Vevor SDS1104 for first oscilloscope? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: help_me_pick_username
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 02:28:41 am
content: Hi,I'm currently looking for a first oscilloscope. I found the Vevor SDS1104.4 Channels, 100MHz 1GS/s at about $320, this seems like a decent deal? Obviously it seems to be a no-name brand, but spec wise, looks ok. I found this unboxing on YouTube (), and it looks ok at first glance.There doesn't seem to be many proper reviews of this so wanted to know what you guys thought. Any suggestions would be appreciated.Purchase page:https://www.vevor.com.au/oscilloscopes-c_12405/vevor-digital-oscilloscope-1gs-s-sampling-rate-100mhz-bandwidth-portable-oscilloscope-with-4-channels-color-screen-30-automatic-measurement-functions-for-electronic-circuit-testing-diy-p_010228231720Amazon:https://www.amazon.com.au/VEVOR-Oscilloscope-Bandwidth-Measurement-Electronic/dp/B0CP7Z1V56Thanks

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 05:27:31 am
content: It looks exactly like the Owon SDS1104.Max Record Length: 20Kis a bit low these days.

author: andrewtaylor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 05:44:42 am
content: well, if you need 4CH: go for the Siglent SDS1104 -- best bang for the buck

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 06:39:37 am
content: Quote from: andrewtaylor on April 24, 2024, 05:44:42 amWas.Now SDS804X HD is.

author: help_me_pick_username
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 08:43:18 am
content: Quote from: Aldo22 on April 24, 2024, 05:27:31 amIt does look exactly like the Owon model, probably rebadged.How problematic is the max record length? I do plan on maybe using this to work on communication protocols like I2C, do you think this might be an issue?I wasn't able to find many other competitive models in the 300-400 AUD price range. The other sigilent models being recommended here seem to be almost double the price of this.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 09:05:30 am
content: if you want i2c mainly, then a small logic analyzer around $20-30, with sigrok free software, will give you better interface, more memory.no need for a scope to mainly look at i2c. and you need memory to store all i2c sequences before analysing.this vevor user interface seems so old ... pretty sure you can only see one i2c sequence on the screen...the last rigol or siglent 12 bits scopes may be a little more expensive, but you can do so much more with them...

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 09:18:19 am
content: Quote from: help_me_pick_username on April 24, 2024, 08:43:18 amIt is stay away from it problematic.It is horrible deal.For the specs that scope should cost 100-150 USD.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 09:28:46 am
content: You get what you pay for and the 800X HD offers one hell of a lot, so much so it will take some time to outgrow it.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/sds800x-hd-review-demonstration-thread/

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 09:51:11 am
content: Quote from: tautech on April 24, 2024, 06:39:37 amI would normally agree but also anticipate some of the current Siglent SDS1104XE owners upgrading to the newer SDS800 series which should inturn increase the number of earlier scopes available in the second hand market.If the price is right then a used SDS1104XE in good condition would still be worth serious consideration particularly for somebody on a budget. If the OP is not in a desperate rush for a scope then this would be my recommendation, cheaper than new and far superior to what they are currently considering.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 10:11:23 am
content: Quote from: help_me_pick_username on April 24, 2024, 08:43:18 amI don't know if it's "problematic", some time ago even "good" brands had 2.5k, but there are better options today for little money.Since I'm currently experimenting with something like this, I'll show you with my $130 Hantek.In the first picture there is a 20KHz sine wave at 10us/div, with a 50ns pulse every second (1Hz).If you trigger on the pulse, a thin line appears in the middle. But there is nothing else to say about how the pulse looks. (1st picture).If you stop it there and zoom in it to 50ns by turning s/div, you will see a very rudimentary pulse with 4k (2nd image). It doesn't tell you much about the shape of the pulse.But if you stop it with 8M (record length), you can see much better in the magnification what is going on with the pulse (3rd image).The more record length, the more accurate the magnification. Just like the resolution of a digital photo.That is one difference. The experts here can probably explain this better, as I am a beginner too.Btw. This is for illustration purposes only and is not intended to be a recommendation for the Hantek. It does not have 4 channels.

author: help_me_pick_username
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 11:33:22 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on April 24, 2024, 09:18:19 amI keep seeing that for this price (~200 USD), you can get better scopes? Where can I find these? I'm in Australia, if that helps, and this is the best value scope I've been able to find so far with 4 channels?

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 01:02:43 pm
content: Quote from: help_me_pick_username on April 24, 2024, 08:43:18 amThis Vevor doesn't do protocol decoding, right?Why do you even think you need four channels?With a tight budget, there aren't many options.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 01:36:32 pm
content: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005698409712.html

author: help_me_pick_username
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 02:36:58 pm
content: So my reason for wanting to work with I2C is for a single project, I don't need a protocol analyser on the scope, just want to be able to see the waveforms.I'm well aware that logic analysers exist (and are much cheaper), but I'm looking for a scope because I want to buy a scope, not just for I2C, that's just a single project that I'm doing right now which is just my incentive for finally investing in a scope.I would like 4 channels because I don't want to be in a situation where I want to probe more than 2 waveforms at once. I don't immediately need 4 channels for anything specific I have in mind, just think it would be good to have.

author: awakephd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 03:06:46 pm
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on April 24, 2024, 09:51:11 amI don't know what the market looks like in Australia, but I have been watching various sites here in the US in hopes of finding a deal on a used Siglent SDS1104XE or Rigol1054DZ. So far, the only things I'm finding are people offering them, used, for prices HIGHER than what I can get them brand new from Amazon.

author: Phil1977
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 03:10:54 pm
content: If I´d buy my first personal scope today I´d also either take one of the current 12-Bit-models for little over €500 or e.g. an used Rigol 1054 instead of the Vevor.The Rigol 1054 is anything but new nowadays, but anyhow it´s quite a solid instrument with *lots* of tutorials and experiences available in the internet. It has its flaws but for 99% of hobby scope applications its just good.I do not know the Vevor personally, but so far all instruments I have seen of this price class had some serious drawbacks like low update rate, only few waveforms/s, no High-Res- or Peak2peak-mode, no good measurement implementation etc. Please correct me if my knowledge is outdated, but so far I didn't find these features for < €350 new. And from my point of view it´s one main reason to personally own a scope to learn using these features.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 03:17:58 pm
content: Quote from: help_me_pick_username on April 24, 2024, 11:33:22 amWell, in a nutshell, afaics for max. $200 there is really only the Vevor/Owon/Hanmatek and the Hantek DSO2C10 (benchtop scopes).If you absolutely want 4 channels, the Vevor etc. is the only one.The Hantek is better in most other specs and features. Not flawless, but better.Personally, I see 4 channels as a luxury and wouldn't place much value on it on a small budget.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 04:19:26 pm
content: looking at SPI signals needs 4 channels... (in fact more than 2)

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2024, 05:28:14 pm
content: I have the Hanmatek label 2 & 4 channel versions. The best way to describe them is Tek 465 with some extra features such as stored waveform. The FFT is great, but the labels are wrong.The PCB shows it's an Owon SDS1104. I plan to power mine with a LiPo pack.They are no BS 140 MHz BW scopes which is an amazing. The limited memory makes them a bit dubious for digital work, but for analog applications they're quite good.I'm old enough to remember when all the computer techs carried 465s. There were always 2 or 3 in the hall at the window where I dropped off punch card decks.

author: MadFlower
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 03, 2024, 12:40:45 am
content: It looked like a rebadged owon or hantek and from other reviews those do gives full advertised bandwidth. , It does have usb scpi and record capturing to the computer for analysis with labview. It does not have some of the nicer features ON the scope itself. I assume program some other functions and triggers via scpi I believe it is only an 8-bit adc so that might be more of a limit, then anything.It is one sale for 150 bucks right now which is what a poster above said it was worth. but it is the only one in that price-range with bandwidth =and= sampling rates. I think I am going to order one as my first scope. I have heard too many Weller vs Hakko soldering station debates, and fluke vs everyone else, and if you are doing professional level work, I would recommend a higher end scope, soldering iron, etc. but for a hobbyist, you can probably make this work for most things, and if you get to the level where it doesn't work, you are probably no longer a hobbyist and the budget will be slightly larger.The hooks to external software are what is the most intriguing to me. I didn't look for SPI but labview will capture CANbus messaging so I assume it will capture SPI and i2c messages as well and it may require some elbow grease to get it to work right that is software built into other scopes.

author: EvgenyG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2024, 04:14:07 am
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on April 24, 2024, 09:51:11 amI just saw someone buy a second hand SDS1104XE for 540 bucks+postage on aus ebay, so prices are not going down that much. New one is still close to 700 on AppVision. I think the scope market is just too slow in Australia and some people don't know about 800X series. We are still yet to see 800Xs here. Everybody else has them for sale but not Australia (and our friends across the ditch). Perhaps wait until the end of financial year to get better deals.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2024, 04:23:27 am
content: Quote from: EvgenyG on May 03, 2024, 04:14:07 amGot ours today.Real busy contacting those that have patiently been waiting.....Already need to order more.....

author: EvgenyG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2024, 04:31:39 am
content: Quote from: awakephd on April 24, 2024, 03:06:46 pmVery similar here in Aus. People ask ~90% price of a new device. I don't know who would buy a 5-10 year old scope with no warranty for that kind of money, not me.

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2024, 01:44:40 pm
content: Quote from: awakephd on April 24, 2024, 03:06:46 pmYeah, I don't think I've ever seen a late model lower end used DSO for sale that wasn't within $100 of a new one, not worth it IMO, especially on a common "beginner" model that's potentially seen who knows what ignorance induced abuse. And that's when you find them.

author: kbrill
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2024, 05:29:11 pm
content: Some Vevor items are well made , are an extremely very good value and perform very well . Other items are crudely made and have multiple defects . Fortunately I used PayPal when ordering directly from their USA distributor recently . Even after I submitted a claim for an obviously defective and unusable tool they made every possible effort to avoid a refund .Purchasing it from Amazon with their excellent return policy is advised

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 04, 2024, 05:12:31 am
content: Quote from: EvgenyG on May 03, 2024, 04:14:07 amI think it's still way too early to estimate or speculate on what is considered a fair price for a second hand SDS1104XE in Australia, and perhaps even for those who are updating. In fact, some are probably more likely to hang on to their previous model for a while until they are satisfied that it is no longer needed and only taking up space.Also, I wouldn't use ebay as a guide as there are likely plenty of buyers whose only focus is the purchase of a good oscilloscope at a reasonable price and perhaps not even aware there is a new series available as you pointed out. I can speak from experience when I say that not everyone who seeks certain test equipment reads or frequents electronics discussion forums for information, I never did anyway.I hate giving out secrets and revealing my sources but I discovered the best place to keeps tabs on prices and more importantly find well looked after pre-loved test equipment from reputable people ishere, but don't tell anybody else they might put their prices up.

author: MadFlower
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 04, 2024, 12:28:11 pm
content: Quote from: kbrill on May 03, 2024, 05:29:11 pmI guess I will find out. I used paypal for that reason. The 150 bucks was actually out of my budget and it is a lot more scope then I currently need. however having a scip gives me a logic analyzer so I will find a use. I think Vevor in general just rebadges other products. However, there is some variance in products with the same model numbers. I just haven't seen other say owon or siglent knockoffs like you do for say soldering stations.I also sent a message asking them about their compatibility because they mention upgrades in their description but offer none for sale, so I asked if you could use the siglent or owon upgrades. I also asked for the compatibility of the SCIP commands, or a documented list of them.We will see if they answer.

author: MadFlower
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 09, 2024, 11:23:38 pm
content: They said it was compatible with OWON, so most likely a rebadged OWON sds1104.I received it. It came with 4 1x/10x probes.It seems to work alright so far. It came with software on a dvd and a 95 page all english manual. Which has a big warning about the ground not being isolated and don't use it to measure AC..I don't have a signal generator, but even the sloppy jagged output from the espressif idf dac cosine wave example on an esp32, jacked up to 1mhz is being picked up. It is done with an array in software so it is about what I expected. It doesn't have enough data points to make it look smooth like at lower frequencies.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2024, 02:18:10 pm
content: This scope is current available for $232 Canadian with free shipping right now here in Canada. At that price it could be worth it going on the specs alone.As a first scope that you plan to learn on over a couple of years? Then when you have more money sell it for $150 or so and get a decent $600 scope you intend to keep for a decade or so, it might not be a bad idea. However, it would need to operate properly for that scenario to work for you.It certainly seems to be made by the same people that make Hanmatek and Owon. I note it comes with an internal power supply unlike the Hanmatek 4ch. model I saw in a YT video recently. Maybe that attests to it being a better buildIt's not going to be a Siglent or Rigol level instrument, but if it's just a short term learning tool that leads to something better, at the very least it will give you an added appreciation for what ever step up you take in the long run.So, will you be our guinea pig and buy one to let others know what it's like?

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2024, 03:48:54 pm
content: And in the US it's $150, and $100 for the 2ch version:https://www.vevor.com/s/oscilloscopes(Unfortunately, around here it's $282 and $243.)

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2024, 01:07:38 am
content: I have the Hanmatek 2 & 4 channel versions, For analog scope work they are awesome. Think Tek 465 with the ability to save waveforms. Not suitable for serious MCU work.The Hanmateks are an easy conversion to 2S LiPo.Measured BW is 140 MHz.Wish I could have bought one of these rather than USAF surplus Dumont 1062 I paid Tucker $325 for only to have it die a few days after the 30 day warranty expired.Have Fun!Reg

author: homemade
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 03, 2024, 01:41:43 am
content: Does anyone have a circuit diagram of the Vevor 1104 (or maybe a video tear down)?I am curious if I can hack/swap the EPROM||chip or nand.I want to know if I can grab the firmware and maybe read about because 20KiB is low.I need to fix alot of DSP music equipment/[sound cards] because they don't make anything like them anymore. This looks like the perfect scope to do some frankenstein'ing.

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2024, 02:02:42 pm
content: As mentioned above, most likely a rebadged Owon SDS1104.No expert, but the 20kB may be in the FPGA, i.e. not expandable.And if it's not, I guess you will have to hack the firmware to see it.

author: uhmgawa2
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 12, 2024, 11:28:56 pm
content: Quote from: tunk on June 03, 2024, 02:02:42 pmThe Vevor SDS1104 is just a rebranded Owon scope of the same marketed model. Even the manuals are basically the same text and graphics. And it arrives with Owon OW3100 probes. Actually last month Amazon had the Vevor SDS1104 at $129 with a one shot 40% off coupon -- a 4CH 100Mhz digital scope for $77 bucks. It was pretty compelling at that price point given all my other scopes are analog behemoths (which IMO remain very much un-obsoleted by digital equivalents except in one metric). I wouldn't pay the constantly bobbling Amazon list price for the Vevor sds1104 hovering around $300 but Vevor appears to be still selling them direct for $149. Even at that price and with the proposition viewed as that of a utility scope I don't expect you'll find a better deal currently. It certainly has limitations most notably 8-bit A/D and a total of 20K depth shared among all enabled channels. But I've paid more in the past for a mediocre bench DMM so that gives some perspective on the bang for the buck. Oh, that one metric mentioned above is the thing weighs 2.36 pounds and (with a DIY VESA mount) can sit on the cheapest adjustable monitor arm which none of my analog scopes could ever hope to do. The unit is so light the IEC mains input seems comically out of place design-wise as you'll be fighting stiffness of the power cable to position the scope where you need it. Internally there is a universal 100~240 VAC 50/60Hz PSU board from which the IEC input and power switch poke out through the case. It supplies a lone 5V rail to the internal main board. I powered the main board from a bench supply and found it draws ~1.7A @ 5V0. So it could as well have been designed with a 5V buck regulator and nominal 12VDC input, then powered from a wall wart flyback (which opens up the possibility to support an integrated battery). There is more than enough room in the case for quite a few 18650 Li cells.I'd really have to give a hat tip on the mechanical / physical design. It is surprisingly good for this price point and pulling the screws to pop the hood (a total of 6, 4 in the feet and 2 hiding under the handle) found those M3s sitting in brass insert nuts molded into the case. The case itself is quite well designed and manufactured. Wish they carried that thought through to include 4x M4 molded nuts in the back for a VESA mount but I'll likely just create a minimal VESA mount carrier for the unit with a grab handle projecting out from the bottom of the scope as a grab/positioning handle. Other stuff I haven't futzed with is the support for capture dump to a USB flash drive and the rear USB interface to a PC. There is a disk with windoZe software included but as a Linux user I'll be finding my own solution there if ever really needed. Some buyer reviews seem to indicate a misunderstanding the screen protection film which has an intentionally loose removal tab in the NE corner of the screen is some sort of screen delamination defect. I think I recall reading one cutting off the removal tab flush with the case and using it as such rather than understanding it being a prompt for the user to remove the glossy protection film. Unfortunate situation as when removed there is a much more readable and purposely provided matte screen surface waiting under it.Anyone interested might want to keep an eye on Amazon to see if the price dips again. It seems to have been quite volatile recently.QuoteMay well be a FPGA limitation given the clip at which that data is moving. And I'd hazard at least 32-bit internal path given it can support 4x 8-bits @ 1Ghz. The option of PCB rework for a 1Ghz memory capacity bump likely left us at the turn of the century.

author: uhmgawa2
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 13, 2024, 04:44:34 am
content: Quote from: rhb on June 02, 2024, 01:07:38 amAt least that appears to be a "solid state" scope. I can recall years ago as a lab TA in college having these battleship issue TEK scopes which were vacuum tube designs about the size of compact washing machine riding on what I'd describe to be a "heave-able" cart. The stock probes were truly a misfit for 100mil DIP era microprocessor systems, looking more like they'd been designed to securely glom onto a truck bumper. The one marginal benefit of those scopes was in the winter as supplement heaters thanks to those vacuum tubes. But they did the basic job with the imposition of an educated user. Dunno, at some point it may come to pass but I'm not inclined to part with any of my analog (user-intimately-on-the-wire) scopes any time soon.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2024, 04:47:07 am
content: Ahhh.. yeah, it might just be "solid state". What was the big reveal?