Is the Rigol DS1xxxZ-S models waveform generator worth it? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: dentaku
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2014, 01:17:04 pm
content: I see that the S models of the Rigol DS1104Z and DS1074Z have a built in 25MHz waveform generator.From what I can tell, it's not exactly worth the extra $200 or so.Can anyone here tell me if it can sweep from one set frequency to another over a given amount of time?It looks like it can't do this basic function.It seems like for the price it should be able to do this. It's like putting out a synth (keyboard) that can't modulate the VCO frequency with the LFO.edit...I guess this post should be in the test equipment forum. I've never posted anything there before so I forgot about it.

author: Retep
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2014, 09:45:47 pm
content: I have looked at the DS1074Z -S model some time ago, as it seemed to be a good way to free a lot of bench space. I don't remember the specifics of the signal generator in detail, though it did seem quite limited feature wise (no modulation input, syncing..etc). But what really put me off was the user interface. Based on what I've seen on youtube even basic things like setting the frequency and amplitude seemed require a lot of button presses and menus; way too cumbersome for my taste.

author: GeorgeOfTheJungle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2014, 10:15:31 pm
content: Quote from: dentaku on July 02, 2014, 01:17:04 pmYes it can do FM on both channels but the maximum T is one second, minimum ƒ 1Hz.

author: dentaku
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 02:24:48 am
content: Quote from: GeorgeOfTheJungle on July 02, 2014, 10:15:31 pmOK, that's good to know.I just haven't seen anyone do, a thorough review of the waveform generator.

author: dentaku
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 02:37:22 am
content: Quote from: Retep on July 02, 2014, 09:45:47 pmInputting data with on onscreen keyboard and a rotary click encoder is extremely clumsy.I should hopefully find out the price difference between the Z and Z-S models tomorrow. I'd rather buy one at least in my province but if the price is much better somewhere else in the country and the shipping isn't ridiculous I'll buy it online from another Canadian store.

author: dentaku
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 01:46:53 pm
content: The DS1074Z is $643.50 and the DS1074Z-S is $899.80 at the nearest (only) Rigol in my province.So the $256.3 difference really isn't worth it. Besides, I don't need the 25MHZ but I'm more interested in being able to modulate the signal in different ways.I'm pretty sure there's nothing better in that price range. I don't see a DS2000 model that cheap.The DS2072A looks tempting but I doubt I need that much of a scope.

author: hans
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 02:06:58 pm
content: Also note that the maximum amplitude is 5Vpp (offset +/- 2.5V) in HiZ; or half both figures in 50 ohm. I think mostrealfunction generators will outperform this easily.To be honest I am missing a basic sweep the most. I hope that they can add this one day, as it's really quite annoying to (ab)use the FM modulation. The FM modulation has a limited sweep rate.The FM modulation does support modulation by different waves I believe, like sine/square/triangle, etc.As for other stuff missing; you can't set the trigger source to signal generator. So in addition to any sync output missing, the scope itself can't trigger on the waveform it internally generates.The UI is bit of a pain. Entering frequencies with a rotary knob isn't the fastest. I am considering writing my own GUI via LAN or USB to see if I can "fix" this - haven't looked into that.I think the waveform generator is worth it if space means a lot to you and you only a function generator occasionally.In my situation I could answer yes to both.

author: GeorgeOfTheJungle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 03:14:48 pm
content: Quote from: dentaku on July 03, 2014, 01:46:53 pmYes, for a pcb that's roughly 1*2 inches, the "-S" option price is totally over the roof. And the user interface is a pity... on the other hand it's good to have it there if you ever need it.

author: dentaku
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 03:34:40 pm
content: Quote from: GeorgeOfTheJungle on July 03, 2014, 03:14:48 pmExactly.I would get a DS2072A (with it's 256 levels intensity grading) if it wasn't $200 more expensive than the DS1074Z but I guess the intensity grading and the anti-aliasing on the DS1074Z is still pretty good PLUS I can use the 4 channels as a sort of makeshift logic analyserFrom what I can tell. Siglent, Owon, etc. don't make anything as good as Rigol at the moment?

author: GeorgeOfTheJungle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 04:38:45 pm
content: Quote from: dentaku on July 03, 2014, 03:34:40 pmWell, I'm happy with the scope but I'm not happy at all with the user interface... Everything is too many menu items away. I'm used to the old tektronix style where everything had either a button or a knob, love the 2232 for example. The cursors interface in the 1074Z is totally retarded. I can save/recall a reference with a single push in the 2232, but it's soo many clicks away in the 1074Z... Grrrrr almost useless.And who told them to use this tiny times font for the display? Gosh, the letters of a display should be BIG and sans-serif!On the other hand it's got 4 channels, and the software-enabled options are quite cheap