Can't decide on an function generator to get - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jassoul
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2017, 09:55:47 pm
content: Hey guys, i made a thread last week and got great advice on everything else for my beginner bench, what I'm unsure on is the function generator, i was looking at the dg1022 from rigol but I've heard some mixed things about it, i don't have a set budget but id like to keep it under 400 unless there's a massive advantage to spending more, perfectly fine with used alsoI'm using it mostly for school exercises and to tinker with but i would want to try avoiding buying something that in a year I'll be like "i wish it could do x"Thank you guys again for the help you guys are great

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2017, 10:03:50 pm
content: Did you see this thread?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/feeltech-fy3224s-24mhz-2-channel-dds-aw-function-signal-generator/The price is low enough to buy something more advanced if necessary. I have one myself (with a grounded AC inlet / ground connected to the outer shell of the BNCs) and it is a handy function generator to have around.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2017, 10:04:58 pm
content: This one is the best deal in town for serius generatorSDG 2042XIt's hackable

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2017, 01:36:09 am
content: +1 for the siglent SG. I have one and it has not disappointed. Also much better specs than the newer Rigol.

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2017, 01:37:41 am
content: I have a Siglent too. No complaints. Does a good job for a good price.

author: jassoul
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2017, 02:47:53 am
content: Quote from: Dwaine on March 11, 2017, 01:36:09 amthe cheapest i can find is like 650ish, am i not looking at the right thing? if so do you guys have something a little cheaper to recommend?thank you very much to all for your repliesedit: the truth is i currently dont know enough to differenciate the capabilities of that one and say the rigol 1022 but would love to learn them. if this one is miles ahead of its competition bang for buck kind of like the ds1054z then ill go for it, but if theres other options out there id love to hear themQuote from: nctnico on March 10, 2017, 10:03:50 pmI'll look into the thread thank you

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2017, 03:52:49 am
content: I paid $425 US for mine. It does the business. The other ones like mentioned will work but you will be disappointed with the performance. If you don't have the $$$$ then those two cheap ones will do.I have both the Siglent and one of cheap ones. I should of saved myself the $50.00 dollars and just bought the Siglent first.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2017, 05:35:35 am
content: http://www.saelig.com/category/siglent-waveform-generators.htmSaelig give discount coupon for eevblog

author: CustomEngineerer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2017, 07:49:34 am
content: Another happy Siglent SDG2042X owner here.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2017, 05:57:19 pm
content: The voltage range of the FeelTech is limited, and it does not go down to milliVolts which is required to measure out any basic amplifier.So the FeelTech is totally useless for any basic amplifier experiment.Don't waste your money on the FeelTech and go for a Siglent instead (SDG1025, SDG2042X or the new SDG1030X).

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2017, 06:07:05 pm
content: I just bought the Siglent SDG2082X and it is terrific. The waveforms are very clean clear up to the 80 MHz limit.I could have bought the SDG2042X and hacked it but, frankly, I don't need the higher frequencies. I just didn't want to mess around and 80 MHz seemed right. All in, the SDG2042X would probably have been more than adequate.In the Rigol arena, the DG1032Z is considered a much better tool than the DG1022(A,Z).

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2017, 11:43:34 pm
content: Quote from: jassoul on March 11, 2017, 02:47:53 amAs you can see there's some support for the SDG2000X series but another option you could consider is SDG1032X.http://siglentamerica.com/pdxx.aspx?id=4705&T=2&tid=16IF and a big IF they can be hacked like the SDG2000X series (and I don't see why not) they're a cheaper option again. Both these model output square waves to the full frequency capability of the model, something very few AWG's can do. Starting @ $399 well worth considering IMHO.

author: jassoul
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2017, 11:53:28 pm
content: had a look ebay and its dead for anything used in the SDG2 & SDG1 series, which makes it too expensive right now.As for rigol, the only ones on ebay are 2202 and 2202A but these dont seem too liked here, although tbh im not sure what the issues are. I read the thread and saw some concerns on pc compatibility but aside from that, anything else to keep in mind?

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 19, 2017, 12:20:49 am
content: You can go old school and get an Agilent 33120A - 15 MHz generator, nice clean output and it is isolated which can be very handy. There have been a few on ebay for pretty reasonable prices lately. And being it's an Agilent you can easily resell down the line if you decide you want to upgrade.

author: dugherd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 07:49:30 pm
content: Quote from: ebclr on March 11, 2017, 05:35:35 amHow do you get said discount?

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 07:54:50 pm
content: I've used a Rigol DG4000. When changing frequency it literally aborts the waveform and starts over, creating high frequency glitch. It also ruins phase when the channels are synced.Maybe it's normal for DSG's, but I can't recall the Agilents at school doing it though.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2017, 08:59:00 pm
content: Quote from: dugherd on March 20, 2017, 07:49:30 pmAsk for it here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/equipment-discounts-from-saelig/