Looking for a spectrum analyzer: Siglent SSA3021X plus vs UNI-UTS3021B - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 12:38:19 pm
content: Hello everyone,I’m in the mood for buying a spectrum analyzer and would appreciate your insights.The mentioned Siglent seems to be rather old, while the UNI-T UTS3021B is pretty recent and can be bought for +/- 1300€ with alle the software options included.Any reasons why I should go for the SSA3021X Plus 2,1GHz (or other?) or the UNI-T (also 2,1GHz)?Tnx.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 02:53:46 pm
content: The Siglent costs a few hundred less here. The reasons (besides the lower price) I would side with the Siglent are:1. Better history of support.2. Older in this case isn't that significant, and implies platform is more mature / less buggy (also evident in the Uni-T UI).3. Most importantly (to me): SSA3021X Plus can be upgraded to 3.2GHz, or "improved" to SVA1032X with VNA and SA ability.If somebody offered me the Uni-T, I'd try it. I do like the brand, but only for low cost items. I wouldn't pay more for a Uni-T product over another brand like Siglent that I've had mostly good (or better) experience with.

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2025, 03:36:15 pm
content: The Siglent costs 1750€ without any options while the UNI-T is 1300€, with all options.

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 01:33:30 pm
content: (Hmm…nobody with a UNI-T spec analyzer??)

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 02:04:13 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on July 14, 2025, 01:33:30 pmNo other mentions of it on the forum. Kiss Analog have some "review" videos.Like Josh, I don't mind Uni-T for some of their low-cost items like clamp meters, or insulation testers. But Uni-T support is known to be poor to non-existent, so I'd personally avoid them for more complex gear. I guess it depends on your needs and budget.

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 02:29:58 pm
content: Quote from: Kean on July 14, 2025, 02:04:13 pmTNX.I had (again) a good laugh when partially watching those vids from Kiss Analog.This time he screwed up again when testing the uni t spec analyzer: in the first part of that video he forgot to check the audio and had to redo that part, but by the time he got to that, the temporary licenses of the options were expired so again he could not say anything about it.His reviews are a joke.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 02:42:00 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on July 14, 2025, 02:29:58 pmI've not watched his channel much, but yeah that was my impression...

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 03:13:40 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on July 13, 2025, 03:36:15 pmWeird. I don't know why the price differences are flipped here. I assume both have stupid tariffs on them. I'd still go for the Siglent. It comes with all the options whether it comes with all the options anyway.

author: tv84
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 03:19:38 pm
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on July 13, 2025, 02:53:46 pmI reinforce: those DIY "improvements" make the device worth (in Siglent's currency) above 6.000€. So, Siglent's device should be way better than a 1.300€ UniT.BTW, where are you buying that UniT for 1.300€??https://uni-t-shop.eu/products/uts3021b-spectrum-analyzershows 2.100€

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 05:42:03 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on July 13, 2025, 12:38:19 pmI recently bought a 3021Xplus (now 3032Xplus) and wondered beforehand whether it wasn't a little old...But not in the sense of being outdated, because not much has changed in terms of technology.No, in the sense that if I buy this model now, there will be something new from Siglent in a few months, which would have annoyed me.So I asked Siglent, and the answer was clear.It is a very mature product and they (Siglent) see no reason to replace it.That was enough for me, so now I have one.This is my first SA for home use, and it will probably be years before I have exhausted all of the device's capabilities.

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 05:45:28 pm
content: Quote from: Martin72 on July 14, 2025, 05:42:03 pmTnx.Will you turn it into a SVA1032x?

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 05:50:56 pm
content: To be honest, I don't know yet.It doesn't seem trivial to me; I would first have to find out whether the internal calibration would be affected, or in short:Read through the relevant thread at my leisure...

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 05:53:50 pm
content: Quote from: tv84 on July 14, 2025, 03:19:38 pmPsst….there are other distributors…

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 06:13:57 pm
content: for an sva conversion you need to know the platform used, check the relevant thread(s)my SSA 3021x are not convertibles you need the "PLUS" models, if i recall what Tautech saidSiglents are loved because of the possible "free upgrades" and up to 3.2 Gig Hz you save a lot, support so far is very good .... uni-t ?? not so sure, and possible hacking ?

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 06:39:38 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on July 14, 2025, 06:13:57 pmThe Siglent, when upgraded to an SSA3032x plus including the options (not up to an SVA) will cost me 50% more then when buying the UNI-T.Apart from the fact the Sig (🏎️) will go up to 3.2gig while UNI-T stays at 2,1 gig.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 09:16:36 pm
content: Quote from: Martin72 on July 14, 2025, 05:50:56 pmSSA3032X Plus vs SVA1032X > all that is added is the VNA Mode/capability, all other features/functionality remain identical.For VNA use Cal standards are used, either on the port or at the end of the cabling at the DUT.At this point it is important to have a VNA Cal package that fits needsandthe cabling type used.I've selected SMA/3.5 mm female Cal kits as the most convenient....for my needs but there are other types and genders.SMA cabling is generally the most convenient to work with and suitable cables are quite cheap in the low GHz range however a small fortune can be spent .....Quote from: coromonadalix on July 14, 2025, 06:13:57 pmYup this, SSA3021X Plus is amazing bang for buck.....if you want toimproveit.

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2025, 04:02:43 pm
content: Despite all the good and well appreciated feedback I got from all of you, I pulled the trigger for the UNI-T.At the price of 1078€ (without vat, as a company) bought from a reputable official European distributor, it was a deal I could not resist.It has all the software options included ( for which you have to upgrade its alternative, the Sig).It is a 2.1GHz, no vna capability.Let the games begin!

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2025, 07:54:53 pm
content: I hope it's awesome! Either way, share your experience with it. I was curious about one of their SAs or VNAs too, but they're mostly more expensive here. 🤷Thanks,Josh

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2025, 08:11:19 pm
content: Quote from: Kean on July 14, 2025, 02:04:13 pmUni-t wasn't really sold here in the past. It was grey import.I talked with them on a trade show (good sign) and they were opening a sales office in Germany (I think?).Quote from: Sorama on July 15, 2025, 04:02:43 pmGood luck. Let us know how it goes. I also want to buy a more serious SA for home.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2025, 08:42:50 pm
content: QuoteYepp:https://uni-t-shop.eu/

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 02:02:32 pm
content: Congrats on your purchase. I was surprised no one suggested buying both, and returning the one you liked least before the return period ended. Not something I'd do, but many others seem to.FWIW, I did see another poster mention buying a Uni-T SA, having a hardware issue, and getting good support under warranty.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/uni-t-support/msg5971077/#msg5971077I also noticed that Tekbox EMC software supports the UTS series. That is probably a good sign that it isn't total rubbish.https://www.tekbox.com/product/emcview-pc-software-emc-compliance-testing/

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 04:45:54 pm
content: Quote from: Kean on July 16, 2025, 02:02:32 pmI don’t think this ‘return policy’ is valid over here.I never ever did it before…not my style.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 04:52:43 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on July 16, 2025, 04:45:54 pmI get that but for test equipment it is perfectly normal to get a unit on loan or to test with before comitting to buy. Over the years I have tried various pieces of equipment this way. And I have returned a few items. I don't like spending hundreds to thousands of euros blindly.

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 04:56:12 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 16, 2025, 04:52:43 pmAre you saying that one can always return it?How does that work?It’s B2B.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 05:23:21 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on July 16, 2025, 04:56:12 pmI either get a demo unit on loan or a written agreement I can return the unit within a specific timeframe. A good test equipment dealer has no problem with doing this. In the end it is not in a test equipment dealer's long term interest to sell useless equipment.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2025, 07:35:49 pm
content: Quote from: Sorama on July 16, 2025, 04:56:12 pmSome will lend you a unit.Eleshop said that I pay for it full price and return it if I don't like it.I had other dealers rent out the equipment, and you can buy it at the end for the exact discount of the renting.You have to think about the options. Often times the demo unit will have all options unlocked, so you can try them. And the accessories. Because nothing is worse than not having the right cable to connect things up, and trying to push a purchase order through the burocracy during the rental.

author: gadget
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 05, 2025, 12:03:58 pm
content: Hi,I have been looking into the possibility of buying a spectrum analyser, and have been looking at the UNI-T3032T+, the Siglent SSA3021X PLUS and the OWON XSA1036P, purely based on cost. Siglent appear to have a good name in the industry and I would like to get one, but mod it to 3GHz, as their 3GHz model is out of my price range. I noticed your post is fairly recent and you have successfully upgraded yours. Would you have the details on how its done, without having to scour hundreds or thousands of posts on here.Cheers.

author: gadget
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 05, 2025, 12:08:00 pm
content: Quote from: Martin72 on July 14, 2025, 05:42:03 pmHi,I have been looking into the possibility of buying a spectrum analyser, and have been looking at the UNI-T3032T+, the Siglent SSA3021X PLUS and the OWON XSA1036P, purely based on cost. Siglent appear to have a good name in the industry and I would like to get one, but mod it to 3GHz, as their 3GHz model is out of my price range. I noticed your post is fairly recent and you have successfully upgraded yours. Would you have the details on how its done, without having to scour hundreds or thousands of posts on here.Cheers.

author: 807
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2025, 03:18:46 pm
content: Quote from: gadget on September 05, 2025, 12:08:00 pmFind the Host ID from the system info screen on the analyser.Go to this post & click on the link to open the python script..https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-ssa3000x-spectrum-analyzers/msg4355635/#msg4355635Enter your own HOSTID inside the ' marks into the scriptUncomment (remove #) from SSA3000X_PlusExecute scriptYour licenses will be generated on the right hand side.On the analyser system info page select Load Option. Enter the licenses that you require (Use the CAT license for Refl).3032 is the 3.2GHz option. The model number will change to SSA3032X Plus in system info.This is just to open up the options & bandwidth. More steps are needed to convert to SVA.btw...this was the mod I did on my unit in April 2023, but AFAIK it should still work.

author: 807
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2025, 02:25:59 pm
content: Unfortunately, the link to the python script on the post I linked to, no longer works. When I tried it today, I got the message..."tpcg.io has expired and is parked free, courtesy of GoDaddy.com."Instead, you can download the attachment in that thread, open it with notepad, & copy & paste it to this site:-https://www.programiz.com/online-compiler/If you have python on your device, you could run it from that of course.