Thinking of buying a scope, how is the SDS1052DL for a beginner? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 10:47:19 pm
content: I did a quick search and I did not find much but from what I found it's decent I think... but before I pull the trigger just figured I'd ask what people think of the Siglent SDS1052DL? It's on sale right now for $300 and regular price is $144 so it's very tempting:http://www.amazon.ca/Siglent-SDS1052DL-Oscilloscope-Channels-100-240V/dp/B00GQNN70A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418509079&sr=8-1&keywords=oscilloscopeAny feedback would be appreciated, thanks.

author: MartyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 10:56:42 pm
content: TBH, for just $40 more go get the SDS1072CML as it gives you twice the sample rate, much more sample memory and also a higher bandwidth (70MHz vs 50MHz).http://www.amazon.ca/Siglent-SDS1072CML-Oscilloscope-Channels-100-240V/dp/B00GQNNHJG/ref=pd_cp_hi_0/177-2495856-3807862To me, this sounds like the better deal.Marty

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 11:04:15 pm
content: Can you afford an extra 100 bucks?DS1054Z oscilloscopeThe scope is new, having some teething problems (it's new), so far hackable,http://www.tequipment.net/Rigol/DS1054Z/Digital-Oscilloscopes/eevblog discounthttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/special-price-for-eevblog-members/

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 11:11:49 pm
content: Amazon.ca does not have that one. Trying to stay on a budget and ordering without having to pay customs or high shipping. Though 40 bucks extra to bump to 70mhz might be worthwhile though so I am now considering the SDS1072CML here:http://www.amazon.ca/Siglent-SDS1072CML-Oscilloscope-Channels-100-240V/dp/B00IP5III8/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1418512269&sr=1-2&keywords=SDS1072CML.

author: MartyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 11:18:23 pm
content: Erm.. may I ask why you choose the same model for $434 instead of the one with free shipping from my link for $345?

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 11:44:42 pm
content: Oh I missed that, the second time I just searched for the model number. Yeah I got the right link now.http://www.amazon.ca/Siglent-SDS1072CML-Oscilloscope-Channels-100-240V/dp/B00GQNNHJG/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1418514216&sr=1-1&keywords=SDS1072CML

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 03:56:10 pm
content: Well I pulled the trigger (no pun intended). I really need to stop spending money like this lately as I've been trying to build an emergency fund but,I've always wanted a scope and I could not pass up this deal. Got the 70khz model with free shipping. Should get it a bit after Christmas, can't wait to play with this new toy. I'll have to watch more videos on how to use them, I have watched some already and know the basics though.

author: MartyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 04:51:27 pm
content: Me too, I sinked around €3k last weeks in test gear for my home "lab"...However, everybody needs a scope and I think this CML series from Siglent is a affordable, solid, no-nonsense beginners scope. I added a SDS1102CML to my setup 2 months ago just because it was cheap (and I was curious) and I'm pretty happy with it, tho I much prefer my old Tektronix CRO's for most of my work.I can highly recommend watching w2aew's videos on scopes, you'll learn alot from them:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiqd3GLTluk2s_IBt7p_LjA?&channel=w2aewHave fun!Marty

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 09:07:13 pm
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on December 14, 2014, 03:56:10 pmYou probably mean the 70 MHz model, I guess SDS1072CML?Good little DSO, firmware mature and straight forward to use.I like the Siglent range for their 400 V Ch input capability, much less likely to overload inputs with a high voltage applied.It will take a while to find and exploit the features available especially for a beginner.Do some study, read the f******g manual (RTFM) and ask questions, there are many here that will help.Good choice.I know it will serve you well.

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 09:55:55 pm
content: Who said anything about mains voltages?Sent from my Smartphone

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 09:59:25 pm
content: Quote from: MartyD on December 14, 2014, 09:49:51 pmSure, but was is my reasoning for selecting Siglent products.Post editedDelete yours if you wish for a tidy up of the thread.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 11:11:36 pm
content: Actually was going to ask about mains, can you actually stick it in mains or do you need to do anything special? Obviously you'd want to either not use the ground clip, or ensure that the ground source you use is the same as the scope's ground. Or isolate the scope and plug into a GFCI, but probably best not to isolate it. Would be neat to test out UPSes and such to see what kind of output they produce. Some UPSes do funky things with the grounding so would just want to watch with that.Though everything I read about using it for mains seems to suggest it will somehow take my arm off or blow up my house like it produces a 500kv arc flash or something. Anything special I need to know that makes it so dangerous with mains compared to a multi meter or other situation dealing with mains?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 11:24:34 pm
content: Presuming you will use safe probing techniques, get a 100:1 probe for additional safety for high energy circuits.Learn and understand probe "Voltage De-rating with frequency".

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 11:35:42 pm
content: Quote from: Red Squirrel on December 14, 2014, 11:11:36 pmYou really shouldn't. The oscilloscope is rated CAT I, which generally speaking means its input cannot be directly connected to the mains, as the input is not rated to handle over-voltage transients typically expected on such a circuit.You can use a CAT II minimum rated 10X probe (600V or higher), or an isolating step-down transformer with sufficient series resistance to measure the mains with an oscilloscope. (Not that it's much use - it's just a sine wave with some rather flat-tops caused by all the low PF simple full-wave rectified supplies...)You -should- be able to probe an isolated UPS output with a 10X probe, as long as it is operating on its internal batteries only.In general, you don't want to go about floating your scope. The reason being you lose a large part of the protection that a grounded scope offers you. If you float your scope, everything ground on it can be potentially live. With a good scope, if you happen to connect the ground to a live high-ish energy source, the worst damage you'll usually do is blow up a probe clip and/or trip a breaker. Maybe the scope could be damaged, but this is rare because the shielding of most oscilloscopes, and the BNC connector, offers a low impedance to ground, bypassing sensitive input circuits. But, if you remove this grounding, you can touch any metal part of the scope and it could be live, without you knowing.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2014, 10:55:36 pm
content: It came in! Was not expecting it so soon, Amazon orders usually take a while. I've had some take 2 months.Just messing around with it using a wall adapter and bridge rectifier. I have lot of reading up to do so I can learn more advanced features like recording a time sequence of data such as a capacitor discharging over a period of time. That's possible to do right? Like I can tell it to record for nn time and it will capture data? Do like the screenshot feature too: