New digital Oszilloscope - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Sabbatti
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 21, 2025, 09:28:02 am
content: I do own a Rigol MSO5104. Mostly it is used for the repair of switching power modules in various electronic devices like LCD TV´s and so on.Advantages: Price, Funtionality, Extensibility to higher bandwidth and other MSO capabilities so that it is very versitile.Now my girl friend (she´s a student) also wants her own MSO. I would like to buy her one for her birthday but I am not sure which model I should buy for her.Most annoying thing for me on my Rigol is that it has got only 8-BIT DAC and that the signal is allways a little bit noisy.I do not want to spend more than 1500€ Euros for it.Is there probably a better Alternative for a Rigol MSO5074?I already searched the forum and found that the Siglent SDS2104X Plus might be an alternative as it has got a 10 bit DAC and is extensible to 500 MHZ. Price is 1430€ incl VAT, so it is in the range.What do you think about it?Sabbatti

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2025, 10:26:41 am
content: If waveform noise is of concern go to a 12bit DSO and although only 7" display and consequently a good bit cheaper be sure not to overlook the new baby in the Siglent range SDS800X HD series although they do top out at 200 MHz on paper but their real -3dB BW is a good bit higher.The 804 is becoming what we sell mostly and after doing some homework you'll discover why.

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2025, 02:20:49 pm
content: 7" is small for a modern benchscope in 2025 and not least when its in a 16:9 cinema aspect.Take a look at the next step.https://www.siglent.eu/product/13565486/siglent-sds1104x-hd-4ch-12bit-100mhz-oscilloscope

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2025, 03:35:55 pm
content: One of the things these new DSOs come with up front is remote Web based operation by LAN. This allows almost complete use and control remotely which makes the smaller screen less of an issue. The Web screen looks and behaves just like the UI on our DSOs, and since we normally control them with a mouse anyway, everything behaves as expected.We have a SDS800X HD and have poor eyesight, but find the small screen "acceptable" for GP use. If we are going to do some long sessions, then might use the Web interface.Best

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2025, 04:25:11 pm
content: Could sound like the WebUI has been updated.?As some of the early signs indicated a refresh rate that left a lot to be desired, at least for the SDS1000X_HD series.Side by side with what looks to be Rigol's Web-UIA crude estimateEasyScopeX over LAN: ~2–5 fps screen refresh.Web server GUI: ~1–2 fps.Is it in that ballpark in 2025?

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2025, 04:56:14 pm
content: Don't know what the Web refresh rate is on our LAN. It's not super fast but it's OK for our use, about the same as the KS34465A but not as fast as DMM6500. Also works on our Mac!!BTW we never thought of the small size being an advantage (we have 2 larger screen DSOs) but on a small cluttered work bench it quickly becomes apparent with limited area for test fixtures, protoboards, scope probes and such, that sometimes the small size is welcome, discounting eyesight of course!!Best

author: Sabbatti
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 22, 2025, 05:24:31 pm
content: I did talk to my girl friend:She will get a Siglent SDS2104X Plus from me (comes with a 200 MHz bandwidth and signal generator license for free).Additionally I will buy the 16 Bit logic probe for her.I think it´s an acceptable choice.

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2025, 06:06:30 pm
content: More than acceptable

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2025, 07:28:20 pm
content: Quote from: Sabbatti on August 22, 2025, 05:24:31 pmIf you or your girl friend (or both) are DIYers, consider a DIY Logic Probe and use the saved $ for a complementary AWG. The AWG in the SDS2104X Plus is limited and an external AWG is much more useful.Best