InfiniiVision 5000 vs 6000 vs 3000 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ErnieEngineer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2011, 05:41:40 pm
content: Hello,I have the chance to buy either a 4 chan 300MHz DSO5034A (MSRP US$ 7,742), a 4 chan 300MHz DSO6034A(MSRP US$ 9,673), or a 4 chan + 16 chan 200MHz MSOX3024A (MSRP US$ 5,210) at around the same price (refurbished and educational pricing being used). Which model do you suggest that I buy?What are the differences between the DSO5034A and DSO6034A? The only additional feature I see is the USB triggering. There is a $2000 price difference.Is 4 Gig samples per sec really that much better than 2Gig samples per second? Both sample rates seem sufficient. The 3000 series has the higher sample rate.Other than the higher waveform acquisition rate (1 M waveforms per sec vs 100K on the others) and the logic analyzer that I would be getting, are there any other advantages of the 3000 series? I already have a great function generator so thats not so important to me.The advantages of the DSO5034A /DSO6034A series is a higher bandwidth larger sample memory, higher resolution screen and included GPIB and lan ports. Am I missing anything else?

author: mkissin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2011, 09:01:54 pm
content: Off the top of my head, the physical sizes are all different, and the 6000 series has a battery power option. I recall the 5k and 6k series being essentially the same.Of course, you get screwed with the 100MHz 6k scope as it doesn't have the autoprobe interface for some god-forsaken reason, but that won't affect you.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2011, 08:14:21 am
content: I think the major difference is the 5000 doesn't have the option to upgrade to MSO.Battery option for 6000 is factory fit at time of order only.TBH I'd go for the DSOX in view of the possiblility of license hacks

author: tnt
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2011, 12:25:47 pm
content: I'd go for the 3000-X as well.Mostly because I think 300MHz with only 2 G/s won't do you any good. (especially if it falls to 1G/s when you use > 2 channels).It's also a newer design and has the MSO option included.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 29, 2011, 10:47:39 am
content: The 5000 is discontinued, and the 6000 is only still around because it had a battery power option, and Agilent need a battery powered model for competitive reasons.Without a doubt, buy the new 3000. Much higher wfm/s and it is Agilents new platform, which means that it will get regular updates in the future.The others are obsolete and I see no really compelling reason to get them.Dave.

author: ErnieEngineer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2011, 02:19:24 am
content: thanks for the useful info all. I held off on buying the 5000/6000 now i am figuring out what 2000/3000 to get. If anyone wants to fille me in on enhancements let me know. I did a little but of my own research but i could use some more help. Anyway, TNT how come you think the sample rate would be low? I was under the impression that a sample rate of at least 4 times the rated bandwidth would be fine. Whats the difference between sampling at 4G samples/sec vs 2G samples/sec or even 1G samples/sec at 200MHz. I am assuming Agilent uses quality ADC's