mind buying better probes, but the math is kinda obvious; then buy a better scope with 100MHz probes included, the price will be the same.I just bought the Siglent SDS804X-HD and so far I have no need to go beyond 70MHz but I am very curious - is it worth it to unlock it or not? A am very new at this, sorry if this has been asked before or if it is a stupid question. I was brought up to believe that the only stupid question was the question not askedKind regards, Knut

author: Antonio90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2024, 11:29:03 am
content: Whether it is worth to unlock it or not is your call. The oscilloscope is not jailbroken, valid keys are installed.You need to assess the risk/reward of losing warranty (or part of the warranty). If you don't need the higher bandwidth/memory depth, maybe wait a bit, if the scope is going to fail, it willmost likelyfail in the first few months.As per the performance, at least with this scope it should be the same as the higher models from the same series, as long as the same probes are used.And yes, the difference in cost isn't really that big when the better probes are factored in. Also, I find it unlikely that you will be using standard passive probes at over 150MHz, as the impedance is already around 60 Ohms, and most circuits will not work properly with that kind of load.

author: BillyGo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2024, 03:13:35 pm
content: The Siglent's 70Mhz prob might look cheap but surprisingly could handle around 250MhzAlso unlock higher bandwidth will unlock the 100M memory from 50M. I noticed the waveform update rate was reduced under 100M compared with 10M in setting, not sure if it's less affected when it used to be 50M

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2024, 04:22:07 pm
content: It's not a 70MHz scope being magically pushed to 200MHz. It's a 200MHz scope that was locked down to 70MHz. Quality will not be degraded, but you may see more HF noise as a result of the higher bandwidth. That's what the channel filters are for (for example, 20M).Upgrading with the script keys shouldn't effect your warranty since it generates valid keys for the device. Just don't go advertising how that came about.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2024, 04:29:59 pm
content: just need to get higher bandwidth probes ... i upgraded siglents ... all was fine 100 to 200Mhz, but i ordered 200Mhz probes

author: EvgenyG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2024, 05:38:42 am
content: Quote from: BillyGo on October 07, 2024, 03:13:35 pmI've done some tests with Leo Bodnar GPSDO, the frequency counter works easily at 500Mhz and roughly up until 650Mhz , and scope triggers up to 780 Mhz, with significant signal degradation, but it triggers and counts!!! Proof attached.