New EEVBlog User in need oscilloscope expertise. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: TransistWHORE
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 07:27:58 pm
content: Hi all,I'm a new user to EEVBlog. I thought you guys might be able to help me on choosing an oscilloscope. I plan on using it for analysis/design/modeling/troubleshooting some analog/power circuits I'm working on. Currently, my immediate need stems from the fact that my (intended!) +2.5V regulator is oscillating at 70MHz with 400mV amplitude!!!!!!! (Don't worry, it's a compensation problem, I know how to fix it!)I'm making decent money now, but I'm going back to grad school (starving student mode). I definitely need a scope, but I'm torn between spending $400 on something to meet my needs (barely) or dropping 2k-3k for something really nice (like the Agilent MSO 2000X). If I were to spend $400-$800, I've had my eyes on the following four scopes:1. Siglent SDS1152CML2. Owon SDS82023. Hantek DSO5202BMy top choice would be the Siglent SDS1152CML. What do you guys think?

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 07:37:40 pm
content: Look at theRigol DS2072A or 1074Zinstead. Easily hackable to higher bandwidth, memory and decode options.Great sale price now at Tequipment. Even better if you can add the EEVblog discount.

author: TransistWHORE
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 08:04:50 pm
content: Is it still hackable?Also, I'm a little untried in terms of firmware or software experience, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to hack it, but I'd be willing to give it a try.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 08:05:28 pm
content: Quote from: TransistWHORE on May 23, 2014, 07:27:58 pmThis Agilent 2000X with MSO option is still for sale - $1250 including shipping to the US.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/fs-%28uk%29-agilent-dso-x-2004a-scope-with-mso-pod-new-and-boxed/

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 08:10:50 pm
content: What do you think you'll be doing with it in the next few years?Hopefully thinking on that should give you an idea of bandwidth and features. As per channels, I'm a fan of having 4 if at all possible, and given your budget, you can get more bang-per-buck out of Rigol than Agilent. Particularly for 4 channels (1074Z @ $585 on the bottom-end, and aDS4014gives you a lot more scope for ~$2500 for perspective). The 2000x is more, and only 2 channels. Not quite as easy to use for some things (i.e. may need to scroll a lot to see rare events vs. Agilent's triggering features), but will definitely suffice while you're a student, and after (unless there's drastic changes in what you need).AFAIK, Rigol's are still hackable. Others might be better equipped to answer this though.Call and ask for the discount code (tequipment.net), as that's 6% off. Would make the D4014 cost drop to $2331.20 for example.Also, where are you located?Updating your user profile with your country will help others give advice, where to get things, and pricing.

author: TransistWHORE
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 09:04:25 pm
content: Thanks for the reply. Within the next couple years, I'll definitely be doing RF, and will need a spectrum analyzer (but my school lab should have that).Also updated my profile as per your recommendation. I'm located in sunny, Southern California

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 09:13:32 pm
content: Quote from: TransistWHORE on May 23, 2014, 08:04:50 pmI believe so. But you'll want to look through the most recent posts inthis threadto be sure. You can take the 2072A bandwidth up to 300 MHz I believe.The hack is really quite easy to do. No high level software or firmware skills needed. At least that was the case when I did it on my earlier non A version. I don't think that has changed but I don't follow that rigol thread closely anymore.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 09:39:19 pm
content: Never buy any Owon. Siglent or Rigol might be OK.

author: TransistWHORE
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 10:21:52 pm
content: Hi all,Thanks for your replies. I'm becoming pretty dead-set on getting the Rigol DS2072 and then hacking it to 300MHz. I just have two questions:1) How do I get the EEVBlog discount? Also, I've only been a new user for a couple days, so I don't know if I can get the discount.2) Would hacking the DS2072 require that I use linux? Also, for all practical intents and purposes, I have NO high level software or firmware experience. However, if it just requires me punching in numbers and letters into the Rigol's GUI, I can do that.Thanks again guys.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 10:42:44 pm
content: Quote from: TransistWHORE on May 23, 2014, 10:21:52 pmCall them for the code, and yes, you'll qualify. They're very easy to deal with IME.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 10:44:25 pm
content: No linux needed. In fact, I believe there's an online tool available to generate the code. But- I'm not sure what the latest info is - I'm sure it's all available on the thread I referenced earlier.For the discount I believe you can just call and ask for it. There is also a discount code you can enter at checkout that someone will surely pm you....